We recently, lost one of the greatest visionaries and directors of our time, the legendary John Singleton. The Hollywood vet passed away at the age of 51. Instead of focusing on the circumstances involving his death, we would rather celebrate his life and his work!
John Singleton has told our stories with so much honesty and integrity. He's pointed his lens toward the inner city and told tales of struggle, revenge, love, racism and so much more. His films gave us pride in ourselves and in our communities. They inspired us, they enlightened us and they forced us to evaluate ourselves.
His ability to put together ensemble casts and introduce new stars. From jumpstarting the careers of actors like Cuba Gooding Jr., Nia Long and Regina King to directing Hollywood heavyweights like Paul Walker, Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Whalberg. He's done it all. He's helped contribute to the legacy of the Fast and Furious franchise, he introduced Shaft to a new generation of moviegoers and held up the mirror and shown America it's ugly reflection both past and present. Aside from Spike Lee, I can't think of another American director who has done more for Black Hollywood than John Singleton.
In honor of his life, allow us to present to you all our top 5 John Singleton films.
His ability to put together ensemble casts and introduce new stars. From jumpstarting the careers of actors like Cuba Gooding Jr., Nia Long and Regina King to directing Hollywood heavyweights like Paul Walker, Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Whalberg. He's done it all. He's helped contribute to the legacy of the Fast and Furious franchise, he introduced Shaft to a new generation of moviegoers and held up the mirror and shown America it's ugly reflection both past and present. Aside from Spike Lee, I can't think of another American director who has done more for Black Hollywood than John Singleton.
In honor of his life, allow us to present to you all our top 5 John Singleton films.
5. Four Brothers
Four Brothers is a story about four brothers coming back to the city of Detroit to get to the bottom of the murder of their adoptive mother. The story is gritty, action packed and at moments, tug at your heart strings. I've seen this movie dozens of time and it never gets old. The on-screen chemistry of the all-star cast, their performances and the story line is more than enough to keep you hooked for an hour and a half.
4. Higher Learning
On any other list, this movie would probably be higher on my list (no pun intended). Even though this movie received mixed reviews when it was released. Yet in this film, John Singleton presented a unflinching look at race relations on a college campus. Higher Learning is underrated and was well before its time. Not only did the movie address racism, but it also touches on many other sensitive subject matters like mass shootings, homophobia and date rape; subjects that are still very prevalent almost 15 years later. To date, I haven't seen another film pack all of this in one film with honesty and sensitivity. Forget what critics say, Higher Learning was slept on.
3. Rosewood
Based on a true story, Rosewood is a story of the historic events of the 1923 Rosewood massacre in Florida, when a white mob killed blacks and destroyed their town. Singleton brought together another all-star cast for this unapologetic look at the harsh racism of the past of old south. Another example of the Singleton's willingness to address real issues effecting the Black community and the ugly history of white supremacy and racism in America.
2. Poetic Justice
When Poetic Justice dropped in 1993, it was unlike any other movie we'd seen in his era. It was one of the first times we had seen a love story based in the hood. John Singleton put together a film full of fresh faces in Hollywood. The two stars of the film, Tupac Shakur and Janet Jackson, were able to display different sides of their personalities that were so unlike their already larger than life personas. Tupac got to show his vulnerable side while Janet got to display her edgier side. It was a match-made in cinematic heaven and Singleton's ability to tell a story about young adults coming of age and working through the maze known as 'love'. While America would much rather write us off as animals and savages, this was another film that helped America see the humanity of Black Americas growing up in the hood.
1. Boyz N the Hood
And of course, there is no John Singleton list without Boyz N the Hood on it. This was the genesis. This film not only jump started the careers of Singleton himself as a writer and director, but also the careers of Ice Cube, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Regina King and Cuba Gooding Jr. All of which have had long prosperous careers in Hollywood. But what this film did for Black cinema when it was released has not been duplicated since then. It told a story of young black teens growing up in South Central trying to navigate through the constant threat of violence, love, sex, teen parenthood and wanting to grow beyond their environment. Again, a shining example of Singleton's ability to recognize new talent and fresh faces. His first one was a classic and his work was praised by many. Almost 30 years later, and John Singleton's characters still live on in our minds and hearts. And that's his legacy. That's what he gave us. Real stories that matter to us.
Once again, R.I.P to John Singleton.
What is your favorite John Singleton movie? Let us know what your top 5 list looks like!
What is your favorite John Singleton movie? Let us know what your top 5 list looks like!
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