Life in Film: John Singleton
Singleton takes it from the hood to history.
1 / 10
Boyz N the Hood (1991) - Fresh out of USC’s Filmic Writing program, a 24-year-old Singleton made his film debut, writing and directing this groundbreaking movie about three friends growing up in the drug and gang-infested streets of South Central Los Angeles. The emotionally riveting film instantly becomes a classic, earning Singleton Oscar nods for screenplay and directing. While turning Ice Cube, Nia Long, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Morris Chestnut into film stars, Boyz also launched a new black film genre called “hood movies.”(Photo: Columbia Pictures)
Photo By Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures
2 / 10
Poetic Justice (1993) - For his sophomore project, Singleton paired Janet Jackson and hip hop music icon Tupac in this film about two South Central denizens—battling personal tragedies—who take a road trip in a mail truck to Oakland. Legendary writer Maya Angelou was hired to write poetry for Janet, who played a hairdresser moonlighting as a poetess. Opening number one at the box office its first weekend, the film also starred Guy Torry and Regina King.(Photo: Columbia Pictures)
3 / 10
Higher Learning (1995) - Singleton tackled issues of class and race in this ensemble film set on a college campus. Omar Epps played a track star who relies heavily on his scholarship to pay his fees, while Michael Rapaport portrayed a white student from Idaho who is unable to make friends and gravitates toward a group of neo-Nazi skinheads. The cast included Tyra Banks, Ice Cube and Busta Rhymes.(Photo: Columbia Pictures)
4 / 10
Rosewood (1997) - This drama was based on events of the 1923 Rosewood Massacre in Florida where a race riot killed six Blacks, two whites and destroyed the mostly-Black town of Rosewood. In the film, after a white woman claims to have been raped by a Black man racial violence ensues. The film starred Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle and Jon Voight. While Singleton’s film is inspired by the horrific event, he added fictional characters and moments for dramatic effect.(Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)
5 / 10
Shaft (2000) - Singleton attempted an update to this classic Blaxploitation film. Samuel L. Jackson starred as the nephew of John Shaft (Richard Roundtree). Also a detective, Jackson is called to investigate the racially-motivated murder of Trey Howard (Mekhi Phifer). The film opened number one at the box office when it debuted in June 2000.(Photo: Paramount Pictures)
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