Life in Film: John Singleton

Singleton takes it from the hood to history.

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)

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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

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)

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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)

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)

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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)

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)

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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)

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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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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Baby Boy (2001) - Ms.T ‏@Browneyes_2060: "@BET 'I hate you Jody!' #BabyBoy #BlackMovieQuotes"(Photo: Columbia Pictures)

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Baby Boy (2001) - Revisiting his beloved hood movie genre, Singleton explored the warped definitions of manhood beheld by many urban Black males. Once again, a Singleton production turned a music artist—this time, singer Tyrese Gibson—into a bonafide film star. In this classic, Gibson played Jody, a hustling momma’s boy with two babies mothers and a desperate need for a direction in life. The film also starred Snoop Dogg and Taraji P. Henson.(Photo: Columbia Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Colu

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) - In this second installment of The Fast and the Furious film franchise, Singleton tried his hand at directing a major Hollywood action film. About a group of illegal car racers heading toward the race of their lives, the movie starred Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson and Eva Mendes.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

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2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) - In this second installment of The Fast and the Furious film franchise, Singleton tried his hand at directing a major Hollywood action film. About a group of illegal car racers heading toward the race of their lives, the movie starred Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson and Eva Mendes.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

Hustle & Flow, Thursday at 9:30P/8:30C - Pimpin' isn't easy for Terrence Howard.(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

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Hustle & Flow (2005) - Stepping from the director’s chair, Singleton acted as the producer on this classic film about a pimp, DJay (played by Terrence Howard), looking to escape the underworld by becoming a hip hop artist. Terrence Howard received an Oscar nod for Best Actor. But the Oscar went to the rap group Three 6 Mafia, who won for Best Original Song for “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp."(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Paramount Pictures

Four Brothers (2005) - Singleton directed this action crime film starring Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre Benjamin and Garrett Hedlund. The four played adopted brothers who return to their Detroit hometown to investigate the murder of their adoptive mother (Fionnula Flanagan).(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

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Four Brothers (2005) - Singleton directed this action crime film starring Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre Benjamin and Garrett Hedlund. The four played adopted brothers who return to their Detroit hometown to investigate the murder of their adoptive mother (Fionnula Flanagan).(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

Abduction (2011)  - Continuing his pursuit of big Hollywood features, Singleton directed this thriller centered on a young man (Taylor Lautner) who sets out to uncover the truth about his life after finding his baby photo on a missing persons website.(Photo: Lionsgate)

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Abduction (2011)  - Continuing his pursuit of big Hollywood features, Singleton directed this thriller centered on a young man (Taylor Lautner) who sets out to uncover the truth about his life after finding his baby photo on a missing persons website.(Photo: Lionsgate)