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Boyz n the Hood

year 1991decade 90sdirector John Singletongenre Drama

112 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Ice Cube Darrin "Doughboy" Baker
Cuba Gooding Jr. Jason “Tre” Styles III
Laurence Fishburne Jason “Furious” Styles Jr.
Nia Long Brandi Harris
Morris Chestnut Ricky Baker
Tyra Ferrell Brenda Baker
Angela Bassett Reva Devereaux
Regina King Shalika
Redge Green Chris Brown

Boyz n the Hood | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Sean Fennesseyhost Van Lathanhost Logan Murdockproducer Craig Horlbeck format 30th Anniversary
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What’s Aged the Worst?

The haircuts are an early aged-worst nomination.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:27:06Read transcript
  • The haircuts are an early aged-worst nomination.
  • Beepers, haircuts and the clumsy Just Me and You romance montage are criticized, though its song is praised.
  • The explanatory college/death epilogue is considered unnecessary or painful, while another response likes it; Do the Right Thing is contrasted.
  • The Black-on-Black crime framing is criticized for making proximity-based violence seem racially unique; structural context and police brutality are discussed.
  • The Larry Fishburn name is offered as dated, distinguishing the name from the actor.

Most Rewatchable Scene

Barbecue, recruiting, ending and revenge ride are distinct favorites; Ricky’s death is powerful but painful.

In the discussion (15)
Approx. transcript time · 00:32:52Read transcript
  • The burglar and police arrival establish tension through mirrors, floor and bathtub details rather than explicit violence.
  • The dead-body trip is an overt Stand by Me homage, prompting uncertainty about Kendrick’s later reference.
  • The stolen and returned football shows the brothers’ different instincts and humanizes the older men; maternal favoritism toward Ricky shapes Doughboy’s protectiveness.
  • The fishing conversation and drive home deliver powerful fatherhood advice.
  • The barbecue efficiently introduces characters, jail history, friendships and varied women.
  • The USC recruiter scene uses empathy, porch interaction, scholarship hopes and helicopter noise to reveal Ricky’s situation.
  • The gentrification scene about keeping black neighborhoods black is powerful to watch again.
  • The speech is also criticized as didactic and implausibly staged; Fishburn makes it work, while the police character can feel too overt.
  • The gunfire and police stop gain further poignancy; Cuba’s acting is praised.
  • Ricky’s shooting is a signature crescendo, affecting but difficult to call enjoyable rewatching.
  • Barbecue and recruiting are preferred to repeated tragedy; barbecue and the ending are another pair of favorites.
  • The revenge ride is a distinct favorite for showing pain turning young men into killers and implicating the audience’s desire for revenge.
  • Furious silently accepting Trey’s return is praised; rejecting an explicit reunion and adding the brothers’ fight are endorsed.
  • Carrying Ricky’s body home extends grief, maternal blame and Doughboy’s regret.
  • Trey’s invented sex story is praised for the staged voices and mouthing, although lying to his father is discouraged.

What’s Aged the Best?

The young friends, Stand by Me fadeout and helicopters as a near-character are praised.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:56Read transcript
  • The young friends, Stand by Me fadeout and helicopters as a near-character are praised.
  • The bullet-marked Reagan-Bush poster, early discussion of culturally biased tests and blue Volkswagen convertible stand out.
  • Trey’s meltdown, Bassett and Long’s lasting screen presence, and Singleton’s mailman cameo are praised.
  • The closing South Central song, Too Short’s presence and father-son material hold up.
  • Singleton’s persistent pursuit of Ice Cube from his student days is admired.

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

The recruiter, observed John Cothran or Cother, is a shared choice.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:30Read transcript
  • The recruiter, observed John Cothran or Cother, is a shared choice.
  • Monster is another nominee whose actor is not named.
  • Observed Vante Sweet is chosen as the football taker also appearing in the film transcribed Miss Society; the two films are distinguished.
  • Jesse Lawrence Ferguson as the cop is another nominee; several future stars are discussed as former that-guys or that-girls.

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

The guy saying hey little man, catch is recalled, then the black cop is strongly favored.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:07Read transcript
  • The guy saying hey little man, catch is recalled, then the black cop is strongly favored.
  • Regina King at the barbecue is proposed as dialed up, but another response rejects that as authentic behavior.

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Tyra Farrell wins for substantial range in limited scenes.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:03Read transcript
  • The evil cop is rejected; Bassett and Whitman Mayo are nominees, with Tyra Farrell the winner.
  • Farrell moves among flirtation, hardened motherhood, anxious recruiting manners and terrified grief; her similar white men can’t jump role is noted.

Apex Mountain

Singleton is the choice, while renewed appreciation of Higher Learning, Rosewood, Baby Boy and Poetic Justice is acknowledged.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:02Read transcript
  • Singleton is the choice, while renewed appreciation of Higher Learning, Rosewood, Baby Boy and Poetic Justice is acknowledged.
  • Cube is debated against Friday and his musical peak; Friday is ultimately favored as his apex.
  • Matrix beats this for Fishburn overall, but Larry Fishburn specifically qualifies; the burger restaurant is another candidate.
  • Cuba’s Oscar period beats this; characters named Stiles qualify over Teen Wolf, while Bassett’s long prime resists a single apex.
  • Pouring out a40 is nominated; invention is doubted and popularization considered, with Detroit hats another candidate.
  • Alicia Rogers is considered with Class Act as an alternative; Nia Long is rejected.

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The South Central Cinema hat is already owned and was the desired item.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:54Read transcript
  • The South Central Cinema hat is already owned and was the desired item.
  • The gold Chevy Impala is a shared choice, with young Ricky’s USC jersey another.
  • The football is another choice, with teasing about taking the football his dad gave him.

Who Won the Movie?

Singleton is the supported lead choice; Cube, Fishburn and Regina King remain alternatives.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:44:29Read transcript
  • Singleton receives explicit support for his breakthrough and Oscar nomination, with Fishburn reluctantly set aside.
  • Cube is a strong alternative for his transformed career; Regina King is another nominee rather than a settled unanimous result.
  • Later Oscar winners and nominees in the cast are reviewed.
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John Singleton