DAR Films: 6 Important Black Films Of 1992
By @TrueGodImmortal
We here at DAR discuss the 1990s quite often and for good reason. It was the golden era of black entertainment, and there were so many things about that period in music and film and television that was so special. In film, black movies seemed to be on a different wave, showcasing various fashions, various lifestyles, and so much more. Today, we wanted to look at 6 films from a pivotal year in black film, 1992. Here are the 6 most important black films of that classic year.
*Boomerang
-There are a number of films featuring Eddie Murphy in the 80's and 90's that can be labeled classic, but perhaps no film truly showcased his talent as an actor and comedian quite like Boomerang. While Coming To America is his best film, Eddie crafted that film, helped write it, star in it, and played a number of different roles. While he honed in on the dynamic of Prince Akeem and of course, everything else in between (word to Randy Watson), Boomerang was the first true black romantic comedy that felt special. It was essentially a movie that could rival the Pretty Womans and Sleepless In Seattles, but more authentic and easily better. Eddie stars as the playboy Marcus Graham, who has everything going his way. The career, the money, the friends, and the endless supply of women. He seems comfortable in his life, as he moves from woman to woman, including the beautiful Lela Rochon, but things change when he meets the attractive character of Jacqueline played by Robin Givens. This movie is one of my favorites of all time and the story to the comedy to every role played are all classic. Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Halle Berry, John Witherspoon, and many more make this a legendary cast in retrospect.
*Malcolm X
-Of course, this movie has to be mentioned. Denzel Washington pulled off the role of a lifetime playing the one and only Malcolm X. This movie is one of my all time favorites and while director Spike Lee did seem to get slightly overzealous with some of his camera work and the scenes, overall, this is a near flawless cinematic masterpiece. Simply put, Denzel shines as Malcolm and carries the entire movie alongside the great performance from Angela Bassett as Malcolm's wife. All in all, this movie was a classic from start to finish and it topped many lists in 1992. Denzel was robbed of an Oscar for this role and the movie should have received even more accolades than it did at the time of release. Malcolm X was a legendary figure so it's only right he had a movie larger than life to honor him and a legendary performance from Denzel as well.
*Juice
-A tale of young friends who go through some interesting ups and downs, Juice is a movie that truly showcases the young angst of black youth and some of the nonsense that can come with it. The entire movie itself is a classic in many ways, but two performances stick out the most and that's Omar Epps in a star making role as Q and Tupac Shakur in his movie debut as Bishop. Many people look to Pac and his role as Bishop as a turning point in his career and rightfully so. Bishop is the one that steals the show in the movie and his crazy rants and erratic behavior are very familiar for some of us. Regardless, this is a pretty good movie and one of the best of the year, and if I had to rank it with the films on this list, I would rank it at no. 3.
*South Central
-Well, in between the harsh reality of the 1991 classic Boyz N The Hood and the 1993 classic Menace To Society rests the 1992 underrated film South Central. While the movie was far from a financial success, it was definitely one of the best films of the year, earning a lot of fans and rave reviews in the process. The film has many layers to it, and it remains one of the more slept on "gangsta" films of the decade, because there was a bigger message to it than just the street life many films would tend to glorify. Based upon a book titled Crips, the film follows the story of Bobby Johnson, his son Jimmy, Ray Ray, Willie Manchester, and many more. The ending was a little Hollywood in my opinion and a bit distant from reality, but for the most part, this movie touches on the harsh truths and what can come with choosing to live a life like that one.
*Class Act
-So, in between House Party 2 and 3, Kid N' Play decided to go out and make another film that wasn't quite as popular, but still held some favor with their fans. Class Act saw Kid N' Play attempt to do something different not attached to the House Party brand and while this movie wasn't as successful as those, and was met with negative reviews from critics, the fact remains, this movie was a pivotal moment for the duo. The movie itself is important to black film if only for the concept and the characters, as the names Blade Brown and Duncan Pinderhughes became instantly classic among moviegoers and people who appreciate the film. Add in Ms. Hillary Banks herself Karyn Parsons in the film starring in the lead female role as Ellen and you have an entertaining recipe without question. Sure, Class Act isn't going to make anyone's all time great list, but in 1992, it was a film that saw Kid N' Play test their draw ability outside of House Party and it stands as their only film together that isn't in the House Party series.
*Mo' Money
-So, this movie itself wasn't necessarily important, but it was a big money for the Wayans as a family and for Damon Wayans. After appearing in the slightly popular Last Boy Scout film, Damon would sit down and write his first feature film, which would also star Stacey Dash (gasp!) and his brother Marlon in one of his earliest roles. What makes this film so important is more so the accomplishment behind it for Damon, adding his name next to Keenan's as a film writer. Add in Marlon with one of his earliest roles, Bernie Mac making an appearance, and Stacey Dash in her fine prime before we knew who she really was, and the movie making over 40 million dollars and reaching the top spot at the box office, and this movie has much more of a legacy than most would give it credit for. Not to mention, the soundtrack was amazing.
-True
We here at DAR discuss the 1990s quite often and for good reason. It was the golden era of black entertainment, and there were so many things about that period in music and film and television that was so special. In film, black movies seemed to be on a different wave, showcasing various fashions, various lifestyles, and so much more. Today, we wanted to look at 6 films from a pivotal year in black film, 1992. Here are the 6 most important black films of that classic year.
*Boomerang
-There are a number of films featuring Eddie Murphy in the 80's and 90's that can be labeled classic, but perhaps no film truly showcased his talent as an actor and comedian quite like Boomerang. While Coming To America is his best film, Eddie crafted that film, helped write it, star in it, and played a number of different roles. While he honed in on the dynamic of Prince Akeem and of course, everything else in between (word to Randy Watson), Boomerang was the first true black romantic comedy that felt special. It was essentially a movie that could rival the Pretty Womans and Sleepless In Seattles, but more authentic and easily better. Eddie stars as the playboy Marcus Graham, who has everything going his way. The career, the money, the friends, and the endless supply of women. He seems comfortable in his life, as he moves from woman to woman, including the beautiful Lela Rochon, but things change when he meets the attractive character of Jacqueline played by Robin Givens. This movie is one of my favorites of all time and the story to the comedy to every role played are all classic. Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Halle Berry, John Witherspoon, and many more make this a legendary cast in retrospect.
*Malcolm X
-Of course, this movie has to be mentioned. Denzel Washington pulled off the role of a lifetime playing the one and only Malcolm X. This movie is one of my all time favorites and while director Spike Lee did seem to get slightly overzealous with some of his camera work and the scenes, overall, this is a near flawless cinematic masterpiece. Simply put, Denzel shines as Malcolm and carries the entire movie alongside the great performance from Angela Bassett as Malcolm's wife. All in all, this movie was a classic from start to finish and it topped many lists in 1992. Denzel was robbed of an Oscar for this role and the movie should have received even more accolades than it did at the time of release. Malcolm X was a legendary figure so it's only right he had a movie larger than life to honor him and a legendary performance from Denzel as well.
*Juice
-A tale of young friends who go through some interesting ups and downs, Juice is a movie that truly showcases the young angst of black youth and some of the nonsense that can come with it. The entire movie itself is a classic in many ways, but two performances stick out the most and that's Omar Epps in a star making role as Q and Tupac Shakur in his movie debut as Bishop. Many people look to Pac and his role as Bishop as a turning point in his career and rightfully so. Bishop is the one that steals the show in the movie and his crazy rants and erratic behavior are very familiar for some of us. Regardless, this is a pretty good movie and one of the best of the year, and if I had to rank it with the films on this list, I would rank it at no. 3.
*South Central
-Well, in between the harsh reality of the 1991 classic Boyz N The Hood and the 1993 classic Menace To Society rests the 1992 underrated film South Central. While the movie was far from a financial success, it was definitely one of the best films of the year, earning a lot of fans and rave reviews in the process. The film has many layers to it, and it remains one of the more slept on "gangsta" films of the decade, because there was a bigger message to it than just the street life many films would tend to glorify. Based upon a book titled Crips, the film follows the story of Bobby Johnson, his son Jimmy, Ray Ray, Willie Manchester, and many more. The ending was a little Hollywood in my opinion and a bit distant from reality, but for the most part, this movie touches on the harsh truths and what can come with choosing to live a life like that one.
*Class Act
-So, in between House Party 2 and 3, Kid N' Play decided to go out and make another film that wasn't quite as popular, but still held some favor with their fans. Class Act saw Kid N' Play attempt to do something different not attached to the House Party brand and while this movie wasn't as successful as those, and was met with negative reviews from critics, the fact remains, this movie was a pivotal moment for the duo. The movie itself is important to black film if only for the concept and the characters, as the names Blade Brown and Duncan Pinderhughes became instantly classic among moviegoers and people who appreciate the film. Add in Ms. Hillary Banks herself Karyn Parsons in the film starring in the lead female role as Ellen and you have an entertaining recipe without question. Sure, Class Act isn't going to make anyone's all time great list, but in 1992, it was a film that saw Kid N' Play test their draw ability outside of House Party and it stands as their only film together that isn't in the House Party series.
*Mo' Money
-So, this movie itself wasn't necessarily important, but it was a big money for the Wayans as a family and for Damon Wayans. After appearing in the slightly popular Last Boy Scout film, Damon would sit down and write his first feature film, which would also star Stacey Dash (gasp!) and his brother Marlon in one of his earliest roles. What makes this film so important is more so the accomplishment behind it for Damon, adding his name next to Keenan's as a film writer. Add in Marlon with one of his earliest roles, Bernie Mac making an appearance, and Stacey Dash in her fine prime before we knew who she really was, and the movie making over 40 million dollars and reaching the top spot at the box office, and this movie has much more of a legacy than most would give it credit for. Not to mention, the soundtrack was amazing.
-True
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