I call these Nia Long movies because for a while there, you just couldn't make a decent New Jack/Neo-Soul movie without Ms. Nia. The New Jack/Neo-Soul Movies were during a semi-Urban Hollywood Renaissance of the 1990s where movies, music and TV shows spotlighting black culture (in all its nuance) were plentiful. In order to be a true New Jack/Neo-Soul movie you needed three things: 1) an ensemble cast full of popular talented pretty black people, 2) a plot tied to the black experience but relatable to all races, and lastly 3) a slamming soundtrack. Sometimes I had the soundtrack memorized before I even saw the movie. Embedded video below safe for work or young ears:
It was way too hard to pick my top five favorites in this category so I just chose five at random out of my top fifteen. Here, in no particular order are some the great New Jack/Neo-Soul movies of the 1990s. (We could use some like this today!):
Love Jones: Nia Long and Larenz Tate are young game-playing up and comers in Chicago. If they had Facebook statuses back then, theirs would have been: It's Complicated. Never the less, in a very basic yet entertaining Boy meets Girl plot, you feel like you are watching people you know (well) as they try and get their love jones on. Additional cast members of note are Isaiah Washington, Bill Bellamy and Lisa Nicole Carson (where is she now?). Led by the power vocals of Lauryn Hill and Dionne Ferris, this soundtrack is timeless. Cassandra Wilson's "You Move Me" is one of the sexiest songs ever. Ever I say.
New Jack City: Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown is one the most quintessentially evil villains to ever grace a film screen. Allen Payne, Michael Michelle, Bill Nunn, Mario Van Peebles, Ice-T, Judd Nelson and Chris Rock (as cursed crackhead Pookie) round out the cast. Based (loosely) on the exploits of real-life gangster Nicky Barnes (and others) and law enforcement's determination to bring him down, New Jack City is one long (well-scored) anti-drug commercial. Directed by Mario Van Peebles, he said he wanted to make sure that every major character that touched drugs died… in case you missed the lesson. Christopher Williams' "If I'm Dreaming" is a favorite, Keith Sweatt's "There you go (telling me no)" ranks on my least favorite songs of all time but "I Wanna Sex You Up" by the now defunct Color Me Badd stayed in my head for years.
Mo' Better Blues: Denzel states, "The mo' betta makes it mo' betta." Need we say more? Okay, a few things, this Spike Lee joint is about a jazz musician Bleek Williams (Washington) who is your basic talented but conflicted dude with doggish tendencies. His partner, friend, rival and nemesis, Shadow (Snipes) wants everything that Bleek has. A story of professional and personal jealousies and demons, it's not the easiest of Spike's films to watch but it's still beautiful in its well-acted, well-written complexities. Supported by Cynda Williams, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, Wesley Snipes, Joie Lee, the late Robin Harris and Spike Lee himself, this is Spike's "prettiest" film from a strictly cinematographic point of view. The soundtrack is not full of poppy hits but lovely and memorable jazz highlighted by The Branford Marsalis Quartet and Terence Blanchard's rendition of the title track "Mo' Better Blues".
Boomerang: Bless the person who greenlit this film… I can hear the pitch now: Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrewnce and David Alan Grier are best friends. Eddie is a marketing exec who chases women. He is chased by Grace Jones, Eartha Kitt and Lela Rochon. He falls for Robin Givens who dogs him and ends up with Halle Berry who he dogs. Also, Tisha Campbell and Chris Rock will have small roles. We're gonna bring in Geoffrey Holder and John Witherspoon to hold things down – sold? SOLD! Toni Braxton, Babyface and Boyz II Men have hits on this album but my favorite song (I'm sure this says something about me) is the less appreciated "Hot Sex" by a Tribe Called Quest.
Boyz N the Hood: Every time I watch this movie I wish Ricky would run a little faster. Looking back now, this was a cast of brilliant proportions (Angela Bassett, Laurence ishburne, Morris Chestnut, Cuba Gooding Jr, Nia Long, Regina King, even Ice Cube). The story of young people just 'trying to survive in South Central' was smartly written included a moral (for any who cared to learn it) and a soundtrack that stands the test of time. Where is John Singleton now? There is not a song on the soundtrack that I didn't love. Tevin Campbell, Yo-Yo, Toni Tony Tone all contributed songs I love but my favorite cut is the Quincy Jones/Take 6 interlude called "Setembro".
Most Slept on in this Genre: Hav Plenty
Fails in this genre: Juice (which I always confuse with Above the Rim) and Two Can Play that Game.
[pause for the 'pay the bills' cause: All of the movies and soundtracks listed in this post are available at the OneChele Amazon Store]
Back to business... And the floor is yours, what's your favorite New Neo movie of the 1990s and why? What's your least favorite? And which soundtrack do you still play today? Take the poll, leave a comment, share!
67 comments:
I was the only person who loved Poetic Justice ;-)
Even though this was late 80's I have to go Do the Right Thing. And Fight the Power remains as relevant now as it ever was.
Boomerang was my favorite. I felt that Menace II Society sucked in a most spectacular way.
Yes, yes you were. It was at least better than Higher Learning which was a steaming bowl of suck. I don't know what year Jungle Fever came out but I still love that movie. Ah, the pre-Blade Wesley.
I vote for Set It Off - that En Vogue song when Jada and Blair are getting all sexy - for the win!
Hated Dead Presidents.
Players Club was the worst. How do you do this list without Soul Food! Best soundtrack ever, ensemble cast, great plot, Nia Long included, kicked off a good TV show too.
Agreed, Jungle Fever was brilliant. The only thing I remember about Higher Learning was Tyra Banks and Omar Epps running.
Best soundtrack, best movie: What's Love got to do with it - Angela and Larry were ROBBED of Oscars. I agree with whoever said Player's Club sucked, add South Central to the suck pile.
I hated HAV PLENTY LOVE & BASKETBALL is my all time favorite.
Apologies for leaving off Soul Food - what was I thinking?
I watched New Jack city again the other night, it still holds up but WOW Chris Rock looked bad!
Did anyone else see Booty Call - now THAT was terrible.
I don't know if this was the 90s but I liked Romeo Must Die plus soundtrack. Crooklyn was awful
The Brothers - not good. Sprung - even worse.
I had blocked 'Sprung' out of my memory.
Still mad about Jason's Lyric. Matter of fact. Bokeem Woodbine jacked up a BUNCH of films. Love Jones - cast, soundtrack, test of time.
Can we count Bodyguard - loved it and the soundtrack. CB4 - worst.
When was Hollywood Shuffle? Classic! Golden Child - what were they thinking?
This was HBO only but I liked Disappearing Acts and great soundtrack. Worst? Girl 6.
Golden Child was a fun movie but not even close to what I would call - good. Eddie Murphy was still learning how to act during that movie.
Yep, I didn't like it at all.
The Preacher's Wife! Loved it. A thin line between love and hate - hated it!
Eddie has had some epic stink bombs. Pluto Nash, Norbit, that one where he was a body part or something. Thank God for the Beverly Hills Cops and 48 Hours series so he had some loyalty built up in his fan base.
Come on. Let's serious, Jungle Fever wasn't brilliant. It was a likable movie but the relationship was set up not to work. Why does the brother have to be playing around on his wife? Why couldn't Wesley's character had been single so that there was a realistic chance at making the relationship work. In spite of this, I loved Spike Lee's direction.
House Party 1 for the music. Two and Three were a stretch. Can't have this list without Five Heartbeats - Eddie Cain!
This was a hard one, I had to abstain from voting because I was into some of the hood movies in the 90's and my favorite movie from that time IS Menace II Society. Larenz Tate is my favorite black actor under 35 and his performaces are always strong.
On second thought I will vote (Love Jones for Nia's nipps alone) but know that my heart is with MIIS.
Also I liked Juice mainly for Pac's performance. Everything else was so-so and yes I did like the soundtrack! Know The Ledge is one of my favorite (if not my favorite) Eric B. & Rakim songs and Uptown Anthem is my favorite Naught By Nature song.
I'm feeling my age just writing this comment.
I'm aging as I type as well - Waiting to Exhale! Shoop, shoop still sounds good!
I watched Set it Off over the weekend. I cry EVERY TIME and I always hope they'll get away, a la OneChele hoping Ricky will run faster.
Higher Learning was subpar, but I give it a pass anyway because it tried.
Love & Basketball is my favorite, followed closely by Waiting to Exhale (which I like because, regardless of who it bashes, it's still a good film). Hoodlum is in my queue on Netflix; I just recently (like in the last 6 mos) saw New Jack City for the first time.
Ahhh, this shall be a grand week.
I was scared of Lynn Whitfield for a while after that movie; she does that "crazy as hell" woman role very well... a little too well...
Beyond the Halle Berry cute factor, can anyone justify Strictly Business?
She was great in the Josephine Baker story though. Yes, she has deranged black chick" down pat.
I remain tart that Jada is the only one to survive. Very tart.
I thought it was brilliant for tackling that subject matter at the time. It was pleasant, no. But very well done.
why do fools fall in love was not awful, well - I thought Larenz did his thing. One movie I found was disturbing was Eve's Bayou.
How Stella Got her Groove Back! Yes! Low Down Dirty Shame... uh, no.
What was the movie with Damon Wayans and Stacey Dash? It was okay but your list made me think of it.
Mo Money... not great.
I still love Boomerang and the soundtrack too. What a great idea for a movie list - love this!
The Inkwell.
I have to disagree with this one in regards to Dead Presidents. It was only a good movie but it had an EXCELLENT cast and accompanying soundtrack.
Castlcan be found here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112819/
Samples of soundtrack here: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Presidents-Music-Motion-Picture/dp/B000002TWC
This was the first (and possibly only) dramatic role for Chris Tucker. Early performances by Terrence Howard when he was still worth watching. This movie introduces us to Rico from 6ft under (if you liked that show, which I did). And it also featured Keith David and N'Bushe Wright. Even if you wasn't into the story all that much, the performances were great.
Jason's Lyric had such terrible Texas accents and piss-poor acting that I never forgave the movie.
Damon maywin the stink-movie of the 90s award - Major Payne, Bulletproof, the Last Boy Scout - ugh!
Love and Basketball has a great song by Me'shell Ndegeocello - Fool of me - one of my favorites!
no.
Uh-huh. Plays during the final basketball scene.
Amen and amen.
clifton powell has picked up where wayans and woodbine left off with making the bad movies .lol
Me'Shell's song Stay from Love Jones is one of my favorites!
Deep Cover's soundtrack was brilliant. "Creep with me as I crawl through the hood..."
Movie was just okay.
Wayans period killing us. They truly need to stick to TV. Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in The Hood? C'mon son.
Great list; I co-sign on all of your choices.
I especially appreciate your mentioning "Hav Plenty," a good movie that was a slept on by many. If I recall correctly this movie introduced the fine actress, Cheona Maxwell, to the world. Unfortunately, she has not blown-up the way I thought she would. But she did appear in another new jack film that I enjoyed, called "G" with Blair Underwood.
Those damn Wayans did nothing funny after I'm gonna get you sucka. Did anyone make it through The Glimmerman with Keenan and Steven Seagal?
This may have been late 80s and I know it wasn't the greatest film but I loved Harlem Nights - hilarity! "I'z an honest ho and all my hos is honest"
"She shot me in my pinky toe!" It was universally panned but I still laugh my butt off watching it.
I'm torn - Boomerang is like my favorite movie of all time (besides Coming to America) but the best sooundtrack has to be love jones...
A big sleeper to me as far as soundtracks go is the Set It Off soundtrack.
I agree Boomerang is my fav.
You have to appreciate a man who can coordinate (mushroom lining, belt, ect.) and is creative (old rabbit fur turned into earrings).
Ok, no Friday? I know the drug use is not cool, but, dang it! It's funny!
I honestly have to say that, with the exception of Vivica talking to the camera, Two Can Play That Game was funny!
Hollywood Shuffle? Classic. 'Ho's gotta eat, too!'
I gotta give it up to John Witherspoon for being the comic relief in Hollywood Shuffle, House Party, Boomerang, and all the Fridays!
Love Soul Food, Boomerang, The Best Man, Boyz in the Hood, and The Five Heartbeats.
I'm surprised no Friday either - Chris Tucker as Smokey is comic gold... and you know this, man!
I loved Love Jones, it set the standard for black "romantic" films that guys would look at too.
I also really liked The Wood!
My all time favorite will be Hav Plenty. Hands down the best movie with a cast you knew nothing about. You all remember them BET Arabasque films?
I try to tell people about Hav Plenty all the time and no one really remembers it. Great movie with a good soundtrack.
I actually liked Girl 6. It was stupid as a plot but the cinematography was great. Great all Prince soundtrack.
Great post! I want to see a follow up on this topic =D
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