Albert Hughes: Dead Presidents is flawed, took years for them to think Boyz N the Hood was a good movie, American Me is better than every hood film.

[Dr. Narcisse]

I get it

sometimes you gotta spell it out for people.

You gotta remember how young John Singleton and even the Hughes Bros were. Kinda incredible they did what they did.

 

[Ryda52]

Unpopular opinion, I got Dead Presidents over Menace, as a movie and a soundtrack.

 

[Sohh_lifted]

• 00:00:00 In this section, Albert Hughes discusses his experience working on the film Dead Presidents, which was initially funded by Disney. He explains that the problem wasn't necessarily Disney's involvement, but rather their lack of resistance and critique during the filmmaking process. Hughes and his brother felt insecure and rushed into the project, without any mentors or older individuals guiding them. They realized something was wrong when they didn't receive any pushback or questioning of their decisions. Overall, their experience with Disney wasn't their finest moment, and they didn't feel supported or challenged creatively.
• 00:05:00 In this section, Albert Hughes reflects on the making of his film "Menace II Society" and how he initially didn't like the finished product. Despite the movie being considered a classic, Hughes admits that he and his brother were "embarrassed" by it and thought their careers were over. However, after positive early reports started coming in, they realized that their initial reaction was unfounded. Hughes even goes on to say that he personally thinks "Menace II Society" is a better movie than "Boys in the Hood." He also acknowledges the importance of John Singleton's nomination for an Oscar but believes that, as a standalone movie, "Menace II Society" was superior. Overall, Hughes recognizes that his perspective was clouded by ambition during that time and he has since learned to appreciate "Boys in the Hood."

 

[Goat poster]

Boyz N the hood >>>> Menace 2 society

People can talk that "after school special" shyt all they want but Boyz was just a better overall product.

If Boyz tried to hard for a message then Menace tried to hard to be the "grimy, scary, REAL" hood movie.

And I think that's what Albert is referring too when he says they were embarrassed

 

[I Really Mean It]

I just recently watched Boyz N' The Hood again, and it's absolutely nutty how it beats you over the head with the "knowledge" that it kicks. I mean, they even tell you to go to church to find a good woman.

It's like the movie is trying to deliver a message within every scene, and that's absolutely where Don't Be A Menace got their "MESSAGE!" line from.

shyt is high-key annoying...

all of john singleton’s films were like that. no subtlety whatsoever.

 

[The Intergalactic Koala]

Cleon: "God's not gonna forgive me for this one"

Kirby: "I'll tell you what Reverend, with this kind of money, you can buy way your way into Heaven"

Skip: "Man, one thing I can't figure out. People be out of work everywhere and the government just be throwing money away!"

Kirby: That's Uncle Sam for you, son. Money to burn.

 

[2Quik4UHoes]

Both movies had their place. Menace did a better job of portraying LA street culture whereas Boyz gave you more of a general view into inner city life in LA as lived by both the street characters and the characters that represent regular life.

 

[The Intergalactic Koala]

Unpopular opinion, I got Dead Presidents over Menace, as a movie and a soundtrack.

Like I said in my film thread about the movie, it really should had got the Criterion treatment. The movie had so many layers and perfected black cinema to a tee (Paid in Full comes close). The soundtrack, the theme, and the cinematic approach to the movie felt like the Hughes Brother's Magnum Opus.

It sucks that folks dikk ride Menace, but look over Dead Presidents and I love both flicks.

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

Both movies had their place. Menace did a better job of portraying LA street culture whereas Boyz gave you more of a general view into inner city life in LA as lived by both the street characters and the characters that represent regular life.

'Menace' was more raw and I think gave more insight into the minds of everyone comin up in Watts during that era but I think 'Boyz' is the better acted movie and also shot better. That's why as time goes on I start to lean more towards 'Boyz' because of the filmmaking aspects.

'Dead Presidents' is the Hughes best film

 

[HollywoodP]

Dead Presidents is a great movie but Menace is the GOAT. I didnt appreciate "Boyz In The Hood" at first cause I saw "Dont Be A Menace..." before it. All 3 are classics

 

[Dr. Narcisse]

Boyz N the hood >>>> Menace 2 society

People can talk that "after school special" shyt all they want but Boyz was just a better overall product.

If Boyz tried to hard for a message then Menace tried to hard to be the "grimy, scary, REAL" hood movie.

And I think that's what Allan is referring too when he says they were embarrassed

I've gone back and forth on what was better over the years.

I think from a technical aspect Menace is just superior. Cinematography, score (Lets be honest the SCORE for Boyz was so damn bland. The blandness of the score undercut the messages of the film and made it seem corny at times. Its why the Wayans Bros made fun of it). The overall craft and the edits really gave it something extra.

However, in terms of STORY....I think Boyz clears. You have a clear view of every character in the film and they seem fully developed. In Menace I'd say half the characters are just there. The cousin just seems there, Too Short just pops up in the movie, Its only like 4 or 5 memorable characters in Menace to me.

Edit: I take that back. The Samuel L. Jackson bit was perfect. Could have watched an entire movie on those characters.

I kinda wish they did more with Charles S. Dutton. His one big scene was great.

Menace could have been Goodfellas level of good if it had more polish in the script imo.


Second Edit: I think thats why people here prefer Dead Presidents. The characters were just much stronger than in Menace.

 

[deimoz]

The "nightmare scene" in dead presidents always stuck out to Me ... It wuz like a combo of that 'sauls meats' place he worked at and vietnam ! shyt like that gave anthony (larenz) depth and the movie a classic appeal ...

IMO , "from hell" is My least favorite movie they made . They should talk about that!

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

I think from a technical aspect Menace is just superior. Cinematography

Score yes but the cinematography? I didn't think so... 'Boyz' looks incredible. 'Menace' looks more like a smaller indie but that works for it because it makes it feel more raw. I just can't say it's superior technically and the acting is clearly 'Boyz' because the cast is just amazing top to bottom.

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

I think the "after school special" debate is pretty dumb. Yeah, there are messages in 'Boyz' and some of it feels heavy handed AFTER THE FACT but back in 1991 it was exposing audiences to a lot of shyt that they probably never thought about and Furious was sayin some real shyt

 

[Dr. Narcisse]

Score yes but the cinematography? I didn't think so... 'Boyz' looks incredible. 'Menace' looks more like a smaller indie but that works for it because it makes it feel more raw. I just can't say it's superior technically and the acting is clearly 'Boyz' because the cast is just amazing top to bottom.

I'll give you cast. Cast was great. I'd say I've grown to appreciate the cinematography of Boyz in the Hood. But idk breh. There are some Scorsese level shots in Menace II Society.

The slow mo before they shot up the house/Cain is stuck in my head.