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Wendy Raquel Robinson
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Tyrese
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Omar Gooding
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Shanon Elizabeth
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Regina Hall
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Kim Wayans
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John Singleton
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Java Vincent
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Guy Torre
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Eve
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D.L. Hughley
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Derek Fisher
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Cederic the Entertainer
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Angel
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| MORE MELODRAMA FROM JOHN SINGLETON In the movie written for late hip-hop icon, TUPAC SHAKUR, JOHN SINGLETON offers a glimpse in the development of JODY aka BABY BOY on the streets of Los Angeles. Due to the untimely passing of the multi-talented Shakur, Singleton brought on another talented young man, singer, actor, veejay, TYRESE GIBSON. Singleton also enlisted the Doggfather of rap music, SNOOP DOGGY DOGG, to play Jody’s nemesis, Rodney. Singleton, Gibson and Snoop put it down for the hood in BABY BOY, the follow-up to the 1991 South Central urban drama. In his first feature film, Tyrese did an excellent job in the title role as Jody in BABY BOY. About the role, he said, " (I was just) looking to make John Singleton proud (and he) wants everybody to see a reflection of themselves in his character in the movie." Truly this movie covers many points of view, taking responsibility for your actions, good and bad, young love, and family unity; universal themes that aren’t limited to the inner-city. The director describes the movie as, "hip, it’s funny and topical and very, very personal. It’s more of a companion piece to BOYZ N THE HOOD." Meaning it doesn’t exactly pick up where BOYZ N THE HOOD left off 10 years ago. In BABY BOY, Jody is not a gangster, he’s simply a young man trying to find his way in the world. Unfortunately, due to his own indiscretions, he has two children by two different young women. The movie opens as Jody and his girlfriend, Yvette (TARAJI P. HENSON) leave the clinic after another abortion. They already have a young son toddling around. Then, cut to Jody arriving at another woman’s house and kissing his cute little baby girl. Don’t hate the player, hate the game…and what a melodramatic game young people face in the early 21st century. In this movie this young black man struggles to find a legitimate source of income to take care of his family. It discusses the biological traps of love, 2 baby’s mamas! The audience sees our young protagonist fighting for independence while still needing guidance from a young mother that sees him as a grown up, and therefore, refuses to provide much more than a roof over his head. Unlike, BOYZ N THE HOOD, from a decade ago, this movie has a happy ending even after Jody and his buddy Sweetpea (OMAR GOODING) kill Rodney for squatting in Yvette’s apartment and almost raping her in front of Jody, Jr. After a long battle for king of the castle, Jody and his mother’s boyfriend, Melvin (VING RHAMES) become friends. Jody finally settles down with Yvette to continue to populate the earth and live happily ever after. Yes, coming of age themes cross many boundaries but let’s stay real. It’s hard to believe that after a couple of passes on sex with no strings attached and after a battle with your conscious over murder that a young person could turn his life around in what seemed like less than one year. But if you want to see a movie that is well-directed and acted with great hip-hop music BABY BOY will have you reminiscing about the joy and pain of growing up. After all comedian DL HUGHLEY of the hit UPN comedy, THE HUGHLEY’s says, "John Singleton is the urban Spike Lee. BOYZ N THE HOOD is one of my all-time favorite films." Believe that! |
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