Boyz n the Hood directed by John Singleton

The film Boyz n the Hood was directed by John Singleton and released in 1991 as a part of the beginning Hood film genre. The film follows the main characters, Trey, Chris, Dough-boy and Ricky during the mid 1980's until the early 1990's and takes place in South Central Los Angeles. The film follows the boys and the different paths their lives each take. Trey is the only boy lucky enough to make it out of their South Central neighborhood while both Dough-boy and Ricky are murdered by local gang members.

The entire film depicted the gritty and violent scene of South Central L.A. during a time of drugs, sex and gangs. From the beginning of the film Trey has a problem with violence and is sent to live with his father who resides in South Central Los Angeles. The beginning of the film also introduces the idea that African-Americans shouldn't kill other African-Americans, this theme is carried throughout the movie as the main characters try to decide between right and wrong. Trey's father offers him advice that stays with Trey throughout the film, advice that touched upon race relations, being a man and doing the right thing. The entire film revolves around the themes of violence and right and wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire film and thought that it nicely highlighted the racial inequalities that were taking place during this time.

Goodfellas directed by Martin Scorsese

The film Goodfellas was released in 1990. The film directed by Martin Scorsese is one of his fascinating gangster dramas. Goodfellas is based off a book by Nicholas Pileggi entitled "Wiseguy." The book was non-fiction and revolved around the life of Henry Hill, as does the film. This crime biopic follows Henry Hill as he grows up idolizing the gangsters in his Brooklyn, New York community and eventually becoming one of the gangsters he idolized as a kid. Henry and his mob friends were involved in violence, stealing, drugs and the like in order to make money for themselves and their mob-bosses.

I thought it was interesting throughout the film how Scorsese used specific cuts and freeze-frames in order to highlight Henry's life. An example of this takes place during the end of the film before Henry finally gets busted by the Feds, the shots are very chaotic and quick. These quick cuts on Henry and the surrounding scene allowed the audience to feel the tension and panic that Henry was dealing with. Also, multiple freeze-frames took place throughout the film, all focusing on Henry when the shot took place. I feel that these freeze-frames were included in the film to make the audience aware that a change just took place in Henry's life.

Overall, I love this movie! It's one of my favorite films and I also think it's one of the best mafia films ever made. I only have good things to say about the films plotline, the characters adaptation of the people and all the elements included in mise-en-scene.