@@HeitCheriI was going to say that too. And to add to that, Yvette Wilson (RIP) also played on The Parkers as Andelle, Nikki Parker’s best friend who owned the bar spot. The Parkers was a spinoff of Moesha.
Jenifer Lewis was a busy woman in '93 by being in two of the biggest movies of that year, this one as Lucky's mother and being the mother of Tina Turner in What's Love Got To Do With It. I like this movie because it was completely different than being in the hood setting and taking the road trip setting and I like that a lot reminds me of Dumb and Dumber. 😊
You right! 😂 I was telling someone else in the comments that I was full of mistakes in this one! 😂 I'ma do better, but as Mike Epps says, "Playas eff up..." Sometimes. 😆
Im a Creole/indian woman from New Orleans. Back when i was young, there was this sense of abundance and the main point EVERYONE PITCHED IN. Uncles are grilling/boiling, grandma is helping with prep, my aunts all in charge of a dish, there was a sense of harmony and community. Nowadays, there isnt abundance like that anymore. Things cost more and the younger folks dont want to pitch in. There is still a sense of community but now there is a vetting system, everyone cant get a plate😂😂😂.
Hey one part I didn’t see you all mentioned is after esha got hit by Chicago…. She says “I’m gonna have Dookie and Monster blast you” to Chicago….. which is a direct call back to boys in the hood. Dookie & Monster were two of dough boys homies on the porch.
That's something we'd discuss in a detailed breakdown of the film. It's hard to mention everything in a rundown and keep the video at a reasonable length.
Lucky absolutely should've intervened and tried to diffuse the situation. Chicago was his friend. So, I agree with you on this Cheri. Iesha was very reckless with her mouth, but he crossed the line when he hit her. Somebody had to do something in that moment and it shouldn't have been Justice.
Growing up in South Carolina, one thing that wasn't really talked about was that people were polite but didn't actually want this stranger or even some neighbors or family to actually come by. It was just THE POLITE THING TO DO. I remember as a kid, my great aunt would have all types of people come by around dinner time that she barely saw and was welcoming. Or at times, she would pretend the food wasn't done or try to lie to get the person to go away because they were only there to freeload. My mom and grandma were like that. When I became an adult, I didn't play those games.
I got real hot at how they clowned Lucky because he worked at the post office. I took it really personal because my mother worked at the post office and took really good care of me. Postal workers made great salaries. Never glamorous but, and Robert Townsend said it best; “There’s always work at the Post Office!”
Yesss you guys are doing one of my favorite movies! I can quote it from beginning to end lol. This is such a quotable movie. I swear John Singleton wrote about 50,000 f bombs into the script 😂😂😂.
Cuddin Pete. I love these reviews & the side conversations about your own lives. They're always fun❤ Y'all should do a commentary about the shop owner, that played Doughboy & Ricky's mama. As a kid I she came off as "bitter" to me but now, not so much. As you get older life teaches you & hardens you. She to me was one of those man - eating, self centered, career womyn who learned hard lessons & decided to protect herself. I love that for her.
I've seen it happen a lot at picnics especially family reunions and church picnics. But lately you really don't know who is family and who is not because some people will bring their plus ones or their best friends not with the intentions to just eat but just to have a good time. To keep the peace you make sure you have enough food to feed everybody. My family is huge so it's hard to know who is who as far as the new faces. The old faces you see on a particular basis you do know.
Personally though I would have confronted Chicago after he assaulted Iesha. BUT I would have understood WHY. She cucked him the whole time at the reunion and then admitted flat out that she cheated on him the whole time. She was trying to hurt him. But the assault, you have got to handle that differently. It’s difficult in the moment. Hell the brother in Family that Preys actually got applauded for a similar reaction. So…it’s tough.
Cuddin' Pete Scenes I would like a breakdown from this movie: 1. Lucky's baby mama situation 2. Justice "I Never Dreamed You'll Leave in Summer" 3. Gas Station / Old E 4. Family Reunion (especially when one of the aunties talks about morals) 5. Beach Scene
Ieshea drinking doesn't have anything to do with her flirting because she was already seeing someone on the side. Mind you Chicago got heated about isesha talking to another guy when just hours earlier he was flirting with justice right in her face.
Tbh, I think Iesha was the unsung villain in this movie. She brought ill vibes to the whole road trip as soon as she started drinking. She was talking kicking justice's cat. Trying to fight Lucky when he didn't do anything. And ruin Chicago's manhood.
There’s an unspoken things with black young brothers in our culture where we don’t get involved in couple drama, even abuse. The main reason is because you can potentially kill or assault the person or even end up in jail and he and the girl are back together 2 weeks later. So what was it all for? I’ve seen situation where somebody tried to jump in and the woman that was being assaulted defended the “abuser”. So, I understand Lucky’s move:
I think that perhaps the reason why Lucky didn't intervene at first is probably because Iesha and Chicago probably does that all the time... Have a big fight... blow up... than get back together... It seems like they often do these road trips and perhaps this is Chicago and Iesha thing... Lucky was like... Here we go with this sht.... We all know that couple... However Justice was the difference. I myself regardless would attempt to deescalate the situation... I just think that Women's or I should say most Women's approach to these situations is to intervene while most men tend to choose to stay out of it.... Especially if it's habitual..... I also want to say that you all videos remind me of back when I was in Grad School... Always so much to analyze... I love it.
CUDDIN’ PETE 6:49 Yeah, Janet Jackson’s braids are truthfully Iconic. I remember when I was in high school during spirit week we had a day called 90’s where we dressed up like someone from the 90’s and almost every Black girl came to school dressed like Justice and you could always point it out because of the braids they wore. 8:20 Jennifer Lewis has most definitely earned her “Mother of Black Hollywood” title 😂 17:22 According to Wikipedia you can only get 40’s on the east coast now. 21:57 I’m 23, and that still happens to this very day. I live in the Midwest and one thing about the people in my family is they do not let anyone leave on empty stomach. For example, my brother’s godfather throws a Fourth of July cookout every year and everyone in the neighborhood comes and gets a plate. There are some people he doesn’t even know who show up, make a plate, and watch him the fireworks. Honestly our family will offer you some food before you even have to ask. I feel like people who would feel like those type of people are “freeloading” are more the “internet Black folk” more than the real life Black folk. Meaning, I think it’s another case of “internet talk” where a typical argument or topic might be popular on social media but in real life no cares or feels the same way. I don’t see a black family saying “no you cannot make a plate” only time I could see them being turned away is if it was a wedding. But this is just my experience. 41:50 He should have but I think the reason he didn’t is because that would have ruined what John Singleton was going for. Now I’m not saying this to disprove what Cheri said but just to add context to the discussion. As I understand and respect y’all’s desire to provide original thoughts even if it disagrees with the directors vision. The reason I say this is in his book, it states, “In this scene, Chicago and Iesha, the ever-battling lovebirds duke it out for real. The beautiful view is an unusual backdrop for what amounts to a truly nasty street fight. But it almost fools as if Singleton is issuing a warning about the state of the African-American family structure. Per their flight on this dangerous ledge, Singleton seems to be saying that black men and women have reached the point of no return. The choices are either to stick together and survive, or to separate and destroy each other and the black family in the process.” (p. 90). It is continued, “Tory is ready for the fight scene (which will be splice together with fighting stunt doubles). “I’m so locked into Chicago,” he says. “He feels so much pain during the movie. It’s not going to be hard to hit her. The way I want it to come off, I don’t want people in the theaters cheering when I hit her, but I want people to see that she pushed me so far, she got me so fucking mad, I snapped. Singleton has also thought about the subject of the fight scene. “I hope people understand that just because he hit her doesn’t mean that that was the right thing to do. My father always used to tell me, never hit a woman. If you feel like you’re going to hit a woman, then walk away.” (p. 91) It is also explained that Singleton shot an extremely close shot of her mouth as way to emphasize her “ugly words”. So I think Justice and Lucky were meant to represent Black men and Black women coming together and surviving whereas Iesha and Chicago were meant to represent Black men and Black women separating and destroying each other. Nonetheless, the character of Chicago was originally called “J-Bone” and In Poetic Justice Filmmaking South Central Style, John Singleton states, “Subplot: J-Bone and lesha are a real volatile couple. Sometimes they're lovey-dovey and sometimes they fight. J-Bone is an abusive boyfriend. At one point, he starts kicking lesha's ass and Lucky has to jump in. While the couple fight, Lucky has flashbacks of his mother getting beat by his pops. Lucky and J-Bone fight and argue. Lucky ends up leaving him on the road. This ends up making Lucky look real good with Justice. I don't want to make Isha the typical victimized woman. In truth, she's the castrating bitch that downgrades her man at every turn. She has nothing good to say about J-Bone, not even sexually. Basically, Isha is the same as many other black American women: a perfect feminine nightmare that might have conjured up Shaharazad Ali. I just have to remember not to make her unsympathetic. Regular brothers who see this fim will automatically side with J-Bone. Tha sisters should be on lesha's side. Having this conflict is keeping in tune with my goal of making this a nontraditional romance” (Chapter Seven, Finding Justice: From the Diary of John Singleton p. 101) So when it comes to this scene in this case y’all’s interpretation actually matches up with what the director intended. As they did need Chicago gone for what was about to take place. However, that scene was also John Singleton’s attempt at making a commentary on Black male and Black female relationships. Thus, with me reading this, I think Lucky morally should have come to the aid of Iesha but does not come to her aid because John Singleton didn’t want the audience to feel sorry for her. He feels that Iesha brought it upon herself. I know you both are probably familiar with the controversy of Sharazad Ali and her book The Blackman's guide to understanding the Blackwoman she states, “Although not lazy by nature she has become loose and careless about herself and about her man and family. Her brain is smaller than the Blackman’s. So while she is acclaimed for her high scholastic achievement, her thought processes do not to the conscious Blackman’s. Her unbridled tongue is the main reason she cannot get along with the Blackman…If she ignores the authority and superiority of the Blackman. There is a penalty. When she crosses this line and becomes viciously insulting it is time for the Blackman to soundly slap her in the mouth.” I think this is important for discussing the slap scene as John Singleton describes Iesha as “a perfect feminine nightmare that might have conjured up Shaharazad Ali” So when it comes to Iesha and Chicago I feel that this is the weaker part of the film as when you think about it Chicago followed the instructions of Shaharazad Ali. When realizing this Chicago and Iesha’s story is a result of John Singleton’s (God rest his soul) misogyny. Also, now thinking the ending could epitomize “Poetic Justice”. As throughout the film Justice is has been punished for loving a man. She suffered because of the loss of her first boyfriend and suffered when Lucky blames her for his cousins death. If Justice and Lucky represent Black men and women coming together to save themselves than that would mean that throughout her story she is punished for loving a man and so to end the film forgiving Lucky. She has saved herself and thus has been rewarded for loving a man. That may have been Poetic Justice in John Singleton’s eyes (I’m not really sure but since I started commenting my brain started rolling😂) Nonetheless, Poetic Justice is still my favorite John Singleton movie to this very day. Sometimes I get goosebumps over the fact that we really got to see Tupac, Janet Jackson, Regina King, Jennifer Lewis, Tyra Ferrell, etc in one movie. It’s so crazy how Tupac and Janet - two icons from completely different worlds played an iconic black couple. And unfortunately don’t ever see two icons of Tupac and Janet’s caliber ever doing something like that. I also want to be clear that I did not add the quotes from the book with the intention of dispelling or proving anything yall said but I felt noting the directors intention would help further the conversation yall were having as to why that slap scene had to happen. Thank you both for covering this film and I do hope that you make it a series. I know I talked about the book a lot but in the book there was a debate amongst the crew on whether or not Poetic Justice was really about Justice or if the movie was really Lucky’s story. I think that topic would make a great fan theory video as you are both really good at that.
Thank you so much for this insightful comment! I read Ms. Ali's book back in the day and I remember how controversial she was... And still is last I checked. ☺️. One thing for certain is that in addition to the surface level of his art, John Singleton thought about everything he put in front of that camera and he had a reason for it. I scoff when people suggest that so-called "hood films" aren't that deep. I love these kinds of conversations! Regarding the DV scene, the gender gap that Singleton expected was perfect because men and women are generally assessing different things at different times when these situations occur.
@@HeitCheri You’re very welcome and oh yes most definitely. You’re definitely right about John Singleton being quite intentional and the hood films being deep. In fact most of the “Hood film” directors all had a college education and had spent years studying and the art of film long before they made their debut. Honestly, this may be a conversation for another day but the idea that “it’s not that deep” when it comes to the “Hood films” is often rooted in racism.
Like 10 years ago I was at a Little Brother concert, I ordered a Red Stripe from the bar and was given a 40 oz, I was at the concert by myself it was so embarrassing lol a few guys walked by and was like damn she would be cute but she drinking a 40oz😂
@@HeitCheri Fun fact, the other guy hairstylist Sexy Dex (pause) was played by singer Keith Washington, & 1 of the stylist they showed towards the end of the movie was singer Miki Howard.
@@HeitCheri Absolutely. I enjoy weighing in. I love these indepth discussions. I don't approve of Chicago putting his hands on Iiesha, but she shouldn't have been antagonizing him like that. I would have walked off or went back in the truck and just sat with Lucky 🤷🤷
I think Lucky was fed up with Chicago AND Iesha. When Lucky and Chicago got into an argument earlier in the movie he cussed him out and basically told him “I’m in the Union!” Meaning that Lucky was working on moving up in the USPS where Chicago was just sort of there. Lucky didn’t like Chicago really they were work acquaintances that were “friendly” but he saw himself as ‘about something’ and Chicago as a clown. I mean I think Lucky didn’t want to get involved because it seems implied that he was in that life, then had his daughter and settled down. So maybe he didn’t want to get involved because he didn’t want to go there you know?
I feel you! If I were Lucky, I saw get out of the truck and say "Chicago, Y'all don't need to do this here, Bruh. Straighten that shit out when we get back to L.A."
CUDDIN’ PETE!!! This movie did not hit for me. I remember Regina King from 227. Here comes the fun facts: Ice Cube was supposed to play Lucky. Prior to this movie Joe Torry was in House Party & Strictly Business. He also played a mailman in Strictly Business alongside Tommy Davidson. Tyra Ferrell was on the short live show Pryor’s Place. She was also in New Edition’s my secret video, School Daze & The Mighty Quinn. The dude who Lucky & J Bone beat up was comedian/actor Ricky Harris. He was on Comedy Jam, in a lot of Snoop Dogg’s videos & appeared on his albums. He was on Comic View, Tales From The Hood, Bones (2001), Everybody Hates Chris, This Christmas & Dope. Regina King also voiced Huey & Riley on The Boondocks.
That was Friday,That Evette Wilson played The friend who "looked" like Janet Jackson 😂... Love you Guys
Thanks! i was making mistakes all over the place in this one! 😂😂😂
@@HeitCheri We're here for it😊Cuttn Pete🤣
@@HeitCheriI was going to say that too. And to add to that, Yvette Wilson (RIP) also played on The Parkers as Andelle, Nikki Parker’s best friend who owned the bar spot. The Parkers was a spinoff of Moesha.
Right
She played both movies
But she mixed up the characters
Its the fact that they stopped at the cookout in the mail truck 🤦🏿♂️🤣🤣
😂😂😂
Tone Loc was also in Ace Ventura
Jenifer Lewis was a busy woman in '93 by being in two of the biggest movies of that year, this one as Lucky's mother and being the mother of Tina Turner in What's Love Got To Do With It. I like this movie because it was completely different than being in the hood setting and taking the road trip setting and I like that a lot reminds me of Dumb and Dumber. 😊
8:02 confusing Don’t be a menace with Friday is BLASPHEMY
😂
You right! 😂 I was telling someone else in the comments that I was full of mistakes in this one! 😂 I'ma do better, but as Mike Epps says, "Playas eff up..." Sometimes. 😆
Right
She played both movies
That's probably why she got it mixed up
Delivery driver here its a struggle in the summer and our managers be havin some nerve. God bless those who people who offer me cold water.
Bless you for the thankless work you do! ❤️❤️❤️
@@HeitCheri thank you for making my shift less irritating with ur content💙
Im a Creole/indian woman from New Orleans. Back when i was young, there was this sense of abundance and the main point EVERYONE PITCHED IN. Uncles are grilling/boiling, grandma is helping with prep, my aunts all in charge of a dish, there was a sense of harmony and community. Nowadays, there isnt abundance like that anymore. Things cost more and the younger folks dont want to pitch in. There is still a sense of community but now there is a vetting system, everyone cant get a plate😂😂😂.
Hey one part I didn’t see you all mentioned is after esha got hit by Chicago…. She says “I’m gonna have Dookie and Monster blast you” to Chicago….. which is a direct call back to boys in the hood. Dookie & Monster were two of dough boys homies on the porch.
That's something we'd discuss in a detailed breakdown of the film. It's hard to mention everything in a rundown and keep the video at a reasonable length.
Cuddin’ Pete
We’d love a breakdown. Especially of the family reunion scene and the carnival scene.
Lucky absolutely should've intervened and tried to diffuse the situation. Chicago was his friend. So, I agree with you on this Cheri. Iesha was very reckless with her mouth, but he crossed the line when he hit her. Somebody had to do something in that moment and it shouldn't have been Justice.
Part of their trip was definitely PCH. They took the scenic route. I took the trip, and I encourage everyone to do so.
It really does look beautiful! Is it dangerous to drive certain parts?
Growing up in South Carolina, one thing that wasn't really talked about was that people were polite but didn't actually want this stranger or even some neighbors or family to actually come by. It was just THE POLITE THING TO DO. I remember as a kid, my great aunt would have all types of people come by around dinner time that she barely saw and was welcoming. Or at times, she would pretend the food wasn't done or try to lie to get the person to go away because they were only there to freeload. My mom and grandma were like that. When I became an adult, I didn't play those games.
I didn't realize Janet Jackson's husband, Rene Elizondo was in the mailroom scene with Lucky and Chicago.
Yep!
Was he the other guy talking shit to 2pac and Chicago
Yeah
Janet has good taste in men, he was handsome
I love this movie 🎥🍿 RIP 2Pac ❤
❤️❤️❤️
I got real hot at how they clowned Lucky because he worked at the post office. I took it really personal because my mother worked at the post office and took really good care of me.
Postal workers made great salaries. Never glamorous but, and Robert Townsend said it best;
“There’s always work at the Post Office!”
Yeah and back then postal workers were federal employees with great benefits... That was a good job.
9:33 yes! People still do drink 40 ounces it's just that you have to go different places to get them! I'm probably gonna get me one that's Labor Day
Classic movie Chicago was borderline obsessed with brushing his hair
Yep!
Yesss you guys are doing one of my favorite movies! I can quote it from beginning to end lol. This is such a quotable movie. I swear John Singleton wrote about 50,000 f bombs into the script 😂😂😂.
Jennifer Lewis is 67 and Angela Bassett is 66........Just WOW!!!
Yep, only a year apart!
That was Friday 😁 The braid wig, evette Wilson ❤ a date with Smoky at night
You're right! I misspoke on that one! 😂😂😂
Cuddin Pete.
I love these reviews & the side conversations about your own lives. They're always fun❤
Y'all should do a commentary about the shop owner, that played Doughboy & Ricky's mama. As a kid I she came off as "bitter" to me but now, not so much. As you get older life teaches you & hardens you. She to me was one of those man - eating, self centered, career womyn who learned hard lessons & decided to protect herself. I love that for her.
Yes, it would be interesting to explore her!
I've seen it happen a lot at picnics especially family reunions and church picnics. But lately you really don't know who is family and who is not because some people will bring their plus ones or their best friends not with the intentions to just eat but just to have a good time. To keep the peace you make sure you have enough food to feed everybody. My family is huge so it's hard to know who is who as far as the new faces. The old faces you see on a particular basis you do know.
I love 2Pac and Janet in this movie. They have chemistry
Personally though I would have confronted Chicago after he assaulted Iesha. BUT I would have understood WHY. She cucked him the whole time at the reunion and then admitted flat out that she cheated on him the whole time. She was trying to hurt him.
But the assault, you have got to handle that differently. It’s difficult in the moment. Hell the brother in Family that Preys actually got applauded for a similar reaction. So…it’s tough.
This was my favorite movie from when I was a teen y'all are amazing he turned into Tupac for real😅
Cuddin' Pete
Scenes I would like a breakdown from this movie:
1. Lucky's baby mama situation
2. Justice "I Never Dreamed You'll Leave in Summer"
3. Gas Station / Old E
4. Family Reunion (especially when one of the aunties talks about morals)
5. Beach Scene
Okay!!!
Ieshea drinking doesn't have anything to do with her flirting because she was already seeing someone on the side.
Mind you Chicago got heated about isesha talking to another guy when just hours earlier he was flirting with justice right in her face.
Both was Toxic😂😂
Tbh, I think Iesha was the unsung villain in this movie. She brought ill vibes to the whole road trip as soon as she started drinking. She was talking kicking justice's cat. Trying to fight Lucky when he didn't do anything. And ruin Chicago's manhood.
Love jones was centerered around poetry
Good point! I don't know what that didn't come to mind. ☺️ I think this one was first though. Good point on Love Jones!
We meet up every year every other year. I have 23 first cousin. I stay in South Carolina
😮
Fun fact: The Last Poets was also featured in the film.
So many people are related to eachother in Louisiana 😂. Speaking from personal experience lol
Janet and q-tip were on a song together with Joni Mitchell on Janet's Velvet Rope album ♥️♥️♥️
There’s an unspoken things with black young brothers in our culture where we don’t get involved in couple drama, even abuse. The main reason is because you can potentially kill or assault the person or even end up in jail and he and the girl are back together 2 weeks later. So what was it all for? I’ve seen situation where somebody tried to jump in and the woman that was being assaulted defended the “abuser”. So, I understand Lucky’s move:
I think that perhaps the reason why Lucky didn't intervene at first is probably because Iesha and Chicago probably does that all the time... Have a big fight... blow up... than get back together... It seems like they often do these road trips and perhaps this is Chicago and Iesha thing... Lucky was like... Here we go with this sht.... We all know that couple... However Justice was the difference. I myself regardless would attempt to deescalate the situation... I just think that Women's or I should say most Women's approach to these situations is to intervene while most men tend to choose to stay out of it.... Especially if it's habitual..... I also want to say that you all videos remind me of back when I was in Grad School... Always so much to analyze... I love it.
CUDDIN’ PETE
6:49
Yeah, Janet Jackson’s braids are truthfully Iconic. I remember when I was in high school during spirit week we had a day called 90’s where we dressed up like someone from the 90’s and almost every Black girl came to school dressed like Justice and you could always point it out because of the braids they wore.
8:20
Jennifer Lewis has most definitely earned her “Mother of Black Hollywood” title 😂
17:22
According to Wikipedia you can only get 40’s on the east coast now.
21:57
I’m 23, and that still happens to this very day. I live in the Midwest and one thing about the people in my family is they do not let anyone leave on empty stomach. For example, my brother’s godfather throws a Fourth of July cookout every year and everyone in the neighborhood comes and gets a plate. There are some people he doesn’t even know who show up, make a plate, and watch him the fireworks. Honestly our family will offer you some food before you even have to ask. I feel like people who would feel like those type of people are “freeloading” are more the “internet Black folk” more than the real life Black folk. Meaning, I think it’s another case of “internet talk” where a typical argument or topic might be popular on social media but in real life no cares or feels the same way. I don’t see a black family saying “no you cannot make a plate” only time I could see them being turned away is if it was a wedding. But this is just my experience.
41:50
He should have but I think the reason he didn’t is because that would have ruined what John Singleton was going for. Now I’m not saying this to disprove what Cheri said but just to add context to the discussion. As I understand and respect y’all’s desire to provide original thoughts even if it disagrees with the directors vision.
The reason I say this is in his book, it states, “In this scene, Chicago and Iesha, the ever-battling lovebirds duke it out for real. The beautiful view is an unusual backdrop for what amounts to a truly nasty street fight. But it almost fools as if Singleton is issuing a warning about the state of the African-American family structure. Per their flight on this dangerous ledge, Singleton seems to be saying that black men and women have reached the point of no return. The choices are either to stick together and survive, or to separate and destroy each other and the black family in the process.” (p. 90). It is continued, “Tory is ready for the fight scene (which will be splice together with fighting stunt doubles). “I’m so locked into Chicago,” he says. “He feels so much pain during the movie. It’s not going to be hard to hit her. The way I want it to come off, I don’t want people in the theaters cheering when I hit her, but I want people to see that she pushed me so far, she got me so fucking mad, I snapped. Singleton has also thought about the subject of the fight scene. “I hope people understand that just because he hit her doesn’t mean that that was the right thing to do. My father always used to tell me, never hit a woman. If you feel like you’re going to hit a woman, then walk away.” (p. 91) It is also explained that Singleton shot an extremely close shot of her mouth as way to emphasize her “ugly words”. So I think Justice and Lucky were meant to represent Black men and Black women coming together and surviving whereas Iesha and Chicago were meant to represent Black men and Black women separating and destroying each other.
Nonetheless, the character of Chicago was originally called “J-Bone” and In Poetic Justice Filmmaking South Central Style, John Singleton states, “Subplot: J-Bone and lesha are a real volatile couple. Sometimes they're lovey-dovey and sometimes they fight. J-Bone is an abusive boyfriend. At one point, he starts kicking lesha's ass and Lucky has to jump in. While the couple fight, Lucky has flashbacks of his mother getting beat by his pops. Lucky and J-Bone fight and argue. Lucky ends up leaving him on the road. This ends up making Lucky look real good with Justice. I don't want to make Isha the typical victimized woman. In truth, she's the castrating bitch that downgrades her man at every turn. She has nothing good to say about J-Bone, not even sexually. Basically, Isha is the same as many other black American women: a perfect feminine nightmare that might have conjured up Shaharazad Ali. I just have to remember not to make her unsympathetic. Regular brothers who see this fim will automatically side with J-Bone. Tha sisters should be on lesha's side. Having this conflict is keeping in tune with my goal of making this a nontraditional romance” (Chapter Seven, Finding Justice: From the Diary of John Singleton p. 101)
So when it comes to this scene in this case y’all’s interpretation actually matches up with what the director intended. As they did need Chicago gone for what was about to take place. However, that scene was also John Singleton’s attempt at making a commentary on Black male and Black female relationships. Thus, with me reading this, I think Lucky morally should have come to the aid of Iesha but does not come to her aid because John Singleton didn’t want the audience to feel sorry for her. He feels that Iesha brought it upon herself.
I know you both are probably familiar with the controversy of Sharazad Ali and her book The Blackman's guide to understanding the Blackwoman she states, “Although not lazy by nature she has become loose and careless about herself and about her man and family. Her brain is smaller than the Blackman’s. So while she is acclaimed for her high scholastic achievement, her thought processes do not to the conscious Blackman’s. Her unbridled tongue is the main reason she cannot get along with the Blackman…If she ignores the authority and superiority of the Blackman. There is a penalty. When she crosses this line and becomes viciously insulting it is time for the Blackman to soundly slap her in the mouth.”
I think this is important for discussing the slap scene as John Singleton describes Iesha as “a perfect feminine nightmare that might have conjured up Shaharazad Ali” So when it comes to Iesha and Chicago I feel that this is the weaker part of the film as when you think about it Chicago followed the instructions of Shaharazad Ali. When realizing this Chicago and Iesha’s story is a result of John Singleton’s (God rest his soul) misogyny.
Also, now thinking the ending could epitomize “Poetic Justice”. As throughout the film Justice is has been punished for loving a man. She suffered because of the loss of her first boyfriend and suffered when Lucky blames her for his cousins death. If Justice and Lucky represent Black men and women coming together to save themselves than that would mean that throughout her story she is punished for loving a man and so to end the film forgiving Lucky. She has saved herself and thus has been rewarded for loving a man. That may have been Poetic Justice in John Singleton’s eyes (I’m not really sure but since I started commenting my brain started rolling😂)
Nonetheless, Poetic Justice is still my favorite John Singleton movie to this very day. Sometimes I get goosebumps over the fact that we really got to see Tupac, Janet Jackson, Regina King, Jennifer Lewis, Tyra Ferrell, etc in one movie. It’s so crazy how Tupac and Janet - two icons from completely different worlds played an iconic black couple. And unfortunately don’t ever see two icons of Tupac and Janet’s caliber ever doing something like that. I also want to be clear that I did not add the quotes from the book with the intention of dispelling or proving anything yall said but I felt noting the directors intention would help further the conversation yall were having as to why that slap scene had to happen.
Thank you both for covering this film and I do hope that you make it a series. I know I talked about the book a lot but in the book there was a debate amongst the crew on whether or not Poetic Justice was really about Justice or if the movie was really Lucky’s story. I think that topic would make a great fan theory video as you are both really good at that.
Thank you so much for this insightful comment! I read Ms. Ali's book back in the day and I remember how controversial she was... And still is last I checked. ☺️.
One thing for certain is that in addition to the surface level of his art, John Singleton thought about everything he put in front of that camera and he had a reason for it. I scoff when people suggest that so-called "hood films" aren't that deep. I love these kinds of conversations! Regarding the DV scene, the gender gap that Singleton expected was perfect because men and women are generally assessing different things at different times when these situations occur.
@@HeitCheri You’re very welcome and oh yes most definitely. You’re definitely right about John Singleton being quite intentional and the hood films being deep. In fact most of the “Hood film” directors all had a college education and had spent years studying and the art of film long before they made their debut. Honestly, this may be a conversation for another day but the idea that “it’s not that deep” when it comes to the “Hood films” is often rooted in racism.
Yes!
Like 10 years ago I was at a Little Brother concert, I ordered a Red Stripe from the bar and was given a 40 oz, I was at the concert by myself it was so embarrassing lol a few guys walked by and was like damn she would be cute but she drinking a 40oz😂
😂😂😂
😂😂😂
People around me drink Hennessy, grey goose, that brown liquor 🥃 shot's I don't drink but that's what I hear
Yeah, I haven't heard anybody say OE in a long time! 😂
"their barely good at the one thing their good at" ice spice 😂
😂
Real quick y'all, Tone Loc didn't sing Me So H×rny, 2 Live Crew did. And Yvette Wilson was in Friday with the hat braids, not Don't Be A Menace😇
😂😂😂😂 I was thinking Wild Thang!
@@HeitCheriJanet Jackson Also Played Charlene On Diff'rent Strokes as Willis' Girlfriend
It’s just like on the movie Dance Flick lol he came in, picked that baby up, sat that baby down, and said he’ll be back next week Lmao😂 Cuddin’ Pete 🎉
😂😂😂
Fun Fact: Tyra Ferrell was the only dark skinned Gamma Ray in School Daze
Okay I didn't know she was in School Daze!
@@HeitCheri She was in the dance segment for Good and Bad Hair in Ri Ri's Salon. She can also be seen in the parade scene.
@@HeitCheriWhen you rewatch older movies you’ll see actors & actresses in bit roles before they broke out.
I'm gonna check for her next time I watch!
@@HeitCheri Fun fact, the other guy hairstylist Sexy Dex (pause) was played by singer Keith Washington, & 1 of the stylist they showed towards the end of the movie was singer Miki Howard.
Of course he crashed out. Its Janet Damita Jo Jackson. 😩😩😩🖤
I feel as though Lucky should have interjected between Chicago and Iishsa but in a civil non-combative way. Take Chicago aside and talk to him
Thanks for weighing in on this!
@@HeitCheri Absolutely. I enjoy weighing in. I love these indepth discussions. I don't approve of Chicago putting his hands on Iiesha, but she shouldn't have been antagonizing him like that. I would have walked off or went back in the truck and just sat with Lucky 🤷🤷
That wasn't don't be a menace that was Friday.
This one was full of mistakes by me 😂
I'm rage screaming at the phone
NO THAT WAS FRIDAY!!
It's okay. Sometimes I make mistakes. It really is okay. 😊
Yup, you're right. Angela Bassett is 66, and Jenifer Lewis is 67. Thanks for covering our films.
lemme just siddung right heerrreeeee and get cozy
❤️
Regina King also played Dashiki in Don't Be A Menace
My favorite movie ❤
Nice. Cuddin' Pete
Tupacs baby mommas other baby daddy was also an old school rapper named tone loc.
I never seen this movie all the way through.
I think Lucky was fed up with Chicago AND Iesha.
When Lucky and Chicago got into an argument earlier in the movie he cussed him out and basically told him “I’m in the Union!” Meaning that Lucky was working on moving up in the USPS where Chicago was just sort of there.
Lucky didn’t like Chicago really they were work acquaintances that were “friendly” but he saw himself as ‘about something’ and Chicago as a clown.
I mean I think Lucky didn’t want to get involved because it seems implied that he was in that life, then had his daughter and settled down. So maybe he didn’t want to get involved because he didn’t want to go there you know?
As a man, i would get my homie away from the confrontation
Thanks for weighing in on this!
I feel you! If I were Lucky, I saw get out of the truck and say "Chicago, Y'all don't need to do this here, Bruh. Straighten that shit out when we get back to L.A."
48:17 IMMA MIND MY DAMN BUSINESS
Did Tone Loc have a "Me So Horny", 2 Live Crew did? I know TL had Funky Cold Medina and Wild Thang.
Listen I messed that part up. 😂😂😂
Justice cussing Iesha out will never not be funny to me.
Back in the theater when it came out people laughed and talked about how Janet couldn't act well enough to pull that off.
I miss family reunions😔
I'm from fort Worth TX
Oh wow! We used to live in DFW. Some years ago! ❤️
@@HeitCheri really what part was it fort Worth or Dallas?
In Louisiana all the old heads still drink old English 40s
So Heit is from Louisiana, where is Cheri from?
Born on the Gulf Coast and raised mostly in Chicago.
Cuddin’ Pete❤
Cuddin' Pete.
I spelled it correctly, didn't I?
Westsiiiiide‼️
Jennifer Lewis ~ 69
Angela Bassett ~ 66
Justice implied that her first real love was murdered.
We talked about that in the video. Also talked about how it happened in front of her.
This movie gets on my nerves worse than Boyz n the hood. Hope you do a review on Spike Lee School Daze.
Cuttin' Pete
Let's go with that spelling
CUDDIN' PETE
If you still drinking 40oz's you may need to rethink some aspects of your life. 🤷🏾♂️ jus sayn
😂😂😂😂
CUDDIN’ PETE!!! This movie did not hit for me. I remember Regina King from 227. Here comes the fun facts: Ice Cube was supposed to play Lucky. Prior to this movie Joe Torry was in House Party & Strictly Business. He also played a mailman in Strictly Business alongside Tommy Davidson. Tyra Ferrell was on the short live show Pryor’s Place. She was also in New Edition’s my secret video, School Daze & The Mighty Quinn. The dude who Lucky & J Bone beat up was comedian/actor Ricky Harris. He was on Comedy Jam, in a lot of Snoop Dogg’s videos & appeared on his albums. He was on Comic View, Tales From The Hood, Bones (2001), Everybody Hates Chris, This Christmas & Dope. Regina King also voiced Huey & Riley on The Boondocks.
Cuddin pete!
Jennifer Lewis and angela basset are 1 year apart
Repast AKA setting up
Cuddin pete
Cuddin Pete
Tone !of was known for Funky cold median and Wild Thang not me so horny Me so horny was 2 Live crew
I don't know what we were thinking 😆
Cuddin Pete
Cuddin Pete
Cuddin Pete