Hollywood mourns director John Singleton
- Thread starter derrick76
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Very sad, he's not going to get a chance to make another generational film like Boyz In the Hood, 51 is way too soon.
Maybe he's the victim of bad management, most of the projects he took on after Boyz flopped. The film Abduction, with a Twilight Twinkie, killed his directing career. That must have weighed heavily on him.
He broke the glass ceiling for black directors, without him Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed) and Steve McQueen (Shame,12 Years a Slave) wouldn't have gotten a chance to shine.
Maybe he's the victim of bad management, most of the projects he took on after Boyz flopped. The film Abduction, with a Twilight Twinkie, killed his directing career. That must have weighed heavily on him.
He broke the glass ceiling for black directors, without him Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed) and Steve McQueen (Shame,12 Years a Slave) wouldn't have gotten a chance to shine.
I was really so sorry to hear this. Such a talented guy gone way too soon @ 51. By all accounts an incredibly genuine and kind person who loved to help up-and-comers.
I watched the first two seasons of his series "Snowfall" based on true events of the early 80's intro & ensuing crack epidemic in South Central LA and was looking forward to season three later this year.
The awesome Boyz in the Hood is iconic of course ... and if anyone missed "Rosewood" (late 90's) you should watch it. Very powerful/emotional.
RIP John Singleton
I watched the first two seasons of his series "Snowfall" based on true events of the early 80's intro & ensuing crack epidemic in South Central LA and was looking forward to season three later this year.
The awesome Boyz in the Hood is iconic of course ... and if anyone missed "Rosewood" (late 90's) you should watch it. Very powerful/emotional.
RIP John Singleton
I haven't watched any of Singleton's TV work, I should have watched Snowfall.
He didn't make another film after Abduction which I believe was a contractual obligation...what the fuck did they expect him to do, create magic with a Twilight Twinkie - he no Laurence Fushburne.
He didn't make another film after Abduction which I believe was a contractual obligation...what the fuck did they expect him to do, create magic with a Twilight Twinkie - he no Laurence Fushburne.
It's a great show, you really should watch it IV. (I just read they will continue with the third season in honour of JS).
The young lead's character is based on real life "Freeway" Rick Ross. Who's a major character unto himself still to this day. It's estimated he banked one billion dollars in his crack dealing/distribution years. Unfortunately he ruined millions of lives not just in his own community but throughout numerous States like Chicago, Florida etc, once he branched into big time distribution.
He was a kid up against the ruthless cartels who obviously wanted to dominate the crack scene.
A big part of the plot line is the Iran-Contra scandal, which gets pretty wacky lol.
In true Singleton style, he drew a lot of his inspiration from his own life growing up in LA plus that of older generations.
I think you'd find that Spike Lee paved the way for John. John was just like Spike in that he was more into creating his own films from scratch. They are writer-directors.
And Abduction made 90 mil on a 35 mil budget. It made money. It was trashed though.
You're wrong about his career being killed by that film. He just had enough of having to make films like that when what he wanted to do is get back to what he was well know for - writing and directing his own projects, which he was passionate about. I think Abduction was the last straw.
The problem for him was that Hollywood was not investing in such projects. When you must source your own funds to do the films he wanted to do then it may just take a little bit longer. Look at all his earlier films. He wrote, developed, and directed them.
He could have learned a lot from Spike on how to navigate through Hollywood and still somewhat keep your identity and do the projects (your own) you want. Spike had more clout.
It's one of my favourite TV series that I watch.
It's good to read that it's returning for a third season. I highly recommend giving it a go for those who haven't thus far.
