Film Series
Purpose and Passion: The Cinema of John Singleton
When the late John Singleton (1968–2019) was nominated for a Best Director Oscar for his groundbreaking debut feature Boyz n the Hood, he became both the first African-American filmmaker and, at age 24, the youngest person ever to be nominated for the award. It was an auspicious start to a trailblazing career that saw Singleton bring stories of black urban life to the screen with never-before-seen depth, introduce hip-hop culture to mainstream cinema, and launch the film careers of superstars like Janet Jackson, Ice Cube, Taraji P. Henson, and Regina King. Writ with searing intensity, his films grapple with big picture ideas—racism, masculinity, and the American Dream—with profound humanity.
Multi-film ticket discount:
2—3 films: 20% off your purchase
4 or more films: 30% off your purchase
The still-potent granddaddy of 90s hood dramas.
Janet Jackson and Tupac shine in this road movie romance featuring poetry by Maya Angelou.
Singleton confronts a long-overlooked episode of American racist violence.
Singleton puts the pedal to the metal for this souped-up, adrenaline-rush thrill-ride.
Singleton returns to his South Central LA roots for this bold look at black masculinity.
Three college freshmen navigate racial tensions and identity in Singleton’s explosive drama.
Four men set out to avenge their adopted mother’s murder in this potent macho melodrama.
Singleton races through breathless set pieces in this teenage take on North by Northwest.
Singleton’s television work examines two of the most controversial athletes of our time.
Terrence Howard is a small-time hustler in this Singleton-produced neo-blaxploitation film.
Samuel L. Jackson radiates cool in Singleton’s stylish update of the blaxploitation classic.