This post was originally published on Defender Network
By Aswad Walker
Some people argue that the 90s was the best decade for music. The 90s was nice in terms of its musical offerings. But my money’s on a different decade. But that’s a conversation for another day. Right now, we want to show the 90s some love for another reason—its movies.
The 90s brought us some incredible, insane movie moments. I’m going to give you my Top 12. Holla at me if you agree. If you don’t, holla at me and share your list.
#12: New Jack City, 1991
This movie had so much star power, Chris Rock had a minor role as a crackhead. This movie gave us Wesley Snipes, Mario Van Peebles, and Allen Payne at their height. This movie gave us a long-awaited second look on the big screen of Tracy Camilla Johns, the sister who played the lead role of Nola Darling in Spike Lee’s breakout classic She’s Gotta Have It in 1986. However, she disappeared from movie roles. You know. Hollywood is hard on Black actors and actresses. Johns’ small, but memorable cameo appearance in this classic just adds to its power. Not to mention Ice T, Judd Nelson, Bill Nunn, Christopher Williams, Levert, Vanessa Williams (not the former Miss USA), and Vanessa Williams (the former Miss USA) rocked this funky joint. So much cool. So many memorable, quotable lines. So much relevance with crack being headline news throughout the early 90s. Playa, if you can’t recognize the greatness of this film, as New Jack City’s Keisha would say, “Rockabye Baby!”
#11: Deep Cover, 1992
This has to be one of the most under-appreciated great films of all time. It may very well be Laurence Fishburne’s greatest piece of work, playing a straight-laced, by-the-book, no drinking or drugging Cincinnati cop who goes so deep undercover as a drug dealer that by the middle of the movie, he doesn’t know which role is the real him. Plus, the late Clarence Williams III offers a performance for the ages, along with Jeff Goldblum, the grossly under-appreciated acting giant Roger Guenveur Smith and the absolutely stunning Victoria Dillard (Lord, have mercy!). Plus, the cool factor this movie so effortlessly exudes is off the charts.