Episode 73 : Dead Presidents

Don’t Push Pause

DEAD PRESIDENTS gave a voice to Vietnam veterans who experienced the atrocities of war, only to return home & find the struggle was not over. This intense coming of age journey continues to cut to the core, while being a uniquely realistic depiction of Black Americans during the post-war 1970s.

***Discussions include***

• Capturing the Black experience before/during/after the Vietnam War; the director’s visions for the film, plus positives & drawbacks of loosely adapting true stories, truth vs. fiction, pacing & visual style; interweaving genres to blend a serious story into an entertaining film; strength of the cast & unpacking the main characters; the film’s incredible soundtrack, release & critical reception.
• DEAD PRESIDENTS (1995). Larenz Tate, Keith David, Chris Tucker, N’Bushe Wright, Freddy Rodriguez, Rose Jackson // Directed by Albert Hughes & Allen Hughes.

***Picks of the Week***

• Lindsay’s Pick, SET IT OFF (1996). Jada Pinkett, Vivica A. Fox, Queen Latifah, Kimberly Elise // Directed by F. Gary Gray.
• Justin’s Pick, LOVE JONES (1997). Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Isaiah Washington, Lisa Nicole Carson, Bill Bellamy // Directed by Theodore Witcher.

***MurrayMoment***

• Comparing the journey in DEAD PRESIDENTS to Billy’s labor of love, THE RAZOR’S EDGE, plus the process of adapting a novel into a screenplay.

***Final Thoughts on DEAD PRESIDENTS.***

Next Episode: 4/20 SPECTACULAR STONER SPECIAL!

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Be Kind and Rewatch! // March 30, 2021