Dead Presidents at 25: True Colours - 25th Anniversary Video | Movie Birthdays
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- Dead Presidents 25th Anniversary Video Essay
This video looks back at the Hughes Brothers cult classic “Dead Presidents”. Having directed this film at the tender age of 23, Hughes Brothers were young prodigies with a taste for bold and poignant filmmaking. Their debut film “Menace 2 Society” was a standout of the so called 90s “Hood” cycle and led to an ambitious follow up. “Dead Presidents” is an epic journey through a radical time in 20th century American History, told through a unique perspective with blistering energy. It’s a film that deserves more attention, check out the video and let me know what you think.
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Movie Birthdays is a video essay channel that celebrates great movies as they come of age and reach a milestone. You're all invited to join the party and enjoy the journey as we look at the craft behind the films you love but also the films you might have missed.
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I have to commend your commentary films as well as your research into the background behind them and the legacy they've generated. Dead Presidents was a fantastic film about the Vietnam War told through the eyes of a young black man in the changing landscape of the Bronx, New York before deciding to commit armed robbery. Dead Presidents was influenced by the book called Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War. Another film of that period to look at would be New Jack City which is on it's 30th anniversary.
Glad you enjoyed the video. I have Bloods on my reading list, I didn’t realise the movie was based on a book until I rewatched it recently. I love New Jack City also, I’ll try to squeeze it in this year, I mention it briefly in my King of New York video, check it out and let me know what you think.👍
@@MovieBirthdays Anthony Curtis as a protagonist truly was an everyman. One couldn't tell what was harder for him. His experiences during the Vietnam War or his descent into crime not only being locked out of the legit world leaving him unabled to provide for his child. Being humiliated constantly by a love rival name Cutty who's suspected to be fucking his girlfriend, Juanita. Also there's the hostile attitudes of those in his community who see him as a traitor for enlisting in a war for a country that views them as 2nd class citizens because of their skin colour. Anthony's story was equally one not only nihilism but also loss, paranoia, urban/social alienation, action & consequence.
@@Senate300 it the complexity of Anthony’s character that makes the film stand head and shoulders with the films it references. The homage is not a shortcut to getting to understand him, they enhance his character through our understanding of films that have come before.
Great comment as always, stay tuned new video on the way soon.
@@MovieBirthdays Very few film makers where their influences on their sleeves and craft them into their own image like the Hudges Brother's did with Dead Presidents. Especially with Martin Sheen of Apocalypse Now fame showing up as a judge. Mario Van Peebles would happily admit he owed alot to Brian De Palma when directing New Jack City which was heavily influenced by the Untouchables & Scarface.
I never read much into the opening title sequence until I saw this video. Though the worship of money is prevalent throughout the 2nd half of the movie. Dead Presidents zeros in on those without and what it does to them.
@@Senate300 The Hughes brothers knew what they were doing with this movie from the opening shot to the final image. From the references to the precision of their storytelling. I hope they make more movies soon.
Wow! Amazing commentary and analysis. I didn't know that this film was what it is...having never seen it I assumed it was a heist movie. Definitely at the top of my watch list.
Watch it is epic and really affecting, the heist is just a small section. I guess it was a good way to market the film, the face paint is really eye catching and iconic. Let me know what you think.
Incredible amount of ground you cover in this review ranging from originality (as in Hip Hop influences) to referencing (the emboldenment rather than just mere flattery of imitation).
Thanks, I thought the context brings to light why the movie is significant as it got lost in the cycle a little bit.
the quality is so great on these. Very excited to see you continue to grow this channel in the next year.
Thanks, if you keep watching them, I’ll keep making them. 👍
Honest masterful perspective MB!
An urbanite facing multiple injustices slowly succumbs to his rage, then puts on whiteface and murders people?
Wow! The Hughes brothers made JOKER 24 years early!
Lol, didn’t see that coming. 👍
Thank you for this analysis! For me, it's a movie about the lies we're told as black people, that if we do X, Y, and/or Z for America, even if it hurts us, it means something. But, no. No, it doesn't. There isn't an American war we haven't fought on the front lines of, and yet, to this day, even black soldiers (men and women) who don't break the law aren't treated any differently than a black career criminal. We're all seen and treated as though we're the same as the lowest, most unempathetic, most sociopathic of us. So, why believe the lie?
Furthermore, even when we hold to the rules and struggle with grace, no one will care -- and if it makes us desperate, no one will have empathy for what drove us there.
The impossibility of it all, the trap, I feel, is illustrated so well in Dead Presidents that it's not easy for me to watch. It's fictional reality at its truest.
Thank you for such a powerful comment. It’s sad to see that not much has changed since the time the film depicts or even since it was released for that matter. You’re absolutely right, as it it that truth in the film that makes it an unsettling watch, seeing someone trapped in the cycle of a losing game.
Love the broad topics you cover whilst also focusing on detail. Great job. And good to see this film getting recognition and tribute such as this.
Thanks Nick, it’s always been a favourite of mine but was also a chance to pay tribute to people like Spike Lee and John Singleton too.
Very well put together and highly informative! I love this Subscribed! 👌
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
One of my favorite movies.
As always great content.
Thanks Charley, it’s such a great movie was great to rewatch it and see that it still feels fresh and original. Love the ending.
What an amazing and intriguing commentary on the movie.
Thanks, just wanted to shine some light on this great movie.
@@MovieBirthdays I’ve seen it twice and it’s fascinating to see how bleak the manner of which the veterans were treated were placed within the movie
@@rasharddavis321 the ending kills me everytime. Tragic. It makes me wonder how veterans from recent conflicts are treated today.
@@MovieBirthdays and I also couldn’t believe how the judge said that Vietnam wasn’t a real fucking war
@@rasharddavis321 it’s a worry people would think the same about recent conflicts too. I would like to see more movies about veterans that reflect now.
Fantastic insight as always.
👍
That was a wonderful analysis of an incredible film. DP is a film I will never tire of. And is it just me or does anyone else miss The Hughes Brothers their visual flair and storytelling prowess? We need films like these. Wonderful take. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed the video. I agree it’s a shame that the Hughes Brothers didn’t continue to make movies they had a bold voice and a their movies felt very unique.
#1
His old army buddy ,
mentioned blowing up stuff,
before,
the united states'taught him.
PUT THIS ON BLU RAY ALREADY
Tell me about it.
Excellent analysis
Thanks a lot, glad you enjoyed the video.
This was DEEP!
Great video!
Thanks a lot, feel free to check out my other videos and let me know what you think.
THIS WAS FKN GOOD
Thanks a lot. I love this movie and I wanted to shine a light on it.
Love your channel.
Thanks a lot, what’s your favourite video so far?
@@MovieBirthdays American Gigolo and the loner hero in the realms of church, city, greed, sports,, and poverty.
@@daltonanderson3718 I find myself drawn to movies with those themes quite often, so you’ve come to the right place. I’m glad the American Gigolo video is getting some love.
Well done 😉
Thank you 👍