Episode 104 : Menace II Society

Don’t Push Pause

First-time filmmakers rarely explode on the scene like brothers Albert & Allen Hughes. Amid the racial tensions & frustrations of early 1990's Los Angeles, MENACE II SOCIETY tapped into the gritty truth of the time. A powerful & empathetic look into a community misrepresented by mainstream media, this film was not only important in its heyday, but its unflinching realness hits even harder 30 years later.
//***Discussions include***\\
A brief history of the Hughes Brothers before MENACE; writing development, research, channeling a perspective & selling the script; reality vs. media representation; tonality, themes, underlying messages & film influences; shooting on location, visual style, depiction of violence, emotional impact & heightened realism; toxic masculinity & female perspective; use of narration & humor; cast, audition stories & character dynamics; post-production, release, reception & retrospective observations.
Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, Jada Pinkett, MC Eiht & Vonte Sweet star in MENACE II SOCIETY (1993) /// Directed by The Hughes Brothers.
//***Picks of the Week***\\
• Lindsay’s Pick: JASON’S LYRIC (1994). Allen Payne, Jada Pinkett, Bokeem Woodbine, Lisa Nicole Carson /// Directed by Doug McHenry.
• Justin’s Pick: STRAIGHT OUT OF BROOKLYN (1991). Lawrence Gilliard, Jr., George T. Odom, Ann D. Sanders, Barbara Sanon /// THE INKWELL (1994). Larenz Tate, Joe Morton, Suzzanne Douglas, Glynn Turman // Both films directed by Matty Rich.
//***MurrayMoment***\\
At the suggestion of Chevy Chase, Billy & brother Brian hit up Rodney Dangerfield for marijuana during the filming of CADDYSHACK.
//***Final Thoughts on MENACE II SOCIETY***\\
Next Episode:
SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003).
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• Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders.
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Be Kind and Rewatch // April 25th, 2023