Nonureva Really Surprised!

ShangLuda Admirable film.

Stoutor It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

edwagreen Larenz Tate gives a masterful performance in this 1995 film which chronicles black America during the Viet Nam era and the turbulent 1970s that came after the survivors of this war came home.Tate is in a bad environment in the Bronx, though he is supported by a very decent family and a brother on the way to graduate school from college. College is not for Tate as he really hangs around with the wrong crowd.Viewing the horrors of war turns Anthony Curtis (Tate) into a heavy smoker, alcoholic and user of drugs. He returns home to a restless society and hears young black revolutionaries calling for violence to obtain their objectives.His girlfriend had a child from him while he was in Vietnam. Unable to adequately provide for them, he turns to crime which ultimately in his planned caper becomes a disaster.Though he is angry and sorry for what he has done, he can't comprehend why society has dealt with him so severely in a 15 year to life sentence. He is contemplative and brooding as he rides to prison.This is definitely a compelling film dealing with the societal problems following a period of tremendous upheaval in our nation.

somehope ... that the Hughes Bros. apologized for this film because they thought they messed it or something. They didn't. The film shows a familiar trail: innocence of friendship before Vietnam, the war itself, and then the return home from war where you were once rewarded for killing and now you're trapped barely making ends meet with a family to support.Larenz Tate, whose character was full of hate in "Menance II Society", here shows how a good kid can turn into a bad man and shows me, which is very important, why he changed into a criminal. For me, O-Dogg was a modern day Clockwork Orange. That was fine for Menance because it was a shot of gangsta energy from debut directors. Anthony Curtis' story is more textured and proves Tate can tone down anger to show the humanity behind it.'No Viet Cong called me a n----r," M. Ali said. And here, in this film, I can see through the H. brothers' direction and Tate's acting, performance a strong argument againist why anyone, especially, the black man (and woman) got screwed over in Vietnam to support Ali's statement.I'm rambling, but see it for yourself as an edit changes Curtis from running home over fences to a solider running over the Vietnam jungle, and then later as a pimp, who has being doing Curtis' wife, pushes him down the stairs. In the 80's movies, Rambo was a hermit with a lot of anger. Curtis lived in a much more real world, and would have done what Curtis did.

MisterWhiplash Dead Presidents has in its story a tale of desperation and sorrow for a period where young men were perpetually let down by those around them, and took the easy way out through crime. But somehow, just as much as Menace 2 Society in its own style, is relevant for today, or at least the period it was made in a dozen years ago. It's inarguable Vietnam made these guys the way they turned out, but it's not the sole catalyst. It's also the mood of where they grew up, the crime that was already inherent in the ghetto they were at. It's about the struggle of breaking out of a place and time that is all the more rotten for what the country they're in did to them by sending them off to unjust war. That's the "message", anyway, but it's only once or twice hit home harshly. The rest of it is driven by tight, extremely talented film-making, a contender for best thriller of the year where there were many good ones (not as 'fun' as Desperado, but with a depth and sadness to the scenes of thrills). It's also great to see the actors in the film work so well, including Chris Tucker- given more to do here emotionally than any other film he's done- and a small part from Keith David, who's somewhat underrated in his time as a fantastic character actor. Then there's also the bank heist, which is in and of itself dynamite, and the main plot of the deterioration of the romance between the characters that gets frightening. Even the resolution, which seems very matter-of-fact and bleak (watching Tucker on the couch 'watching' the Al Green song is a sobering moment), works very well.Dead Presidents isn't truly great art or whatever, but it does showcase the talents of the Hughes brothers better- or at least with more articulation and determination- than any other they've made (and all four they've done are well done, particularly From Hell and Menace 2 Society).

sambo5180 The Hughes Brothers film Dead Presidents exists as one the most (arguably) realistic human dramas ever made. Many people refer to this as a "blaxpoitation film", but this only how the movie is portrayed. I have seen this film many times (first as a 9-year old, if you can imagine that) and it still remains one of my favourites. I have read other user comments on this film and it seems that the problem most viewers have with it is the uneven plot. So for the person reading this who has not seen this film, please read the following:Dead Presidents is not a concept film in the obvious sense. I won't explain the plot and story (everyone else seems to have their own ideas) but this film does give many messages. Other reviewers claim this tries to be a war movie or a heist movie or a love story all at once. If anything, call this a "culture" movie. Yes, this film does display the worst possible scenarios in a person's life, but this is not to say that life isn't like this for many people. A few things to remember when watching this film: (1)Do not watch this film if you don't enjoy films that portray something less than positivity for your viewing pleasure. People who prefer "soft" films that show kindness, warmth, love, etc. will ineviably be in a rut by the film's end.If this film leaves you in a state of angst by the end, it's just because that's what the film tries for, so don't trip! (2) There are racial undertones in this movie!!! This is not to say that a white person can't enjoy this film, but be prepared. I viewed this with a friend (who is white) and he was angry as hell by the end of film, making comments like, "Life's not really like that!" (3) The violence portrayed in this film is (over-the-top) quite extreme, but this is necessary for the story. Everyone has already pointed out all the most gruesome scenes in previous reviews, so if you've read previous reviews, you know what to look forward to. Don't expect any restraint in the depictions of the darker side of mankind. (4) Trying to guess the plot before viewing is completely pointless. One of the best ideas behind this film is it's unpredictability. Sure, earlier scenes might foreshadow something later, but if you think you have it figured out, you'll most likely be disappointed.The acting in this film is incredible. No one gives an even mediocre performance (this due impart to the cast: What would you expect from Larenz Tate in one of his best performances, Chris Tucker in a serious roll, and even a young Terrence Howard?) A lot of the film's best acting comes not from the dialogue (which isn't anything extraordinary), but from the voice tones and expressions. Look at Chris Tucker's eyes as the film spins out toward the end, or Keith David's rocky voice in his portrayal as the old man Kirby. *The scene where Tucker kills the cop in the heist is one of the most realistic scenes I've ever seen in a movie. Also, this is one of the most brilliantly shot films I've ever seen. From the war scenes in 'Nam to the borough of the Bronx in the 70's, settings and cinematography, as well as the film's soundtrack are all on point, more so than many of today's disappointing films. Yes, the Hughes Brothers may pay homage to other directors, particularly in the war scenes, but any one who says they are "biting" earlier styles is definitely a critic (and nothing more). This film's pacing is hardly slow, it just doesn't move like a mindless action flick. It seeks to show you not just the struggle of the black male (as many people drew this from it), but the struggles of anyone put in circumstances beyond their control. (I'm not agreeing the films final sequences, just pointing out the idea.) Life is not simplistic or happy for these characters, but rather like a hustle to come upon something better. I have dealt with these emotions myself, so I can appreciate what the Hughes Brothers are portraying, and will admit a slight bias to the film. If you have seen Menace II Society, then you have an idea of what to expect. Overall, Dead Presidents attempts to display what gives rise to blues music: the trials of people, and the choices and consequences of human action. Watch the film, draw a conclusion, but don't assume anything.*****Oh, and for those of you who couldn't seem to figure out the film's title: these are what are on U.S. currency (dollar bills), aka M-O-N-E-Y, which is what the character's are trying to O-B-T-A-I-N!