‘Boyz’ Director Looks Forward to Blu-ray

7 Jul, 2011 By: Chris Tribbey

---

LOS ANGELES — It’s been 20 years since Boyz in the Hood first wowed audiences, landing first-time director John Singleton a Best Director nomination at the age of 24.

To Singleton it feels like yesterday.

“It feels like two years,” Singleton said. “I didn’t know then how it would be received. I wanted to make the best film possible, and that’s what we did.”

Starring Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Angela Bassett, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Regina King and Laurence Fishburne, the film’s gritty tale of youth in South Central Los Angeles remains popular today, as evidenced by a sold out screening of the film at the recent Los Angeles Film Festival.

“It’s classic filmmaking, Shakespearean,” said Elvis Mitchell, film critic and host of the public radio show “The Treatment.” “There are so many surprises in it. Singleton had such confidence making it, Cuba just holds the screen, and it really works as an ensemble piece.”

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment marks the 20th anniversary of the film July 19 with a Blu-ray release of the film. For the new release, Sony includes “The Enduring Significance of Boyz N the Hood,” a look back with the cast and crew at the impact the film has made. Other bonuses include “Friendly Fire: Making of an Urban Legend”; a commentary with Singleton; audition footage with Ice Cube, Bassett, Chestnut and Tyra Ferrell; deleted scenes; and music videos from Compton’s Most Wanted and Tevin Campbell.

“It’s gonna be phenomenal on Blu-ray,” the director said. “All the colors are gonna pop. The sound is gonna be amazing.”
 

Bookmark it: