Clockers (1995)

"Clockers" (1995) is a crime drama directed by Spike Lee, who co-wrote the film with Richard Price, which they based on Price's novel under the same title. The movie features an outstanding cast, including Mekhi Phifer, Harvey Keitel, Keith David, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington, Regina Taylor, and Thomas Jefferson Byrd. The film also has a great soundtrack that peaked at #54 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. 

Spike Lee produced several classic movies before '95, but "Clockers" is an underrated gem by the director. And it's understandable when notable films like "School Daze," "Do the Right Thing," "Mo' Better Blues," "Malcolm X," and "Crooklyn" existed earlier. However, "Clockers" shows Lee's versatility as a filmmaker, and the cast delivered an exceptional performance. I highly recommend this film for the viewing. 

Director: Spike Lee

Writer: Richard Price, Spike Lee

Starring Mekhi Phifer, Harvey Keitel, Keith David, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington, Regina Taylor, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Peewee Love, Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, Elvis Nolasco, Lawrence B. Adisa, Hassan Johnson, Frances Foster, Michael Imperioli, Lisa Arrindell, Paul Calderon, Brendan Kelly, Mike Starr, Graham Brown, Steve White, Spike Lee

Storyline

A "clocker" is a 24-hour drug dealer, and Strike (Mekhi Phifer) is the hardest-working one on the streets. But for Strike, time is running out. When the local drug kingpin tips Strike off about an opportunity for advancement, a rival dealer ends up dead, and Strike suddenly finds himself caught between two homicide detectives. One is Mazilli (John Turturro), who's only looking for an easy bust. The other is Rocco (Harvey Keitel), who's looking for something much more challenging to find—the truth—and when Strike's law-abiding brother confesses to the murder, Rocco vows not to rest until he's sure the real shooter is behind bars.

A Lesson Before Dying (1999, TV Movie)

"A Lesson Before Dying" (1999) is a powerful drama originally aired on HBO. It's directed by Joseph Sargent and written by Ann Peacock, who adapted the story from Ernest J. Gaines' 1993 novel under the same title. The film stars an outstanding cast featuring Don Cheadle, Cicely Tyson, Mekhi Phifer, Irma P. Hall, Brent Jennings, Lisa Arrindell, and Dana Ivey. Phifer plays Jefferson, a black man accused of murdering a white man, which ends with his conviction and sentencing to death. Cheadle plays a college-educated black who returns to his small southern town to teach but faces internal conflicts about his dreams, goals, and ambitions of where he is in life. With encouragement, Cheadle visits Jefferson to help turn him into a man after the courts and justice system deem him nothing more than an animal before sentencing him to death.

This compelling film has so much depth and honesty to it. All the actors performed at high levels and brought the characters to life. Ironically, the film has many lessons beyond what Cheadle tries to convey. As a school teacher, he also deals with young children facing hardships. This movie is a must for fans who appreciate distinguished acting, powerful storytelling, and messages that can translate to everyone. I highly recommend it for viewing.

Director: Joseph Sargent
Writers: Ernest J. Gaines, Ann Peacock

Starring Don Cheadle, Cicely Tyson, Mekhi Phifer, Irma P. Hall, Brent Jennings, Lisa Arrindell, Dana Ivey, Frank Hoyt Taylor, Stuart Culpepper, Patty Mack, Von Coulter, Elijah Kelley, Wynton Yates, Jameelah Nuriddin, Cierra Meche

Storyline
Grant Wiggins (Don Cheadle) has become resigned to racial injustice in the South. Returning to his hometown with a college degree, he continues to teach in the same one-room school of his youth. Struggling to make a difference in an oppressive time and place, Grant is called upon by two local women, Tante Lou, and Miss Emma, to visit the town prison. There, Jefferson, a simple young man, has been convicted of a murder he did not commit and sentenced to die like an animal. Jefferson is full of rage and resentment, and the women are convinced that somehow he must be taught to die not like an animal but like a man. It falls upon the teacher to enrich a life he cannot save and, in so doing, somehow redeem his own by teaching one young man "A Lesson Before Dying."