Thicker Than Water (1999)

Starring:

• Mack 10
• Fat Joe
• Ice Cube

IMDB.com
In Los Angeles, two rival gang leaders are also trying to be music producers. When DJ's equipment shorts out and Lonzo is cut out of the action by a record producer, the two join forces, which also requires a tentative peace between gangs. With backing from Gator, a smooth New Orleans drug king, DJ and Lonzo start dealing, organizing their gangs into pushers. Just as their finances are looking up, one of Gator's team pulls a double cross and two of DJ and Lonzo's gang bangers start a shooting war. Can the erstwhile music producers salvage anything of their bond or their plans?

I was highly impressed by the interesting and realistic storyline. This is a small budget film. However, it gives no indication of budget constraints. In fact, not many high budget urban drama films are as well done as this pièce de résistance. The writers and screenwriters seem to have created a film that moves effortlessly from attention grabbing cinematic dialog to gritty and realistic action with equal aplomb. I am very impressed with this film by Mack 10 who is also a very impressive rapper.

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)

Starring:

• Forest Whitaker
• John Tormey
• Cliff Gorman
• Henry Silva
• Tricia Vessey
• Isaach De Bankolé
• Camille Winbush

Storyline
Living by code of the samurai, Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) is a hitman for a criminal organization as a favor for Louie (John Tormey), a mobster that saved Ghost Dog's life from an attack by hoodlums. Louie hires Ghost Dog for another contract killing, which seems like business as usual, except this time when Ghost Dog assassinates his target, the head mob's (Henry Silva) daughter, Louise (Tricia Vessey), is present during the killing. Ghost Dog spares her life, but now the mob must eliminate Ghost Dog so that Louise doesn't know that her father was involved with the hit. Now Ghost Dog must go on the offensive to save his life while staying true to his samurai code of honor.