One Eight Seven (1997)

"One Eight Seven" (1997) is a crime drama starring Samuel L. Jackson in his first top-billing and leading role. Jackson appeared in several movies before starring in "One Eight Seven," but he was mainly in supporting roles or co-leads. In this film, Jackson is the focal character who is a substitute teacher in a rough Los Angeles public school. Kevin Reynolds directed, and Scott Yagemann is the writer for the film. Yageman based the story on his experience as a teacher in L.A.

The 90s produced many high school-themed movies. It was a popular genre, and there were numerous narratives within. For example, you had biographies, dramas (true and untrue stories), comedies, horror, thrillers, romance, and crime. "One Eight Seven" comes after the success of films like "Sister Act 2" (1993), "Dangerous Minds" (1995), and "The Substitute" (1996). The students were primarily multicultural in the previously mentioned films, but in "One Eight Seven," the student cast was mainly Hispanic. Other films like "House Party" (1990), Juice" (1992), "Class Act" (1992), and "Sunset Park" (1996) had a predominantly black cast as the students. Considering the films mentioned, Hollywood had a formula that worked, but unfortunately for "One Eight Seven," it did the worst out of all those movies at the box office. Truthfully, it flopped. However, the film has a cult following because of its trippy and artistic nature. 

The film flows in neo-noir fashion as Jackson navigates hostile gang members and troubled youth as he tries to help. Jackson gives an excellent performance and provides an audience with a deeper appreciation for his talents. He was already masterful in films like "Jungle Fever" and "Pulp Fiction," but this was a different film for Jackson. 

Director: Kevin Reynolds

Writer: Scott Yagemann

Starring Samuel L. Jackson, John Heard, Kelly Rowan, Clifton Collins Jr., Tony Plana, Karina Arroyave, Lobo Sebastian, Jack Kehler, Jonah Rooney, Demetrius Navarro, Ebony Monique Solomon, Jonny Bogris, Dominic Hoffman, Martha Velez, Method Man

Storyline

When a student writes the police code for homicide, 187, inside a textbook owned by teacher Trevor Garfield (Samuel L. Jackson), he feels threatened. The principal dismisses the incident, but the same student stabs Trevor soon after. Fifteen months later, a physically and emotionally scarred Trevor relocates to California and takes up substitute teaching. To his dismay, his new school is as full of dangerously undisciplined students as the last one, driving Trevor over the edge.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised [A Film About Gil Scott-Heron] (2003)

This documentary focuses on "The Godfather of Rap" - one of the most important figures in the history of Black music. The film features interviews with Gil and his collaborators and disciples such as Chuck D and Mos Def alongside classic archive.

Gil was a key figure in the Seventies' civil rights movement and yet his message is still relevant today.
His confrontational, no-nonsense street poetry and intelligent song writing skills have inspired the modern Hip-Hop generation. In more than 20 albums Gil has documented and in many cases anticipated, the dark underbelly of United States politics, racism and the self-destruction of the Afro-American working class.

The film is directed by the legendary Don Letts, who won a Grammy for his documentary about The Clash.

Foreign Student (1994)

Starring:

• Robin Givens
• Marco Hofschneider
• Rick Johnson

IMDB.com
Paris, 1955. Philippe Leclerc is overjoyed: he has just been granted the fellowship he applied for and he will be able to study for a year at the prestigious Asheland-Stuart University of Virginia. Once on the spot, he discovers how different the South of the USA is from his native France and the period of adjustment is no bed of roses, notably when he mistakes American football for soccer while playing a game and becomes the laughing stock of the college. Philip nonetheless gains the friendship of the captain of the team and gradually adapts to his new environment, discovering American literature through the lectures of a fascinating professor, rock and roll and jazz, among other things. A Southern belle, Sue Ann, falls for his Latin charm but, unfortunately for her, her love is unrequited and she breaks down nervously as a result. As for Philippe he falls madly in love with April, a beautiful Black domestic worker...