podcast 2

The movie Boys in the Hood received both professional and regular moviegoer reviews. It caused riots and debates about violence and racism. The film accurately depicted the struggles faced by the black community, including police brutality and gun violence. Viewers felt validated and recognized by the movie's portrayal. The impact of relationships and societal factors on violence were examined. The film highlighted the cycle of poverty and the need for social change. Overall, Boys in the Hood had a positive impact on society and continues to resonate with audiences. While searching through reviews for John Singleton's film, Boys in the Hood, I wanted to locate some from both professional reviewers and regular moviegoers. In order to be able to assess from various perspectives, I also wanted to discover a mix of favorable and unfavorable reviews. Reading some of the articles that were published after the film's premiere gave me a good idea of how viewers felt. On July 14, 1991, immediately following the premiere of John Singleton's Boys in the Hood, an article by Sun-Times staff writer Frank Burgos was published. It goes into great detail on the nationwide riots that broke out when people first began to see the movie. The aftermath left many people injured and others dead. It was necessary for director Singleton to publicly reject any blame for the violence, stating, quote, I didn't create the conditions which make people shoot each other, end quote. Theaters required extra security and metal detectors for moviegoers. Roger Albert, a critic, objected to this, asking, quote, why is it always a black movie that they get out a metal detector? If they put one in the Terminator 2 movie, how many guns would they find, end quote. A review of this article done by Lawrence Ware of the New York Times stated that he was only 10 years old when Boys in the Hood came out, and although typically his mom tried to shield him away from inappropriate pieces, Boys in the Hood was a household name in black communities across the country, and she wanted her son to experience the same thing. Lawrence said as soon as the credits rolled, he understood. Although what Singleton depicts about the interaction between the police and black citizens is now widely acknowledged, at the time, it was unusual for Hollywood to capture the black community's perspective on policing so effectively. As a young black man, he was always told to be suspicious of police, but this was one of the first times witnessing the justification for the dread on screen in a significant American film. Another review written by Reddit user MrAntMan85 said, quote, it's tough trying to get out the hood because it's so much that is holding you back. Great movie. Shows what's going on in the hood, and at the end you see that Doughboy got killed from gun violence. Shake my head. Never ending cycle, end quote. Both reviews demonstrate how viewers expected a realistic depiction of hood life, but did not anticipate that the movie would effectively convey the difficulties encountered by police while growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood with police brutality and the never-ending cycle of violence. The social issues highlighted the institutionalized elements such as lack of opportunities, racial discrimination, and the effects of gun violence that anticipate the problems in these communities. These two viewers, along with the large number of others who saw the movie, were surprised by how accurate the portrayal was. Because he's an African American man living in the United States and has experienced hardships similar to those of the characters, Lawrence specifically stated that he could empathize with them. The audience reactions indicate that the movie had a positive impact on society. The amount of recognition viewers felt and validation while watching the movie created a legacy that will never be forgotten. Boys in the Hood is still a staple in not only African American households, but all of those who feel seen as they are going through the same struggles. It is difficult to put those biases aside while analyzing Boys in the Hood since I grew up in a family that lived in communities that were similar to those in the film, and I've seen firsthand how the violence and systematic problems can affect an individual. With that perspective, I am better able to relate to the characters and feel both sadness and outrage for the way in which our society is structured to make leaving the hood so challenging. By examining the impact of relationships and how individuals' views and behavior influence different sociological theories assist with contesting societal assumptions that are depicted in the film. For instance, we need to take a closer look at the violence depicted in the movie rather than assuming it was the result of one person's decision. This involves examining any additional social and cultural factors that might be at work. In the movie, Doughboy eventually decides to remain in his neighborhood and submit to the gang violence that affects everyone. The fact that he made this decision, there were several other factors that contributed to it. He might have chosen to follow this route as a result of factors such as a lack of economic opportunity, systematic prejudice, and the absence of a positive role model. We may start to comprehend how the issues mentioned above can contribute to a cycle of poverty by using sociological theories. These ideas can aid researchers in gaining a fresh perspective while examining the interactions between various communities and cultures as well as the outcomes of certain problems. This enables us to continue building on our body of information and understanding, which we can then use to guide political choices and allocation of resources targeted at increasing awareness of and assisting individuals affected by social concerns.