The Fighting Temptations (2003)

Paulina (LaTanya Richardson), a small-town catty church member, has discovered that choir member Maryann (Faith Evans) has put out an album of secular music. Paulina forces her brother, Pastor Lewis (Wendell Pierce) to make Maryann choose between the choir and a music career. Maryann quits the choir and leaves town with her little boy, Darrin, to pursue her dreams of stardom.

Years later, Darrin (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) is an up-and-comer in an New York advertising agency. He's promoted to junior executive, but is fired later when it's discovered that he faked his educational credentials. Darrin is also up to his ears in debt. He receives notice that his aunt has died, and he returns to the small town for her funeral. His aunt has left him an inheritance that depends upon Darrin entering the church choir in a major singing competition. The choir needs a makeover. Darrin believes a childhood friend, Lilly (Beyonce Knowles) could help put the choir over the top. But first, he has to get past snooty, conservative Paulina.

This is a pleasant, feel-good movie with easy laughs and a predictable ending. The music is good, with performances by The O'Jays, Pastor Shirley Ceasar, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Montrell Jordan, Beyonce, Mary Mary (Erica and Trecina Campbell), Ann Nesby, and T-Bone. Mike Epps and Steve Harvey work well with their small roles.

Cuba Gooding Jr. is an Oscar winner for his role in Jerry Maguire (1996). Beyonce was in Dreamgirls. Rue McClanahan, who appeared in the series "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" is on hand as one of the choir members. Melba Moore also appears as a choir member.

Boyz In The Hood (1991)

Absolutely the best of the "'hood" movies that were produced during the 1990's. Tre' (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is a teen who resides with his dad, Furious (Lawrence Fishburne) in rough South Central Los Angeles. His buddies are Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky (Morris Chestnut), half-brothers who have somewhat of a rivalry going. Ricky is a high school sports star, while Doughboy has spent his time in and out of juvenile hall. In fact, as the movie opens, there is a party being thrown by the brothers' mom to welcome Doughboy home from another stint in jail.

It is explained that Tre' is living with his dad because his mom felt the boy was getting out of hand. Indeed, under his father's guidance, Tre' is a decent kid. However, he and his friends have to deal with the day-to-day trials of living in a neighborhood that lives under the cloud of gang warfare and street violence. Police helicopers patrol the area at night, shining bright lights on everyone. There is a scene where Tre's girlfriend, Brandi (Nia Long) is trying to do her homework as shots ring out on the street. Tre' is harassed by the cops in another harrowing scene, for apparently no reason other than he is an African-American young man.

Doughboy continues his gang association, and quickly starts a beef with a rival group. A war of words soon turns into a war of bullets, and tragedy follows the main characters.

This was director John Singleton's first major film. Cuba Gooding Jr. is the son of the lead singer of the R&B group The Main Ingredients. Gooding won a Best Supporting Oscar for his work in Jerry Maquire (1996). Nia Long appeared as Will Smith's girlfriend on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"(1990-1996). Ice Cube was a member of the infamous rap group Public Enemy, who were chastized by the FBI for their hit "Fuck The Police". He was also the lead in the comedy Barbershop (2002). Morris Chestnut was in The Inkwell (1994). Angela Bassett, who was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for What's Love Got To Do With It?, appears as Gooding's mom.