Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Movie Franchise Third Installments

In most movie franchises, the third installment is usually when the series falls off. Running out of good ideas or simply just making it for a quick cash grab has made most third installments are a far cry from what the original was. However, there have been times when the third installment actually turns out to be a great movie. Whether it’s a strong continuation to the story or conclusion to the story told from the first two, a great third installment can even be the best in the whole series when the right pieces come together. With that being said, it’s about that time again as Konscious Kurt breaks down his 10 Favorite Movie Franchise Third Installments:

10. Rocky III (1982)

As Sylvester Stallone wrote the script for the original Rocky and refused to let anyone play the character but himself, taking that gamble really paid off as the movie became a massive hit that won the Best Picture Oscar. In the opinion of many fans, Rocky II was even better as it had the satisfying ending of Rocky defeating his foe Apollo Creed for the Heavyweight Title. While most franchises fall off by the third installment, that was just not the case with Rocky III. From Mr. T as the antagonist Clubber Lang, a memorable scene featuring a not yet famous Hulk Hogan, to Apollo training Rocky to help him regain his confidence, there was a lot to enjoy about this sequel. Making the most money out of any in the franchise up to that point, Rocky III only added to the legend of the Rocky character.

9. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming marked the beginning of the Tom Holland era of the franchise. While a decent enough first entry, its sequel Spider-Man: Far From Home turned out to be even better. That momentum would continue into the next installment as Spider-Man: No Way Home brought back many of the old characters from the past Spider-Man franchises. From Dr. Octopus, the Green Goblin, to Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield reprising their roles as the popular superhero, this installment provided a great nostalgia trip with a heartbreaking ending. In addition to how well received it was by fans, No Way Home was the highest grossing movie of 2021 and the highest grossing of any Spider-Man film until Brand New Day broke that record this year.

8. Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995)

The original Die Hard is widely considered as one of the best action (and Christmas) movies of all time that put Bruce Willis on the map as a leading man. While not as good as the first one, Die Hard 2: Die Harder was still a strong sequel that served a purpose. As wise as it may have been to end the series there, the next installment marked a real high point for the franchise. Co-starring Samuel L. Jackson, Die Hard With a Vengeance was more original than the sequel before it and was so good that it even gives the original a run for its money. The highest grossing movie of 1995, Die Hard With a Vengeance proved that the franchise and John McClane still had plenty of juice left.

7. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Starring Christian Bale and abandoning the cartoony vibes of what the Batman franchise became in the late ‘90s, 2005’s Batman Begins brought the character back to its dark roots. In another rare case where the sequel topped the original, 2008’s The Dark Knight is ranked by many fans as the best Batman movie of all time thanks to its story, Christopher Nolan’s direction, and the late Heath Ledger’s memorable performance as the Joker. With this being such a high point for the franchise, the sequel that followed it had heavy shoes to fill. While it may not have succeeded in topping The Dark Knight, 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises was still an epic movie that gave us another strong villain in Bane and a satisfying conclusion to Batman’s story arc. With it being the highest grossing Batman film to date, The Dark Knight Rises turned the Christopher Nolan version of the franchise into a great trilogy.

6. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Starring Matt Damon, The Bourne Identity set a new standard for action movies that could easily be seen as the 2000s progressed. Similar to The Terminator and Die Hard franchises, its sequel The Bourne Supremacy showed no signs of the series falling off as it was also a success financially and critically. Pulling off the trifecta, 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum is arguably considered the best of the franchise. With over a 90% approval rating and winning several Oscars, this sequel left fans satisfied with the way the story completed. As most franchises become a shell of themselves by the third installment, this was one of those times where it hit its peak.

5. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Despite heavy anticipation, Captain America: The First Avenger received mixed reviews when it hit theaters in 2011. However, 2014’s Captain America: Winter Soldier more than made up for that as it was a hit financially and critically in ways that its predecessor wasn’t. As epic and satisfying as this sequel was, Captain America: Civil War raised the stakes even higher. Featuring the debut of Black Panther and Spider-Man to the MCU, this sequel features all of the Avengers actually going to war with each other. While whether or not it was better than Winter Soldier is debatable, it still proved to be a strong third installment that became the highest grossing movie of 2016.

4. Toy Story 3 (2010)

Released in 1995 and marking the first time a movie was made with CGI, the original Toy Story was a huge hit for Disney that changed the game for animated movies. While maybe not as strong as the original, 1999’s Toy Story 2 was still a good sequel that helped progress the story further. Hitting theaters over a decade later in 2010, Toy Story 3 proved to be an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. As this installment sees Woody, Buzz, and all the rest of the toys part ways with Andy as he leaves for college, it made for a sad but satisfying conclusion to the story. While there ended up being two more successful sequels that followed this one, Toy Story 3 is the point where many feel the franchise should’ve ended.

3. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

2012’s The Avengers marked the first time all the major Marvel characters came together for one movie. As the movie to no surprise was a huge success, its sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron continued that trend. As big as the first two were, the entry people remember the most from this franchise is Avengers: Infinity War. Featuring even more Marvel characters and the peak of supervillain Thanos, Infinity War showed the heroes of the MCU at their most vulnerable state. With a rare, sad ending to a Marvel movie that sent audiences home in tears, Infinity War is arguably the peak of the 2010s Marvel boom.

2. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)

When you think of epic movies that take you on an adventure, look no further than the Lord of the Rings series. Hitting theaters at the end of 2001, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the King is widely considered as the gold standard for fantasy movies. Released one year later and also praised by everyone who saw it, its sequel Lord of the Rings: Two Towers continued that momentum going as it received several Oscar nods. In the last installment of the franchise that hit theaters the following year, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King ended the series on a high note as it’s ranked by most fans as the best of all three. In addition to making over $1 billion and being the second highest grossing movie ever when it was out, it pulled off the incredible feat of winning every Oscar it was nominated for including Best Picture. Much like the first two, Return of the King is looked at as a high mark for movies and the art of movie making.

1. Logan (2017)

A spinoff of the successful X-Men films from the early 2000s, X-Men Origins: Wolverine received a lot of mixed reviews when it hit theaters in the Summer of 2009. While its 2013 sequel The Wolverine was received a lot better, it also took a lot of criticism for its ending. The Wolverine story would reach its dramatic conclusion in 2017 with the release of Logan. This installment sees an aging Wolverine as one of the last surviving mutants protecting a young mutant girl from corporate mercenaries and caring for an ailing Professor X. The best reviewed X-Men movie of all time and the first live action superhero movie to be nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar, Logan marked an emotional but fitting ending to the series and another one of the rare times where the third installment was better than the first two.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Back to the Future III (1990)
  • Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
  • Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

Konscious Kurt Ranks The 10 Worst Third Installments in Movie Franchises

If there’s one thing that ruins a great movie, it’s the need to make it into a sequel. While there are exceptions where the sequel actually turns out to better than the first one, they usually end up being a disappointment. As if one sequel isn’t enough to ruin a good idea, a third installment to a series is where it really becomes a shell of itself. With third installments being more about making money than about making a good movie, the final product usually leaves audiences confused, angry, and cheated out of two hours they’ll never get back. Let’s not waste any more time as Konscious Kurt breaks down the 10 Worst Third Installments in Movie Franchises:

10. Friday After Next (2002)

A great script co-written by Ice Cube that showed the comedic side of living in the hood, 1995’s Friday is widely considered one of the best comedies of all time. While its sequel Next Friday wasn’t as good and was missing popular co-star Chris Tucker, it was still funny enough to make it a passable movie that made even more money than the original. Not knowing how to quit while they were ahead, they made a Christmas themed sequel Friday After Next that hit theaters in 2002. The end result was a movie so bad that felt like a huge slap in the face to fans of the franchise. While Terry Crews and Kat Williams were the few parts about the movie that were funny, it just didn’t make up for how unfunny the rest of the movie was.

9. Scream 3 (2000)

One of the more creative and out of the box movies of its era, the first Scream was a huge hit that reignited the horror genre in the late ‘90s. Although not as good as the original, Scream 2 was still a solid enough effort that was worth checking out. However, the same just can’t be said for Scream 3 as it lacked everything that made people fall in love with the first one. As the whole mystery killer storyline had been done to death by this point, the third Scream felt uninspired and unnecessary. Although some of the later sequels that followed were an improvement, many fans agree that Scream 3 was when the franchise jumped the shark.

8. Beverly Hills Cop III (1994)

Hitting theaters in 1984, the success of the original Beverly Hills Cop helped popularize buddy comedies and made Eddie Murphy a movie star. Although the 1987 sequel was one of the highest grossing movies that year, it was a clear step down in quality from the first one. While the second one was at least mediocre, the third one that followed was much worse. With most of the movie being centered around a theme park, Beverly Hills Cop III lacked all the spark, comedy, and fun that could be found in the first two. With Murphy himself even admitting he wasn’t a fan of the movie either, it proved to be nothing more than a money grab and waste of time for anyone who had to sit through it.

7. Little Fockers (2010)

The chemistry between Robert DeNiro and Ben Stiller made the original Meet the Parents one of the best comedies of its era. Although some argued that it wasn’t necessary, its sequel Meet the Fockers was a decent continuation to the story that was good for what it was. The same couldn’t be said for the third installment Little Fockers, as it turned out to be a sad attempt at keeping the franchise going. With only a 10% approval rating, it was clear that the spark that was there for the first two films was long gone. With a fourth installment set to hit theaters later this year, it’ll be hard for it to be any worse than this one was (or maybe it will be).

6. Rush Hour 3 (2007)

The undeniable chemistry between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker is one of many things that made 1998’s Rush Hour so good. That momentum continued going into the sequel as Rush Hour 2 was also a huge hit that many fans argue is even better than the first one. With heavy anticipation for Rush Hour 3 once it hit theaters in 2007, that anticipation quickly turned into disappointment. Unfortunately, the duo of Tucker & Chan wasn’t enough to make the third movie worth watching as it fell far below the bar that was set by the first two. If by some chance we end up getting another Rush Hour, it’ll take a lot for it to make up for how bad this one was.

5. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

2015’s Ant-Man was a fun addition to the Marvel verse that went over well with critics and audiences. Considering that it’s a Marvel movie, a sequel was inevitable. While the 2018 sequel was also a success, the same can’t be said for the sequel that followed. Hitting theaters in 2023, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is widely considered an embarrassment to the character and the whole franchise. In addition to being panned by just about anyone who saw it, the movie was also a disappointment financially as it’s one of the few MCU movies to not break even.

4. Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Hitting theaters in the Spring of 2002, the first live action Spider-Man more than lived up to all the hype behind it. In one of the rare cases where the sequel was better than the first one, Spider-Man 2 is considered by hardcore fans to be the peak of the Tobey Maguire version of the franchise (and it was all downhill from there). Featuring way too many villains and an out of character dance routine (yes that really happened), Spider-Man 3 was nothing more than a money grab. While it was a success in that sense as it made the most money out of any movie in the trilogy, all the hate it received from its critics is justified. Fortunately, there have been multiple live action Spider-Man films made since then that have helped erase the bad taste that was left by this one.

3. The Karate Kid Part III (1989)

Thanks to its inspiring underdog story and the chemistry between its stars Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, The Karate Kid was one of the defining movies of the ‘80s. While a step down from the original that didn’t even have most of the same cast, Karate Kid Part II was a decent enough sequel that made the most money out of any film in the franchise. By the time part three hit theaters in the Summer of 1989, it was clear that the series just wasn’t hot anymore. Whether it was the storyline, the tone, or the fact that Macchio was clearly too old to be playing a teenager by this point, the third one is a sad reflection of how hard the series had fallen off. While the Terry Silver character from it was a good villain that made an even better one in Netflix’s Cobra Kai years later, it still doesn’t change the fact that this movie wasn’t good.

2. The Hangover Part III (2013)

Arguably the best comedy of the 2000s, the original Hangover is a cult classic thanks to its great cast and the crazy shenanigans that happened throughout it. While unnecessary and more or less a carbon copy of the original, the sequel still had enough elements from the original to at least make it a fun movie to watch in theaters. By the time the third Hangover hit theaters in 2013, there was nothing that could save it from being a disaster. With a horrible plot and lacking the creativity that made the original so good, it’s no surprise that this sequel crashed and burned as hard as it did. Panned by critics and making the least money out of any movie in the franchise, The Hangover Part III is a strong example of what happens when a movie franchise gets pimped out.

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)

Having a healthy balance between being dark and kid friendly made the first live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie a hit with audiences and critics. While the sequel that followed only a year later was also a success, how corny it was combined with the fact that it abandoned the dark tone from the original didn’t sit well with hardcore fans. Those feelings would become even stronger once audiences were forced to sit through the third installment that was released in 1993. With this entry in the franchise featuring the turtles going back in time to Japan and without popular villain Shredder, it should be considered a crime that the idea for this movie was approved by someone. As the ninja turtle frenzy from the early ‘90s was played out by this point, this movie and everyone’s response to it was a harsh reflection of that.

Honorable Mentions:
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
• Child’s Play 3 (1991)
• Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011)
• House Party 3 (1994)
• Blade: Trinity (2004)

Konscious Kurt’s List of 10 Actors Who Starred in Multiple Hit Movies in the Same Year

For any movie star, being a part of one successful movie in a calendar year is a huge accomplishment. As incredible of a feat as that is, it’s even more impressive when they’re able to do it twice. Over the years, there have many actors and actresses who have starred in two (and sometimes three) successful movies within a 12-month period. To be able to pull that off (especially by playing different characters) says a lot about a performer’s range and value. It’s about that time again as Konscious Kurt breaks down the list of 10 Actors Who starred in Multiple Hit Movies in the Same Year:

10. Emma Stone – Crazy, Stupid, Love and The Help (2011)

Emma Stone movie career really took off in the late 2000s going into the 2010s. Her true peak came in the year 2011 as she first starred alongside Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling in the comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love, where she played the love interest of a reformed womanizer (not knowing that he’s friends with her father). As the film was a huge hit when it hit theaters in July of that year, she would be part of even bigger hit only a month later with the release of The Help. In the film, she portrays an aspiring journalist that writes a book from the perspective of black maids in 1960s Mississippi. With the success of Crazy, Stupid, Love combined with The Help being nominated for multiple Oscars, 2011 was the year that really put Stone on the map.

9. Zendaya – The Drama, The Odyssey, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)

The most recent entry on this list, Zendaya’s 2026 has proved to be one for the history books. In addition to reprising her role as the drug addict Rue for the final season of HBO’s Euphoria, she starred alongside Robert Pattinson in the dark comedy The Drama. With that film being both a financial and critical success, her momentum continued going into the summer as she portrayed the goddess Athena in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Only two weeks after that film was released, she appeared in another big budget movie as she reprised her role of MJ in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. With both movies already surpassing $1 billion a piece, Zendaya is already the highest-grossing actor of 2026 (With her also set to star in Dune: Three later this year).

8. Terrance Howard – Crash and Hustle & Flow (2005)

Although a seasoned veteran by this point, 2005 was the year Terrance Howard truly crossed over. Portraying a successful TV producer who has to watch his wife be sexually harassed by cops in the film Crash, he played a major role in the film winning the Best Picture Oscar. Later that year, Howard had arguably the best performance of his career in the southern Hip-hop drama Hustle & Flow. In the movie, he plays a Memphis pimp named DJay who decides to pursue a rap career after having a mid-life crisis. As his portrayal of the pimp DJay earned him an Oscar nod for Best Actor, that combined with being part of the year’s Best Picture showed that he could be a leading man.

7. Michael Douglas – Fatal Attraction and Wall Street (1987)

Although he had a great run that stretched across multiple decades, the year that stands out the most in the career of Michael Douglas is 1987. Starring alongside Glen Close in Fatal Attraction, the film centers around a married attorney who has an affair with his colleague that turns deadly once he decides to end it. Even though the film was such a huge hit that it became the second highest grossing movie of 1987, Douglas outdid himself later that year when he starred in Wall Street. The movie sees him play the role of ruthless Wall Street tycoon Gordon Gekko, a man who’s willing to cross any line to satisfy his own greed. Also a classic film with the Gekko character considered one of the best movie villains of the ‘80s, Douglas’ performance is what stood out most from it as it earned him the coveted Best Actor Oscar.

6. Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games and Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

In 2012, Jennifer Lawrence became a household name following the release of The Hunger Games. Playing an adolescent who’s forced to fight to the death for a TV show, her performance in the film launched her into a whole new stratosphere. Showing off her range, she would have another strong performance later that year in Silver Linings Playbook. In the first of many great collaborations with director David O. Russell and co-star Bradley Cooper, Lawrence’s performance as the troubled love interest of a man with bipolar disorder is what many remember the movie most for. As her role in the film earned her the Oscar for Best Actress to cap off this banner year, it’s hard to argue whether any other actress in history has ever had a better year than Lawrence did in 2012.

5. Joe Pesci – Goodfellas and Home Alone (1990)

Released in the Fall of 1990, Goodfellas features Joe Pesci as the trigger hungry gangster Tommy Devito. Stealing every scene in the movie including the infamous “You think I’m funny” scene, the Tommy character proves to be the most intimidating despite being the smallest. As his performance in the gangster classic led him to winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, he would make his presence felt in another classic movie that same year. Released only two months after Goodfellas, Home Alone saw Pesci along with Daniel Stern play the neighborhood robbers who attempt to break into a house while the youngest child that lives there is home alone. As the Harry character he played in Home Alone was more of a comedic villain compared to the psychotic one he played in Goodfellas, pulling off both performances back-to-back showed why Pesci was one of the defining actors of the ‘90s.


4. Jim Carrey – Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Although he first made a name for himself on the sketch comedy series In Living Color, 1994 proved to be the real coming out party for Jim Carrey. At the start of the year, he had his breakthrough role as the star of the comedy Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. As his performance in the film helped it reach #1 at the box office, he would pull off that same feat later that same summer with The Mask. With two #1 movies in one year clearly not being enough, Carrey pulled off the trifecta to close out the year when he starred alongside Jeff Daniels in the cult classic Dumb and Dumber. Starring in three #1 movies in the same calendar year, he was the first actor to ever pull that off and no other actor would until Mason Thames did it last year.

3. Leonardo Dicaprio – Shutter Island and Inception (2010)

Although he’s starred in multiple hit movies in the same year multiple times (1993, 2006, and 2013), the year where Leonardo DiCaprio did it best was 2010. At the start of the year, he starred in the Martin Scorsese directed thriller Shutter Island. A very psychological movie that delivered an ending no one saw coming, many would think that it would take a long time for Leo to outdo it. Arguably, that’s exactly what he did later that summer when he starred in Christopher Nolan’s Inception. While were very different movies that really made audiences think outside of the box, Leo’s performance in both of them showed why he is and will always be considered one of the GOATs.

2. Robert DeNiro – Casino and Heat (1995)

For as impressive of a resume as Robert DeNiro has, two of his most memorable movies came out within literally three weeks of each other. First hitting theaters in November of 1995, DeNiro portrayed 1970s casino boss Sam Rothstein in Martin Scorsese’s Casino. Considered one of the best movies of that year that showed the darker side of Las Vegas from a past era, Casino alone would’ve been enough to consider that a banner year for the legendary actor. Released only three weeks after Casino, DeNiro co-starred alongside Al Pacino as a career thief in Michael Mann’s Heat. A critically acclaimed film that marked the first time DeNiro and Pacino ever shared a scene in a movie together, having both of those releases within such a short time span showed that DeNiro was still in his prime despite being a 30 year veteran by this point.

1. Jamie Foxx – Collateral and Ray (2004)

Initially coming from a comedic background, Jamie Foxx proved with performances in films like Any Given Sunday and Ali that he could also be a serious actor. In 2004, he took his acting chops to their highest level when he co-starred alongside Tom Cruise as a cab driver being held against his will in Collateral. Considered one of his best performances by that point that even earned him an Oscar nod for Supporting Actor, he would have an even more memorable performance later that year when he starred in the biopic Ray. Playing the role of legendary singer Ray Charles, Foxx was so committed to the role that he wore prosthetics in his eyes so that he would actually be blind and even played the piano in all of the movie’s physical performance scenes. His commitment to the role paid off in a huge way as his performance won him the Oscar for Best Actor, capping off arguably the best single year of all time for any actor.

Honorable Mentions:
• Arnold Scharzenegger – Total Recall and Kindergarten Cop (1990)
• Al Pacino – Donnie Brasco and The Devil’s Advocate (1997)
• Robert Downey, Jr. – Iron Man and Tropic Thunder (2008)
• Jada Pinkest-Smith – The Nutty Professor and Set It Off (1996)
• Seth Rogen – Knocked Up and Superbad (2007)

Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite R&B Songs from Movies

Even though it’s not as big commercially as it used to be, R&B is still one of the greatest music genres there is. From the sounds, voices, and messages you hear from any great R&B song, it’s something that makes you feel in a way no other music genre can. While it has become a lost art over the last 20+ years, some of the biggest R&B songs were the ones used to successfully promote a movie. Many of these songs turned out to be a breakthrough hit for an artist, a hit that made them even bigger than they already were, and in some cases, went on to be bigger than the movie itself. Let’s not waste any more time as Konscious Kurt breaks down his 10 Favorite R&B Songs from Movies:

10. Rush Hour: How Deep Is Your Love – Dru Hill

Hitting theaters in the Fall of 1998, Rush Hour is considered one of the best buddy comedies of all time as it made mainstream stars out of Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. For as big of a hit as the movie was, the soundtrack for it was also a big deal. Featuring the likes of Jay -Z, Ja Rule, Case, and Joe, the song from it that hit the hardest was Dru Hill’s “How Deep Is Your Love.” While a popular group before this, the song and its association with the movie really took them to a new level as it became their highest charting hit. As Sisqo’s performance on the song really shined the most, it would be a prelude to the memorable solo run he had less than two years later.

9. Fifty Shades of Grey: Earned It – The Weekend

2015’s Fifty Shades of Grey was one of the most highly anticipated movies of that year. While the movie wasn’t received well once it hit theaters, what was received well was the soundtrack that came with it. As it produced hits such as Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do,” the song the movie is most synonymous with is The Weekend’s “Earned It.” Regardless of what anyone thinks of the movie, no one can argue that this song and Weekend’s performance capture the sexual vibe of the movie to a Tee. His first song to reach the top five on the Billboard charts, the success of “Earned It” was what helped The Weekend cross over into the megastar that he is today.

8. Higher Learning: Ask of You – Raphael Saadiq

Directed by the late John Singleton, 1995’s Higher Learning was one of the first movies of its time to touch on racial tensions at a college campus. From racial profiling, rape, and violence, there’s no issue that the movie doesn’t explore. For as intense as the movie is, the song “Ask of You” from its soundtrack is much more lighthearted. Performed by Raphael Saadiq, the song pulls off being sexual and romantic at the same time. While many know Saadiq for being a part of the group Tony Toni Tone, this song established his solo career as its success led to it breaking through the top 20 on the Billboard charts.

7. Soul Food: A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men

The 1997 classic Soul Food centers around a Chicago family torn apart after the family’s matriarch falls into a coma. In addition to the story and the performances, what also makes the movie so good is its Babyface produced soundtrack. While featuring many great songs from Dru Hill, Total, and OutKast, there’s none from it that ranks higher than Boyz II Men’s “A Song for Mama.” As the song plays during the movie’s opening and closing credits, it really captures the family vibe of the movie and the deep love anyone would have for their mother. Second to only Tupac’s “Dear Mama,” “A Song for Mama” is the most iconic song dedicated to mothers.

6. Waiting to Exhale: Not Gon’ Cry – Mary J. Blige

A movie about the struggles women go through stemming from heartbreak and betrayal, 1995’s Waiting to Exhale was a defining movie for black women in the ‘90s. As revered as the movie is, the soundtrack for it is also remembered fondly. Produced by Babyface and featuring three hit singles, the song that’s most synonymous with the movie is Mary J. Blige’s “Not Gon’ Cry.” As the song tells the story of the movie’s main character being left by her husband, that combined with the writing from Babyface and Mary’s performance make it a song that you feel from every last word. With this song coming out around the same time as her My Life album, it’s hard to argue against this period of time being Mary’s peak.

5. Romeo Must Die: Try Again – Aaliyah

The late Aaliyah made her acting debut alongside Jet Li in 2000’s Romeo Must Die. While she undoubtedly killed it in the movie with her performance, she shined even brighter on the movie’s theme song, “Try Again.” Produced by Timbaland and even featuring Jet Li in the music video, the song has an inspiring message about continuing to try even if you aren’t successful at first. The song was so successful that it became the first to ever top the Billboard charts based solely on radio airplay. Arguably her biggest hit, “Try Again” was another example of how great Aaliyah was and how much greater she could’ve been if she hadn’t died only a year and a half later.

4. Set It Off: Don’t Let Go (Love) – En Vogue

The first action movie to have four black women as the main characters, 1996’s Set It Off centers around four struggling women that resort to robbing banks to lift themselves out of financial trouble. An incredible movie that still holds up 30 years later, the soundtrack for Set It Off complemented it perfectly. While there were many great songs on there from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Brandy, En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go (Love)” was in a league of its own. Despite it being one of the group’s last songs together before member Dawn Robinson left not long after, the song became their biggest hit internationally as it made it all the way to number two on the Billboard charts. With the powerful message from the song combined with the group’s top tier performance of it, it’s not hard to see why “Don’t Let Go” has gone on to be just as iconic as Set It Off is.

3. Batman Forever: Kiss from a Rose – Seal

Despite its box office success, 1995’s Batman Forever was the real start of the franchise moving in a more cartoony direction that most fans rejected. Although the movie itself is an acquired taste, the song “Kiss from a Rose” used to promote it was something that wasn’t. Performed by Seal, the song was smooth, mellow, and shined in ways that the movie couldn’t. Not only did it top the Billboard charts, but it also won multiple Grammys including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. While Seal had many great songs before and after this, “Kiss from a Rose” is still the one to this day that he’s most famous for (and rightfully so).

2. Boomerang: End of the Road – Boyz II Men

Featuring an ensemble cast with the likes of Eddie Murphy, Halle Berry, and Martin Lawrence, Boomerang tells the story of a ladies man that finally receives his karma. Although the movie was better received years after it was released in 1992, its soundtrack produced by Babyface received high praise instantly. Of all the songs on the soundtrack that slapped, the one that slapped the hardest was Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road.” One of the most iconic songs of that era that was played at countless graduations, it launched the Philadelphia group into a whole new stratosphere. Voted the number one single of 1992, the song set the record at the time for most consecutive weeks atop the Billboard charts at 13.

1. The Bodyguard: I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston

Also released in 1992 and arguably the biggest song from a movie period, the late Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” was initially used to promote the movie The Bodyguard. Although The Bodyguard was also Houston’s acting debut where she co-starred alongside Kevin Costner, the movie quickly became an afterthought compared to the song. As big of an artist as she already was before this, this song made her even bigger. Breaking the record set by Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road” just a few months earlier, “I Will Always Love You” spent 14 straight weeks at the top of the Billboard charts. From winning countless Grammys to even being the best-selling single by a female artist of all time, the success of the song checked off just about every box imaginable.

Honorable Mentions:
• Soul Food: We’re Not Making Love No More – Dru Hill
• Rush Hour: Faded Pictures – Case, Joe
• The Best Man: The Best Man I Can Be – Ginuwine, Tyrese, R.L., Case
• Space Jam: For You I Will – Monica
• Waiting to Exhale: Exhale (Shoop Shoop) – Whitney Houston


Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Movies of 2010

The 2020s as a whole have really been a down time for movies, which is sad when compared to how things were just a decade ago. While it’s not as romanticized as past decades, the 2010s were still an incredible time for movies that don’t get enough credit. As it gave us everything from masterpieces made by Christopher Nolan to epic installments from the Marvel universe, the 2010s were as good a time as ever to pack the theaters. For as many great years that stood out, it was the year 2010 that really set the tone for what we were in for as the decade progressed. It’s about that time again as Konscious Kurt is about to break down his 10 Favorite Movies of 2010:

10. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

The long-awaited sequel to the 1987 classic, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps follows Wall Street tycoon Gordon Gekko after his release from prison. Once released, he’s approached by an up-and-coming trader named Jake who’s trying to navigate the events of the 2008 economy crash. Ironically enough, Jake is also the fiancé of Gordon’s estranged daughter Carey. While Gordon does attempt to help Jake in order to get back in his daughter’s good graces, he secretly has his own greedy agenda in mind. With Michael Douglas reprising his role as Gekko and co-starring Shia LaBeouf, this sequel was more than a fitting extension of the story that touched on the aftermath of the 2008 crash.

9. The Fighter

Based on a true story, The Fighter revolves around up-and-coming boxer Micky Ward and how his career is constantly sabotaged by his crack-addicted brother Dicky. Once Micky decides to cut ties with his brother after he ends up in prison, his career begins to turn around. As his new trajectory leads to him getting a title shot, this also coincides with Dicky getting out of prison and wanting to make amends. Despite his past issues, Micky realizes deep down that he can’t win his upcoming title fight without his brother’s help. While Mark Whalberg did shine as the lead, it was Christian Bale’s performance as Dicky that stood out most as it led to him winning the Supporting Actor Oscar.

8. Love & Other Drugs

Starring Jake Gyllenhal and Anne Hathaway, Love & Other Drugs tells the story of medicine pusher and womanizer Jamie Randall. Once Jamie observes a doctor examine an attractive patient named Maggie with early stages of Parkinson’s disease, he quickly hits it off with her. Despite it starting out as only a casual relationship, things eventually grow more serious between them. While their relationship seems to be going well, things take an ugly turn after Jamie is advised by the husband of another woman with Parkinson’s to leave Maggie before her condition worsens. While the film received mixed reviews upon its release, the chemistry between Gyllenhal and Hathaway combined with the intense subject matter made it a strong fan favorite.

7. The Kids Are All Right

Starring Annette Benning and Juian Moore, The Kids Are All Right revolves around married lesbian couple Nic and Jules raising their teenage kids Laser and Joni. When Laser and Joni track down their biological father Paul, they hit it off with him as he makes it clear he wants to be part of their lives. When Jules also hits it off with Paul after inviting him over for dinner, this combined with Jules recently feeling neglected drives a huge wedge between her and Nic. Things get even more complicated as a working relationship between Jules and Paul leads to them sleeping together. One of the first mainstream movies to feature a same sex couple raising teenagers, The Kids Are All Right won several Golden Globes including Best Actress for Annette Benning’s performance and was even nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture.

6. Due Date

A modernized version of Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, Due Date follows architect Peter Highman as he attempts to fly from Atlanta to LA in time for the birth of his child. While on the plane, he comes across an aspiring actor named Ethan Tremblay that gets on his nerves to the point where their interaction leads to them both being kicked off the plane due to a bomb scare. In order to make it to LA, Peter reluctantly agrees to ride with Ethan in a rental car. To no surprise, their long road trip leads to a lot of comedic chaos, mishaps, and many broken bones along the way. Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, their chemistry and the modernized plot made this movie one of the better comedies from that era that oddly doesn’t get mentioned enough.

5. The Town

Starring Ben Affleck (who also wrote and directed), The Town centers around bank robber Doug and his three lifelong friends in the Charlestown area of Boston. After he and his friends rob a bank and even take the bank manager Claire hostage, they later find out that she lives in the same neighborhood as them. Doug attempts to get to know her after ignoring the advice of his friends to kill her and as Claire doesn’t realize he’s the same man who robbed her bank, she agrees to go out with him. As they quickly fall for each other to the point where Doug wants to leave town with her and relocate to Florida, he’s forced into taking on one final heist of Fenway Park with his friends before he can start his new life (with the FBI breathing down their necks). While barring some similarities to 2006’s The Departed, The Town was unique enough in its own way to be well received by audiences and is considered one of Affleck’s better efforts.

4. Toy Story 3

What was viewed as the final film of the series at the time, Toy Story 3 sees a grown-up Andy preparing to leave for college. With him being too old at this point to play with his toys, he decides to only take Woody with him and have the rest of his toys stored in the attic. However, the rest of the toys accidentally get donated to a day care center as Woody attempts to go rescue them. Once they reach the day care center known as Sunnyside, they see that it’s run by a teddy bear named Lotso. While he seems warm at first, the toys soon find out Lotso isn’t who he seems to be as he turns them all into prisoners when they try to escape. Despite the later sequels also garnering high praise, the quality of Toy Story 3 and its conclusion has made many fans argue that this is where the franchise should have ended.

3. Shutter Island

Another strong collaboration between director Martin Scorsese and Leonardo Dicaprio, Shutter Island centers around U.S. Marshal Edward “Teddy” Daniels. Along with his partner Chuck, Teddy travels to the Ashecliffe Hospital for the insane based on Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Once he finds the patient, she reveals that she was a former psychiatrist who was committed to the facility after discovering clandestine experiments on mind control as an attempt to silence her. She then warns him that the other psychiatrists will use his war trauma to feign a psychotic break in order to have him committed also. A contrast from many of his other films, Shutter Island was something out of Scorsese’s comfort zone as it was psychological, mind blowing, and very unpredictable.

2. Inception

His follow up to the 2008 classic The Dark Knight, Inception is arguably considered the best in director Christopher Nolan’s impressive catalog. Starring Leonardo Dicaprio, the film tells the story of a professional thief named Dom Cobb who pulls off his acts by infiltrating the subconscious of his targets. Impressed by this, his latest target offers to erase his criminal history if he’s able to perform an inception on his business rival’s son. However, this leads to a crazy chain of events once it’s revealed that when someone dies in their dreams, it sends them into Limbo (infinite subconsciousness). To no one’s surprise, the story, direction, and visual effects of Inception made it one of the real standout movies of that era as it won several Oscars for Visual Effects and Cinematography.

1. The Social Network

Based on a true story about the early days of Facebook, The Social Network begins with college sophomore Mark Zuckerberg writing an insulting post about a bad date on his live journal blog and then creating a site rating the attractiveness of female students called Facemash. The buzz the site generates grabs the attention of the Winklevoss twins and while working with them on a Harvard exclusive dating site, Zuckerberg approaches friend Eduardo Severin about launching an Ivy League exclusive site called TheFacebook. As it grows in popularity and even attracts Napster co-founder Sean Parker to join as an investor, it creates a rift between Zuckerberg and Severin to the point where Severin is eventually kicked out. As he screwed over Severin and the Winklevoss twins by taking their idea, all of them sue Zuckerberg. With a cast featuring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake, The Social Network was arguably the most well received movie of 2010 as it won the Golden Globe for Best Drama Picture and earned several Oscars nods including Best Picture, Actor, and Director.

Honorable Mentions:
• Kick Ass
• The Book of Eli
• Easy A
• Death at a Funeral
• Get Him to the Greek

Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Movie Dads

While there are exceptions, most kids grow up seeing their fathers as their heroes. Whether it’s guidance, protection, or life advice, there’s something special that a good father provides that a child can’t get from anywhere else. For as many examples as there are of good fathers in real life, there’s also been many great examples that have been put on display in movies. While they may be fictional, these examples we’ve seen on screen have created a blueprint for what a good dad is to the point where many kids wish these characters were their real fathers. In the spirit of Father’s Day, it’s time to break down the list of Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Movie Dads.


10. Sonny Coufax: Big Daddy

Starring Adam Sandler, 1999’s Big Daddy centers around slacker Sonny Coufax and his girlfriend Vanessa threatening to break up with him if he doesn’t show that he could be more responsible. A 5-year-old boy named Julian then randomly gets dropped off at his apartment the next day, with a letter from his dying mom saying that he’s the son of Sonny’s roommate Kevin. After Kevin denies knowing who the mother is and Sonny then starts to think about what Vanessa said, he decides to keep Julian as his own son. Despite having a hard time adjusting to being a dad and Vanessa even dumping him for an older man, Sonny builds a strong bong with Julian with his unorthodox way of parenting. Although Sonny ends up not getting custody of Julian as it’s later found out that Kevin is legally his dad, the bond between them throughout the movie makes it hard to see them as anything other than father and son.

9. Daniel Ruiz: Crash

In a movie filled with racial tension and prejudice, one of the few likable characters in 2005’s Crash was locksmith Daniel Ruiz. Played by Michael Pena, Daniel calms down his scared young daughter by wrapping a small trinket around her shoulders that he convinces her is an invisible cloak that will protect her from any bullets as she constantly hears gunshots from their neighborhood. When Daniel is later confronted outside his home at gun point by an angry shop owner who blames him for his shop being broken into, Daniel’s daughter steps in the way to protect him before the shop owner’s gun goes off. While Daniel initially screams in devastation as he believes that his daughter’s been shot, she reveals that the cloak he wrapped around her protected them as he tearfully hugs her in relief. As Crash went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture, this scene as well as the relationship between Daniel and his daughter are viewed as the most feel-good parts of it.



8. Chris Gardner: The Pursuit of Happyness

Based on a true story, 2006’s The Pursuit of Happyness revolves around struggling salesman Chris Gardner. After his wife leaves him due to his constant financial problems, Chris is left to raise their son Chris Jr. on his own. In order to lift themselves out of their financial struggles, Chris takes a six-month unpaid internship as a stockbroker. Through the money problems, evictions, and even having to sleep in a BART station bathroom, the hardships bring Chris and Chris Jr. closer together. Starring Will Smith and his son Jaden, their relationship throughout the movie is what stands out most as Smith’s performance even earned him an Oscar nod for Best Actor.


7. Keller Dover: Prisoners

2013’s Prisoners sees Hugh Jackmam play the lead role of Keller Dover, a man who goes into an uncontrollable rage after his daughter and her friend go missing. Not wanting to wait on the police after they release a potential suspect, Keller takes matters into his own hands by targeting the suspect himself. After assaulting the suspect, Keller kidnaps and tortures him until he tells him where his daughter and her friend are. Keller shows throughout his search that there’s nothing he won’t do to find his daughter, even if he ends up dead in the process. While a very dark movie and not really one with a happy ending, Jackman’s performance as Keller in Prisoners is a prime example of what any good father would do if one of their children went missing.

6. Furious Styles: Boyz N The Hood

Hitting theaters in the Summer of 1991, Boyz N The Hood revolves around teenagers Tre, Doughboy, and Ricky as they navigate life growing up in South Central LA. While all of them have their own struggles growing up in that rough environment, the biggest difference between them is that Tre has the guidance of his father Furious. Played by Laurence Fishburne, Furious is always the voice of reason to keep Tre from ending up like everyone else in the neighborhood. The strongest example of this is the scene where Furious talks Tre out of taking his gun to go kill the same people who killed Ricky, as he knows doing that will only lead to Tre eventually being killed too. That scene specifically represents better than any how important it is for sons to have their fathers in their lives, especially in areas like South Central.

5. Joseph “Coop” Cooper: Interstellar

A sci-fi masterpiece directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matthew McConnaughey, 2014’s Interstellar revolves around former NASA pilot Joseph Cooper being convinced to lead a mission to find life on other planets with life on Earth being on the decline. The downside is that going on the mission means that he has to leave his young daughter Murph behind, though he promises her he’ll return eventually. As the mission progresses and 23 Earth years end up passing by, a grown-up Murph (now a scientist) feels betrayed when she’s informed that her dad’s mission was never meant to return like he said it would. When Cooper is later sucked into a black hole where time is a physical dimension, he encodes data about the black hole into the ticking of his wristwatch on Murph’s bookshelf after he sees himself from decades ago in her room, knowing that she’ll return there in the future. She then uses the data from discovering the wristwatch to save humanity from a dying Earth and after later being picked up in the future, Cooper and his daughter Murph are finally reunited with Murph being older than him.

4. Carl Lee Hailey: A Time to Kill

Featuring a memorable performance by Samuel L. Jackson, 1996’s A Time to Kill begins with the disturbing scene of two white men raping and attempting to hang a 9-year-old black girl. When the little girl’s father Carl Lee Hailey is told that the two men who raped her will likely not get convicted, he takes the law into his own hands. Carl then takes an automatic rifle and kills both men as their being held at the county courthouse. This results in Carl being arrested and facing the death penalty for his crime. While the chances of him being acquitted are very slim, his reason for why he did it combined with the defense of a passionate lawyer somehow convince the jury that what he did was what any good father would’ve done.

3. Bryan Mills: Taken

In 2009’s Taken, Ex-CIA officer Bryan Mills reluctantly allows his teenage daughter Kim to go on a trip to Paris with her friend Amanda. While having a conversation on the phone with her dad after leaving for the trip, Kim sees several men come into the apartment she’s staying in and they abduct Amanda. As the situation escalates, Bryan warns Kim that the men are also going to take her before they eventually do. He then warns the men on the phone that he won’t do anything to them if they let Kim go but vows to kill them if they don’t. After they simply say “good luck” before hanging up the phone, Bryan finds out that the men who took Kim are part of an Albanian sex trafficking ring. As the movie progresses, he uses his “particular set of skills” to go through anyone in his path until he makes good on his promise of fining his daughter.

2. Daniel Hilliard: Mrs. Doubtfire

Starring the late Robin Williams, 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire centers around out-of-work actor Daniel Hilliard and his relationship with his three children. When Daniel’s wife Miranda comes home to find the house wrecked from a house party that he threw, an argument between them leads to her saying that she wants a divorce. After a judge only grants him visitation rights with his kids once a week and Miranda tells him she’s going to hire a housekeeper, Daniel has his brother dress him up like an old woman so he can interview for the job. Going under the disguise of Mrs. Doubtfire, he quickly wins over Miranda and gets hired for the job. While unorthodox, being Mrs. Doubtfire allows Daniel to be closer to his kids and also makes him a better parent than he was before the divorce.

1. John Quincy Archibald: John Q.

The 2002 film John Q. sees Denzel Washington play the role of struggling factory worker John Quincy Archibald. When his young son Michael suddenly collapses during a baseball game, John and his wife Denise rush him to the hospital. Once there, they find out that Michael needs a heart transplant or else he’s going to die (with a $75,000 deposit needed just to get him on the organ transplant list). Although the financially strapped couple try to exhaust every avenue they can to get the money, it’s still not enough as the hospital plans to release Michael from the hospital. Desperate, John uses a gun to take the Cardiologist, several patients, and staff members hostage in the ER until the hospital agrees to put Michael on the organ transplant list. As his motives for his actions win over spectators and even the hostages themselves, John’s efforts combined with a chance heart matching from a recent car accident victim result in Michael’s life being saved.

Honorable Mentions:
• Lorenzo Anello: A Bronx Tale
• Marlin: Finding Nemo
• Cameron Poe: Con Air
• Goofy: A Goofy Movie
• Charlie Baileygates: My, Myself, & Irene

Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Comedies of the 2000s

Of all the great movie genres that exists, there’s just none that hit the same way as a great comedy does. No matter what we may be dealing with in our everyday lives, comedy arguably provides a better escape from those problems than anything else. While there have been many great eras of comedies that we’ve seen on screen, there’s perhaps no era that stands out more than the 2000s. Although we had many comedy legends from the past who were still able to maintain that momentum throughout the decade, the 2000s also gave us some new faces who would redefine what a great comedy could be. Let’s not wait any longer as the time has come to break down Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Comedies of the 2000s.

10. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

While Will Ferrell successfully made the transition from SNL star to movie star like many others before him, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy was the movie that really put his acting career on the map. Set in the 1970s and also starring Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, and Steve Carell, the film revolves around lead San Diego news anchor Ron Burgundy and the rest of his news team. Burgundy’s ego takes a huge hit when he’s rejected by a woman named Veronica Cornerstone at an office party, and then it’s later revealed that the station has been forced to hire her. While Ron and Veronica do eventually fall for each other, their relationship is tested when she successfully fills in for him one day and she’s later promoted as his co-anchor. Despite being considered silly by some critics and getting mixed reviews at the time of its release in the Summer of 2004, Anchorman still performed well at the box office and has since gone on to build a cult following.

9. The Simpsons Movie (2007)

The first animated show of its kind, The Simpsons became one of the defining shows of the ‘90s. After being on the air for close to two decades, the series finally got its own movie that hit theaters in the Summer of 2007. The movie centers around Homer Simpson’s reckless actions leading to a pollution crisis that causes the entire city of Springfield to be quarantined under a giant glass dome. As the entire town is ready to lynch Homer and the rest of the family once they find out it was his fault, they somehow find a way to escape and go into hiding. While in many ways the movie played out like an extended episode of the show, the formula worked as it was successful both critically and commercially, grossing over $500 million during its theatrical run.

8. Zack & Miri Make a Porno (2008)

2008’s Zack & Miri Make a Porno stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as childhood friends/roommates Zack Brown & Miri Linky. Struggling financially to the point where they can’t keep the lights on in their apartment, Zack talks Miri into creating their own porno so that they can make money to pay off their bills. To save on resources, the two of them gather up all their friends to help them put the project together and even film it at the coffee shop Zack works at after hours. Despite their long-time friendship, things become complicated when a sex scene they film together leads to Zack & Miri catching feelings for each other. While director Kevin Smith blamed the lack of money Harvey Weinstein spent on marketing the film as the reason it underperformed at the box office, it was still received well by those who did see it and is widely considered one of the more underrated comedies of that era.  

7. Borat (2006)

Starting Sacha Baron Cohen, 2006’s Borat was a mockumentary style movie that followed the escapades of Kazakh TV reporter Borat Sagdiyev. After seeing actress Pamela Anderson on TV during his first visit to America, Borat makes the sole mission of his trip there to find her and make her his bride. To no surprise, his time navigating through the states leads to him getting into countless situations where he hilariously makes an ass out of himself. While controversial and offensive to many, enough people liked Borat for it to gross $262 million at the box office. In addition to that, the movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Screenplay and Cohen even earned a Golden Globe for his performance.

6. Meet the Parents (2000)

Starring Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller, Meet the Parents centers around male nurse Greg Focker and his relationship with his girlfriend Pam. Wanting to get her father’s blessing before he proposes to her, the couple travel to New York to visit Pam’s parents for the weekend. Despite his efforts to impress her father Jack, all of them hilariously blow up in his face. As the weekend progresses, his chances of receiving Jack’s approval to marry his daughter only grow slimmer. Meet the Parents was a huge success when it was released in the Fall of 2000 thanks to the crazy antics throughout it combined with the chemistry between Stiller and De Niro and its success led to it spawning several sequels (with another one out later this year).

5. Superbad (2007)

Arguably considered one of the last great teen movies, Superbad follows a hectic day in the lives of high school seniors Seth, Evan, Fogell (aka McLovin). Despite not being the most popular kids in school, they end up getting invited to the last big party of the year before graduation. Wanting to make a good impression on the girls who invited them combined with their desperation to lose their virginities before college, they use Fogell’s fake ID to buy alcohol for the party. From the store they go to buy the alcohol from being robbed mid- transaction, Seth being hit by a car, to ending up at a random party where the host is ready to beat up Seth for unknowingly dancing with his fiancé, endless obstacles get in the way of reaching the promise land. Written by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg as it’s largely based on their high school experiences, Superbad has become a cult classic since it hit theaters in the Summer of 2007 that launched the careers of its leads Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, and Christopher Mintz – Plasse.

4. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

While dealing with a breakup is never easy, imagine how much harder it is when you go on vacation and end up at the exact same hotel as your ex with her new man. That’s exactly the predicament that plays out in the 2008 comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall. When music composter Peter Bretter goes on vacation to Hawaii after his TV actress girlfriend Sarah Marshall dumps him out of the blue, he gets a surprise he didn’t ask for when he discovers that Sarah along with her new boyfriend are staying at the same hotel as him. While the scenario puts a damper on his trip in the beginning, Peter starts to climb out of his rut as he gets closer to the hotel’s concierge (making Sarah jealous in the process). Starring Jason Segal (in his first leading role), Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Russell Brand in a show stealing performance, Forgetting Sarah Marshall was a huge hit with critics and audiences that succeeded in using raunchy comedy to tell a romantic story.

3. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)

While many people had previously known Steve Carell for his memorable roles in Bruce Almighty and Anchorman, his first leading role in 2005’s The 40-Year-Old Virgin made him a household name. The movie tells the story of Andy Stitzer, a 40-year-old electronics store worker who’s left embarrassed when his co-workers find out that he’s a virgin. As they all make it their mission to get him laid, every attempt at it goes comically wrong. Everything becomes even more complicated when Andy begins dating a woman named Trish, as he feels pressured to hold off on sex with her out of fear that she’ll discover his little secret. Directed by Judd Apatow and featuring a strong supporting cast of Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Catherine Keener, and Romany Malco, the film was heavily embraced by audiences as it grossed $177 million at the box office and is credited as the film that ushered in the era of comedies that defined the latter part of the 2000s.

2. Knocked Up (2007)

One of the comedies that spawned from the success of The 40-Year-Old Virgin arrived two years later with the release of Knocked Up. Also directed by Judd Apatow and starring Seth Rogen along with Katherine Heigl, Knocked Up revolves around a random one-night stand between slacker Ben Stone and media personality Allison Scott. Several weeks later, the two of them are shocked to find out that their one-night stand resulted in a pregnancy. After Allison decides to keep the baby, the two of them deal with all the challenges that come with becoming new parents from lifestyle changes, career changes, and deciding whether or not they should even stay together. Not only did Knocked Up prove to be a critical success when it hit theaters in the Summer of 2007, it also went on to be an even bigger financial success than The-40-Year-Old Virgin and helped establish Rogen’s career as a credible leading man.

1. The Hangover (2009)

Released at the tail end of the decade as it hit theaters in the Summer of 2009, The Hangover centers around Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug taking a trip to Las Vegas for Doug’s Bachelor party right before Doug’s wedding to Alan’s sister later that weekend. The problems quickly arise the next morning as once they wake up, they find their entire hotel suite wrecked (with a tiger in the bathroom) and with zero memory of anything that happened the night before. What makes things even worse is that the groom Doug is nowhere to be found. All of this leads to Alan, Phil, and Stu going on a mission to find Doug before his wedding day but in the process, they slowly discover all the wild, crazy, and also illegal shenanigans they got into before they blacked out. Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and featuring a cameo from Mike Tyson, The Hangover was a smash hit with audiences and critics as it broke the record for being the highest grossing R-rated comedy of all time and is widely considered as the comedic peak of the entire decade (which is saying a lot).

Honorable Mentions:
• I Love You, Man (2009)
• Bruce Almighty (2003)
• Blades of Glory (2007)
• Scary Movie (2000)
• Wedding Crashers (2005)

Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Hip-hop Songs from Movies

For as long as we can all remember, Hip-hop and movies have been two things that just blend together. Since the late ‘80s, there have been many Hip-hop songs that have become synonymous with the movies they’re from. Even if in some cases the movie wasn’t anything special, the music used to promote it would still make you want to go see it.
While many of these songs were another hit to add to the catalog of an established artist, others would be a breakthrough hit that would launch their career. While Hip-hop and movies on their own make a huge impact, both have proven to make an even bigger impact when they’re put together. It is these songs that establish how important Hip-hop can be not only to the career of an artist, but also in making a movie memorable.
With that being said, here are Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Hip-hop Songs from Movies:

10. Hustle & Flow: It’s Hard Out Here for A Pimp – Three Six Mafia

The 2005 movie Hustle & Flow follows the story of a pimp by the name of DJay and his attempt to leave that life behind to make it as a rapper. One of the scenes the film is most famous for is the performance of the song “It’s Hard Out Here for A Pimp,” which describes the realities of living that lifestyle. Although performed by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson in the movie, the song was written by Memphis group Three Six Mafia.
For as great of a song as it was and how well it tells the story of the movie, no one would’ve guessed how successful it would become. At the 2006 Oscars, the world was shocked as the song would win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Considering only one Hip-hop song had won the award before this (which we’ll get into later), this moment solidified the song as a classic as well as how important it was to the movie’s success.

9. Friday: Keep Their Heads Ringing – Dr. Dre

Starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, 1995’s Friday is still hailed as one of the best comedies of all time. Also including late actors John Witherspoon, Tiny Lister Jr., and Bernie Mac, the movie was a huge breakthrough for the careers of everyone involved in it. As much as people loved the movie for the story, the setting, and the characters, what they also loved about it was the music.
The one song the movie is most famous for is the Dr. Dre smash, “Keep Their Heads Ringing.” Dre’s production and performance on the song itself showcase why he’s one of the GOATs, and the vibe it created just made you want to see the movie even more. With the setting of the movie being South Central and his former N.W.A. band mate as the main character, the song complimented the movie so perfectly that it’s hard to imagine one without the other.

8. Above the Rim: Pain – Tupac

The soundtrack for 1994’s Above the Rim is arguably considered one of the best soundtracks of all time from top to bottom. Produced by Death Row and featuring the likes of Warren G, SWV, and Lady of Rage, the soundtrack was in some ways more popular than the movie was. Out of every song on the soundtrack, the one that hits people the hardest emotionally is Tupac’s “Pain.”
One of the biggest stars in Hip-hop at the time and ironically one of the stars of the movie, Tupac shows on “Pain” his vulnerable side that made him so relatable. Hearing the song in the movie’s opening credits makes you realize how important he was not only for the emotion he put into his acting, but also for the emotion he put into his music. Being in a movie and making a song for a movie are great feats separately, but seeing Tupac do both for this film is another example of how there was and never will be anyone like him.

7. Black Panther: All the Stars – Kendrick Lamar, SZA

At the height of the Marvel boom during the 2010s, one of their most anticipated releases was 2018’s Black Panther. Once it finally came out in February of that year, it would go on to break all kinds of records and be one of the most successful movies of the whole year. While people often debate whether the movie is as good as others in the Marvel universe, one thing that isn’t debatable is the impact of the movie’s theme song, “All the Stars.”
Performed by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, “All the Stars” makes you think of Black Panther and Wakanda instantly every time it plays. Seeing how great the song turned out and how well it connects with the movie, it’s not surprising that Kendrick was hand-picked by the movie’s director to do the whole soundtrack. As by this point Hip-hop songs from movies weren’t as popular as they used to be, this song helped fill that void that had been left for so long.

6. Deep Cover: Deep Cover (187) – Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg

1992’s Deep Cover stars Laurance Fishburne as an undercover cop who ends up falling in too deep while infiltrating the mafia. While it was a solid movie, what it is most remembered for is its theme song. Ironically enough, the name of the song takes the same name of the movie as it tells the story of murdering an undercover cop.
What makes this song even more special is that it’s performed by Dr. Dre and a debuting Snoop Dogg in their very first collaboration. While Snoop had a lot to prove considering that this was his big debut, Dre had just as much to prove as this was his first solo track since leaving N.W.A. Considering how iconic the song has become and how people remember it more than the movie itself, it’s clear that they both accomplished with it what they set out to do.

5. Juice: Know the Ledge – Eric B. & Rakim

Also released in 1992, Juice marked the impressive feature film debut of the late Tupac, with his portrayal of Bishop considered one of the best movie villains of all time. As much as people remember the movie and the Bishop character, another part of the movie that makes it so good is the soundtrack. With a soundtrack featuring the likes of Big Daddy Kane and Naughty by Nature, the track the movie is most synonymous with is Eric B & Rakim’s “Know the Ledge.”
Ironically one of their last songs together as they would break up not long after this, the song captures the vibe of the movie and early ‘90s Harlem to a Tee. The fact that you hear the song in the opening credits of the movie really sets the tone for what the next 95 minutes of the movie are going to be. For the hip hop classic that Juice is, it was only fitting that a duo as legendary as Eric B & Rakim created the theme song for it.

4. Do the Right Thing: Fight the Power – Public Enemy

The first Hip-hop song from a movie to really create a buzz, Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” goes hand in hand with the 1989 Spike Lee classic Do the Right Thing. As the whole song plays during the memorable opening credits, you could also hear it throughout the movie as the character Radio Raheem constantly blasts it through his boom box. Centering around racial tension in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, Spike Lee sought out “Fight the Power” specifically for this movie.
Like N.W.A. during that period, Public Enemy sparked a lot of controversy with this song as many of the issues they brought up in it weren’t what people were ready to hear. Calling out American icons like Elvis as well as shedding light on racial injustices, they say a lot of things in the song that few artists at the time were brave enough to say. With the message from the song combined with the message from the movie, both provided something that 1989 pop culture desperately needed.

3. Above the Rim: Regulate – Warren G, Nate Dogg

As mentioned earlier, 1994’s Above the Rim is considered one of the best soundtracks of all time. With two songs from it making this list, it’s very hard to argue with anyone who believes that. For as powerful of a track as Tupac’s “Pain” was, the song the movie became most known for is Warren G and Nate Dogg’s “Regulate.”
Sampling the 80s classic “I Keep Forgetting’” from Michael McDonald, the song features Warren G & Nate Dogg going back and forth every four bars as they tell stories of life in the LBC (Long Beach, CA). Making it to number two on the Billboard charts, “Regulate” went on to be a timeless Hip-hop classic and the song that put Warren G on the map. Considering how popular the song became and still is today, this would be another case of where the movie’s theme song turned out to be a bigger deal than the movie itself.

2. Dangerous Minds: Gangster’s Paradise – Coolio, L.V.

The 1995 film Dangerous Minds features Michelle Pfeiffer as a retired marine who becomes a teacher at a high school in a rough neighborhood. While the movie did achieve box office success, what most people think of when they think of it is its classic theme song, “Gangster’s Paradise.” Performed by the late Coolio and L.V., the song ultimately surpassed the movie’s success and became one of the biggest hits of 1995.
“Gangster’s Paradise” spend three weeks at number one on the Billboard charts and while Coolio did have other hits, this is the song he became most famous for. Another aspect of the song that was memorable was its music video, which features the rapper and Pfeiffer as her character from the movie in an interrogation setting. The collaboration of “Gangster’s Paradise” with Dangerous Minds served as arguably the best example of how a movie’s theme song can help make the movie more relevant than it would’ve been otherwise.

1. 8 Mile: Lose Yourself – Eminem

In the early 2000s, Eminem’s undeniable popularity led to a semi-biopic being made about him called 8 Mile. Released in 2002 and even starring Eminem as the main character, it tells the story of a white rapper named B-Rabbit struggling to break through the underground Detroit Hip-hop scene. While the movie did go on to be a huge success, the movie’s theme song “Lose Yourself” would become every bit as popular as the movie was.
Also performed by Eminem, the song tells the story of taking advantage of one’s opportunity and not allowing it to slip away (much like the plot of the movie). In addition to being the first Eminem song to reach number one on the Billboard charts, the song made history in 2003 by becoming the first Hip-hop song from a movie to win the Oscar for Best Original Song. Regardless of what anyone thinks of the Detroit MC’s music, there’s no denying that this accomplishment opened the door for other Hip-hop songs to follow and showed how effective it can be when a movie’s theme song is synonymous with the movie itself.

Honorable Mentions:
• He Got Game: He Got Game – Public Enemy
• How High: Part 2 – Method Man, Redman
• Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse: Sunflower – Post Malone, Swae Lee
• Cradle To the Grave: X Gon’ Give It to Ya – DMX
• Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood: Winter Warz – Ghostface Killah, Master Killah, Raekwon, Cappadonna, U-God










Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Movie Villains of the ‘80s

Anyone who grew up in the 1980s knows that it was a defining decade for movies. From Batman, Scarface, to The Karate Kid, the list of classic movies released from 1980-1989 is endless. As great as those movies were, what many people remember most about them are the villains. While most of us love rooting for the hero, they’re never as fun to root for without a great villain to root against. The villain can be so convincing and stand out so much that despite the fact that they’re evil, they end up being the most interesting part of the whole movie. Let’s not waste any more time as we break down Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Movie Villains of the 1980s:

10. Clubber Lang – Rocky III (1982)

While Rocky Balboa does fight Apollo Creed in the first two Rocky films, the respect the two have for each other makes it hard to really call Apollo a villain. However, the Italian Stallion’s opponent in 1982’s Rocky III would leave zero doubt as to who the villain was. A hungry contender with a bad attitude, Clubber Lang lets it be known that he isn’t there to make friends as he vows to crucify Rocky once they face each other in the ring. As Rocky begins questioning his confidence after learning that he was fed easy opponents throughout his title reign, Clubber proves to be his biggest test in seeing if he really is worthy of being champion. Played by Mr. T, Clubber Lang was the first real villain of the franchise in a way that Apollo wasn’t.

9. Johnny Lawrence – The Karate Kid (1984)

While the Johnny Lawrence character is now remembered for his inspiring redemption story in Netflix’s Cobra Kai, he was anything but a hero in 1984’s The Karate Kid. The star student of the vicious Cobra Kai dojo, Johnny and his karate gang torment new kid Daniel Larusso. Whether it was attacking him at the beach after seeing his ex-girlfriend talk to him or pushing him off a hill while he was riding a bike, Johnny makes Daniel’s life a living hell. After Daniel receives karate training from the calm but lethal Mr. Miyagi, he enters the city’s karate tournament to the set the stage for an eventual showdown with Johnny. Considering that actor William Zabka received various threats and was legitimately confronted by people in public following his performance as Johnny, it’s clear to see that he did his job in making the character so unlikable.


8. Albert “Mister” Johnson – The Color Purple (1985)

Unlike any other film director Steven Spielberg had made up to that point, 1985’s A Color Purple centers around a black woman named Celie in the rural South. Abused by her father, Celie is eventually given away as a wife to a man named Mister. The abuse doesn’t stop there as Mister proves to be no less abusive than her dad was as he uses the abuse as a way to control Celie. As Mister also attempted to rape Celie’s sister before she was able to escape and run away, Mister keeps letters written from Celie’s sister to her that Celie eventually finds out about. Played to perfection by Danny Glover, Mister plays a critical part in the film as the toxic, controlling force that Celie must build up the courage to free herself from.

7. Tony Montana – Scarface (1983)

While remembered for its flash and graphic violence, 1983’s Scarface is also famous for Al Pacino’s portrayal of Tony Montana and his quest for the “American Dream.” While he eventually does achieve that dream, it comes at a huge cost. As the film progresses, Tony starts to let all his power and success go to his head. In addition to becoming extremely paranoid stemming from his coke habit, he begins mistreating those closest to him to point where he pushes them away (and even kills some of them). While the Tony Montana character became glorified in later years because of his ambition and lavish lifestyle, it can’t be forgotten that the roots of his character throughout the movie made him anything but someone to root for.

6. Ivan Drago – Rocky IV (1985)

Although Rocky Balboa overcame the challenge of Clubber Lang in Rocky III, nothing compared to the challenge he would face in Rocky IV. Released in November of 1985, Rocky IV saw the Italian Stallion go toe to toe with the physically imposing Ivan Drago. Twice the size of Rocky and hailing from the Soviet Union, Drago sends a violent message to Rocky when he kills his friend/former rival Apollo Creed during a fight. With their upcoming fight set to take place on Drago’s home turf of Russia, Rocky must fight for his country, the honor of his late friend, and most of all, for his life. As Rocky IV went on to make the most money of any film in the franchise, a big part of the film’s success can be credited to Dolph Lundgren’s strong portrayal as the Russian antagonist.

5. Hans Gruber – Die Hard (1988)

While foreign villains were a common stereotype in ‘80s action movies, there was arguably none better than the Hans Gruber character from 1988’s Die Hard. Played by the late Alan Rickman, Hans is a German criminal mastermind who takes everyone inside of an LA skyscraper hostage. Hans along with his henchmen show that they’re not playing any games as they have no issues killing anyone who tries to get between them and their demands. As one of the hostages is his estranged wife, NYPD cop John McClane stands as the only one who has any chance of putting an end to Hans’ takeover. While everyone remembers Die Hard for its incredible action scenes and McClane’s attempt to save the day, the film wouldn’t have had the same impact without a strong villain like Hans for McClane to overcome.

4. The Terminator – The Terminator (1984)

Arguably, the movie that really put Arnold Schwarzenegger on the map was 1984’s The Terminator. Although he’s mainly remembered for being the hero in the 1991 sequel, the role he played as the title character in the first film was the complete opposite. Sent from the future, The Terminator travels back to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor before her unborn baby is born. The entire film consists of The Terminator literally stopping at nothing to finish off Connor and complete his mission. Due to how successful and iconic Terminator 2: Judgment Day was, Schwarzenegger’s performance as the villain in the original is one that often gets overlooked.

3. Gordon Gekko – Wall Street (1987)

The lavish and cutthroat environment of life on Wall Street was put on full display in the 1987 film of the same title. The film centers around up-and-coming stockbroker Bud Fox, who hopes to climb the ladder of success with the guidance of Wall Street tycoon Gordon Gekko. While he quickly sees the perks of being mentored by Gekko, Fox soon learns that his new mentor is only using him for his own greed. As Gekko lives by the motto that “Greed is Good,” there’s no line that he won’t cross if it’ll help his bottom line. Played brilliantly by Michael Douglas, his performance as the money hungry Gekko was met with much high praise as it led to him winning an Oscar for Best Actor.

2. The Joker – Batman (1989)

For as many incarnations as there have been of The Joker, the first one that really stole the show was the character’s portrayal in 1989’s Batman. Played by Jack Nicholson, this version of The Joker was every bit as humorous as it was creepy and violent. After criminal Jack Napier falls into a vest of green chemicals following a scuffle with Batman, he survives the ordeal and morphs into the psychotic Joker. He then pulls off various acts to terrorize Gotham City for his own amusement until he publicly calls out Batman for an inevitable showdown. While many argue that this portrayal of The Joker was later topped by Heath Ledger in 2008’s The Dark Knight, that still doesn’t make this performance from Nicholson as the popular villain any less iconic.

1. Freddy Krueger – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

One of the most iconic horror movie villains of all time, audiences were first introduced to Freddy Krueger in 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street. Originally a child murderer who killed over a dozen children in the neighborhood, a group of parents track Freddy down and set him on fire to kill him. While they all believe he’s dead, a facially burned Freddy starts to invade the nightmares of their teenage children. Using knives for fingernails, killing his victims in their nightmares strangely leads to all of them dying in real life. While the character would turn into more of a comedy act in the later sequels, actor Robert Englund’s portrayal of Freddy Krueger in the original is one that had audiences frightened to the point of being afraid to fall asleep.

Honorable Mentions:
• Biff Tannen – Back to the Future (1985)
• The Predator – Predator (1987)
• John “Ace” Merrill – Stand by Me (1986)
• Arjen Rudd – Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
• Sgt. Bob Barnes – Platoon (1986)

Konscious Kurt’s 10 Favorite Movies of 1996

While people don’t enjoy going to the movies in 2026 like they used to, that just wasn’t the case 30 years ago. While there were many great years for movies in the ‘90s, the year 1996 proved to be a really special one. In a year where the 72-win Chicago Bulls won their 4th NBA Title, the Summer Olympics took place in Atlanta, and legendary rapper Tupac Shakur was gunned down in Las Vegas, many of the movies released are what that year is remembered for just as much as those events are. From hood parodies, dramas, and a classic horror film that recently released its 7th installment, there were many reasons to go to the movies in that 12-month period. Let’s not waste any more time as Konscious Kurt breaks down his 10 Favorite Movies of 1996:

10. Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in The Hood

Poking fun at the classic hood movies of the early ‘90s, Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in The Hood was another classic parody from the mind of the Wayans Family. Starring Shawn & Marlon Wayans, the movie centers around Ashtray as he’s forced to move to the hood and in with his father (who’s oddly younger than him). As he proceeds to get into endless trouble with his cousin Loc Dog and instantly falls in love with Dashiki (who has seven kids), he strongly considers leaving the hood with her. Featuring cameos from Keenan Ivory Wayans, Vivica A. Fox, and the late Bernie Mac, there’s no shortage of scenes throughout it that’ll have everyone laughing their asses off. Making over $20 million at the box office, the movie put Shawn & Marlon on the map as a comedic duo and was the catalyst for the Scary Movie franchise that would come years later.

9. From Dusk Til Dawn

Starring Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, and Quentin Tarantino (who also wrote it), From Dusk Til Dawn is about two fugitive brothers who take a family hostage into Mexico. Things begin to take a turn as they get trapped in a Mexican bar and are forced to fight off a horde of vampires. What really makes the movie stand out is how it starts out as a crime thriller in the first half but then turns into a horror movie in the second half. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and also starring Salma Hayek and Juliette Lewis, the movie went on to make $59 million at the box office despite getting mixed reviews. As it’s gained a cult following since then, it could also be credited for setting the groundwork for successful vampire movies that followed such as Blade and Sinners.

8. Ransom

While his reputation and career took a turn in later years, Mel Gibson was a leading man in Hollywood throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s. One of the many great films he had throughout that run was 1996’s Ransom. Ransom tells the story of wealthy airline owner Tom Mullen whose son is kidnapped by a caterer who ironically happened to work for him. As the kidnappers demand $2 million in order to have his son returned alive, Tom decides not to pay the ransom and instead has a ransom placed on the kidnappers. Also starring Rene Russo and Gary Sinise as the villain, Ransom was a huge critical and commercial success as it went on to be the fifth highest grossing movie of the entire year.

7. The Nutty Professor

After a few years of hits and misses, Eddie Murphy came back in the strongest way possible with 1996’s The Nutty Professor. Released in June of that year, the movie was a remake that centered around obese Professor Sherman Klump. Insecure about his weight and also trying to gain the affection of his colleague Carla Purty, Sherman drinks a serum that turns him into a slimmer, but arrogant ladies man named Buddy Love. While he loves the feeling of being Buddy at first, the serum proves to be problematic for Sherman as he has a hard time keeping both personalities under control. Featuring Murphy playing multiple characters and also starring Jada Pinkett, the movie proved to be his huge comeback as it made $274 million at the box office and even won an Oscar for Best Makeup.

6. Sleepers

With an ensemble cast including Robert De Niro, Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt, Jason Patrick, and Dustin Hoffman, Sleepers tells the story of four teenagers from the Hell’s Kitchen section of NYC that get in trouble for stealing a hot dog stand and accidentally dropping it from a staircase onto someone. As a result of the crime, the four of them are sentenced to over a year at a juvenile detention center. While serving their time, the guards at the detention center verbally, physically, and sexually abuse them. Fast forward to years later, the now four grown men look to seek revenge on the guards that put them through hell. Released in October of ’96, the movie’s dark tone and compelling story resonated well with audiences as it made over $150 million during its theatrical run.

5. Set It Off

Released in November of 1996, Set It Off is about four struggling black women that resort to robbing banks to lift themselves out of their financial problems. While they pull off the first few robberies successfully, it leads to much unwanted attention from the police and the money they stole being stolen from them. With the police breathing down their neck for the robberies and for the murder of the man that stole their money, they attempt to pull off one last big robbery before fleeing town. Starring Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise in her film debut, Set It Off marked the first time four black women played the main characters in an action film. That combined with the movie touching on topics such as poverty, sisterhood, and being abused by the system connected with audiences as it was a critical success that earned over $40 million on a $9 million budget.

4. Scream

As interest in horror movies declined after the 1980s, the genre had a huge resurgence following the release of 1996’s Scream. The movie centers around teenager Sidney Prescott (one year after her mother was murdered) as she along with her friends are terrorized by a killer in a mask that goes by the name Ghostface. As simply killing his victims isn’t enough, Ghostface uses horror movie trivia and a handheld voice changer to disguise his voice in order to play mind games with them. Directed by the late Wes Craven, the film in many ways breaks the fourth wall as it plays off like a horror movie inside of a horror movie. With a cast featuring Neve Campbell, Drew Barrymore, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette, Scream went on to be one of the highest grossing movies of the year, reignited the horror movie genre, and has since spawned six sequels (with the most recent one being released this year).

3. Fargo

Set in the town of Fargo, North Dakota, Fargo centers around a used car salesman who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife in exchange for ransom. However, everything soon takes a turn as the kidnapping leads to other murders that are investigated by a pregnant police chief. While based on real life events that took place in 1987, the names and several parts of the story were changed for the purpose of the movie. Starring William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, and Steve Buscemi, Fargo was highly praised for its direction, plot, and the performances of all its leads. In addition to its critical and financial success, it earned two Oscars including Best Screenplay as well as Best Actress for McDormand.

2. Jerry Maguire

Starring Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Rene Zellweger, Jerry Maguire centers around a sports agent of the same name who suddenly has a change in conscience. This sudden change of conscience leads to him being fired from his agency and deciding to start his own. With only one client and one employee to start with, starting this new agency leads to Jerry finding redemption, love, and his soul in the process. Hitting theaters in December of ’96, the film was the ninth highest grossing movie of the year, popularized the catchphrase “show me the money,” and is considered one of the defining movies in Cruise’s impressive catalog. As great as Cruise was in the movie, his co-star Cuba Gooding Jr.’s performance was also memorable as it earned him the film’s lone Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

1. A Time to Kill

Directed by Joel Schumacher and based on a novel of the same name, 1996’s A Time to Kill is arguably considered the most racially charged movie of the entire decade. After his 9-year-old daughter is raped by two white men, a black man by the name of Carl Lee Hailey takes the law into his own hands and kills them. Facing the death penalty, he hires a young white Mississippi lawyer named Jake Brigance to defend him. As the trial progresses, it leads to a lot of racial tension, divide among the community, and the resurgence of the KKK. Featuring an A-list cast with the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey, and Sandra Bullock, A Time to Kill went on to make $152 million at the box office and despite receiving mixed reviews at the time, it’s considered an important film that sheds light on how present racism still is in modern times.


Honorable Mentions:
• Primal Fear
• Space Jam
• Up Close and Personal
• Happy Gilmore
• The Craft