"New Jack City" Movie Review | The BlackBusters Podcast Ep. 8

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This week's special guest ‪@KennEdwinTV‬
New Jack City is a 1991 American action crime film based upon an original story and written by Thomas Lee Wright and Barry Michael Cooper, and directed by Mario Van Peebles in his feature film directorial debut as he also co-stars in the film. The film stars Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, Allen Payne, Chris Rock, Mario Van Peebles, Judd Nelson, and Bill Cobbs. The film was released in the United States on March 8, 1991.
Wesley Snipes plays Nino Brown, a rising drug lord in New York City during the crack epidemic. Ice-T plays Scotty Appleton, a detective who vows to stop Nino's criminal activity by going undercover to work for Nino's gang.
BlackBusters is a podcast focused on reviewing, celebrating, re-living and critiquing Black film. From the movies we all know and love to those hidden gems, there is no movie too big or small to be praised or roasted.
Join our hosts Director/Comedian/Actor ‪@biggjah‬ and movie/podcast connoisseur Tony Price as they explore the legacy, impact and influence of Black cinema.
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[@biggjah]

Make sure y'all subscribe to the channel! 2DAMAX!!!

[@JamesSmith-qb3be]

Bigg Jah I understand your a Cowboys fan and I'm a Steelers fan so our history goes way back but I have a fun fact did you know that Bill Nunn's father Bill senior was the architect behind the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers of the 70s he drafted many hall of famers as a scout and the Steelers and Cowboys you know how we got down back in the day lol, and Pittsburgh that's my hometown and unfortunately they both passed away and Bill Sr was just inducted into the hall of Fame and Cowboy legend Tony Dorsett is from Alliquippa Pa just near the Pittsburgh airport he went to Hopewell high school, alot of legends came from West Pa. Marino, Montana, to name a few the glory days my dawg.

[@c.o.s_dre888]

@biggjah you should review the movie “blade” and how that’s the movie that started marvel studios

[@calvinblack6948]

You should review fresh great 90s movie

[@damioncox3371]

They're right about it not being as much about NYC as it is about Anytown, USA during the height of the crack epidemic. They only referred to it as "THE CITY" never NYC nor any references to the police department being NYPD. Just 'THE CITY". Even the subtitle at beginning said "THE CITY 1986"

[@cp7788]

New jack city is 💯 NEW YORK! Even the Carter is New york Projects...the fasion..the ITALIANS...everything FEELS NYC.. Lmao. The landscape.

[@michaelclark8831]

Ice-T actually played a cold hearted killer in New York Undercover

[@rashadwalker8218]

I hated him in that show...when Malik yoba finally got his ass I was elated!

[@therealmarlonbellamy]

@@rashadwalker8218 Yes. I’m still sad that he killed Sandy & her unborn baby.

[@Ggurl707]

True i rewatched it on hulu

[@michaelclark8831]

@@therealmarlonbellamy that was Unsweetened Ice-T☠️

[@therealmarlonbellamy]

@@michaelclark8831 Sure was

[@00ghostcobra]

You need to see Ice T in New York Undercover if you think that he couldn't have played Nino .

[@therealmarlonbellamy]

Ice-T plays a great villain.

[@DETROITPLAYA123x]

The best portrayal of The Joker was when Wesley played Simon Phoenix in Demolition Man

[@booneautomotive4174]

“ Sit your $5 dollar ass down before I make change” Classic line

[@handolo1266]

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN! homie! alotta people most likely are dumfounded by this comment but I know EXACTLY where you coming from!

[@suavobaby90]

That's the best comment speaking on that classic, Simon crazy ass def can be the black joker!!!!

[@mikeal-lateef_5138]

All facts

[@sickkicksalwaysglobal1433]

Thats 2nd TO HEATH LEGDER MAYBE

[@mycahp11]

Allen Payne in Blue Hill Ave was 🔥🔥 too.

[@princenwaehiri2043]

You guys definitely have to rank black evil leads that will be a sick concept

[@marvinjackson3141]

Excelente idea

[@DaSpeakaBoxx]

Yes please

[@shaundasmith7765]

Right off LL's character in In Too Deep comes to mind as the most evil.

[@taylorscrews2284]

One thing I love about this movie is that queen latifah was not in the movie but yet I think of her whenever I think of new jack city.

[@ricardobailey7371]

Remember that Judd Nelson’s character didn’t break into the apartment but he broke into the mansion while the wedding was going on. The apartment was the hidden spot while Nino was on the run.

[@princenwaehiri2043]

Hands down Will Smith couldn't play Nino Brown or a villian on the scale of Nino. and I believe Will is among the greats but I can't see Will tapping into that dark ugly energy you need.

[@LCdubp]

Will Smith could never be Nino Brown

[@sylvestercarter3920]

G money or Appleton but big nino naw

[@newzay50]

Will from the hood he finessed hollywood with the good boy image

[@NoPeek1ng]

Maybe not, but imagine a White man can’t jump with Will as opposed to Wesley.. Will would have brought a comedic element & could have matched Wesley’s athleticism/basketball skill on camera.. But to say Will couldn’t play any of Wesley’s roles but Snipes could play any of wills is kind of crazy.. 7pounds with Wesley cmon man

[@MR-DESHON-R]

I think Will Smith could pull it off. It just wouldn't be as believable!

[@JayBelafonte]

That was a dark skin role definitely 😂😂

[@jswill880]

If you know New York, you're going to associate New York with New Jack City. It wasn't based on New York, it was actually based on urban areas where drugs had infected the communities. New York was just a great place to film it.

[@the.a.t.x.traterrestrial1947]

That story nino tells ice t about the lady being shot in the face was Ice T’s mom

[@dallastexas5653]

Would like to see Posse done.

[@marstonfobbsentertainment]

Oh man - I remember seeing that in the theatre. Loved that movie!

[@k.williams3874]

G Money wasn’t really mad about that chick he was more jealous about her wanting Nino when he had as much clout in his mind. He harbored feelings about it because Nino was supposed to be his boy and treated him like a worker.

[@brownpapi2634]

How's that not the same thing as being mad the chick choosing Nino over him?

[@paulparks1050]

I loved this movie so much as I teenager My friends and I started saying "Am I my brothers keeper?" to greet each other lol

[@jeremynewsom8465]

I agree with the notion that Will can't play Nino Brown. In that same breath, I would not wanna see Wesley as Mike Lawry in Bad Boys.

[@curtis75black]

CMB was solid. You wasn’t gonna get any closer to them without Pookie.

[@91Definite]

Pookie was basically the one that was in the game with drugs, then got caught up using drugs, got clean and chosen to help the cops going undercover, then got caught up using drugs again while being undercover and died. Pookie should’ve just not get himself involved in it if he was gonna be around drugs again, but he wanted to help Ice T character as a favor in return for taking him to rehab. Pookie was still young man…and nobody he knew was at his funeral but Ice T character, Stone and the other cop Stone made Ice T team up with

[@dallastexas5653]

Will Smith 100% can not play Nino Brown

[@fashizzle78]

New Jack City was a cross between The Untouchables and Scarface..also I hope Y'all Review Training Day

[@nasaihyana]

G money was the original Stringer Bell

[@dikiasmartt399]

37:41 Bruce had a flashback about E 😂😂😂😂😂

[@vegitausa]

Fun Fact: Uniqua is the same chick from She’s Gotta Have It.

[@msblackloveful]

New Jack City is the epitome of New York for me in the late 80's. Yes, there were drugs and dealers everywhere but this is New York. The whole vibe. West Coast, South Mid-West the vibe is different. Especially on the west coast where I grew up.. the vibe is different.

[@goodtimegeneral]

this is legit the podcast and show I have always been looking for. I love the focus on Black great movies.

[@justjazzy7490]

They said g money was a sucka for turning to the pipe is a cautionary tale. There are SOOOOO many who used to be big time and end up on drugs. That’s why Craig in Friday uses the term getting high on ur own supply. That was and still is extremely common.

[@Prince-233]

You ain't lying

[@SAMGROUCH]

Mario Van Peoples said NJC was originally based in Detroit and about a crew named YBI and The Chambers Brothers. But Hollywood didn't believe Detroit was getting money like that. So he switched it to NYC and added the Supreme Team element. You can look it up. I believe its also on the behind the scenes interviews of the movie.

[@michaelclark8831]

King of New York 🔥

[@shughl1]

Will Smith could never be Nino Brown. Here's why: Will Smith is America's sweetheart. Wesley Snipes is America's fear. You have to have an edge and also the ability to move into those circles. Snipes in the run up to that moved in the streets and met real guys and went among their circles.

[@courtneypowell6435]

Don Cheadle played Mouse Alexander in devil in a blue dress could play the role

[@terrylopez3570]

Right! If you didn't want him killed... Why you leave him with me? LOL

[@karatekoala4270]

6:22 I actually agree that this can be any other city but in Oakland the way Nino Brown ran things was the same as Felix Mitchell in Oakland. He took over the 69th village the way the Carter was taken over. Even to the point that Felix Mitchell barely made it to jail before he was killed.

[@SurfDUI]

We went 4 deep to go see NJC, underage, and it was so crowded fools was sittin on the floor. Never seen that since.

[@roblangcalyo]

This movie deeper than you think. It’s more similar to fight club than you may imagine. Nino didn’t really exist

[@8knots4bags]

NJC was based on the Chambers Brothers out of Detroit. Barry Michael Cooper who co wrote the film said it on American Gangster (BET)

[@BlowWord.]

I feel him on the environment thing ! New York City wasn’t as much of a character as you would think by the name

[@dontaerussell3397]

Nino got arrogant the bigger he got and he hit G Money with the lil nigga in front of everybody and then the last straw was when he started hitting his girl, which made G Money start looking outside the organization..

[@bdev410]

Allen Payne's best role was Tristan on Blue Hill Avenue. Yall gotta review that ASAP

[@christophermcgee7031]

Will Smith playing a villain like nino brown would revitalize his career with EVERYBODY. Everybody feel like ain't black enough, he square, he squeaky clean but if he said fuck it and committed to a dark character he would kill the game

[@jaren2159]

You guys have to review Sugar Hill

[@Katkayz]

Wesley is the the most talented and biggest action star. Highly underrated

[@JamesSmith-qb3be]

Bigg Jahh Excellent analysis again keep em coming, in new jack city one of the actors one wasn't recognized he's actually very underrated and his name is Thalmus Rasulala who played the captain in the movie who allowed Det. Stone which is Mario Van Peebles to hire Ice T and Judd Nelson's as the cops he needed now Mr Rasulala is the man who played in the series Roots he played Raj and Dee's father on the series What's happening.

[@handolo1266]

Ah yeah, and his hairstyle in the movie tho!.......MAAAAN that shit was on ANOTHER LEVEL!

[@JamesSmith-qb3be]

@@handolo1266 dawg I peeped that they could've gave him a cool grey afro or something.

[@marstonfobbsentertainment]

Nino died like Birdie in ABOVE THE RIM.

[@yarvetta1695]

This is early crack nobody fully understood how bad it was! G-Money thought he could kick the drugs whenever

[@markbay6775]

Nino was the best bad guy ever

[@sjp1969]

Wesley is a trained actor Will Smith is a charismatic person that is able to act.

[@johnnyblackmia]

This was great fellas!

[@shuntarhodes9827]

Ego is a monster, for some people when you get your ego crushed it leads to a downward spiral that leads to drugs and alcohol

[@curtis75black]

The CARTER APARTMENTS was ran like a gym.

[@Canon8]

Shot out and RIP to Dustin Felder (who was one of the kids in the scene with the old man cussing out Nino) went to middle school with him in Philly. Shawmont Elementary

[@keenongray1481]

This and R&B Money are my favorite podcasts.🔥🔥💪🏾💪🏾

[@kinkykmd23]

Wesley was that bad guy role in demolition Man . 👨 and bring on the review of Kings of New York, Frank White!!!! Your all welcome

[@ephbot]

He was right to say fugitive. US Marshall's is the sequel to Fugitive. I wish they would do a part 3

[@synatraspeaks5719]

Ice-T played a Nino brown type of character in New York Undercover as Danny Cort or Danny Up. So I believe Ice-T could do it

[@sjp1969]

And he was crazier than Nino

[@djsliderbite]

Excellent!

[@therealmarlonbellamy]

New Jack City was our Scarface & Nino Brown was our Tony Montana: Fun Facts: Martin Lawrence was supposed to play Pookie. He didn’t due to the death of Robin Harris who was his Mentor. Chris Rock bombed the audition, what made the writers, directors & producers changed their name was when he said it keeps calling me & calling me. New Jack City, Boyz N The Hood, Juice & Menace II Society is the Mount Rushmore of hood classics. Each movie taught us life lessons, launched a lot of careers, people have named themselves after the characters, each movie is referenced in other movies, shows, songs, albums & mixtapes & is still relevant 30 years laters & you could have your black card revoked if you’ve never seen these movies.

[@dominiquebonduant2276]

This is so amazing thank you so much so entertaining

[@mohamedsamater8261]

About Pookie....Nino did say he would give him a job if he cleaned himself up.

[@edwardstokes4209]

In 91 most computer systems were self contained not like now, we are talking 30 years ago

[@Katkayz]

Great content as always

[@marstonfobbsentertainment]

G-Money was smoking rock when he first introduced rock to Nino.

[@marvinjackson3141]

It was called New Jack Swing before the movie.

[@dr.b7754]

I love this Pod first off. Bigg Jahh is the man. I think you all missed the messaging on the demise of G Money. Crime/Business in the hood is a microcosm to greater society and corporate pressure. GMoney exemplifies what rapid success ruin life for the average person with compromised integrity. He was left in trust of more than he could manage and he married himself to his need for an escape. Money makes you more of what you truly are...in his situation an addict. Dudda man warned him from jump, not to be consumed by the product. Eventually he was overwhelmed by the demands. Like so many people in everyday society. In the end he longed for things to be the way the once were. Nino stated that could never be. The money makes you more of what you already are. The devil has a plan for every man's success story, to destroy them by their own lust.

[@wethridgejr]

1:00:32 😂😂😂 Wesley, “Brother. Keep it together.” 😂😂😂

[@syharris1957]

I don't think Will Smith could play Nino Brown, but maybe Denzel Washington could

[@yarvetta1695]

So y’all keep talking about the old lady Nino killed and never said that she was Ice T’s momma 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Perfect_NoPractice]

I asked and y’all delivered!

[@msblackloveful]

The first computer on the market that everyday people could buy was in the early 80's.

[@ashleyanderson4132]

I love the observance of, WHERE WAS NINO'S SECURITY AT THE WEDDING... and yall say, that a sacred moment... But the PASTOR WAS AT THE TABLE WITH NINO TALKING DRUGS...

[@suavobaby90]

37:20 Great question!!!! Keisha was so gangsta that no one ever thought of her having a man!!!! 38:26 Y'all gotta speak on Belly next!!!! One of my favs!!!!

[@xamccormick]

My favorite Wesley joint is “Disappearing Acts.”

[@rate5602]

Waiting for that part 2

[@ronmichaels9206]

G money was smoking the whole time He put Nino and Duh Duh Man on the whole idea. He said he was smoking in the beginning when Duh Duh man was like you know the rules, us brothers aint supposed to be getting high

[@Gee-np1un]

You right, they were driving and talking so you don't pay attention to it.

[@johnharris4265]

Now I gotta re-watch that part. I never even thought of that! Keen observation!

[@jaceontruman9659]

24:22 was always one of my favorite lines from that movie lol

[@Terrence_Cox]

Not for nothing, I can tell Tone don't know anything about selling drugs. You can't just get someone to pretend to be a base head and infiltrate an organization of that size. It takes time and no one who's a smart dealer would sell to some random person they never seen before.

[@NoPeek1ng]

To say Will couldn’t play any of Wesley’s roles but Snipes could play any of Wills is kind of crazy.. 7pounds with Wesley?? Pursuit of happiness? I think that’s a little out of his range. Meanwhile, imagine a White man can’t jump with Will as opposed to Wesley.. Will would have brought a comedic element & could have matched Wesley’s athleticism/basketball skill on camera..

[@buddyraw9778]

"My God, that nigga eatin' fruit" lol

[@marstonfobbsentertainment]

Yall forgot that Wesley Snipes went to jail for a minute...

[@marquisboone1077]

I think Jukebox actually exist in the same time period as New Jack

[@theadultsaretalking5217]

5:44 fun fact Stevie J was one of the singers at the trash can

[@pcfool13]

Man what's the schedule on these because I'm feenin for more

[@Ggurl707]

You forgetting pokie was offered the job if he cleaned up by nino himself and pokie volunteered

[@bigredleads]

Hey fam, the Carter was a real place in Detroit. The characters were loosely based on the Carter Brothers.

[@premeexcel6408]

Denzel and Wesley should be the bad guys in the next Bad Boys film. Let's go.

[@sonicboomkj]

Okay, who harmonizing at the beginning of the podcast?

[@ladyt1182]

Will Smith couldn't play Nino, movie wouldn't be iconic.

[@couchlenuel3551]

NO Blue Hill Avenue is up there for allen

[@quay7968]

I think y’all should do a movie review over “Life” on the next go around.

[@happybirthdaytoyou9170]

Another excellent review and conversation fellas!!!...with the exception of the guest's shoehorned banana joke (0 for 4 attempts..lol..)...other than that 5 out of 5 stars!!!!👍🏾

[@Will_Bx_NYC_718]

The other two cats are wrong, the movie was filmed majority in Harlem and the South Bronx. It dealt with NYC drug gang culture as well as NY Mafia, this was a NYC culture as it gets. For someone who only in NYC for business and right back out I wouldn’t expect them to understand.

[@chubbs8714]

Ya boy should have did his homework before talkin about this movie..bigg jah you need better people to have a better show…bald dude was killin me bro 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@simoncharacter01]

how did I miss this?!?🔥💯

[@kevinnash2444]

Great Review. When yall going to do "King o New York"? Wesley is in it as well

[@TheLakers81]

Will can't even control his own girl, let alone play a drug king pin. Man yall stop playin

[@oldschoolrican]

Whadup mayne. I'm diggin this channel. Yall gotta review CLOCKERS (1995) 🎬 👊🏽

[@originalRAS]

Jada would play a better Nino than Will

[@niqulusviii987]

Slight correction my bros, New Jack Swing was actually a term coined by Barry Michael Cooper, a music journalist, about 3 years before New Jack City was filmed and released in a ln article about Teddy Riley as an up an coming producer.

[@ergoproxy0804]

Five heartbeats

[@courtneypowell6435]

No, Will Smith would not be able to pull it off.

[@karatekoala4270]

Was just thinking... No way in hell Ice T scraping off on Snipes like that!

[@avace917]

You see a lot of Harlem in the movie. 135th and St Nicholas Ave is the park where they played basketball and 145th and St Nick is where they were driving and G Money told them about the crack. The only part of the movie that DOESN'T take place in Harlem is the beginning helicopter shot that ends at the Queensborough Bridge where Dudda Man throws the man off the bridge

[@Thisdudehere-e6n]

Hold on Ice T can play a ruthless ass gansta. Y’all ain’t watch New York Undercover when it came out?!?!? Danny Up/ Danny Cort killed JC girl while he was in the shower. Shot her cold blooded with the uzi with the muzzle and left flowers on top of her.