From time to time Dr. Cinema will drop by Ezy Reading to offer a quick review of some of the greatest films of the past century.

This week:

BOYZ IN THE HOOD (1991)

As we follow Tre Styles from childhood toward becoming a young adult (as played effectively by Cuba Gooding, Jr.), and attempting to dodge, with the cautious guidance of his parents, the many dangers and risks associated with growing up in inner-city America, the sense of ever'present danger and, often, hopelessness associated with attempting to avoid falling into the cracks of society is abundantly clear.

In the role of Tre's troubled friend Dough Boy, Ice Cube is something of a revelation, and his balanced performance, alongside Singleton's excellent script, prevent him from becoming merely another gangster caricature. Laurence Fishburne and Morris Chestnut add further depth to a strong cast.

All in all a very real, gritty depiction of the challenges faced at every turn by African American men and women in modern America. The building anger bristling beneath the surface in so many scenes is particularly resonant given the outburst of violence in the Rodney King Riots that took place in the very same city of the story just one year later.

Director John Singleton received Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director (and in the latter category was, at the age of 24, the youngest director to ever receive that nomination).

The film spawned several 'urban gang flick' imitations in subsequent years, but most glorified violence and placed an emphasis on a loud soundtrack and sexual explicitness at the expense of strong plot'line, good character development and a serious social message.

All three are to be found in Boyz N the Hood.

The latest edition of Ezy Reading is out every Monday.