by Nikk Nelson, Staff Writer

A friend once told me I have some serious movie-watching stamina. Nothing makes me happier than sitting down and watching two, three, or even more movies in a row—following a throughline of theme, actor, director, or whatever strikes my fancy. This series is where I share some of my favorite cinematic mixtapes, for lack of a better term. I hope you enjoy!

Candice Frederick recently wrote a great article about Bokeem Woodbine for The Huffington Post. It was sort of kismet because I’d been thinking about Bokeem Woodbine, how long he’s been working, and how long I’ve been a fan. He seemed to be one of the kings of mid-nineties movie-channel schlock and awe. It inspired me to compile a list of some of those earlier performances for your viewing pleasure.

Dead Presidents
(dir. The Hughes Brothers, starring Larenz Tate, Keith David. Runtime 1h 59m, 1995)

I think Platoon (1986), Apocalypse Now (1979), and Full Metal Jacket (1987) are probably the Vietnam War movies that immediately leap to most people’s minds. Dead Presidents leaps to mine. It was the only Vietnam War movie I can remember seeing told from the Black perspective until Da Five Bloods. And what a cast to go with it. Larenz Tate is a revelation. You get to see an early, more dramatic turn from Chris Tucker. The supporting cast includes Keith David, N’Bushe Wright, Freddy Rodriguez, and Terrence Howard. Bokeem Woodbine has a small part but plays perhaps the most interesting character in the entire movie.

Currently Streaming On: Fubo, Paramount+, MGM+, Hoopla

Freeway
(dir. Matthew Bright, starring Reese Witherspoon, Kiefer Sutherland. Runtime 1h 42m, 1996)

A very twisted retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Reese Witherspoon delivers a showstopping performance, showcasing the potential that would carry her into superstardom. This is one of my top favorite Kiefer Sutherland roles as well. I struggle to find a name for the post-Pulp Fiction (1994) deluge of strange, violent, drug-fueled direct-to-video genre films but there was a bunch. This is one of the better ones. And by better, I mean the most surreal, kinetic, risky, and surprising. Amanda Plummer turns in a very memorable performance and Brooke Shields shows up to seemingly give her image in the 1980’s a very sturdy middle finger, which I enjoyed immensely. Bokeem shows up for a blip but, as always, it’s an impactful performance.

Currently Streaming On: Prime Video, Tubi, Kanopy, Shudder, Plex, Freevee, AMC+

The Big Hit
(dir. Kirk Wong. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Lou Diamond Phillips. Runtime 1h 31m, 1998) )

Speaking of superstars before they were superstars that Bokeem Woodbine worked with, check out this Mark Wahlberg performance as nice guy hitman Melvin Smiley. This movie is sort of like if John Wick (2014) crashed into a truck full of old Looney Tunes. It’s a very special late-nineties time capsule where everyone talks like Tupac. I can’t get enough of Lou Diamond Phillips, and, of all people, Elliott Gould shows up at one point. Christina Applegate rounds out the supporting cast and again, we get a small but very enjoyable part from Bokeem. And this time, his character lives.

This is not currently streaming anywhere but I think it’s definitely worth at least a rental.

Caught Up
(dir. Darin Scott. Starring Bokeem Woodbine, Cynda Williams. Runtime 1h 37m, 1998)

In the Huffpo article, Bokeem points out that he’s rarely a leading man, so you should absolutely check this one out. This ran on a loop on late night Showtime back in the day due in part I’m sure to some of its steamier content. I love it. It’s hard to describe. It’s like a good, pulpy, hardboiled crime novel. The performances and script won’t knock your socks off but I think it has one of the better twists of its ilk. Plus, Jeffrey Combs shows up and gives a ‘what the fuck did I just watch?’ performance like a cherry on top.

Currently Streaming On: VUDU, Tubi, redbox, Plex, Freevee