Shaft (2000)

How do you remake a classic?  Well in the case of trying to bring back the LEGENDARY Private Detective John Shaft of the 1971 Gordon Parks cult hit starring Richard Roundtree, acclaimed director John Singleton (Boyz N The Hood, Poetic Justice) teamed with acclaimed writer Richard Writer (The Color of Money, Clockers) to....NOT remake it, they decided to "re-imagine" the character as a former NYPD cop trying to exact justice in late '90's New York City.  Oscar-nominee Samuel L. Jackson now plays the titular character with Roundtree returning to play his uncle.  This time around, Shaft is determined to bring justice for the racially-charged murder of an innocent young man at a NYC club.  The murderer is played by Oscar-winner Christian Bale (The Fighter), the witness whom Shaft has to find is played by Oscar-nominee Toni Colette (The Sixth Sense).....and beyond that, Shaft also has to combat corrupt local cops PLUS local drug kingpin Peoples Hernandez played by Oscar-nominee Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction).  Throw in some high-octane action, Busta Rhymes as Shaft's driver, AND....the iconic Oscar-winning theme song from Isaac Hayes and what do you get?  

Besides several Oscar nominees, you happen to get a surprisingly enjoyable (and very timely) action thriller to kick off Black History Month.  Can you dig it? :)    

Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon

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