{"product_id":"once-upon-a-time-in-south-central-la","title":"Once Upon a Time in South Central La \/\/ John Singleton's Hood Trilogy (Pre-order, Sep 15 2026)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter the groundbreaking success of his debut film \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBoyz N the Hood\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein 1991, filmmaker John Singleton (1968-2019) gained worldwide acclaim, earned the respect of major film industry figures, and became the topic of both scholarly and popular culture film conversations. He also made history by becoming the youngest--and the first African American--nominee for the Academy Award for Best Director. However, lukewarm reception for his sophomore release \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ePoetic Justice\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein 1993 dampened the momentum of his early promise, and critical interest in his subsequent work waned. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOnce Upon a Time in South Central LA: John Singleton's Hood Trilogy\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e seeks to reframe Singleton's legacy and reaffirm his significance as a filmmaker.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Mark D. Cunningham argues that Singleton's so-called \"hood trilogy\"--\u003ci\u003eBoyz N the Hood\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ePoetic Justice\u003c\/i\u003e, and\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBaby Boy\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(2001)--offers a vital cinematic lens into the lived experiences of young African American men and women. Blending film analysis with literature, music, sociology, and cultural studies, the volume positions Singleton's work as a critical intersection of African American history, identity, and popular culture. Cunningham explores Singleton's portrayal of Black masculinity, the social environment of South Central Los Angeles, and the impact of hip-hop culture on gender dynamics. By revisiting Singleton's early career and the cultural weight of his films,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOnce Upon a Time in South Central LA\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003ereasserts the filmmaker's place in the cinematic canon and highlights the enduring influence of his work on African American youth and storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMark D. Cunningham\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is department chair of Radio-Television-Film at Austin Community College. His work has appeared in such publications as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Atlantic\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eCinema Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and in the anthology \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAfrican American Cinema through Black Lives Consciousness\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, among others.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePublisher: University Press of Mississippi\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePublish Date: September 15, 2026\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePages: 192\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEAN\/UPC: 9781496863843\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: n\/a\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBISAC Categories: Music, Politics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Mark D. Cunningham","offers":[{"title":"(Pre-order, Sep 15 2026) Paperback","offer_id":48754159091947,"sku":"9781496863843","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0253\/4014\/9820\/files\/9781496863843.jpg?v=1780868649","url":"https:\/\/rep.club\/products\/once-upon-a-time-in-south-central-la","provider":"Reparations Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}