Top 5 – Ice Cube Movies
Ice Cube is an entertainment legend. Starting off his career in the landmark rap group N.W.A, he has since become a writer, director, producer, and actor in the film world. He’s been an action star, showed some comedic chops, and has even flashed a dramatic side that should have earned him awards consideration. So, in honor of Fist Fight coming out this Friday, let’s look at the best of the best from Ice Cube.
5 – Barbershop (Tim Story, 2002)
I really enjoy the first Barbershop movie. I didn’t think it would ever become a trilogy, but it is and I’m actually looking forward to it. The best thing about this film is the authenticity and the rich characters we are introduced to as we spend time kicking it in Calvin’s Barbershop with owner Calvin Palmer (Ice Cube) and an eclectic group of barbers, including a wonderful Cedric the Entertainer as the controversial and opinionated Eddie. Conversation’s range from politics, to race, to sports, to society and they are all interesting and hilarious. Barbershop is a sweet, lively, entertaining movie about family, friendship, and community.
4 – Three Kings (David O. Russell, 1999)
Three Kings is the best Gulf War movie ever put on screen. David O. Russell created a kinetic, thrilling, incredibly entertaining movie that is a perfect mix of action, drama, and comedy. Cube teams up with George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg as solders who try stealing some gold and end up biting off more than they can chew when they actual end up on a mission. Cube showed he could hang with the big boys, acting next to superstars Clooney and Wahlberg and acting for a now five-time Oscar nominated director in Russell. This is the movie that put Russell on the map and showed the Cube could act with Hollywood’s best.
3 – 22 Jump Street (Phil Lord & Chris Taylor, 2014)
I chose 22 Jump Street instead of its predecessor, 21 Jump Street (2012), because Cube had a more prominent role, with actually showing up outside of the office and doing actual police work. Playing the always angry Captain Dickson, Cube’s scowl has never been funnier and more perfect. He nearly stole the show when he finds out Schmidt (Jonah Hill) is dating his daughter Maya (Amber Stevens West). He tantrum at the buffet is classic. Ice Cube has never been funnier.
2 – Friday (F. Gary Gray, 1995)
Friday showed how talented Ice Cube was in front of and behind the camera. Known for writing a lot of N.W.A’s angry, explicit lyrics, Cube went away from the anger and focused his talents on comedy by writing and starring in this urban tale. This is a sweet, funny, authentic film following Craig and Smokey (Cube and Chris Tucker) as they spend their whole Friday smoking, chilling, and figuring out a way to get $200 for neighborhood drug dealer Big Worm (Faizon Love). Cube showed he could both write and deliver comedy and Chris Tucker is at his absolute best as the stoned out Smokey. This is a classic stoner comedy and an impressive feat for Cube.
1 – Boyz ‘n’ the Hood (John Singleton, 1991)
This was Ice Cube’s first crack at acting and he has yet to top it, both in performance and quality of film. Cube plays Doughboy, a gangbanger and brother of high school football phenom Ricky (Morris Chestnut) and life-long friend of Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.). Cube’s performance as Doughboy is the best of his career and more than just a one note gangbanger. He might be a 40 drinking, drug selling gangster who roams the streets, but he cares deeply for Ricky and Tre and wants them to succeed. When tragedy strikes, we really see what Cube can do as an actor, as he lets his guard down and becomes the most vulnerable we have ever seen him. He should have been given Oscar consideration for his performance. John Singleton created a realistic, gritty, heartbreaking urban drama that shows the social and economic problems in the projects of Los Angeles that is a true masterpiece and the best of Ice Cube’s career.
What is your favorite Ice Cube movie? Comment below or hit me up on Twitter @kevflix or on Twitter at Kevflix.