February 2023

Three Moods Prevail in Dead Presidents

This article was originally published in AC September 1995. Menace II Society (1993), an ambitious and powerful film that broke new ground with its portrayal of a violent African American sub-culture, left critics and audiences electrified with its brave filmic vision — boldly announcing the arrival of co-directors Albert and Allen Hughes. Dead Presidents, the 22-year-old brothers' highly-anticipated second feature concerning the travails of a young black Vietnam vet, continues the promise of their directorial debut, while the images in both films proclaim the talents of cinematographer Lisa Rinzler — demonstrating daring style and the innate ability to tell a story with a camera. As a young girl, Rinzler had a fascination with drawing...more