Heat Wave

The Watts Riots occurred six months before I was even born, but my mom still has vivid memories of what happened during that time. From what she and my late father told me the movie was an accurate portrayal of that ugly chapter in the history of the City of Los Angeles. Also, this film showed me that the conditions that led up to that riot also helped to spark an even bigger riot almost 26 years later. And much like the first riot the second riot was only a reaction to the problems that were plaguing the city of Los Angeles; a seemingly racist police chief, poor economic conditions and hopelessness in the black community. The entire cast, especially Blair Underwood and James Earl Jones, were outstanding in this historical piece. And Kevin Hooks showed that Thomas Carter wasn't the only great director to come out of the cast of "White Shadow".