High Freakquency (1998)

"High Freakquency" (1998) is a comedy film directed by Tony Singletary and written by Rob Gomes. The movie stars John Witherspoon, Marcus Chong, A.J. Johnson, Paul Mooney, Michael Colyar, and Deon Richmond. It was released in theaters in 1998 and was mostly on television in '99. The late '90s saw an influx of Black movies that went largely unnoticed. Many were low-budget but had relevant cast members who were familiar faces in Black entertainment. B.E.T. picked up many of these films for their movie slots, but over time, they faded out of circulation.

Director: Tony Singletary

Writer: Rob Gomes

Starring John Witherspoon, Marcus Chong, A.J. Johnson, Deon Richmond, Ajai Sanders, Cory Tyler, Michael Colyar, Paul Mooney, Iona Morris, Joe Clair, Roxanne Reese, Willard E. Pugh, Aonika Laurent, David Labiosa, Kimberly Brooks, Adina Howard, Freez Luv

Storyline

FM 24/7 is the top R&B station in L.A. and the most outrageous! Program Director Wes Thomas (John Witherspoon) keeps the money rolling in. At the same time, he works at being white and presides over personalities like Nubian Princess (Iona Morris), Warm Daddy (Michael Colyar), and the Love Doctor (Paul Mooney). However, the real brain is Jordan (Marcus Chong), who knows what the public wants.

Bones (2001)

"Bones" (2001) is a horror film directed by Ernest R. Dickerson and written by Adam Simon and Tim Metcalfe. The movie stars Snoop Dogg as Jimmy Bones, a well-respected neighborhood protector betrayed and murdered by his associates and corrupt cop. "Bones" is an excellent cross of the blaxploitation genre and modern horror cinema featuring Pam Grier, an iconic actress from the era, and the direction of Dickerson, famed director of "Juice" and Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight." Additional cast members include Clifton Powell, Ricky Harris, Bianca Lawson, Khalil Kain, and Michael T. Weiss. 

The movie resembles the 1970s classic, "J.D.'s Revenge," starring Glynn Turman, but with a modified storyline. Jimmy Bones and J.D. Walker were both betrayed and murdered, and the motives for their return are revenge and reconnecting with their lady. While the movie bombed at the box office, it became a cult classic afterward. It's a dark film with some excellent cinematography. The soundtrack peaked at #39 on the Billboard 200, #14 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and #4 on the Top Soundtracks chart. 

Director: Ernest R. Dickerson

Writers: Adam Simon, Tim Metcalfe

Starring Snoop Dogg, Pam Grier, Clifton Powell, Ricky Harris, Bianca Lawson, Khalil Kain, Michael T. Weiss, Merwin Mondesir, Sean Amsing, Katharine Isabelle, Ron Selmour, Deezer D, Garikayi Mutambirwa

Storyline

The time is 1979. Jimmy Bones (Snoop Dogg, Training Day) is respected and loved as the neighborhood protector. When he is betrayed and brutally murdered by a corrupt cop (Michael T. Weiss, The Pretender), Bones' elegant brownstone becomes his tomb. Twenty-two years later, the neighborhood has become a ghetto, and his home a Gothic ruin. Four teens renovate it as an after-hours nightclub, unknowingly releasing Jimmy's tortured spirit.