Bruno Mars At Preakness Experience

 

Saturday night at the Preakness fest, I was able to check off a bucket list item by seeing Bruno Mars live. Despite the rain that began to pour just as his set was beginning, it was 1,000% worth it. In 45 minutes Bruno Mars backed by his crew The Hooligans, had the entire audience singing every word of every song, dancing in the field despite the muddy conditions, and overall having a good time after waiting all day to see him.

He opened with one of his biggest hits 24 K Magic, and closed with what probably is his biggest crossover hit Uptown Funk. He effortlessly danced across the stage, carefully avoiding the spots on the stage getting hit from the downpour. He played guitar so that he is a MUSICIAN and not just an artist. He has so many hits that it was probably difficult to curate his selection and cram into the limited set, and it's easy for us as fans to forget that he only has released 3 solo albums beginning with his debut 2010 album Doo Wops and Hooligans.

He showed love to all three of his albums performing hits such as Just The Way You Are and Marry You from his debut album. Locked Out Of Heaven  and one of my favorite Bruno songs which in my opinion is one of his most underrated songs Treasure and from his second album 2012's Unorthodox Jukebox. Along with the title track from his 2016 third album 24K Magic (hard to believe it's been almost 7 years since that album released), he also performed That's What I Like. Serenading the crowd while he played guitar he performed the 2010 Travie Mccoy hit Billionaire which he was featured on.

I personally wished he would have performed Finesse, but have no real qualms about the set list. If I would have had to stand in the rain for a 90 minute set from him, I would have. Even in the rain, his performance was just as entertaining and mesmerizing as any TV performance you've seen. He proved why he is a modern day musical legend. I'm gathering my coins to see a full length Bruno concert (his show tickets are quite pricey), and just like this time it will be well worth it.

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28 Random Things That Define The Culture

It's Black History month and while Black History is 365 days a year, it's important to showcase all the culture has to offer in February. This blog cover's 28 random things that define the culture, other than the top 10 the listing has no real merit. It's just random stuff that came to mind while writing the article, so here we go.

28. Lunch Time Rap's

Lunch Time cipher's in schools across America are a staple and has not skipped an generation. There's always a "DJ" banging on the lunch table making the beat, while two aspiring rappers battle each other until a hating ass administrator or teacher comes along and puts a end to it.

27. Motown Records

We listened to it as our parents and grandparents cleaned the house, and now we jam to the classic Motown sound. It carried Black People throw the civil rights era and provided hit after hit. Judging by how everyone was on their feet during Stevie Wonder's Motown Medley at this year's Grammy's. Its clear Motown music is timeless.

26. Def Jam

The house that Russell built it, it's far from the powerhouse it once was. However Run DMC, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy and many more Def Jam artist really were the first hip-hop artist to cross over. Many of their hits still load our playlists. 

25. Ginger Ale

Try to dispute all you want, but when your stomach just ain't right Ginger Ale can solve most of your problems. It's a reason it's a Black Household staple.

24. Fubu

Fubu (For Us, By Us) was a 90's clothing staple, it means so much more now especially on the renewed focus to keep Black dollars within the company. Time for a major comeback.

23. Essence

A staple of Black household book shelves and coffee tables, Essence has been telling important stories within our community since 1970.

22. Essence Fest 

Essence fest is a full weekend of parties, concerts, and celebrating the Black culture. The festival covers a lot of ground over the weekend from Black Health to Black Wealth, food, music and everything in between.

21. Jet magazine

Much like Essence and Ebony magazines, JET magazine is a Black community hallmark. Telling stories since 1951, it was an outlet for Black people during a time when our stories weren't told. This clip from Boomerang gives an idea on just how revered JET was.

20. BET

When MTV still wasn't trying to play Black artists, Robert Johnson started Black Entertainment Television. Initially known for playing music videos all the time, it's programming trajectory has changed but the mission of showcasing Black Excellence has not.

19. Apollo Theater

The mecca of Harlem, The Apollo Theater has been instrumental in showcasing Black artist since the 1930's. It's history is now, then, and forever.

18. Bad Boy Records

If Motown was the sound of Black America in the 60's and 70's, Def Jam was the voice of the youth in the mid 80's to early 90's. Bad Boy Records was the Black voice from the mid to late 90's, highlighting success, flashiness and just a good time.

17. 106 & Park

In response to MTV's wildy popular music video countdown show Total Request Live (TRL), in 2000 BET debuted 106 & Park. Which an entire generation grew up on watching the top ten countdown, waiting for the throwback of the day, and of course Freestyle Friday.

16. Yo! MTV Raps

Before 106 & Park there was Yo! MTV Raps, MTV's and the mainstream media's acknowledgement that Hip Hop was here to stay and couldn't be stopped. The show ran for five seasons and opened so many doors for so many artists. 

15. Jordan Sneakers

Since their release in 1985, Jordan's also called J's have been a must have in any sneakerhead's collection. 

14. Strawberry Filled Candy

If you went over grandma's or any older relative's house, chances are you found a bowl or jar full of Strawberry filled candy.

13. Crown Royal Bag

Once you finish that Crown Royal bottle, what to do with the bag is the next question. The answer whatever you need to store in it. Change, important documents, loose bills whatever it's better to repurpose than throw away.

12. Spades

Want to get a good time at the family function going, and possibly cause an argument. Play some spades. 

11. Uno

Maybe the only other card game that will have Black folks side eyeing you, throwing up their hands, and debating about how the game is supposed to be played.

10. Hennessy

                            Have no idea what's in it that's so addicting, Black People just love Hennessy. 

9. Plastic Market Bags

They serve so many purposes, protecting valuables and folks hair, sometimes their shoes in inclement weather. Something to carry the plates you took from the family function, dumping smelly food or diapers to mask the smell.

8. Spaghetti

If Black People having a gathering for a large group or just tryna make something that will stretch for the week. They gon make a large pot of Spaghetti, may even fancy it up a bit and put some shrimp in it.

7. Drawer full of Condiments

No matter how many we already have in the house. If some takeout food provides some condiments, we saving them for later.

6. Sunday Dinner

After a long week of work and running errands, Black folks look forward to a good Sunday Dinner. Sometimes the meal rivals that of a Thanksgiving spread. 

5. Fraternities & Sororities 

Seen all around college campuses and often pillars of community service. Fraternities and Sororities are a huge part of the Black culture.

4. HBCU's

The halftime show's, The Marching band's, Greek life, and just a sense of family. HBCU's play a important part in educating the future and celebrating the culture.

3. Frankie Beverly and Maze Before I Let Go

You cannot attend a Black function without someone playing Before I Let Go. Once it come's on even those not on the dance floor will be singing along, waiting for that moment to scream at the top of their lungs "Before I Let You Goooooooooooooo".

2. Line Dances

The Electric Slide, The Cha-Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, The Wobble and many more. Black people love love love a good line dance.

1. Family Reunion

Life get's busy a Family Reunion is always a good opportunity to get everyone together near and far to enjoy each other's company, and celebrate love and family.

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Super Bowl Halftime WishList

Rihanna shut down the Super Bowl last night, love it or hate it there is no doubt Rihanna did one of the many things she does best. That's get folk's talking, whether it was her song selection, lack of guests, or the subtle reveal that she is expecting again (congratulations to her). 

Now that the Super Bowl is over for the year, Rihanna's performance is still talked about and we can pretty much acknowledge we are not getting a album or new tour for a good while. It is time to look ahead to next year's Super Bowl and the halftime show. Although the exact length has not been disclosed, Roc Nation entered a multiyear deal in 2019 with the NFL to produce the halftime show.

Roc Nation has done a great job of the halftime performers chosen since then, but they also have a delicate balance of making sure the artist selected has crossover appeal. The artist selected also has to be on a certain "level" so to speak, with that here are 5 artists I wouldn't mind seeing performing at the Super Bowl.

5. The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers are a duo who music covers multiple genres EDM, Hip-Hop, and pop. I saw them perform live at the Made In America Festival in 2017. They definitely have the crowd engaged during their performance. Their biggest hits are Something Just Like This, # Selfie, Roses, and one of my favorites Closer. If they were chosen for next year's Super Bowl it would help promote their space endeavor in 2024.

4. Ariana Grande

When Ariana Grande debuted back in the 2010's all I heard was a young lady who starred in a Nickelodeon show trying to be a singer. I did like her song with Mac Miller The Way, other than that I was eh on Ariana. As my wife played more song's of hers in the car, I thought damn Ariana can sing. She is one of the biggest artists of the past decade and has some certified bangers like 7 Rings, Break Up With Your Girlfriend (Cause I'm Bored), Baby I ,Problem and one of my favorites One Last Time among others. Let's give Ariana, her time on the grand stage of The Super Bowl.

3. Bad Bunny

I'll admit I had never heard of Bad Bunny until he showed up on WWE TV to perform his song based on the legendary wrestler Booker T. He then followed up with an amazing in-ring debut at WrestleMania in 2021. Little did I know how big of a star Bad Bunny is with his music fusing Reggaeton and Latin Trap, he is also known for having his concerts seem like a party.

Bad Bunny speaks English but performs all his songs strictly in Spanish, which caused an uproar with captions at the Grammy's this year with basically those of a certain tone slow or outright refusing to get with the times. A Super Bowl performance would be another step in making people realize how much the world has changed.

2. Usher

One of the biggest artists of the past 25 years, at one time the heir apparent to Michael Jackson's throne. Usher Raymond is a megastar but above that he is a performer that is going to give you a show. He participated in The Black Eyed Peas halftime show at Super Bowl XLV in 2011, but the man deserves the stage all to his own. From You Make Me Wanna to My Way segue into a little U Remind Me before bringing the moves for U Don't Have To Call, Caught Up, and of course Yeah! and OMG. Usher would take full advantage of his 15 minute set and leave an impression that properly would put his show in the conversation as one of the best Super Bowl shows ever.

1. Chris Brown

This one will probably never happen due to many sitting on their high horses choosing to hold a serious mistake he made at 19 years old against him. Make no mistake about it Chris Brown can sing and dance as he too is a performer. The only man who could reasonably challenge Michael Jackson or Usher for their spots. I've never seen him live but my understanding is that he give's his all for each show. He has been a mainstay of the R&B/hip-hop game for nearly 20 years growing and perfecting his craft with each album. If he wanted to go full pop he can pull Run It, Wall To Wall, Turn Up The Music or Yeah Yeah Yeah! out his catalogue. Want to be a little rugged he can throw some Loyal in there Party or Go Crazy. Either Way when his set would be over everyone would be exhausted from dancing and moving so much.

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Top Twenty Black Sitcom Theme Songs

 Sitcom theme songs we as fans love them. It helps set the tone for the show and often gives a brief synopsis of the show's overall story.

There are some undeniable classic sitcom theme songs in the world. The ones you will hum out of nowhere or sing just cause it popped in your head. Within the Black culture we love our classic sitcom themes, in my opinion here are the top ten Black sitcom theme songs.

20. Thea

The show itself only lasted for a season and wasn't very popular, but the theme song to the 90's sitcom Thea deserves to be in the conversation of best Black Sitcom themes. Thea Vidale herself sang the theme song and she bought the soul out of her to perform it.

The sister also starred Brandy and Jason Weaver who both could have contributed to make the theme song even better.

19. Sister, Sister

Debuting in 1994 and starring twin sisters Tia and Tamara Mowry, along with sitcom legends Jackée Harry and Tim Reid. Sister Sister is a true 90's sitcom and the theme song is a representation of the time period, colorful and upbeat. You'll be singing it and not even realize it, as the characters aged the show updated the theme song with a slowed down R&B edge to remind audience these were now young woman. 

I Prefer the original theme but they are both good intro's and worthy of the top twenty list.

18. Smart Guy

Following right behind the Mowry Sister's is their younger brother Tahj Mowry and his show WB show Smart Guy. Sung  by Kristian Rex the theme song is light hearted and catchy enough to have audience members singing the jingle while the show is airing and afterwards.

17. Amen

The theme song to Amen could get you ready for Sunday service or get you through a rough day with a little inspiration. Sung by Gospel singer Vanessa Bell Armstrong she put her whole soul into this song, thus you feel "Shine On Me" soon as the beat drops.

16. Kenan & Kel

For 90's kid's Saturday Night's were reserved SNICK on Nickelodeon. Along with All That and Are You Afraid Of The Dark? a major reason for the popularity of Snick was Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, and their show Kenan & Kel. Their theme song rapped by Coolio (probably the safest rapper from a content perspective they could find.) is infectious and while follows the same rap melody as other Coolio joint's. Make's you rock your head back and forth as you wait for the laughs to begin.

15. Sanford & Son

Probably the only theme song on this list that doesn't have any lyrics. The intro to the 1970's sitcom Sanford and Son is that infectious. Produced by Quincy Jones you hear the jazz influence all over the track and it plays nicely over images of Fred and Lamont Sanford, their junkyard and their red truck.

50 Year's later hum Sanford & Son and someone will join along.

14. Family Matters

To be honest I kind of was on the fence about adding this one. I had to relisten to it several times and realized it absolutely belonged on this list. Family Matters was a staple of ABC's TGIF lineup (man I miss those days) and  in many Black families home's. The theme song "Day's Go By" sang by Jesse Frederick makes even more sense the older you get. It 100 % is a top twenty them for Black Sitcoms.

13. Girlfriends

This Theme song is perfect because it get's right to the point of the show. If the title wasn't enough of a hint one of UPN's rare classics, Girlfriends focuses on a quartet of friends and the bond they have through their up's and down's in life. I had no idea Angie Stone sang the theme song, listening back I definitely hear her voice and it fit into the neo-soul vibe that was popular during the show's run.

12. Martin

Honestly Martin is my favorite sitcom of all-time and there's not much to the theme song. Damnit if it isn't catchy though.

11. 227

"Well There's No Place Like Home". 227 followed the tight-knit residents of a apartment complex in Washington D.C. The theme song was sang by none other than Marla Gibbs and it give's off a welcoming vibe. I feel like 227 often get's lost in the conversation of top tier but not quite classic Black sitcoms and the theme song is right up there with it deserving more flowers.

10. One on One

One on One is a good but not great sitcom, it's typical early 2000's UPN fare. Not a bad show but not a great show, a little cheesy but you were going to watch the whole half hour. That theme song however is top notch in my opinion. I don't know what it is but it just hits and is very catchy.

9. In Living Color

We owe the Wayans Family so many flowers for how they've entertained us over the year's. The classic 90's sketch show is not only hell of funny to this day, that theme song by Heavy D is a classic as well. You could play that joint at a party and I'm sure the dance floor will fill up, the song is more than a show intro it's a vibe.

8. Good Times

Good Times, ain't we lucky we got them? This sitcom is still relevant today as it was in the 1970's when it aired. When you hit road bumps you think about the Good Times you've had which is what Good Times is all about. The song is catchy with a message and is a top ten theme song.

7. Half & Half 

Another UPN sitcom theme Half & Half intro simply HIT'S, maybe more so than other UPN shows and one I've yet to mention. This theme has R&B and Gospel blended very well in this intro, and the video help's cause it looks like the cast were having the time of their lives performing it. 

I've heard conflicting stories on who actually performed the intro, some sources say Melodie Daniels others say Shanice (I love Your Smile fame). Either way this song deserved to be longer than 40 seconds. We need a full 3 minute's of this song.

6. Diff'rent Strokes

"Now the world don't move to the beat of just one stroke." even if you've never seen Diff'rent Strokes you have heard that opening line. You may or may not be shocked to learn that Alan Thicke (Dad on Growing Pains, Robin Thicke's father) actually sang the theme song. The lyrics are simple, the melody is simple and it get's to the point. Which makes it one of the top theme song intro's ever.

5. A Different World 

A Different World the show itself is a classic, but on matter how you slice it A Different World the theme song may be more popular than the show. Longtime fans of the show randomly sing the lyrics and the beat can be infectious enough to get you to dance. Now the question often becomes which version of the theme song is more beloved? There were three versions throughout the six season series all performed by legends. Season 1 was sung by Phoebe Snow, Seasons 2-5 were sung by the Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin. Then the last season got a New Jack Swing infused intro sung by Boyz II Men. Truth of the matter is you can't go wrong with any of them. 

4.  Moesha

Mo-to the E to the..Moesha. Probably UPN's first hit Moesha debuted in 1996 and ran for 5 season's. Since Brandy is a real singer who else would perform the intro but her? Produced by Kurt Farquhar who also produced intros for other favorites on this list One on One, Sister Sister, Girlfriends. As well as some that didn't make the cut like Cousin Skeeter. 

Moesha is probably one of the biggest theme song's to come out of the 90's. It was remixed a few times throughout the show's run to coincide with Moesha getting older. Either way it is a bonafide hit.

3. The Jeffersons

The Jeffersons debuted January 18th, 1975 almost fifty years later it's theme song is still beloved. "Well we're moving on up" is one everyone says when they come across a come up in life. I never knew this but Janet Du'bois of Good Times fame actually sang the theme song. She put her whole soul into the song as well, and it show's because Decades later it is woven into pop culture.

2. Living Single 

This theme song hit's on absolutely all cylinders, the beat, the dancer, and of course a rap by show star Queen Latifah. Living Single is just as beloved today as it was back in the 90's, besides the good material the theme song has a lot to do with why it's still a staple on streaming services and cable TV. Go to a 90's party and the DJ is likely to blend it into their set, the intro is just that damn good. 

1. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Come on, could anything else be number one? If someone randomly yell's out "In West Philadelphia Born and Raised", there is surely going to be someone if not everyone who chimes in and finishes the rest. This theme song actually gets performed at karaoke bars that's how popular it is. Rapped by none other The Fresh Prince himself Will Smith, the intro gives you a quick run down of the show's plot and with it's upbeat demeanor let's fans know out the gate the show is lighthearted and funny.

There's an extended version that was obviously cut for time, but every and now then during a rerun it's played and the song slaps even more as the kids say. 

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Chappelle Show At 20: 10 Funniest Skits

Just like that my friends it is the 20th anniversary of Chappelle Show. Debuting January 22, 2003 and running for only two full seasons and a mashed up third for a total of 28 episodes. The show had pop culture in a full press choke hold during it's run. 20 year's later it still has a hold on much of society. Especially those of us who were teenagers/young adults during the show's initial run.

I always found Dave Chappelle as a funny guy, but it wasn't until his 2000 HBO special Killin' Them Softly that I realized what a genius he is. The genius trait carried over into Chappelle Show leaving us with several memorable skits and characters. To Celebrate the man and the show, here are ten of the funniest skits during the show's run.

10. Kneehigh park

This skit aired on season 2 episode 10 of the show. It's a parody of Sesame Street, which Dave riffed on previously in his stand up special. Kneehigh Park is a rougher version of Sesame Street where the kids are introduced to life lessons such as the dangers of drugs, std's like herpes and crabs, and the cynical view of life and society the older you get (a very important life lesson). Stinky The Grump (Hilariously voiced Charlie Murphy) help's drive that point home when his famous "Fuck It" jingle. Kneehigh Park is not one I hear people reference much, but each segment is very funny and the overall skit is highly underrated. 

9. Tyrone Biggums

The World was introduced to Tyrone Biggums in the second episode of the first season. A functioning crackhead impervious to pain and willing to do whatever for his next hit. He would be a recurring character throughout the shows run. In his debut skit he talk's to a classroom about the dangers of smoking crack and......how to be a dealer. 

8. Making the Band 

In the early 2000's MTV's Making The Band starring Diddy (Then known as P. Diddy) was a sensation. It was such an sensation the rap group he put together Da' Band were actually considered hot. This sketch was genius, featuring actual four members of the band and Chappelle playing both P. Diddy and Dylan. 

The sketch riffed on Diddy's consistent threats to shut the studio down during the show, and his famous walk to Brooklyn for some Juniors cheesecake scene. Of course the sketch is most famous for the top 5 rappers of all time line...Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, and Dylan.

7. Piss On You

Aired during season 1 episode 10, Dave Chappelle sampled R. Kelly's "Feeling On Your Booty" single from a couple years earlier and used the sex tape scandal featuring R. Kelly pissing on women, to create comedy gold. If you don't find the two song's "Piss On You" and the "Piss On You" remix (which samples ignition remix) please please check your pulse. If some reason you have never seen either sketches here's Piss On You and the remix 

6. Wayne Brady Show 

Season 2 episode 12 in a bit of meta foreshadowing centered around Dave Chappelle unhappy with negotiations for the next season of the show, walking off. In his absence Wayne Brady was bought on to host the show. Along with a Fear Factor segment, the funniest skit was a Training Day inspired sketch featuring Wayne Brady and Dave Chappelle on the town. Dave as well as the audience were SHOOKED to see an aggressive, vengeful, murderous Wayne Brady. His most famous line "Is Wayne Brady going to have to choke a bitch?" is still quoted to this day.

5. Racial Draft

Oh boy this one is Gold!! and I don't think anyone else could have pulled it off. The Racial draft a spoof on the hoopla and hype surrounding the NFL draft. It features cameos by Mos Def, Angie Martinez and Rza. The purpose of the Racial Draft was to draft people into a race based on their perceived ethnicity. Describing it won't do it any justice just watch the skit.

4. Lil' Jon

In the early 2000's much like Making The Band was a sensation, Lil' Jon and the crunk era of Hip Hop and R&B was an juggernaut. Everytime you turned on the radio or BET and MTV (back when they played music videos) a Lil' Jon produced song was guaranteed to be in the rotation, in fact most times that's all that was in the rotation.

It was only right Chappelle made him a target with A Day In The Life of Lil' Jon.  It includes moments at the airport and the doc's office. The skit is even funnier when Chappelle as Lil' Jon has a phone conversation with the actual Lil' Jon. The skit is filled with a lot of "yeahhh's" and "Whattt".

3. Player Hater's Ball

There's Players and the Player's Ball and there's Hater's and The Player Hater's Ball. In The Chappelle show world, The Player Hater's Ball is a convention of verbal abusers or in better terms who can roast other's the harshest. Featuring cameos by Ice-T and Patrice O'Neal, the fact the haters dress up like pimps is even more hilarious. Check out the skit your stomach will hurt from laughing so hard.

2. Clayton Bigsby 

Audiences were introduced to Clayton Bigsby on the very first episode of Chappelle show, and that skit should have been a clue that we were in a ride of something different, thought provoking and hilarious. Clayton Bigsby is a blind white supremacist who just so happens to be Black. He is top 3 fictional Uncle Tom's behind Uncle Ruckus and Stephen (D'Jango Unchained). In real life there are a lot of Black people like this.

The skit is so hilarious because it's a Deadline style segment featuring his life story, his hatred of Black People, and how he is so revered in the white Supremacist community although no one has ever seen his face. Which leads to a hilarious end to the sketch.

1. Charlie Murphy True Hollywood story

Come on could anything else have been the best skit of the Chappelle show series? The skits featured Charlie Murphy (who was an excellent storyteller) recalling wild time's of the 80's he came across some celebrities hanging with his brother Eddie. The first of course is the story of the time Prince beat him and his friends in a game of pick-up basketball, but it's how they get to that point that's a riot.

The second more popular story is a night out on the town with Rick James (who was very good friends with Eddie). Rick was a wild boy in his day and this story further highlights it. The sketch further accentuates how wild Rick was, by having Rick James himself provide some commentary on the going-on's in the skit. The sketch is famous for two lines still uttered today, "Fuck yo' couch" and of course "I'm Rick James Bitch".

Chappelle Show was something special and it was hard narrowing down this list to only 10 skits. I missed some good ones (Samuel L. Jackson Beer), but that's the beauty of the show it was gold all the time. Researching for this blog, I was laughing my ass off at these skits like it was my first time watching them. Which proves how timeless the show was and why it's still loved today. 

Cheers to 20 Years Chappelle Show!

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1993 A Great Year For Action Films

 

Happy New Year Everyone! Since 2023 is now here, I was doing a bit of research to celebrate film anniversaries on my IG page (@storybyb). In doing so I realized 1993 was a hell of a year for the action genre in films. The list of films released that year in all qualities and budget levels is actually quite impressive. To make reading the article a bit easier, I've broken the films down into categories.

Put That Work In

Both Wesley Snipes and Jean-Claude Van Damme were at the top of their respective games in the 90's. 1993 was a good year for both, Wesley showed his acting chops a bit more and Van Damme showed off his martial arts prowess. Wesley starred in three films, one we'll cover later but he starred in Rising Sun with Sean Connery and Boiling Point against Dennis Hopper.

Van Damme not to be outdone used the momentum from '92's Universal Soldier and starred in Hard Target directed by John Woo. In addition he starred in Nowhere To Run alongside Patricia Arquette. These roles carried him into '94 for some of his more well known roles.

B-Movies  

B-Movie classic Sniper starring Tom Berenger and Billy Zane which has spawned a series of follow up films in the franchise. The film spawned 8 follow ups and the latest movie Sniper: Rogue Mission (now playing on Netflix) was actually very enjoyable.

Blown Away starring the two Corey's Corey Haim and Corey Feldman and Nicole Eggert. Corey Haim starts dating Nicole Eggert's character and gets entangled in a whole web of murder and deceit. 

A little known movie called Josuha Tree or One Man Army depending on the market etc. starring He-Man himself Dolph Lundgren. It has all the B-movie ingredients random action scenes, random nudity, and a plot that makes some sense but at times doesn't. For those of you who have never heard of it, here's the trailer.

Tae-Bo founder Billy Blanks when he was still trying to make a dent in the Hollywood scene starred in Showdown. Which is clearly a Karate Kid rip-off but actually may have been an inspiration for Never Back Down fifteen years later. Billy Blanks also starred in another B-movie that year alongside pro wrestling legend Roddy Piper, Back In Action.

Another martial arts film  Magic Kid this time starring Ted Jan Roberts of Masked Rider fame. He's a kid visiting LA with his sister and staying with their uncle. Their uncle is in some trouble with local gangsters, and he must be saved by his nephew who just wants to meet his hero while in town Don "The Dragon" Wilson. 

Action Thrillers

Judgment Night an underrated gem of a movie in my opinion. The film stars Emilio Estevez, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jeremy Piven, Stephen Dorff. The four friends take a wrong turn off the highway and come across a dangerous gang led by Denis Leary. They become the hunted on the run along a Chicago neighborhood.

The Pelican Brief  based on a book by John Grisham and starring Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts. Roberts is a law student on the run who needs assistance from Denzel Washington after she uncovers some information about the assassination of political figures.

Striking Distance Bruce Willis is a Pittsburgh cop on river patrol. Several recent young ladies are murdered all with connections to him. Along with his partner Sarah Jessica Parker they set out to find the killer and the connection.

In The Line Of Fire Another political action thriller, this one starring Clint Eastwood. Rene Russo, John Malkovich and Dylan McDermott. Eastwood is a secret service agent still haunted by his failure to protect President Kennedy from assassination 30 years earlier, now he's being taunted as the current president is the next target.

The Fugitive based on the 60's TV show, Tommy Lee Jones is a U.S. Marshall hot on the trail of Harrison Ford who has been accused of murdering his wife. While he's on the run, Ford is searching for the real killer. 

Falling Down starring Michael Douglas as a man who has a  real shitty downward spiral one day (which actually is a prime example of white male fragility gone wrong) released in February of that year. 

True Romance written by Quentin Taratino and directed by Tony Scott. The film stars Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette as two lovers on the run from damn near everybody after accidentally stealing some drugs. 

Personal Favorites

The Meteor Man starring Robert Townsend and a host of who's who in Black Hollywood in the early 90's. Next to another one of my favorites The Last Dragon, Meteor Man is one of the earliest memories I have of a Black superhero saving the neighborhood.  By the way Amazon still waiting on that Meteor Man cartoon. 

Another one of my personal favorites Only The Strong starring Mark Dacasos who should have been an bigger martial arts film star in my opinion. The movie is another clearly inspired Karate Kid film with some dash of Stand and Deliver. The movie introduced me to the Brazilian martial arts style capoeira and the infectious battle chant.

While on martial arts Oh boy, how could I forget Surf Ninjas? Starring Ernie Reyes Jr, Tone-Loc, Kelly Hu, Rob Schneider, and Leslie Nielsen. During this time I was at the height of my martial arts/ninja craze so this movie fit right in. Following two brothers and their motley crue of friends and allys on the run from some not so dangerous ninjas out to get them. It's silly, contains a lot of low brow and slapstick humor, and not the best of movies but damn it's a ride. 

Hell 1993 even bought us the often criticized, still decent but flawed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III.

Random's 

Overseas action films introduced us to Iron Monkey starring Donnie Yen who should have been crossed over and gained a bigger Hollywood status like Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The weaker of the trilogy primarily due to it's lighter tone but still enjoyable Robocop 3 was released. 

Best Of The Best II starring Phillip Rhee and Eric Roberts. Even Wayne Newton joins in the fun with a bit part. The film has a Vegas Gladiator tone to it, and while different from the first one is just as enjoyable. 

 One for the history books, the often scrutinized but a top tier bad but fun video game movie in Super Mario Bros. Which I also think was the first video game turned into a movie.

Posse starring and directed by Mario Van Pebbles, covers the story of Black cowboys during the western era. An often overlooked topic in Hollywood, still to this day. 

While we're on westerns, there's the  classic western starring Val Kilmer, Kurt Russell, and Bill Paxton Tombstone. Which revigorated the western genre.  

Heavy Hitters

When we talk heavy hitters of action movies in 1993. The cinema gods did us a huge favor that year for action films. Wesley Snipes was mentioned earlier as he was  all over the place in '93. He turned in a scene stealing run as villain Simon Phoenix against Sylvester Stallone in one of my absolute favorites Demolition Man. Stallone had us covered again that year with another action banger Cliffhanger. 

Then Stallone's old pal Arnold Schwarzenegger lit up the screen in what I think may have been one of the first forms of meta acknowledgments and jokes in a movie, the cult classic Last Action Hero. I absolutely love that movie, and consider it a classic. To this day if Demolition Man or Last Action Hero come on, I likely will stop what I'm doing and watch them.

Point of No Return starring Bridget Fonda and based on the 1990 film La Femme Nikkita. Fonda stars as a recovering addict given a second chance at life to become an assassin. After several successful missions she wants out, but that's as easy as it sounds. The film is famous for the legendary laundry chute explosion scene.

Jurassic Park One of the biggest and most technological advanced blockbusters ever graced screens that year. Directed by not only a legendary director but also a visionary in Steven Spielberg. It opened the door for Hollywood to see how CGI could help bring more stories to life. In fact Avatar has a lot to thank Jurassic Park for. It was the highest grossing movie of 1993, and 30 years later still one of the highest grossing films of all time.

There you have it, some of the masterpieces of 1993 Action films. It's an expansive and impressive list, and I'm sure I missed one or two. Either way if there are any on this list you may not have seen, do yourself a favor and check them out.

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