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Light It Up (1999)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Craig Bolotin (written by)
Release Date:
10 November 1999 (USA)
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Tagline:
they don't want to be heroes they just want to be heard.
Plot:
A group of teens is bent on improving the run-down conditions of their high-school. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
5 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
Rev Theory Fan Video Contest
(From ShockYa. 12 January 2009, 11:00 PM, PST)
Rev Theory Premieres New Video Light It Up
(From ShockYa. 18 December 2008, 11:55 PM, PST)
(From ShockYa. 12 January 2009, 11:00 PM, PST)
Rev Theory Premieres New Video Light It Up
(From ShockYa. 18 December 2008, 11:55 PM, PST)
User Comments:
opinions
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Usher Raymond | ... | Lester Dewitt |
 | Forest Whitaker | ... | Officer Dante Jackson |
 | Rosario Dawson | ... | Stephanie Williams |
| Robert Ri'chard | ... | Zacharias 'Ziggy' Malone |
 | Judd Nelson | ... | Ken Knowles |
| Fredro Starr | ... | Rodney J. Templeton |
 | Sara Gilbert | ... | Lynn Sabatini |
 | Clifton Collins Jr. | ... | Robert 'Rivers' Tremont |
 | Glynn Turman | ... | Principal Allan Armstrong |
| Vic Polizos | ... | Capt. Monroe |
 | Vanessa Williams | ... | Audrey McDonald (as Vanessa L. Williams) |
| Gaddiel Otero | ... | Arturo Orosco |
| Frank Dominelli | ... | Sgt. Tortino |
| Reggie Theus | ... | Intel. Officer #1 |
 | Jennifer Say Gan | ... | Intel. Officer #2 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for language and violent content.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
99 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:16 |
Finland:K-14 |
USA:R (certificate #36835) |
Germany:16 (bw) |
Spain:13 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:15 |
Argentina:13
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
This is the second time in a movie that Forest Whitaker asks another man to help him urinate. This also occurred in The Crying Game (1992).
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Goofs:
Continuity: While the two students are sitting on the floor talking in the library, the books on the shelf change between shots.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Boondocks: Tom, Sarah and Usher (#2.2)" (2007)
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Soundtrack:
Light It Up
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (42 total)
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Everyone seems to be putting this film down, but I honestly cannot get enough of it. Not only does this film have a strong message behind it, but it also strips away every defense that people can possibly have for inner-city life (some city areas, not all), and shows the unbearably real lives of teenagers today. The characters are real. Usher Raymond (Lester) gives a believable performance of a young adult, simply doing whatever it takes for Ziggy (Robert Ri'chard), a perfectly portrayed teen, escaping from his father and himself through his talents. Forest Whitaker (Officer Dante Jackson) seems to have captured the confusing officer, who was only out for himself at first. Sara Gilbert (Lynn) is without a doubt perfect in her role as an outcast teen who only wants to be wanted, and silently begs for understanding. Stephanie and Rivers (Rosio Dawson and Clifton Collins, Jr.) are well played and well rounded characters. Stephanie, counting the days until graduation and Rivers, who's motto is "the rules are meant to be broken". The only character flaw in my opinion was Rodney (Fredro Starr), a painful stereotype. As the movie goes on and the plot becomes more intense, we are slowly exposed to the raw lives of the teens. Ziggy (Ri'chard) is severely abused by his father and has taken refuge in the attic of the school. Lynn (Gilbert) only wanted a kiss from the jerk who got her pregnant. He never kissed her or talked to her after. Lester (Raymond) witnessed police officers shoot his innocent father to death. And Officer Jackson (Whitaker) lost his wife and son. The messages in this movie are clear. Stand up for what you believe in. Give everyone a fighting chance despite their age or race. The darkest people have the darkest secrets. These are messages our country desperately needs to hear, especially now.