IMDb > Light It Up (1999)
Light It Up
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Light It Up (1999) More at IMDbPro »

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Light It Up (1999) -- A group of teens is bent on improving the run-down conditions of their high-school.
Light It Up (1999) -- hv post
Light It Up (1999) -- Virgin.net Movies - Trailer (WMP)

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Overview

User Rating:
5.4/10   2,139 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 10% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Craig Bolotin (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Light It Up on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 November 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
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
Awards:
5 nominations more
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)

User Comments:
opinions more (42 total)

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
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language and violent content.
Runtime:
99 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

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). more
Goofs:
Continuity: While the two students are sitting on the floor talking in the library, the books on the shelf change between shots. more
Quotes:
Officer Dante Jackson: Come here, son.
Lester Dewitt: Don't call me son. I'm not your son.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Light It Up more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
opinions, 30 November 2004
10/10
Author: mo0cow from USA

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.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Light It Up (1999)
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was usher grassmasters
Am I the only one who thinks the father deserved it? (spoilers) GimpyTheGreat
Without a doubt, the most terrible movie ever..... madferit1515
name of the song fitedwin
I was in this m ovie djkilo02
A bit unrealistic but definitely good movie! elavndrc
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