Light It Up (1999)

A group of teens is bent on improving the run-down conditions of their high-school.

Director:

Craig Bolotin

Writer:

Craig Bolotin

Stars:

Usher Raymond, Forest Whitaker, Rosario Dawson

5 nominations.

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

Storyline

On a winter day in a southside Queens high school, events collide and six students are suddenly in an armed standoff with the NYPD. At the school, classrooms freeze, teachers come and go, resources are scant. When a popular teacher is suspended, a few students protest. Jackson, a new security guard, gets tough. In a scuffle, Jackson's wounded with his own gun and a student takes him hostage. A few kids join in, for various reasons. An ineffective policewoman tries to mediate as the police plan an assault, the kids demand improvements to the school, the media pick up the story, and Jackson turns sympathetic. But are too many forces in motion for the students to stay in control?

---

Plot Keywords:

police | die hard scenario | hostage negotiator | police brutality | black cop | 

---

Taglines:

they don't want to be heroes they just want to be heard.

---

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and violent content

Details

Official Sites:

Official Light It Up site Soundtrack site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Generación perdida

Filming Locations:

Calumet Career Prep Academy High School - 8131 S. May Street, Auburn Gresham, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,408,613, 14 November 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$5,871,603, 16 January 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edmonds Entertainment Group (EEG), Fox 2000 Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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).

---

Goofs

During and after the scene when Knowles calls Lester from the pay phone it is snowing outside. However, between the call ending and Lester taking the guard to the roof, there is a cutaway shot of a helicopter and two snipers and there is no sign of any snow.

---

Quotes

Officer Dante Jackson: Come here, son.
Lester Dewitt: Don't call me son. I'm not your son.

---

Connections

References South Park (1997)

---

Soundtracks

If Only in Heaven's Eyes
Written by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds (as "Babyface")
Performed by *NSYNC (as 'N Sync)
'N Sync appears by arrangement of BMG-Ariola Muenchen GmbH, RCA Records, TransContinental Records,
Inc. and Zeeks, Inc.

User Reviews

Great movie

Granted, this movie isn't particularly true-to-life, but that doesn't make it any less interesting. This is a surprisingly good movie with some superb performances. My conscience wouldn't let me sleep if I didn't take time out to mention that Usher gives a fantastic performance, restoring hope in a world where musicians try hard to be actors and fall miserably short of the mark. This movie is well worth your time; go see it.