Saltzman Sees...Boyz N The Hood (1991)

Boyz N The Hood  is John Singleton's portrayal of social problems in inner-city Los Angeles takes the form of a tale of three friends growing up together 'in the 'hood.' Half-brothers Doughboy and Ricky Baker are foils for each other's personality, presenting very different approaches to the tough lives they face. Ricky is the 'All-American' athlete, looking to win a football scholarship to USC and seeks salvation through sports, while 'Dough' succumbs to the violence, alcohol, and crime surrounding him in his environment, but maintains a strong sense of pride and code of honor. Between these two is their friend Tre, who is lucky to have a father, 'Furious' Styles, to teach him to have the strength of character to do what is right and to always take responsibility for his actions.

Singleton was my Best Director of 1991.

Saltzman Sees...The Tuskegee Airmen (1995)

The Tuskegee Airmen is the true story of how a group of African American pilots overcame racist opposition to become one of the finest US fighter groups in World War II.  A special project is begun by the US Army Air Corps to integrate African American pilots into the Fighter Pilot Program. Known as the "Tuskegee Airman" for the name of the airbase at which they were trained, these men were forced to constantly endure harassement, prejudice, and much behind the scenes politics until at last they were able to prove themselves in combat.

Laurence Fishburne, Allen Payne and Cuba Gooding Jr. star in this movie about racism, perseverance, and courage.

Saltzman Sees...Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Akeelah and the Bee is one of the most enjoyable movies of the year.  Keke Palmer plays a brilliant young girl who is embarrassed by her school and where she lives.  By taking on the challenge of representing her school in a spelling bee, she tries to find a way out of her environment.  Laurence Fishburne is tremendous as 'Akeelah's' mentor and coach.  Angela Bassett plays the pessimistic mother who has already dealt with many hardships and doesn't need any more.

The movie is a 'Stand up and Cheer' type of picture and is a great family movie because it teaches us that you are never too old to learn or too young to teach.  The most important thing you can do is to be open minded to others and willing to lend your support to them.

It is the Best Family Picture of 2006.

Saltzman Sees...Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)

One of the most surprising movies of the year, Searching for Bobby Fischer is one of the sweetest movies.  Joan Allen and Laurence Fishburne are fabulous, and Sir Ben Kingsley is brilliant as always.  Max Pomeranc and Joe Mantegna play a son and father who play an innocent game of chess that turns into an obsession.

The movie continues to get more and more heartfelt as it goes and ends with one of the most touching endings to a movie since Casablanca.

It is the Best Family Picture of 1993.

Note: DO NOT WATCH CLIP unless you've seen the movie.  This is the beautiful ending.