There are plenty of poignant, powerful movies like Menace II Society that share its authentic look at troubled youths, urban bloodshed, and what leads young people into a life of crime. Set in the Watts and Crenshaw neighborhoods of Los Angeles, Menace II Society revolves around Caine Lawson, played by Tyrin Turner, a young drug dealer whose criminal activity gets him kicked out of his grandparents’ house and chased by the cops. Menace II Society marked the feature-length directorial debut of the Hughes brothers, who were known at the time for helming music videos and quickly became renowned for their viscerally violent crime films.

Released in 1993, Menace II Society was a box office success and widely praised by critics, scoring 84% on Rotten Tomatoes. It received acclaim for its gritty style, its realistic depiction of inner-city violence, and the breathtaking performances by Turner and his co-star Jada Pinkett Smith. Menace II...