Media Monday.

For this Media Monday, I want to cast a spot light in "Posse". A great western that just happens to have a mostly black cast.

"Posse" was released on May 14, 1993. It was both directed and starring Mario Van Peebles. The film is a love letter to the many unknown and forgotten black cowboys.

The movie, which is told in flashback, is a simple story. It begins during the Spanish American War. We are quickly introduced to our hero Jesse Lee played by Mario Van Peebles and our antaganist Colonel Graham played by Billy Zane. Colonel Graham is using Jesse and his fellow black as canon fodder. The racist and violent Colonel Graham sets Jesse and his men up to be slaughtered. This does not go well. The rest of the movie is about Jesse and his posse being on the run. All the while Jesse is out for revenge.

The reason I love this movie has very little to do with the story. Now don't get me wrong while the story is a stock one it is done well. However, where this movie shines is in the characters. Big Daddy Kane as Father Time, Stephen Baldwin as Little J, Charles Lane as Weezie, Tone Loc as Angel, and especially Billy Zane are all amazingly fun to watch. When you add Reginald VelJohnson, Blair Underwood, Isaac Hayes, Melvin Van Peebles, Nipsey Russel, Aaron Neville, and Pam Grier in supporting roles you have a movie full of talent.

There is very little to dislike about "Posse". While it may not rank alongside movies like "Tombstone", "The Magnificent Seven", or "El Dorado" it is still a very fun movie. One I highly recommend.

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Below is the opening of the film give it a shot.