South Central (1992)

The emotional, hard-hitting tale of a former L.A. gang member who returns to his neighborhood from prison resolved to steer his young son away from street-gang life, SOUTH CENTRAL is a no nonsense drama from director Steve Anderson. Deuce gang member Bobby Johnson has just been released from prison. He returns to his old neighborhood to find a few surprises: First, Bobby learns he has a son, Jimmie. But Carole, Jimmie's mother, is now a drug addict and the lover of fellow gang member Ray Ray. To make matters worse, the local pusher-pimp, Genie Lamp, hires a thug to force Bobby to take heroin. Vengeful, Bobby kills Genie and is sent to prison, this time for 10 years.

While serving his sentence, Bobby transforms himself from die-hard delinquent to righteous radical only to discover that his Jimmie -- now also involved with the Deuces -- was shot while robbing a car. Hopefully, Bobby will make it out of prison in time to be a real father to his son.