Films & Music Videos

Common's Testify music video from his Be album was inspired by Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects. I caught common on Current TV proclaiming The Usual Suspects as his fifth favorite movie of all time. 

The Usual Suspects is a neo-film noir telling the story of small-time con man (Kevin Spacey) who's been caught. He tells his story to the police about Keyser Söze, their ring leader and all around International baddie. In the end, as he's leaving the station, the detective realizes that he's been duped, that Kevin Spacey is Keyser Söze and he's already gotten away. "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." The screenwriter and Kevin Spacey both won Oscars and The Usual Suspects is constantly listed as one of the greatest films of all time. 

Common's Testify video likewise tells the story of a woman's testimony that turns out to be false. It features Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson and was nominated for Video of the Year at the 2006 B.E.T. Hip-Hop Awards.