Trilogy Week #18 - Tribute to Blacksploitation

Even if you haven't seen any blacksploitation films, you're probably still familiar with Shaft, Dolemite, Superfly, The Mack, Foxy Brown, etc. Their identities are prevalent in the icons of pop culture. The stories of empowerment, and overcoming the struggles of black America. You might look at blacksploitation as so bad it's funny, but that's because a lot of these movies had no funding, and mainstream Hollywood didn't have faith in any of these films. They were made by the people, for the people, to get their stories told. Now these films do not hold up very well today, because of their heavy 70's influences, and low-budget film making. But that doesn't make them any less important in the history of American cinema. So here are three films made by three film makers showing their affection for the art of blacksploitation cinema.

Title: Jackie Brown

Year: 1997

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Cast: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Robert De Niro, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Chris Tucker

Rated: R

My Review: Maybe Quentin Tarantino's least popular films. But that might be because it's the least well known. Which is a shame because it is a well made film. It has everything in it that he love in a Tarantino film, cool dialogue, clever cinematography, great actors, and a awesome soundtrack. Now it can feel long, and slow paced at times, but I think that's because this is the first movie that Quentin Tarantino made that was based on a book, and not his own original script. So it doesn't quite have that Tarantino style. It's still worth a watch, and if you're a Tarantino fan, it's a must have for your collection. 7 out of 10

Title: Baadasssss!

Year: 2003

Director: Mario Van Peebles

Cast: Mario Van Peebles, Rainn Wilson, Terry Crews, David Alen Grier, Paul Rodriguez, Joy Bryant

Rated: R

My Review: This film is basically a love letter to Melvin Van Peebles, from his son Mario. About how his father struggled, went broke, and almost lost the vision in his left eye to get what is known as the first blacksploitaion film made. His father had such a drive, and passion to get Sweetback's Baadasssss Song made. He lost funding, lost actors, no one wanted to screen the film once it was made. But Melvin just kept trying. He said that this film was bigger than him, and nothing was more important that getting this film out to the people. Very compelling, and   interesting to see how the film industry ran in the early 70's. 8 out of 10 

Title: Black Dynamite

Year: 2009

Director: Scott Sanders

Cast: Michael Jai White, Byron Minns, Tommy Davidson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Phil Morris, Kevin Chapman

Rated: R

My Review: Now the best for last. This movie is hilarious! more of a tribute than of a spoof of blacksploitation cinema. This film is a homage to everything we love have blacksploitation, kung fu, and b-movie films. Everything from bad acting, funny fight scenes, boom mikes peaking into screen, and characters changing actors in mid-scene, and a ridiculous story plot. This movie has everything. I wish I would've known about this film when it was in theatres, this must be watched with a group of people. 10 out of 10