Reviews

One of Singleton's best works, Baby Boy is surprising in that...it's a comedy! While the film is a coming-of-age story, the situations Jody finds himself in are easily(and unexpectedly) remedied. While some subject matter is indeed of a serious nature, the ultimate work is a comedy wrapped in dramatic fashion. The characters, while apparently ignorant, are actually multidimensional and make the movie worth watching. Singleton plays with urban stereotypes, and delivers a nice piece on maturity and responsibility. As its name implies, it is the antithesis of Boyz N The Hood, and as a stand-alone effort, is just another story about growing up in L.A. Please do not misread me. The movie is not a laugh-fest, and it was not designed to be. However, it crosses that subtle gray line in the manner of other movies, notably Wild At Heart and The Long Goodbye. On paper and print, they are dramatic. But when you take a second look, you appreciate the comedy of errors, played out for all its glory. Baby Boy is like an urban Wizard of Oz; the characters grow, and people get what they deserve in the end. I made the mistake of overlooking the film myself, and I am glad I finally saw it.

While it has been more than ten years since I have seen That's The Way of The World, I can say that anyone who sees the picture will appreciate it, and its view of the music industry. Harvey Keitel plays a record executive who appreciates the talent of a band played by Earth Wind and Fire. However, the record company is forcing him to promote a white popular act(based primarily on The Carpenters). While Keitel's character stays true to his heart, the overall message of the movie is that popular culture, expressed by music and images, maintains a discriminatory profile of American culture. If you see this movie, realize that it was made before disco became truly popular in the USA.

Another point to mention is that the movie deserves a look, but suffered because it was hard to market. Yes, unfortunately in 1975, American society was still segregated. Black music was marketed to blacks only, while popular music was either rock/heavy metal or melody music. Because white audiences were not as familiar with EWF, they did not care that they were in the picture. On the other hand, this was at the climax of the blaxploitation era, and the soundtrack and appearance of EWF were hyped to black audiences. However, when people saw the film and realized that the group only make brief appearances, they turned away.

My point is that because of the racial attitudes of American culture in 1975, the movie was not appreciated as it should have been. So when you watch it, please do so with an open mind. One of the more refreshing things about it is that it is a drama with more substance than style, and easy to get into without always being reminded that you're watching something from the 1970s.

Charles Stepney, who was involved in the making of the motion picture, was a close associate of Maurice White. He was involved in EWF's music leading into this project.

Don't sleep on this one. This is one of those thrillers that might not be a blip on the radar screen, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth a watch. A solid production, the story involves a journalist who has a shady past, and his encounter with a woman on the run, who is not who she claims to be. A key plot piece is that Ms. Ticotin's character, who appears to be Latin American, is actually Palestinian, and on the run from assassins. Fred Ward, Ms. Ticotin, and Penelope Ann Miller give great performances in their respective roles. I never thought Ms. Miller could play such an evil woman. Catch this film when you can on cable, it is worth the watch.

As I mention above, this film falls in line with the precostume stories, the main one being Gladiator, the book which inspired Siegel and Shuster to create Superman. I hope not to give too much away, but the villain of the film is very much the mastermind of Lex Luthor, Dr. Sivana, and most importantly, the original Ultra-Humanite. The hero of the film is based on several DC characters, among them:

*Superman, quite naturally, as his physical prowess stands above all others *Green Lantern, the original one, who was the sole survivor of a train wreck, and who was based in another East Coast city before moving to Gotham City(as the hero of Unbreakable is attempting to find a job in New York City) *The look of the "costumed hero" resembles the appearance of The Spectre, whose facial features are hidden under a green hood and cloak. Much like the Spectre, Mr. Unbreakable is an astral avenger of sorts, saving people and exacting just vengeance *The very mention of New York City, which is home to so many of the most famous superheroes, and serves as inspiration to Metropolis, Gotham City, Empire City, and so many other doppelgangers of The Big Apple, as cities themselves are living entities of sorts

I really enjoyed this movie, and I will suggest that anyone who likes comics will be presently surprised. As for others who have not and do not read comics, please watch the movie with an open mind, and enjoy it for what it is worth.

Directed by William Witney and written by George Armitage, Darktown Strutters is quite simply, the forerunner to I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA! It is slapstick comedy that was seen on a bigger budget in BLAZING SADDLES, but because of the storyline it was quite ahead of its time. The Darktown Strutters, a group of female bikers, come into Watts, where Syreena(fearless leader of the quartet) is looking for her mother. In the middle of it all, a racist, fast food magnate is plotting to manipulate the Black community for his own intentions. Highly stylized, and fast-paced, what makes Darktown Strutters so silly is its contemporary take on urban America and racism. Modern issues such as abortion, fast food chains, cloning, police brutality, and racism are interwoven quite effectively. The villain of the piece, one Colonel Louisville Cross, made his millions as owner of the Sky Hog fast food chain: where the pork ribs are bonesuckin' good! It is a very amusing spin on the benevolent image of the dearly departed Colonel Sanders(of KFC fame), who walked the earth when this film was released. It's also funny how they avoided copyright infringement by replacing fried chicken with pork: the other white meat. It's also funny to see Syreena's contempt for the Colonel the minute she sees him. It's easy to see why the movie is overlooked. During that period, I really don't think Black Americans were in the mood for such comedies, especially when the Blaxploitation era was full of hardcore action flicks. I think too many viewers on the IMDB, who have seen this, just don't get some of the jokes. If you were around during that time, and/or if you are of African American descent, you will get a lot of the comedy on display. To compare this to Car Wash makes no sense. And it is not as weird as people make it out to be. As I said earlier, it was simply ahead of its time.

The Man From Atlantis was a decent show for the 1970s. And as I allude to in the summary, it is curiously similar to The Sub-Mariner. I really don't know if Marvel Comics had anything to do with this, but the project just smells of the half-hearted, live action tv takes of Marvel heroes televised during the time. Like Spider-Man, The Hulk, and Captain America movies, when you see the Man From Atlantis, you will think it is a more romantic, benevolent version of Prince Namor. The initial pilot was good, and the series could have been better. It failed because there were no challenging super villains for Mark to fight. In my opinion, if you are going to do a television series about a merman, go the superhero route, complete with colorful monsters and villains, or don't try it at all.

This is one of the funniest film's of Disney's live action library. Taking another spin on the tale of Tarzan, The World's Greatest Athlete is the story of how college coach Sam Archer, tired of losing, tries to get away from it all by taking a trip to Africa. While there, he encounters Nanu, a superhuman by any standards measured!!! Seeing a gold mine and wins with Nanu as his athlete on campus, Coach Archer lures him to their university, where Nanu indeed excels in sports, but also feels homesick. Good jokes and tasteful humor make this a must-see. Jon Amos and Tim Conway are great as the bumbling coaches, and Jan-Michael Vincent shows that he could act wonderfully within a comedic setting. Also, this is one of the movies that displays Vincent's prowess, and makes people wonder what could have been. While younger viewers may not know of Vincent, or wonder why anyone cares about a "second rate actor", there was a time when many movie fans felt that Vincent could have been a major box office draw. While Nanu ultimately proves that he is a champion, Vincent will always make people ponder if he could have been a real Hollywood contender.

It is an innovative effort, and serves as a snapshot of the times. Shaft, written by Ernest Tidyman, stands as one of the best modern detective dramas. Written and filmed at a time of extreme social unrest throughout the U.S.; the movie shows how Jon Shaft uses his private detective status and ethnicity to retrieve the kidnapped daughter of a notorious Harlem kingpin. While the plot pieces of black militants, and a potential race war in New York City, may not be as relevant in 2001 as they were in 1971, the cast and crew do a good job to convey the importance of Shaft's mission. Shaft, indeed, is one cool cat. Not only is he a ladies' man, but he's also a man about town. He knows every iota of New York City, and uses his detective skills to the fullest. Ducking the city police, and handling his business with the crooks, Shaft plays it cool to the very end. Many people like to bundle the blaxploitation pictures into a neat little package; one to laugh at and check out the music score. Shaft proves there was more meaning to these films, and ends up as a classic display of substance with style.

Pitch Black, as an action movie, is one of the best. As a part of the scifi/horror subgenre, it is tops. Coming in twenty years after Alien, Pitch Black liberally borrows from that classic, and offers viewers a solid motion picture. If you are a fan of either action movies or scifi/horror flicks, you will be entertained. Personally, I believe this movie suffered from poor marketing. Had the studio marketed the film as a Vin Diesel vehicle, and steered away from any blatant allusions to Alien, the movie would have provided a better box office take, and it would have received the attention it deserves. Ironically, like Alien, it will be legendary for its popularity on cable networks and video. Hopefully, with the popularity received from The Fast and The Furious, viewers will want to see another film starring Vin Diesel, and this is the one to see!!!!!

Wild and wonderful is a good way to describe Boogie Nights. A fictionalized account of the porn film industry(and a few other events/people) of the 1970s, Boogie Nights is written so well, that it transcends the facade of sexual decadence, and illustrates a coming-of-age tale of a young man's rise, fall, and rebound. The film also portrays that, while human beings will always be judgemental, kindness and honesty, so long as they are held true to heart, can lead us to victory in the end. Anyone who has traveled the less-beaten path, will find something stirring in this film.

This has to be one of the funniest films ever made. Like so many viewers, I first saw this on HBO, back in 1982. As a kid, few films made me laugh so hard, and so loudly. To this day, Super Fuzz remains as one of the most comedic films around. If you have never seen the movie, please do. You will be pleasantly surprised. The story, about a street cop who literally becomes a super hero, is one I wish other filmmakers would pick up on. I do believe that if this film were marketed more successfully, it could have spawned a tv series. This is material too good to lay on.

Foxy Brown is one of the most graphically violent urban action films around. Jack Hill delivers a solid story to compliment pulp-style action sequences. Peter Brown and Kathryn Loder are remarkable as the villainous couple, whose passion for oneanother contrasts the hateful crimes they commit. Pam Grier is marvelous as Foxy Brown, both visually and emotionally. Foxy Brown, like Grier's previous character Coffy, is a strong-willed and able woman, who wants justice in her community, and personal life. The film's content, while slightly dated, is still timely enough to resonate with some viewers. Finally, I would like to address some rather ignorant critics of this film: yes, the villains are white. THIS IS A BLAXPLOITATION FILM!!!! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT????!!!!! While it is not easily stated, Foxy Brown and so many of the blaxploitation movies were originally produced so that Hollywood could capitalize on the vibe of the black community. These films were created, marketed, and displayed to an audience that was often belittled and ignored during the decades leading up to the 1970s. They are action flicks that pull on the heart strings of some, while others get a cool chuckle watching them. Trust me, whenever a bigot ruins my day, it is always nice to watch Foxy Brown bring whitey down!!! Power to the People!!!! And as the immortal Bob Ross always said, "God bless."

One of the best crime dramas of its period, Superfly is a great, powerful film. As much as I am against illegal drugs, I really felt sympathetic for Priest, a man who wants out of a life which leads to certain death. Many viewers miss the message of Superfly. Yes, he is cool, yes he has his women. But, Priest also knows he is not invincible, and he knows that he has no true control over his life, while being a drug dealer. Too many people get caught up in the soundtrack and the fashion; but if you concentrate on the story, it is just short of an antidrug message.

Menace II Society is one of the most degrading pieces of propaganda, as it portrays an over-the-top story which passes for "ghetto life". Thug life is more like it. The story is lousy, and if the Hughes Brothers were white, this would rank right up there with Birth of A Nation.

I found no sympathy in the main character, Caine. He is more like the jerks we see in Goodfellas, Casino, and that Great American Epic, The Godfather. Yes, this film belongs in that genre; it just has a black face. I was offended at the time, when the studio tried to market this movie with Boyz in the Hood. The two movies are completely different. Just because it deals with African Americans, it doesn't make the two films similar. And what is up with the "ghetto films"? I haven't heard such racist remarks in a while. So many complained about blaxploitation films, years before. Menace II Society, however, is the real offensive stereotype. To say that one film is the "real deal" for poor African Americans is a sham, and this movie has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

This movie is for people who enjoy violent movies, or just want to make fun of others.

Sharky's Machine is easily one of Burt Reynolds best efforts. It also stands as one of the best contemporary crime dramas. Erotic and violent, the movie distinguishes itself by setting the story in Atlanta, and delivering a chaotic detective case, to you(the viewer), on a silver platter. Dedicated and determined, Sharky must stop the murder of Dominoe, a lovely lady of the night, who's clientel is anything but ordinary. Before long, Sharky's crimefighting Machine uncovers a conspiracy of the highest order, which threatens to corrupt the inner body of Atlanta. As a resident of Metro Atlanta, I recall the excitement in town during the movie's production. Sharky's Machine goes to great lengths to give an accurate portrayal of Atlanta. Twenty years removed and 2,000,000-more people later, the film stands the test of time. Trust me, Atlanta has not changed. One of the highlights of the picture is Dar Robinson's daring stunt(a classic, symbolic ending). It was even featured on That's Incredible, ABC's reality show of the period. It's just too bad that Hollywood does not make enough films like this one. Kick back, each your popcorn, and watch sterling silver cinema action.

This was one of the most violent, nonhorror films that I can recall from the 1970s. Beyond the blaxploitation label, Foxy Brown is a solid adventure film, that remains timely to this day. Kudos to Jack Hill, who worked up another treasure with the lovely Ms. Grier. Peter Brown and Kathryn Loder truly deliver unforgettable performances as depraved, sadistic villains, who love each other, but care little for anyone else. The love their characters share is a contrast to the evil that Mr. Elias and Ms. Wall do. As a note, I try to keep things in perspective, and stick to reviewing each film that I write about. But to whoever chooses to read this particular comment, please keep something in mind about the blaxploitation films:

1. They are action films, for the most part, beyond race. 2. These movies were made to play up the social issues of the time, and even today; so yes, most of the villains were white--deal with it!! 3. Because the blaxploitation films were produced in Hollywood, you should take note that the strong, physical prowess exhibited by the heroes and heroines of the films eventually find their way into the mainstream, as the Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Commando, and Cobra movies of the 1980s and 1990s utilize the same, over-the-top action in urban settings. These films, with white leads, are more inline with the blaxploitation formula, than Dirty Harry and Death Wish pics; the Eastwood and Bronson characters mainly used their guns, and rarely duked it out with any villains.

So maybe I am rambling, but my point is this: enjoy each film for what it's worth. And keep in mind, the target audience for blaxploitation movies was ignored by studios during the decades before the 1970s. If you are white, and like blaxploitation, or of any race and think of these movies as cliched slices of the 1970s, please open your minds and keep a proper perspective of the times.

I hate to say it, but when I saw the film back in the early 1990s, I knew it was special. Seeing the promos at the time, and finally the film itself, you could see that the movie would spawn a franchise. For those of you who enjoy the series, this is the blueprint. On its own merits, the motion picture is satisfying in that it provides humor and action in a blend that was cutting edge for its time. It is funnier than Fright Night, and Buffy and her buddies predate the comedy Clueless. Yes, it was a comedic spin on vampire movies of the time, and it's one to die for.

This is an English-language import from Japan. What makes Dynaman so special is that it is one of the many Super Sentai series, featuring a team of five heroes, who combine their vehicles to form a titanic mecha-hero. That's right, this is a Power Rangers show!!!!!!! Airing in America as part of Night Flight(that lovable show that used to come on the USA Network), Dynaman is an unedited version. Dating back to the early 1970s, the Sentai shows were revamped each season, featuring a different team, with different vehicles and bots. Much like Ultraman and Kamen Rider, the Sentai/Rangers maintained huge popularity over the years. Dynaman just happened to be the latest show of the time. I wish Saban Entertainment would utilize this formula, instead of "Americanizing" each Ranger season.

Dynaman is a fun show, and Power Rangers fans should seek out copies of Dynaman.

Many critics on this site have compared this film with JFK. However, this is more of a prequel, as it details an assassination plot. In my opinion, Oliver Stone saw this, then ran to do a sequel. JFK details events following the assassination. If you watch this film, then JFK back-to-back, you will get the idea. Both movies have effective stories, and leave the viewer with a chilling sensation. If you investigate the matter independently, you will find the facts more bizarre than these films allude to. Executive Action is a well-thought, intense drama, depicting the probable steps of conspirators. Watch it, then research it for yourself.

This is one solid action flick. The Exterminator is a worthy film of its genre. However, the best story behind the picture is its inspiration: Mack Bolan, The Executioner. More than the Death Wish movies, the Exterminator lives up to the Bolan heritage. It also beats the worst of the Bolan clones, Marvel's travesty of a movie, The Punisher!!!

As an overlooked movie when originally released, this is one of the better films to watch on video. It is also one of the films that gave HBO and the other movie networks great material to televise. Coast to Coast is a fun, timeless tale of two people out of their elements, bonding, and making the most of situations in the lighthearted, Hollywood manner everyone wishes could carryover in real life. This is a fancy feature to view along with Silver Streak and Mother, Jugs, and Speed. While it never reaches the violence displayed in those two pictures, Coast to Coast is a great flick to watch at home, on a date, or whenever you want to look at a film from the 1970s era.

Not only does Action Man provide great tv. The show effectively recreates the legend of a classic hero. I find so fascinating how the show integrates the characters and sets of the toy line, but in a very subtle way, by mildly interweaving these items in a creative manner into the story. Action Man is fun, and for those who want to compare this series to Max Steel, here's the difference: Action Man's animation is more colorful and fluid, while Max Steel's animation is less fluid, but the characters on Max Steel are drawn with more lifelike textures. I really hope production of Action Man continues, as this is one of the best of the new cartoons to debut since Batman: The Animated Series.

Just as I love Action Man, Max Steel is equally impressive. Both shows have made me fans of the toy lines. The stories are fun, but as is the case with cutting edge technology, kids and adults alike will be attracted to the animation. This is the same computer generated imaging used for movies like Toy Story and Antz, but with human beings and more dramatic adventure. On regular tv, no less!!!! Just like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, and Superman and Captain Marvel, the similarities between Max Steel and Action Man are so obvious, that I wonder why no lawsuits have been filed. Anyhoo, this show( and Action Man) inspires me to learn more about computers and mathematics; why, I don't know...

Superman III is a great movie because it touches on so much of Superman's comic book history. As many fans know, comedy plays a big part in the Superman comics. Villains such as Mr. Mxyzptlk, The Toyman, and The Prankster gained fame in the 1940s as they were the only characters to humiliate The Man of Steel. Gus Gorman is a foe of like character, although a more benevolent being. Nearly 20 years removed from the film's release, it is easier for the general audience to understand computers, and henceforth makes Superman III a movie ahead of its time. What is more ironic is that the villainy of Ross Webster, the evil billionaire businessman, predated the current interpretation of Lex Luthor, who at the time was an evil genius. Ross's sister, and Lorelei Ambrosia are also two great villains, who represent overblown characterizations of the wicked sister and the golddigging girlfriend.

Any Given Sunday was way too dramatic, and one of Oliver Stone's least impressive efforts. Lost in all the drama was the love of the game that each participant has. The wanting to win, and the admiration that follows with winning, were not thoroughly conveyed in this film. It was a revisit of North Dallas Forty, the Oliver Stone way. The movie is not bad, but I feel that the subject matter was lost in the interpretation of pro football.