Amazon.com

The A&E Biography of Nelson Mandela tells, in clear, complete, and exciting detail, the story of the man who dedicated his life to the struggle to end the domination of the black race by the whites in South Africa. Through interviews with colleagues and scholars and wonderful historical footage, we learn both about Mandela's amazing life story and the sweeping transformation that his nation has undergone.

The son of a tribal chief, Mandela was groomed for leadership in the countryside, far from urban racial tensions.When he ran away to Johannesburg as a young man, he was shocked by the violent inhumanity of apartheid, the government-enforced policy of racism.He soon became involved with the African National Congress (ANC), which was working to overturn this unjust and oppressive system.In response to their campaign of civil disobedience and sabotage, he and other ANC leaders were arrested, tried and sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island, South Africa's Alcatraz.

Against all odds, Mandela continued to fight apartheid from inside one of the world's harshest prisons, himself becoming a universal symbol of freedom.His release, after nearly three decades, electrified both his country and the world. At age 75, he was elected president in a landslide victory.It was Mandela's iron will and unshakable belief in the inevitability of his cause that made it possible for a man once imprisoned as a dangerous traitor to lead a nation. --Laura Mirsky ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Greatest Freedom Fighter of all Time!!
Nelson Mandela is probably known as one of the greatest freedom fighters of all time as wonderfully told and illustrated on this A&E Biography.It's a must see!!Nelson,we all love you!! ... Read more

Description

A kung-fu expert battles the Mafia to save his karate studio from mob redevelopment in Watts area of L.A. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Man, I'm from New Orleans,Don't ... Me!
Let me add me 2 cents. BB Jones was one of the best blaxploitation flicks ever made.Ted Landge "JR" from {That's My Momma}and(Love Boat}has a cameo appearance.Scatman Crothers played his part well & so did Gloria Hendry. Pinky added some comedy to the flick and so did Big Tuna...especialy at the end when Kelly removed the toupe from his head.I saw a couple of bad reveiws here, just keep in mind that this movie was made in the 70's.All this technical stuff of today's films has a lot of people spoiled. take a look back when times were better and easier. I highly recommend.Also,Check out "Black Samurai" & "Tattoo Connection"...Both by Jim Kelly.

Jim Kelly Sets the Stage for His Masterpiece "Hot Potato"
If you don't believe that Jim Kelly is a master actor, you will after seeing "Black Belt Jones". He manages to pull off the cheesiest movie ever made in two different genres: kung-fu and blaxploitation. This film is truly an artifact of the '70s (check out that theme music!) and is much more deserving of being revived in the '90s than disco. A real gem--where else can you see a respected government agent who is also a master of karate fight drug dealers and the Mafia--wearing a leisure suit? My favourite part was when the evil gang leader and drug dealer (aren't all villians in early-'70s action movies evil drug lords or gang leaders?) is crushed in a garbage compressor--but still manages to scream his defiance AFTER the fact. A masterpiece.

Supreme!!!
Hands down, the greatest American martial arts film of all-time. It is a film that has fun with itself. It's not serious at all. I loved this flick growing up and I still love it today. I can't wait for this one to find it's way onto DVD. And when it does, 'I'm goin' to McDonald's to celebrate'.

Wesley! I'm gonna smack the black off you!
BBJ is the best. Hands down. You can not be a martial arts fan and not LOVE this movie. Not only does it have Mr. Jim Kelly doing his work "every three seconds," but he's gonna "kick" some "g@#d@#n a$$" Poppa Byrd is "just lonely," because "what hoes you see me chasin, woman?" Just make sure you don't ask Sydney to clean any dishes because, "They're done." Charlene and Mary make phenomenal performances, only to be overshadowed by Pickles. I just wish I could "conclude a business meetin'" like Poppa Byrd does. When you watch this movie, make sure you're eatin your Granny Goose Potato Chips. When Toppy lets "the dogs loose," you'd better stand back... "Choose money or my honey?" Enough Said. Buy this movie. NOW. You need it. Jim Kelly for life!

Where is the DVD?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?
This is an outrage that the superb blacksploitation classic is not out on DVD yet. This movie is amazing. Highly recommend. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This wants desperately to be an Airplane-like parody of inner-city African American gangsta movies. Instead, it offers us more turkey than we would find at any Thanksgiving spread. Unfunny, stereotypical, stupid, and crass, it was cowritten by Marlon and Shawn Wayans, both of whom should have known better. The two fare better as actors than writers, as they are almost amusing as hardened, dimwitted homeboys. As Ashtray, Shawn returns to his 'hood and hooks up with his best buddy (Marlon) before the two embark on a series of oh-so-wacky adventures. Siblings Keenen Ivory, Kim, and Craig Wayans also make appearances. If you really want a laugh, watch Booty Call. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (118)

One of the best comedies EVER!
Never did a movie make me laugh so hard as this did, but first of all you need to know about the black lifestyle in the ghetto which is common sense to most. If you don't like gang movies though I wouldn't suggest watching this, but I could be wrong. A brother named Ashtray learns is learning how to live in the hood from homeboys, he meets a black beauty, Dashikee, I don't know how to spell that but close enough. He wants to move out of the ghetto with her and start a new life, a new child but alot of things get in his way, mostly Toothpicks gang. There are so many funny parts in this film, I'd say the funniest are when Toothpick was at the party and was talking about being in the shower with men, the MC Hammer dream, the convient store incident and in the movies begining when the two guys get shot. I demand that you watch this film, but as I said only if your into this type of thing. Great movie! If you've seen Baby Boy then you might see some similarities.

FUNNIEST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN
This is absolutly hillarious! The Wayans bros have hit the jackpot with this movie. It's a spoof of earlier hood' movies such as menace 2 society and boyz in the hood. Marlon and Shawn Wayans play Loc Dog and Ash Trey, two homeys growing up in South Central Los Angeles. They get into all kinds of hillarious situations such as a run in with toothpicks gang where Loc dog and toothpick keep pulling bigger weapons on each other. This movie is funny from start to finish. I have watched it with friends many times and it never fails to crack me up. Anybody who does not like this movie or does not think its funny should be checked out by a doctor. Well done to the Wayans brothers!!!

"What's up O.G."
extremely funny movie with the best grandma ever. Some ofd the parts are random but that makes the movie better.
However, i didnt respect them trying to make funn-of BOYZ 'N' THE HOOD by trying to do the scene where he starts swinging punches and ends up knocking out the kids.. Don't diss the greatest drama ever again,PLEEEEEEZ!

I feel sorry for your mother........
This movie is hilarious. But in order to understand most of the parts you have to see Menace II Society.

funny as hell
after watching all those hood movies throughout the years, this movie had me rolling as it made fun of every single thing those movies talked about. this is a must see. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Perhaps one of the greatest lights ever to shine on late-night television, Eddie Murphy has gone on to well-deserved international superstardom.Check out his earliest television work on Saturday Night Live: The Best of Eddie Murphy, a collection of his greatest roles, from Gumby to Stevie Wonder to Buckwheat.Of course, some would argue that his best role was as himself, and there is plenty of evidence for that--many of the skits feature Murphy au naturel and the opening sequence is taken from his monologue when he returned to the show triumphantly after leaving for Hollywood.Exploring the world around him and finding laughs everywhere, Murphy can take a simple idea (such as the "James Brown Hot Tub Party") and run wild with it, leaving the audience hysterically begging for more.You don't have to be a fan to enjoy this collection, but odds are you'll be one by the time you're finished.--Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (22)

"Clean" Eddie Murphy!
It is extremely rare to use the words "Eddie Murphy" and "clean" in the same sentence, which ring true in "Saturday Night Live-The Best Of Eddie Murphy". After watching Murphy convey such a unique and endearing comical warmth in which he brings to many of his SNL characters, especially in this video, it makes you wonder why Murphy resorts to using rather obscene language and risque adult themes prevalent in many of his stand-up comedy videos, such as "Eddie Murphy:Raw" and "Delirious", which are highly recommended for laughs, even though these are not satisfactory for young audiences to view. If Mr. Murphy cleaned up his act in the language department, he'd still be just as hilarious. On the other hand, if the adult themes and language were excluded entirely, the routines wouldn't be as interesting and much of their viewer appeal would be lost. No need to worry with "The Best Of Eddie Murphy-Saturday Night Live". It's "G" rating means that it's a video the whole family can watch together, although there is a slight possibility that the ethnicity present in certain skits may offend certain people, so it's best to watch this with an open mind and just laugh out loud! The only thing I dislike about this version is due to the fact there are two different skits, one that replaced the jazz skit where Murphy portrays a "Thelonius Monk"-type musician, sporting a clear plastic mask, which I found quite hilarious! Instead there's a drone skit with Eddie dressed up as Gumby, saying the oft-used phrase "I'm Gumby, Dammit!" Somebody please gag me with a spoon! Another skit featured here that wasn't in the original video was a different second skit of "Mister Robinson's Neighborhood" featuring Mr. T. Even though I don't remember the original second skit that was in the original video, I would say the Mr. T skit is/was as equally as funny. The most hilarious skit of the bunch here is definitely the "Jesse Jackson" skit. You'll have to check that one out for yourself! You rarely see any clean, wholesome and comical productions starring Eddie Murphy that are out there, which is why it is necessary to include "The Best Of Eddie Murphy-Saturday Night Live" in your comedy video library. Purchase this rare gem before it is taken out of print!

Funny, yes, but the VHS version from late 80s was better
This DVD has collected most of the best moments compiled on the VHS best-of Eddie Murphy version that came out circa the late 80s, but is missing a few moments that could have easily been fit in.

1) The Eddie Murphy "Ronald Reagan is my father" skit, which has Murphy pleading for his father to return, talking about how the last time he saw him was when he asked him to get some cereal, and he never came back.

2) Where Eddie Murphy interviews Ron Howard about his new movie, but Murphy can't get over that Ron Howard once played Opie on The Andy Griffiths Show, frustrating Howard.

3) Where Eddie Murphy and Stevie Wonder do a commercial for something called similar to Plantation Land, where people can go and pick cotton, being treated like slaves.

4) A talent show at a veterans post, with Tyrone and his Reggae Band, where Eddie Murphy plays the lead singer singing some hilarious lines I probably can't mention here, so I won't, but it would also ruin the humor. but let's just say the crowd is mad, and starts to leave. Murphy manages to both show the honesty in reggae music, and also make fun of reggae itself.

5) Popeil's Galactic Prophylactic, a superstrong condom that can last decades and be passed down generation to generation. ultra-hilarious.

So the DVD version is funny, but it's too bad they couldn't find room for these. rather disappointing. The DVD is still worth getting, but try finding a copy of the videotape.

Comedy At Its Best
After 5 years of classic comedy, "Saturday Night Live" entered a cold streak in 1980. Heavyhitters like John Belushi and Gilda Radner were replacd with Gail Matthius and Charles Rocket, and Jean Domanian (and later Dick Ebersol) replaced the show's guiding force, exceutive porducer Lorne Michaels. The results: bad reviews and the show's worst ratings. The show needed someone to revive the show's magic. Someone who could elicit guffaws in even the worst sketch. They found that in 19 - year old comedian Eddie Murphy.

Murphy's best moments in his 3 - year stint on the show are all on this 28 - sketch set. Whether you enjoy "Buckwheat", "Gumby", or "Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood", there'll never be a more comprehensive Eddie Murphy/"SNL" retrospectie. Also, a lot of less popular sketches are here. "Buckwheat Shot" and "Buckwheat Dead" (one of the few 2- part "SNL" skecthes) is among the show's greatest staircal news parodies. Eddie does the Little Rascal flawlessly, while Joe Piscopo does a dead - on Ted Koppell. (Piscopo is actually in most of the sketches, probably because he brough out the best in Murphy). Also, a variety pf his classxci impressions are here: Desmond Tutu, James Brown, Stevie Wonder (the real wonder pops up in the final sketch), Jesse Jackson and others. I wish they'd included his Michael Jackson impression, though. Another plus: Eddie's hilarious Little Richard Simmons, a sidesplitting amalgam of Little Richard and Richard Simmons that most likely inspired Dana Carvey's Carsenio. And the classic short film "White Like Me" is here. The makeup artists did a great job of making Eddie look white.

This dvd is also special because it's Eddie's cleanest material aside from "Shrek" and "Doctor Dolittle". Aside from a few curses, everything here is tame compared to his movies and standup routines. I suggest this dvd for all comedy fans. Also, get the other "SNL" dvs.

Total Ripoff
I agree that this was a total rip off. One would assume that a DVD version of a show would have all the same contents as the VHS version if not more. I was shocked to find out about the missing episodes. Unfortunately I didn't read the reviews before purchasing it so tough luck on my part.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone - get the VHS version if you can.

While we're on the topic of comedy shows. Does wnyone know if Roman Atkinson live will ever be out on dvd?

RIPPED OFF!
I gave this DVD 4 stars the first time it was released and 1 star the second time. I bought it the first time it was released. When I saw the different cover and the words "bonus editon", I assummed it contained the missing episodes fans were requesting that weren't on the first DVD. Wrong. There were too many great episodes missing: "Guy Talk" with Michael Jackson, "Ronald Reagon is My Father", "Cotton Land", "Tyrone & His Reggae Band" and more. Thank goodness I rented this one first, but I still feel cheated. What do fans have to do to get what they want? ... Read more

Amazon.com

William Marshall, a Shakespearean actor with a rich baritone voice,enriches this otherwise bland blaxploitation vampire film with his strong,seductive performance. He's Manuwalde, a European-educated 18th-centuryAfrican prince who appeals to the Count Dracula for help in ending theslave trade. Dracula, never known as a great emancipator, puts the bite onManuwalde's troubles, dubs him "Blacula" (the only time the name is utteredin the film), and imprisons him in a casket. Stirred to life, so to speak,centuries later in Los Angeles by gay antique hunters, he steps into thesoulful '70s and splits his energies between feeding his bloodlust andwooing a young beauty (Vonetta McGee), a dead ringer for his long-deadwife. Thalmus Rasulala (Friday Foster) is a modern medical professor turned urban Van Helsing, and Elisha Cook Jr. has a bit part as a coronerwith a hook for a hand. The potential for a clever urban black twist on the European vampire myth is lost in this dull, thoroughly conventional tale.Marshall is under enough sloppily applied facial hair to make him a wolfman, and his victims walk around with a plastic blue pallor. But despite thelimitations, Marshall creates a magnetic, aristocratic character and infuseshis monster with a sense of loss and sadness in the climax. It was followed by a sequel, Scream, Blacula, Scream, and inspiredBlackenstein. For a more interesting and thoughtful African American take on the vampire legend, look to Ganja and Hess. --SeanAxmaker ... Read more

Reviews (29)

"Wow, man, nice threads. Dig the fangs bro...NOOOOOOO!!!"
The 1972 film "Blacula" is a much better example of the Blaxploitation period, which began with the success of "Shaft" the previous year, than it is as a vampire movie. William Marshall, with his booming voice, plays the title character and gives the film a sense of credibility that probably only James Earl Jones could have matched. Without Marshall's sense of dignity, "Blacula" would have been reduced to slapstick.

The story is that interior decorates buy the coffin of Prince Manuwalde andbring it back to Los Angeles, unaware that the African prince had been bitten by Dracula (Charles Macaulay) centuries before and locked inside. While wandering the nights in his eternal search for human blood, the prince sees Tina (Vonetta McGee), a woman who looks like his dear departed wife, Luva, and he is convinced she is his beloved reincarnated. While Blacula woos Tina, her friend Dr. Gordon Thomas (Thalmus Rasulala) figures out that this guy is a blood-sucking fiend and tries to hunt the vampire down.

Today the racial humor of this film seems dated, but in 1972 this movie was hip in being self-conscious about its blackness, which was the whole point of the Blaxploitation movement: to black movies made by black casts and crews for black audiences, instead of leaving it to Hollywood to ignore and denigrate blacks in the films that had been produced up to that point. The horror scenes are hokey in the extreme, but since they are basically being done for fun by director William Crain, it is hard to complain. Some critics have bemoaned the miss opportunity to make a telling critique of sexual hypocrisy in society, the way Bram Stoker's original novel did for the Victorian era (if you are inclined to read it that way), but the social agenda here is clearly race and not sex, which is totally appropriate as far as I am concerned.

In addition to the 1973 sequel, "Scream, Blacula, Scream," other Blaxploitation horror films that followed this one included "Blackenstein," "Dr. Black and Mr. Hyde," and "The House on Skull Mountain." However, none of them would enjoy the reputation of "Blacula," which remains the defining film of this particular genre.

"Wow, man, nice threads. Dig the fangs bro...NOOOOOOO!!!"
The 1972 film "Blacula" is a much better example of the Blaxploitation period, which began with the success of "Shaft" the previous year, than it is as a vampire movie. William Marshall, with his booming voice, plays the title character and gives the film a sense of credibility that probably only James Earl Jones could have matched. Without Marshall's sense of dignity, "Blacula" would have been reduced to slapstick. The story is that interior decorates buy the coffin of Prince Manuwalde andbring it back to Los Angeles, unaware that the African prince had been bitten by Dracula (Charles Macaulay) centuries before and locked inside. While wandering the nights in his eternal search for human blood, the prince sees Tina (Vonetta McGee), a woman who looks like his dear departed wife, Luva, and he is convinced she is his beloved reincarnated. While Blacula woos Tina, her friend Dr. Gordon Thomas (Thalmus Rasulala) figures out that this guy is a blood-sucking fiend and tries to hunt the vampire down.

Today the racial humor of this film seems dated, but in 1972 this movie was hip in being self-conscious about its blackness, which was the whole point of the Blaxploitation movement: to black movies made by black casts and crews for black audiences, instead of leaving it to Hollywood to ignore and denigrate blacks in the films that had been produced up to that point. The horror scenes are hokey in the extreme, but since they are basically being done for fun by director William Crain, it is hard to complain. Some critics have bemoaned the miss opportunity to make a telling critique of sexual hypocrisy in society, the way Bram Stoker's original novel did for the Victorian era (if you are inclined to read it that way), but the social agenda here is clearly race and not sex, which is totally appropriate as far as I am concerned. In addition to the 1973 sequel, "Scream, Blacula, Scream," other Blaxploitation horror films that followed this one included "Blackenstein," "Dr. Black and Mr. Hyde," and "The House on Skull Mountain." However, none of them would enjoy the reputation of "Blacula," which remains the defining film of this particular genre.

Great movie!
i saw this for the first time on Black stars back in october and i been inticipating to see it for years! its a very good movie! i love vampire movies from the 30's 40's 50's 60's and few from the 70's which is the only type ill watch!!! only 5 movies vamp movies from the 70's is what i like which includes this! Yorga! Satanic rites of dracula! love at first bite and Nosferatu The Vampyre's remake!

considering im only 16 years old this movie is a action pack classic 70's african american classic!!!!!!!!!!!!

i hope the KKK dont read this review considering im white! Lol

Alright Then...
This is quite a...bizarre...movie. I thought it would be some sort of a comedy or maybe a black comedy or maybe even a horror black comedy. It's not really any ot these. I think it's supposed to be a horror, but the story's so old and the plot in this movie is so predictible it's not scary. I don't think it was supposed to be a comedy, but I found humor in how fake it looked when Blacula transformed into a bat. I have to admit, they could have made a great whack-ass comedy type parody out of this, but they tried to take it seriously and got...this. I think someone like Marlon or Damon Wayans should remake this and make it intentionally funny. But seriously, this is a baaaad movie. Stay away.

Afrocentrism meets vampirism
"Blacula," directed by William Crain, tells a story that begins in Transylvania in 1780. Prince Momuwalde, a Black African, comes to the legendary Count Dracula to seek his aid in ending the slave trade. Instead of helping the prince, the evil count transforms him into a vampire: Blacula!

"Blacula" is an interesting and entertaining blend of the vampire and "Blaxploitation" genres. After the atmospheric opening sequence (and cool opening credits!) the action shifts to urban America in the 20th century. A lot of elements make this film fun to watch: the fashions, hairstyles, music, and dance moves.

William Marshall brings both an animalistic ferocity and an aristocratic elegance to the title role; I would definitely rate his work among the best of cinematic vampire portrayals. Marshall is superbly complemented by Thalmus Rasulala, who brings gravitas and intelligence to his portrayal of the scientific investigator who is on Blacula's case.

Yes, some aspects of the film might strike some viewers as cheesy or dated. And the script fails to fully develop the fascinating concept of an African vampire; I felt that some of the political and cultural issues raised in the opening sequence could have been better explored. Still, "Blacula" is a real treat for fans of both Black cinema and horror films. ... Read more

Amazon.com

You know how it goes. You hear about what a sensation someone likeJosephine Baker was in her prime (in her case, the 1920s and '30s), how she pushed boundaries in such delicate areas as race and sex, how she boththrilled and scandalized Paris with her exotic dancing and personalbehavior. You have all these loose strands of legend and random fact, yourcuriosity is running high, and then you hear that a feature film is being made about the very subject. You watch, andthen wonder: what was the big deal about Josephine Baker? The problem withthis 1991 TV movie is the same as with a number of HBO films from the 1980s and early '90s: it isn't particularly well written, the production looks rushed, and the entire point is obscured in a whirl of biographicalmaterial that doesn't sufficiently develop into insightful, organic unity. WhatThe Josephine Baker Story does do, however, is provide a referencepoint from which to begin an appreciation of Baker's life. A poor,African American girl from St. Louis, Baker found fame and wealth in Europe as a dancer whose partially nude, unbridled performances invoked wit, sexual liberation, and passion--without, somehow, seeming vulgar orobscene. As Baker, Lynn Whitfield gets into the uninhibited spirit of things,free with her body and enthusiastic about re-creating many of hercharacter's performances (yes, the famed Banana Dance is a highlight). Thefilm superficially suggests that Baker was celebrated as an expressiveartist, a healthy force of nature rather than a lewd exhibitionist, but itdoesn't go far enough down that road to tell us why she matters. Somewhatbetter is the script's contrasting emphasis on Baker's celebrity overseasand her second-class status as a black woman in America. In the end, thefilm's real accomplishment is underscoring how racism truly determines thecourse of an individual's life, and the way Baker understood that both from the vantage point of a refugee and a victim. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Probably wouldn't have worked with kiwi fruit
THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY is a fast-forward, 2-hour plus life synopsis of the celebrated black entertainer from 1917, when she was eleven and running from murderous racial violence in St. Louis, to her death in 1975 in Paris. Lynn Whitfield stars in this HBO production.

The film manages to catch the key points of her life: early vaudeville gigs in the U.S. as a very young girl, notoriety as an exotic dancer in 1920's Paris, rise to major world stardom in the late 20's/early 30's, disastrous return to the U.S. entertainment circuit in the late 30's, French Resistance war hero, a near-fatality from peritonitis, entertainer of U.S. troops in North Africa, post-war civil rights champion back in the U.S., loving mother of a dozen, adopted, multi-racial children on her French estate, financial destitution in the late 60's, and resurrection in the 70's with the help of Prince and Princess Rainier of Monaco.

Since TJBS covers so many decades and events in such short a time, much is lost: the marriage to her first and third husbands (Willie Wells and Jean Lion respectively), her brief film career, her stint as a Red Cross nurse after the Nazi occupation of Belgium, her many legal imbroglios, her late-life relationship with American artist Robert Brady, and her presence in the 1963 Washington D.C. civil rights march led by Martin Luther King. Sometimes the viewer feels shortchanged, as when the scene shifts from late 30's New York to wartime France to 1942 North Africa in the blink of an eye. (Don't go to the kitchen for that pastrami sandwich and beer - you may miss something.)

The gorgeous Whitfield is sparkling as Josephine, who's always driven to rise above her skin color, and, during different periods of her life, either manipulated or manipulative, selfish or generous, and insensitive or loving. And HBO doesn't shrink from depicting Baker's most notorious and exotic routine, the Jungle Banana Dance, in which she performs naked except for a girdle of bananas around her loins. We're talking full-frontal, topless, nudity here (which scores high in my book, Male Pig that I am).

Perhaps the best feature of the movie is its emphasis on Baker's relationship, from 1926 to 1936, with the Sicilian Pepito Abatino (Ruben Blades), who styled himself a "count" and served as Josephine's lover and manager. If the script is to be believed, it was his persistent effort and canniness that transformed Josephine from a simple cabaret dancer to world class star by pushing her to diversify her talent. In any case, the majority of the Web bios of Baker that I've read don't give Abatino the credit he's apparently due, much less even mention him at all.

David Dukes is excellent as jazz bandleader Jo Boullion, Josephine's fourth husband, who separated from her in 1957 after ten years of marriage, ostensibly due to her extravagant lifestyle and penchant for adopting every homeless child that she stumbled across.

Despite its occasional unevenness, THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY is both excellent entertainment and an instructive piece about a scintillating entertainer virtually forgotten by large chunks of the American public.

A magnificent film
This film is fantastic. I have scene this film many times,Yet I never get tired of it.Lynn Whitfield as Ms. Baker is phenomenal, she deserved more than just an Emmy for her protrayal. This movie captures the intricate and eccentric sides of Josephine Baker.

Beautiful Cinamatic masterpiece
There are very few times that a movie can hold a flame to the life of the actual person that is intended to be portrayed but this movie does just that. It gives the ultimate respect and dignity that an artist of this calibur truly deserves. Her life is artfully displayed through from her turbulant rise to fame to her rocky downfall. It is a movie that can be enjoyed on all too many levels and should be marked as an ethereal masterpiece.

a must see
ms.baker broke ground and was an incredible entertainer.it's a shame that she had to make a living overseas but the film shows the ignorance and racist vibes that she had to encounter.lynn whitfield not only does a great job in the lead but she looks good as well.this is history.

Heartwrenching erotic saga
I found "The Josephine Baker Story" to be a very good video biography of the famous yet infamous Josephine Baker. This film brought this erotic icon to the suface for all to see and love. Lynn Whitfield gave a five star performance, and her vivid portrayal of the star indulges ones curiousity about Ms. Baker, this movie is definitely a keeper if I ever did see one. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Could have just bought an AUDIO cassette!
This video is very "skinny" on actual video footage of Malcolm. It's well done as far as the quality of the footage (audio and video), however, you could buy an audio cassette and in some ways get much more for your money. I was hoping for a series of full speeches and interviews but what I got was short clips disbursed between audio played over civil rights movement footage.

My suggestion: rent it from the library and decide for yourself whether it's worth buying.

Superb speaking, good clips, should have been more
Malcolm X was as close as the 20th century gets to a master of all the aspects of rhetoric, from tight logic to raw power of delivery, and from shrewd audience analysis to deep pathos. These speech clips give you a chance to see why. Several major speeches are represented, and there are especially good clips from the Jesse Gray rally and from his probably-best-single speech, "the Ballot or the Bullet" (Audubon Ballroom March 29 1964). Editing is smooth and intelligent -- and excessive, because there could easily have been 20 instead of 10 minutes out of "Ballot or Bullet", and there is only one clip from one of his many speeches on Islam, where at least three would be needed to represent the major periods in his thought. His speech against the draft and against enlisting is excellent, also; for a good example of how fine he was at extemporaneous work, see his replies to television interviewers.

There are a couple of speeches overlaid with nostalgia footage, but those may have been ones for which no visual track was available; some background hiss and rumble suggests they were originally recorded on audio tape.

Clips generally don't suffer much from internal cuts and are usually clearly labelled. This would be a five star tape if there were just twice as much of it -- which there should have been. Bring out volume II!

Good Material (short video)
For people looking for archival footage of Malcolm X -- this is a good start. The video features film and audio of the great leader Malcolm X -- mostly as excerpts from some of his famous speeches. While the video is great because it is packed solid with Malcolm X and no supplementary nonsense, it is very short, at 41 minutes -- the film will end long before you want it to. I can't say this video gives a great overview of Malcolm X, but it is definately good to have if you've never seen him in video or heard some (parts) of his speeches. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

This 1958 variation on Huck Finn's adventures with Jim finds a white convict (Tony Curtis) chained to a black convict (Sidney Poitier) as they both escape their captors. With each man literally stuck with the other, racial conflicts take a back seat to survival. Directed by Stanley Kramer (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner), the film's obvious consciousness-raising is mitigated by a pair of raw performances from the stars, memorable appearances by Lon Chaney Jr. and Cara Williams, and Kramer's strong storytelling abilities. The award-winning script was cowritten by blacklisted writer-actor Nedrick Young. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Sidney Poitier -- NEED I SAY MORE -- From Las Vegas, NV
All I need to see is that Sidney Poitier is in a movie and it WILL BE A GOOD MOVIE. I thought that this movie with him and Tony Curtis was GREAT! I own almost every movie that is available that has Sidney Poitier in it. I was hooked on his movies and intrigued by Mr. Poitier when I saw "To Sir, With Love" for the first time. I have yet to see Sidney Poitier do a bad movie. This movie was done as a lot of his movies during the times when there was a lot of racial tension. I think that Sidney Poitier picked his movies carefully and all of them have had a very good point to make and in making the point on each of his movies they have all been good story lines. I really think that Sidney Poitier should have won a lot more academy awards than just the one for "Lilies of the Field"! I realize that this is more a commentary than a review, just wanted to put my thoughts down.

Poitier/Curtis Jail-Break Classic
Sidney Poitier continues to break race barriers with this formula jail-break drama. Teamed with Tony Curtis, the escaped prisoners encounter many situations, where their difference in color seems to matter more than the fact that both are fugitives from the law. Throughout the film, the viewer empathizes with the escapees, figuring that they always got a bum deal in life.

A scene towards the end, where a single mother sees a chance to "hook up" with Curtis, shows how Curtis, although often disagreeing, even physically fighting with Poitier, still sees Poitier as an equal in their quest for freedom. Rather than "sell out" his friend, he would rather die trying to save him. The inevidable ending (remember that one of the rules in Old Hollywood was that the bad guys can never win)is quite moving.

Definitely among the established Hollywood Classics. Although many of the "old ways" have changed drastically since the late 50s, this film offers insight into a piece of Americana many people living today can still recall. An important piece of Film Hostory, and highly recommended!*****

Curtis and Poitier Perfect Together
Typical felons on the run movie in all but the racial aspect. Curtis' character grows and matures throughout the movie. A fine acting job by Curtis. This is the 1st in a series of classic performances by Poitier. For nearly ten years, starting with The Defiant Ones, he was just about the best actor in Hollywood. Definately worth a look.

A great drama in black and white
This tough, gritty film may be tame by today's standards but was a bold cinematic statement when it was released in 1958. Two escaped convicts, one white and the other black, are chained to each other and in their break for freedom are forced to confront the harsh realities of racism at close quarters. Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier provide expert characterizations of the two desperate men who are also chained by their fears and prejudices about each other's race, with each step in their journey to freedom brimming with venom and animosity. Ironically, it is a white woman who seals the bond of friendship between John Jackson and Noah Cullen by deliberately directing Cullen's escape route through a quicksand-filled swamp so she can run off with Jackson, with whom she's become smitten. Theodore Bikel, Charles McGraw and Lon Chaney Jr. are good in supporting roles and a real find is Cara Williams as the shapely, love-starved country woman so desperate to have a man in her life. Other than Poitier's sporadic warbling of "Long Gone", the only music of note in the movie is provided by Alfalfa's transistor radio that greatly annoys Capt. Gibbons.

About the love of two men
Both men love each other. One of them gives up freedom and the love of a woman to be with his man.
The last scene is the beautiful picture of both men holding each other tightly, their faces touching, and their eyes looking at the next 20 years when they will be always together, happy ever after. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

This 1973 television movie about 110 years of American history as seen through the eyes of a black woman from Louisiana (Cicely Tyson) is a terrific achievement, a window onto racism from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. Tyson gives a career performance as the title character, whose personal life is inextricably woven into the fabric of the African American struggle for equality. A mixture of the sentimental and the unflinching, this is the kind of educational experience that fully engages a viewer. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Fiction Was Never This Real
This is one of those works of fiction that is so realistic that the viewer can only assume that this is the story of a real American heroine, not a composite of the many unsung greats of the past. Cicely Tyson is magnificent as both the young and aged Miss Pittman. Her performance should go down as one of the best ever done for the small or the big screen. Every minute that she is in view is a major glimpse into the talent of a great actress.

The excellent script that traces the 110 years of the title character includes many of the critical points in the life of African-Americans from Reconstruction on to the Civil Rights struggle of the early 1960's. This is history that is informative as well as entertaining.

As an educator by profession, I heartily recommend this film to be a staple in every media center's video library. Timeless and relevant, "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" is an undeniable masterpiece!

That's MISS Jane to you.....
I first saw this movie in the gymnasium of my elementary school years ago when it was probably just released! Wow! History revealed through the eyes of a 110 year-old woman who was born into slavery and lived to see the turbulent civil rights movement era. Standout performances by all. When I was younger, I used to think Miss Jane Pitman was not just a fictitious person! The only thing that keeps me from giving this dvd five stars is the picture and sound quality could have been improved. I still wouldn't let that deter anyone from purchasing this dvd. Watchable over and over again. I dare you not to get a little misty eyed in the final scene of this film!

Excellent!
All I can add is that it's better than the book, at least in one significant way: The book does not have the ending the movie has, and the book leaves one just hanging out there, while the movie brings the story to a beautiful climax.

Read the book (or listen to it on tape), and then watch the movie. Awesome. Having read the book after seeing the movie several times, I felt like I had been ripped off and couldn't believe the book ended at a dead end. Thanks to the movie, my mood is repaired.

Better than the Book
It is not often that a movie is better than the book based upon. But this is one case where even a great book is surpassed. I needn't add to other reviews. It is an absorbing movie, very moving to those sensative to human rights. Even though the movie concerns Black Americans, it speaks universally to the injustice usually found in the heart of the human race.

But I will mention one thing about the movie that I believe definitively places the movie above the book. I will not describe this thing so that those who have read the book, but haven't seen the movie, will have it spoiled for them. The book ends at a particular point, I believe an unfortunate point, resulting in a dead ending. But the movie continues where the book leaves off, and the sequence of scenes is wonderful, truly pulling together the movie in a truly powerful ending.

Finally, I believe the movie is better than Roots (the series). And if you are interested in Roots, the book is better than the series.

Unforgettable
I saw this movie when it was first released with my brothers and cousins. I was the youngest at six years old. I had nightmares for that summer expecting men in white hoods to leap through my window and I was a six year old white child. Now that I have grown up and am knocking on 37 years of age, I have been wanting to see that movie again. I was too young to see it when I did, but it is an exceptional movie, one that I believe blows Roots out of the water. ... Read more

Description

WINNER OF:
-The American Video Conference/Billboard Magazine
-The International Film & TV Festival of NY
-The American Film & Video Festival

The "Ladies" who created an art form and sang their way into legend… a bygone era is recaptured in this filmed salute to the women who started it all… whose turn of phrase made musical history.

Priceless footage of the great American divas (complete songs, not just tantalizing excerpts) Billie Holiday backed by the most extraordinary band ever formed-Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Benny Webster, Roy Eldridge, and Gerry Mulligan. The great Bessie Smith in her only film appearance…Dinah Washington from the stage of The Apollo Theatre…Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, and others, singing their classics. For many of them, this was their only performance on camera…Certainly some of the greatest performances! Performances thought to be lost to time!

V.I.E.W. Video is proud to present "THE LADIES SING THE BLUES"…a gallery of those women who were the major force in American musical culture. See these stars like you've never heard them before! An entertaining masterpiece. A classic for your library.
SELECTIONS:
1 St. Louis Blues- Bessie Smith
2 Darkies Never Dream- Ethel Waters
3 Quicksand- Ethel Waters with Count Basie & His Orchestra
4 Fine and Mellow- Billie Holiday with Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young,ect...
5 When You Lose Your Money Blues- Ida Cox with Jesse Crump
6 That Lonesome Road Sister- Rosetta Tharp
7 Nobody's Sweetheart Now- Connee Boswell
8 Lean baby- Dinah Washington
9 Only A Moment Ago- Dinah Washington
10 Have A Good Time- Ruth Brown
11 The Man I Love- Lena Horne
12 Unlucky Woman- Lena Horne with Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra
13 You're Mine You- Sarah Vaughan
14 I Cried For You- Helen Humes with Count Basie & His Orchestra
15 Why Don't You Do Right?- Peggy Lee with Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
16 I Cover The Waterfront- Peggy Lee with Dave Barbour ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Buyer Sings the Blues
The songs may be "complete" as the DVD claims, but what isn't mentioned is the inane narration over the beginning of just about every clip on the disk, which spoiled much of the enjoyment for me. I bought the DVD for the Connee Boswell clip (love those Boswell Sisters), but after the narration there's just eighteen seconds of the song left. By the way, even accounting for the age/rarity of the clips, the quality of them often leaves something to be desired, as well.

THESE LADIES WERE THE PIONEERS.
They had prepared the way for so many female singers of today. Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, Ethel Waters, and many more. With the stars that are jam packed inside this video, makes the video worth seeing. So if blues and the ladies that sing them interests you, then by all means, take advantage of this must see video; you'll be glad you did.

A Must Have
SO Many Great Talented Ladies Here.These Voices Have Forever Changed The History Of Music.The Music&Depth Of Their Genius is Timeless Check This Out Very Essential.

Magnificent documentary featuring American legends of song.
This acclaimed compilation brings together full-length, rare performances from the great ladies of song: Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and Ethel Waters. Hailed by Entertainment Weekly as "a grand parade of American miracles," Ladies captures the excitement of the most distinctive female vocalists in Jazz.

#1313 (60 min, B&W, Hi-Fi)

blues
I like blue ... Read more

Amazon.com

The plotline may sound familiar: Two mismatched cops are assigned as reluctant partners to solve a crime. Culturally they are complete opposites, and they quickly realize they can't stand each other. One (Jackie Chan) believes in doing things by the book. He is a man with integrity and nerves of steel. The other (Chris Tucker) is an amiable rebel who can't stand authority figures. He's a man who has to do everything on his own, much to the displeasure of his superior officer, who in turn thinks this cop is a loose cannon but tolerates him because he gets the job done. Directed by Brett Ratner, Rush Hour doesn't break any new ground in terms of story, stunts, or direction. It rehashes just about every "buddy" movie ever made--in fact, it makes films such as Tango and Cash seem utterly original and clever by comparison. So, why did this uninspired movie make over $120 million at the box office? Was the whole world suffering from temporary insanity? Hardly. The explanation for the success of Rush Hour is quite simple: chemistry. The casting of veteran action maestro Jackie Chan with the charming and often hilarious Chris Tucker was a serendipitous stroke of genius. Fans of Jackie Chan may be slightly disappointed by the lack of action set pieces that emphasize his kung-fu craft. On the other hand, those who know the history of this seasoned Hong Kong actor will be able to appreciate that Rush Hour was the mainstream breakthrough that Chan had deserved for years. Coupled with the charismatic scene-stealer Tucker, Chan gets to flex his comic muscles to great effect. From their first scenes together to the trademark Chan outtakes during the end credits, their ability to play off of one another is a joy to behold, and this mischievous interaction is what saves the film from slipping into the depths of pitiful mediocrity. --Jeremy Storey ... Read more

Reviews (265)

An excellent DVD.
The Movie:

Chris Tucker is the funniest man in the world, in my opinion. It's too bad that the movies he acts in are always running to try and hopelessly catch up with him. One of the funniest things in cinema and some of the most enjoyable comic moments in the past few years have come from watching Tucker's performances. You can almost see his mind working in overtime trying to think up what to say next; and you never know what he'll say next. He takes the best of what Eddie Murphy used to be and just speeds it up a few hundred....thousand notches. It's just his looks of mock anger that always make me laugh. Never has anger been so funny.

He's joined by action star Jackie Chan in this film, which, although it's very funny at times, never really moves above the level of average, forgetable entertainment. Chan has done better "stunt-orientated" films like "Supercop" and "Rumble In The Bronx". In those films, he really shined with his mix of good humor and quick action. Here he's made to be more in the shape of the plot's need for humor and dialogue over stunts...not to say that there aren't any stunts; there are. It's just that they are a little few and far between.

The story revolves around a Chinese Console member who's daughter is kidnapped. Chan is brought in by the console member. The only problem is that the FBI wants to solve this case itself, and Chan's detective is not welcome. Some of the funniest scenes in the movie are watching Tucker's detective come to the realization that all he's called on to do is babysit Chan's detective. So, we start into the age old buddy cop flick.

Thankfully, this one isn't too bad. A nice script, some very good moments also from Chris Tucker when he's allowed to just improv his performance. Thank god Tucker and Chan liven up the proceedings; Chan has his usual array of incredible stunts, running up and down the sides of everything, kicking, doing it all; Tucker's mouth and Chan's quick feet make a nice balance of opposites. It's unfortunate that the direction is average, the plot is something you've seen all before, but it's through the performances of Tucker and Chan who make "Rush Hour" worth watching. It's nothing new, but when it works, "Rush Hour" is a whole lot of fun.

The DVD: Picture Quality: New Line has done a phenomenal job with the transfer of "Rush Hour". The colors of Los Angeles are incredibly vivid and just pop on this disc. Look at the reds in the Chinatown scenes or the colors of the neon at night. The color saturation is wonderful and there is no bleeding in the colors; the light from a neon sign looks perfectly sharp and clear. Speaking of sharpness, the images themselves are perfectly clear and sharp throughout the disc. There are a few instances where there is a small shimmering problem, but compared to a lot of the other discs I've seen lately, the shimmering in this disc isn't worth mentioning. Again, images are razor sharp throughout, there aren't any other problems at all with this disc. There are a lot more pros to talk about, though. Skin tones are 100% perfect. There is definitely no pixelization in the disc whatsoever, even in the low-light scenes or in the backgrounds. Black level in the picture is fantastic and contrast is wonderful. Shadow level is excellent and overall, this is a nice continuation of the New Line tradition of replicating the theatrical experience at home. There's occasionally a problem with otherwise great discs such as shimmering or what not and it takes you out of the experience. There's nothing on this disc that's problematic enough to take the viewer out of the experience of the movie and that's a sign of the very best DVDs. The 2.35:1 image is excellent. Excellent job, New Line.

Audio Quality: Impressive sound quality on this disc, emphasizing the sounds that added to the tone of fun on this disc and that's Lalo Schifrin's fun, urban and light score melding old R&B hits and current rap along with other wonderful bits and pieces of fun music to make an enjoyable score. The score fills the room and sounds full and clear. Dialogue also has that "same room" impression, recorded with clarity. There's a lot of impressive sound on this disc like the gunfire(director Ratner talks on the commentary about how he wanted to make the gunfire loud and emphasize it to make it "exciting"), which sounds great. The explosions also fill the room with great impact and force.

Extras:Now here's where this disc really shines: Commentary: There's an outstanding commentary with director Brett Ratner(who sounds at times sort of like Quentin Tarantino), who talks in depth wonderfully about the details of the production and working with Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. It goes into the detail of working with the screenplay and building the stunt scenes. This is a commentary that really is exactly what I want to hear in a commentary: it tells the story of exactly what it took to get the story to screen, not just what's happening on the screen. This is a fascinating commentary and I recommend it as one of the best commentaries out there. There is also an isolated score(and it's a fantastic score) with commentary by the great composer Lalo Schifrin.

Documentary: Again, it's what I want to see in a documentary. The box calls it a "featurette", but "A Piece Of The Action: Behind The Scenes Of Rush Hour" is something I would consider a full documentary. There's a lot of fun going on in the interviews with the cast and crew, and it doesn't seem like a usual studio promotional documentary. A lot of the camera work is hand-held and it just seems like it was all done in fun and the fun that the cast and crew has carries over to the viewer. The documentary runs about 40 minutes and the last chapter is more in the way of the hilarious outtakes that ended the film.

Deleted Scenes: A short reel of deleted scenes that at the most, are about 1 minute. Nothing earth-shaking, but interesting to see. The reel is a few minutes in length.

Short film: Director Brett Ratner's very strange short film from when he was a student at NYU, "What Ever Happened To Mason Reese?". The film starts off with an intro from the director and commentary from the director is also available. The film itself....well, it's just strange, but it's nice to have on the disc.

Trailer: Of course, the trailer.(letterboxed at 2.35:1)

Cast/Crew: Very nice biographies of the cast/crew.

Music Videos: 2 music videos.

DVD-ROM: The screenplay, an interactive game and web links(available only to Windows DVD-ROM computer users)

MENUS: Sharp animated menus that start with a very funny piece of dialogue from Chris Tucker.

Grades: The Movie:A- Picture Quality:A- Sound Quality:A- Extras:A Menus:A Overall:A
This review was originally posted at the website "A Guide To Current Film/DVD".

Lots of laughs in oddball 'buddy' movie
Jackie Chan, the great Chinese action star, plays a Hong Kong detective at the time of China's taking control of the city. A friend of his is dispatched to Los Angeles in a consulate position, and Chan is summoned soon thereafter when his buddy's daughter is kidnapped by gangsters. The FBI, not wanting any interference in the case, arranges to pair him with one of the wildest cops in LA history. As played by Chris Tucker, he is also the loudest. This ploy to get Chan away from the investigation doesn't work, of course. As always, the FBI agents are made to look like they are sharing a brain. You've already guess that the two policemen get along at first like cats and dogs, but by the end of the picture, they are best buddies. Along the way, they solve the case.

As a comedy team, Chan and Tucker work well together. The quiet, low-keyed Chan plays straight man to the brash, outrageous Tucker. There are the usual ongoing jokes about cultural differences, but at least in this case, pairing a Chinese character with an Afro-American does create a lot of opportunity for humor. Opposing tastes in food is a good topic, as is the language barrier. There is also a running joke about our obsession with hand guns. Jackie Chan is hard not to like, while Chris Tucker has much in common with W. C. Fields, Jerry Lewis and Jim Carrey. People either love him or hate him.

As is the rule in action comedy, the plot makes no sense. What carries the movie is the teaming of two actors whose personalities work well together. The special effects don't hurt either. There's an explosion every three minutes.

Lalo Schifin delivers a fine musical score. The set design is appropriately garish. A special thanks goes to Rush Hour's editors, who made sure it was short and to the point.

While Rush Hour is often entertaining, it does not measure up to a couple of similarly themed comedies - 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop - that were big hits when I was younger. Or is my memory playing tricks on me?

Jackie Chan needs to retire
This is not bad considering that most of Jackie Chan's movies are pretty much the same. That aside, story wasn't bad and there was some decent action scenes. Chris Tucker, however, does nothing but gets on your nerves with his irritating voice, bad acting and an IQ of a chimpanzee. In the outtakes, they show a scene that requires Chris Tucker to say two words in Chinese and he would blow it every single time. Talk about a dimwit

Rush Hour has great combos!
The idea of combining Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in one movie was a great idea! Jackie Chan does the main action while Chris Tuckers does the main comedy. Together they did a good job! The plot was good and the movie was so funny. I give it 5 stars for awesome action and nonstop laughs!

Great Entertainment - Funny & Exciting.
Rush Hour revitalized the buddy action flicks of the 80's and has become a modern classic. It is a movie in the tradition of 48 Hrs and Lethal Weapon, and like those two movies, it has perfect casting. Chris Tucker is hysterical in his best performance since Friday, Jackie Chan is in top form, complete with incredible stunts, cool martial arts and hilarious broken English.

The story is well-written and full of funny situations for both Tucker and Chan. Look for the scenes where Chan is in a predominantly black pool hall and Tucker buys some Chinese food from a cart. The chemistry between the two leads is probably what makes this movie so great. Great individually, but even better together. All this makes Rush Hour a guaranteed good time. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Soul Food is the kind of movie that seems to have been blessed throughout its low-budget production, and it's got a quality of warmth and charm that fits perfectly with its authentic drama about a large African-American family in Chicago. Twenty-eight-year-old writer-director George Tillman Jr. drew autobiographical inspiration from his upbringing in Milwaukee, and on a well-spent $6.5 million budget he succeeded where similar films (including Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back) fell short: He depicts his many characters with such depth and sympathy that, by the time they have weathered several family crises, we've come to care and feel for them and the powerful ties that bind them together. As seen through the eyes of Tillman's young alter ego Ahmad (Brandon Hammond), the film primarily focuses on the rivalries and affections that rise and fall among Ahmad's mother (Vivica A. Fox) and her two sisters (Vanessa L. Williams, Nia Long). Through them, and through the weekly Sunday dinners cooked with love by their mother, Big Mama (Irma P. Hall), we witness marital bliss and distress, infidelity, success, failure... in short, the spices of life both bitter and sweet. But when Big Mama falls into a diabetic coma, Ahmad watches as his family begins to fall apart without the stability and love that Big Mama provided with every Sunday meal.

Tillman's touch can be overly nostalgic, melodramatic, and cloyingly sentimental, but never so much that the movie loses its firm grip on reality. As a universal portrait of family life, Soul Food ranks among the very best films of its kind--believable, funny, emotional, and always approaching its characters (well-played by a uniformly excellent cast) with a generous spirit of forgiveness and understanding. As satisfying as one of Big Mama's delicious dinners, Soul Food is the kind of movie that keeps you coming back for more. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Soul Food Fills Your Stomach, But Is Not Entirely Satisfying
SOUL FOOD is the type of movie that you like not because of what it is, but from what you hope it to be. Irrespective of your race or ethnic background, you are bound to connect on some level with this film.

The story itself is not very original. It involves an African American family that gathers weekly for the family dinner. The focus is on three sisters, who share their hopes, dreams and frustrations. The story is told through the eyes of the son of the middle sister. While the film is told through a his eyes, it is not a story for children because of some of the themes explored like adultery. It's an odd way to tell this story, but it works most of the time.

Unfortunately, writer/director George Tillman, Jr. (with an uncredited rewrite by Tina Andrews) do not know the meaning of subtlety and nuance. The characters are drawn with broad strokes. Teri (Vanessa L. Williams) is the cold and hard-driving overachiever of the family. Maxine (Vivica A. Fox) is the aggressive, but "down to earth" stay-at-home mom, and Bird (Nia Long) is the baby of the family, who has just married the neer-do-well, Lem (Mekhi Phifer). Each one of their stories follows a fairly predictable course.

This is not to say that the movie is without charm. It's nice to see a black movie that is not focusing on gangs or drugs. It's also a film that shows black people from several different generations.

You feel for the struggles of the characters, although many of the situations seem forced and over the top. One particular scene that comes to mind is when Teri's character pulls out a knife. It seems to completely contradict her character as an educated professional woman.

The film also follows the cliché of many character driven pieces in that a key character must die. In this case, it's milked for all it's worth.

Overall, SOUL FOOD is an entertaining film, but delivers a lot less than it promises. Although it was marketed as a family film, it is really for adults because of the violence and sexuality on screen. If you're looking for a film about a black family (as opposed to a black family film), it's worth a look. As long as you don't keep you expectations too high, you won't be disappointed.

On Balance, a Strong Family Film Well Worth Seeing
Thank goodness someone made a good, warm-hearted film about a family--that's pretty much what I thought when I first saw "Soul Food" in the theater in 1997. Like many Americans, I was starved for a movie that didn't portray the American family as broken or malignant, which appears to be the Hollywood standard. "Soul Food" works primarily because it never loses sight of the importance of family, even as its members may bicker or transgress. The plot focuses on the lasting impact of the family matriarch--Big Mama (played wonderfully by Irma P. Hall)--whose kind heart and wise soul holds the family of mostly younger couples together, despite their foibles. When she passes away from complications due to diabetes, her daughters must overcome their differences to uphold the family traditions, best embodied by Sunday dinners that go beyond simple meals. The cast is generally superb, though Vivica Fox and Brandon Hammond (as grandson Ahmad, through whose eyes we are told the story), sometimes try too hard, making their characters border on caricature in a film that otherwise seems so lifelike. There is a subplot involving a hidden family fortune that also gets in the way--writer and director George Tillman, Jr., seems to want to jam as much into the story as possible when he really doesn't have to, as the main plot is interesting enough. These flaws are oddly more apparent on the small screen than they were on the big screen. Nonetheless, "Soul Food," despite its "R" rating, is an effective family film, one with a sense of authenticity that Hollywood seems to have mostly forgotten.

An all-time Favorite
This movie is wonderful. Anyone who collects DVDs must have this film in their collection. It was 100% real. I love every scene and every character. I am glad this movie was made.

One of the greatest African American movies i've ever seen
This movie says it all, drama, feel good comedy and all star cast, it has the essence of a fantastic movie. The story is strong, heartbreaking and facinating, the comedy is mild and humerous and i just loved the cast. If you are a fan of African American movie, this is what you should've watched inthe first place. If it was in the Top 50 Africn American movies, it would come in 5th place to be the least. If you consider buying this, don't forget other great titles like Boy'z in the Hood, Kingdom Come, Waiting to Exhale and The Brothers. This movie deserves an award for its outstanding preformance and it is my highly rated DVD in History. 10/10.

great storytelling
Great movie about an afro- american family who deals with Death, marriage, children, fun , love, and adultery. Simply mmm mm good. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An Experience in Boredom
A total fiasco! This movie doesn't even come near as " so bad is good " since is a total bore! The original SUPERFLY is an urban classic with a wonderful Curtis Mayfield score. This one the music by OSIBISA is good but not enough to compensate Mr. Ron O'Neal's lousy direction and Alex Hailey boring script. Sure, Mr.Hailey did a better job with ROOTS, but this story was dumb,uninteresting & forgettable. Beware, you have been warned!

bad sequel
this movie is probably the worst sequel that I have ever seen! please do yourself a favor, and stick to the original superfly. this film would have still been horrible, even if curtis mayfield had returned to do the score. pass on this one. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine both received Emmy nominations for their performances in this made-for-TV movie. The plot follows Nelson Mandela's 27-year struggle to end apartheid. That segregation was abolished without bloodshed also had much to do with the political maneuverings of South African President F.W. de Klerk, played with convincing and tired resolution by Caine. Poitier plays the more powerful personality, and shines as the self-assured leader. Filmed in Cape Town, this extremely talky and sometimes static film is intriguing as a historical study. As a drama, it is a bit dry. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Showing
this Made for TV Movie truly Captures so many Elements within the South African Commnunity.MR.Mandala&Mr.Deklerk were Portrayed Very Strongly respectively by Sidney Poitier&Michael Caine.A Strong Performance.

When Vision Is Not Enough...Make It Reality!
This video is an excellent follow-up to the former video produced where Danny Glover plays Mr. Mandela. It takes up where the other video leaves off! Not only does it do an excellent job of portraying the struggle of a people but enables you to see all prospectives involved, namely those of the white South African community. My whole family is inspired by the life of Mr. Mandela and all those involved. And after seeing this version of the circumstances, I was able to see the sacrifices of Mr. DeKlerk also! I am inspired to achieve those visions in my own life and not to fear what man or society may do to me! Thank God for men with a vision and a will to see it became a reality!

the best video i have seen
yyoui will love this version as it shows mandella in his 27 years sentanc ... Read more

Amazon.com

Okay, so Booty Call is trashy and often sophomoric. It is still funny. Tommy Davidson and Tamala Jones have been dating for almost two months and are pushed into that big romantic night by best friends Jamie Foxx and Vivica A. Fox (as the hysterically named "Lysterine"). The friends, of course, engage in a verbal war based on instant loathing and mutual attraction. The humor is low-brow and sometimes stereotypical, but this is worth watching just for the scene in which the two guys, concerned about "safe sex," cover themselves in plastic wrap. It pushes the envelope, which is fun, but the clearly homophobic tendencies cause it to lose ground. Still, there is chemistry between the players and plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Great Fun Movie
A fun movie whose portrayals are not to be taken seriously. There are many memorable scenes and lines. Jamie Foxx is at his best and for the most part, all the main characters do a good job.

The scene where Jamie Foxx and Vivica Fox are speaking Chinese in the restaurant is classic.

A great movie but the stereotypes are so over the top it sometimes feels like you're watching a cartoon.

This would be average...
This would be your average "brothas gotta git some" stereotypical comedy of errors (see "Two Can Play That Game") but Jamie Foxx, damn that man. He's one of the funniest comics alive today, and that's no exaggeration. I love the guy's shtick and the "Bunz" character, which is 100% Jamie Foxx, just makes this a fun romp. I've heard some complaints about the DVD release of this (which I don't own) so be forewarned, the DVD could be a load of rubbish. Don't buy the DVD! There, I've done my public service announcement. Now read the rest of my review.

Fortunately, I had the pleasure of watching this on VHS a few years back.

I honestly don't remember laug