Reviews (2)

compact disk are much better than tapes
I know that it is possible to buy malcolms speechs on tape, but it would be nice to have them put on cds , that way they could last forever.

An excellent documentary of his life and character
This documentary was a materpiece it had all the actual footage. His speeches, his interviews with the press, even him laying in a casket. He was a wonder leader and mentor. ... Read more

Description

A vicious high school student is dead.A gang hit?An act of sudden rage? Or did a once-idealistic teacher finally snap?The issues and the tension hit home when Samuel L. Jackson stars in a gritty urban-school thriller that's "gripping, high-octane entertainment" (Newhouse News Service). ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Sometimes intelligent,sometimes silly
Sam Jackson plays a hard working New York teacher.At the very start of the movie we see him get brutally stabbed by the Wu Tang Clan's Method Man because he flunked him.After he recovers from his ordeal what happens?He gets transferred to another,even more violent school in Los Angeles.Lucky guy.He immediately makes an ill advised enemy of Hispanic ghetto thug Caesere(Clifton Clifton Gonzalez),whom he just wants to teach. .... The film was written by a teacher and makes some very good points.Teachers are here to help you so don't screw them up. But sometimes the script succumbs to Death Wish vigilante revenge type terrority and Jackson and Gonzalez' final showdown ...is just silly.Sam should've struck down on the punks with great vengeance and furious anger. By the way,DO NOT expect a happy ending.The ending in this movie is as bleak as the ending of Se7en.

its good
this is a great movie has some pretty cool gansters in it and sh*t(i had to use the asterisk and dont be a b*tch and say its gangstas not gangsters) but why did it take place in the valley??????? i mean theres no way that could be the worst school in america. not even the worst school west of L.A. they should have made it in city terrace or echo park or boyle heights but the valley???? i just dont get it. ive visited the valley and its disney land compared to city terrace or boyle heights or echo park. great movie though

An underappreciated masterpiece
Having attended an inner city high school, I will attest that while some of this was exaggerated, similar things do happen. I think the director took a lot of creative license and pushed things to a bit of an extreme with Garfield and Cesar's characters, but it only served to improve the quality of the film.

This is less "Dangerous Minds" or "The Substitute" than it is "Taxi Driver". Samuel L. Jackson does a superb job with his character Trevor Garfield, a man of deep moral convinctions and idealism who crumbles psychologically throughout the film. The way it is shot, along with the ominous soundtrack, creates an atmosphere of palpable doom and chaos. Garfield's speech to a fellow teacher who is beginning to realize the odd connection between the disappearance of troublesome students and his relation to them is really disturbing. The director should have worked more on the "teacher snapping" bit and had it a little less covert, but overall I would say this movie falls into cult classic, if not classic, range. The darkness is unforgettable, and the film does raise some relevant issues as to how people with values interact with those who have none. There is a certain flavor to this movie, somewhat inarticulate, that for me makes it worthy of the most lavish praise. This is no uplifting, Sidney Poitier film of redemption. It is simultaneously a vigilante film and a comment on conscious man and his place in the world. This is a must own, for Jackson's performance and the powerhouse ending.

not latin its HISPANIC
wow this movies was mind blowing. the ending reminded me of the 'godfather' movie. samuel jackson and clifton gonzalez give an amazing performance and i really like watching them intereactive with each other. this movie deserves five stars!!

and for those of you reffering latin people, its hispanic! not latin. lets get that strait, aight? peaze out yall.

smiley

A Pyrrhic Victory: Teaching America's Forgotten
"187" does not provide the viewer with a realistic insight into America's schools. Science teachers do not stalk students and then drop them with morphine injections, launched from a bow. But I did not pick up "187" expecting the classic teacher-makes-a-difference-in-children's-lives film. The very title moves one away from this depiction. Instead, "187" provides an interesting look into the job of educators when they are dealing firsthand with the violence that exists in many of America's communities.

One thing that I would have liked from this film is a slower transition from Samuel L. Jackson's former self to his newer self. The audience believes that they know his character and (quite suddenly) he has snapped and we are a bit unsure of the movement. This film is an intense experience-I found my nerves quite strained at the prospects of the chaos that exists in these communities. Above all, this film neither glorifies the student's actions nor the teacher's retaliation-a fact that prevents it from becoming a simple bloodbath movie. One leaves this film with a sense of loss on both sides and the utterly hopeless situation that we have created in our school systems. Jackson's character does, despite what some may say, have an impact on the students he teaches. But his victory is not without devastating losses; a Pyrrhic victory, as the movie (not so subtly) alludes.

Word to the wise: this is not an uplifting film. Do not rent it thinking you're in for a "To Sir, With Love" experience. Just read the title. But if you're in the mood to look at the darker side of life (think "Requiem for a Dream"), by all means. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This tedious remake of the classic Christmas movie The Bishop's Wife falls on its face by significantly altering the careful design of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert E. Sherwood's story for the original film. In Sherwood's version, a rather wooden, inept bishop and his lonely wife unknowingly take into their lives a heaven-sent angel who aids the former and ends up falling in love with the latter. In this unnecessary update, an inner-city preacher (Courtney B. Vance) and his estranged spouse (Whitney Houston) are visited by a celestial goof (Denzel Washington), whose unsolicited offer of help is enough to galvanize Vance's character to fix his own problems. What that means is this: by the second act, there's no reason to have Washington's angel in the story. Even his infatuation with the missus isn't enough to warrant his hanging around this movie; the change is a colossal blunder by director Penny Marshall. Vance ends up stealing the film from Washington, but it's a Pyrrhic victory; for the most part this movie just seems like a series of random scenes between opportunities for Houston to belt out songs. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Food for the Soul....
This is a beautiful, spiritual movie filled with love, laughter and hope. All I have to say is...why did I wait five years to see it? This is truly a treasure and I am shocked to see there are so few reviews.

When you put Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington in the same movie, the sparks are going to fly. Denzel Washington is the "fine" Angel Dudley who is sent to earth to help a young minister see what is really important in life.

Courtney Vance plays the part of the minister who is loosing his church, his wife (Whitney Houston) and seems to have forgotten that family is the most important part of life. The Angel Dudley accidentally falls in love with"The Preacher's Wife!" The attraction is very innocent, but holds your attention for sure.

There are some movies which will capture your heart with the music and Whitney shines in this one! The gospel music is uplifting and inspiring and sets the tone for the entire movie. You will be getting out the tissues when she sings: "I Believe In You And Me." My cousin sang this to her husband at her wedding a few years ago and there was not a dry eye in the room. She is also the one who introduced me to this movie! Thank you Jewels!

The humor is laugh out loud funny and you will just love the minister's mother-in-law! There is great comedy, acting, storytelling and this is one of those movies the whole family can enjoy....(hint, hint...to movie makers everywhere!)

There are some movies you just have to own. This is one of them! If it wasn't so late tonight, I would have watched this movie again! A completely wonderful romantic comedy. If only they would make more movies like this one!

One of the best "feel good" family movies of all times
This movie is perhaps one of the best family films of all times. It is beautifully casted with Whitney Houston as "The Preacher's Wife" and Denzel "Dreamboat" Washington as Dudley the angel. The movie moves along smoothly and brilliantly. And there is such a good message in it. Definitely a film for the whole family to watch. The film gives you hope and you end up feeling really good about life. Give it a try, no disappointments here.

Great movie, and a much better remake.
Fine and uplifting remake has everything going for it. A great leading man (Denzel Washington) and a great cast of characters that will lift your sprits when you are down. Great support is giving by Courtney B. Vance and Whitney Houston, and the soundtrack by Miss Houston is simply amazing. See it, and let a smile come a cross your face.

Wonderful, heart-warming movie!
Great story, great characters, great music! This is one of those films you'll watch over and over again.

A Heart-Filled Christmas Movie!
Another Christmas must-have for the family. It a film about a misguided preacher who gets guidance from a gardinan angel who helps him, his church and his family have faith again. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Laurence Fishburne helped shepherd this Emmy Award-winning exposé from American medical history books to the small screen. Anchored in the 1973 Senate inquiry into the infamous Tuskegee Study, the film uses a flashback structure to take us back 40 years as Nurse Eunice Evers (played with honest conviction by Alfre Woodard, who also earned an acting Emmy for her powerful performance) describes how a program designed to treat syphilis among blacks in the South was twisted into an inhuman study. Evers's conscience is torn between leaving her position on principle or remaining to give the dying menwhat comfort she can while they are systematically refused life-saving medicine atevery turn. Fishburne costars as Caleb, a easygoing but ambitious young fieldhand who discovers the cold reality of the study while courting Miss Evers. Adapted by Walter Bernstein from a play by David Feldshuh, the film rises above the TV Movie of the Week mold with a complex moral structure that eschews (if you'll pardon the expression) black and white polarities for shades of gray as the doctors' initial compromises become a lifetime of lies. Ultimately that tone becomes the most disturbing facet of the drama: doctors and nurses so enmeshed in what is tantamount to a conspiracy they can find no way out, and a government that searches for scapegoats for its own cold-blooded research. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A Nurse's Perspective on "Miss Evers' Boys"
From my perspective as a professor of nursing, I would say the movie depicted well ethical issues of the most serious type. In this fact-based story, nurse Eunice Evers (Alfre Woodard) was drawn into the Tuskegee syphilis research study by promises that treatment would be coming, hopefully in six months to a year. Her responsibilities included recruiting African American subjects. They were screened for being syphilis positive and then brought into the research study without full disclosure that no actual effective treatment was being provided. Even when penicillin became available, "Miss Evers' Boys" would not be given the life-saving medicine. Only one of the "Evers'Boys", Caleb Humphries (who was expertly played by Laurence Fishburne) escaped the ravages of progressive syphilis by receiving penicillin immediately upon joining the military during World War II. Miss Evers' was portrayed sympathetically, even as she used all of her cultural skills to do the wrong thing -- recruit and retain subjects in this unethical study spanning 40 years. The HBO movie is excellent for students, nurses, medical researchers, doctors, and the general public interested in ethical issues in medicine.

HBO comes through
This is one of the better HBO productions to make it to video. Drama, ethics, and history all combine into an excellent movie with tremendous acting. This is a story that should not be forgotten.

A Powerful Story, Well-Told!
It's no secret that Hollywood has backed off of traditional socially conscious dramas. Oh, sure, issues of race and class are often touched on in cinematic releases, but in recent years, it has been pretty much up to cable channels such as HBO and TNT to produce meaty fact-based dramas with socio-political heft. We can only be thankful that someone has picked up the slack and that such work is still being done. "Miss Evers Boys," a dramatization of what has become the now-scandalous Tuskegee Negro Syphilitic Study, is a case in point. It is as powerful an indictment of racism as you are likely to see. It is also a nuanced and complex a statement on same. It is hard to see how any viewer could remain unmoved by this film.

Much of "Miss Evers'" impact stems from Alfre Woodard's astonishing performance as the title character. Had this actually been a theatrical release, she would likely have walked off with an Academy Award. She had to settle for an Emmy, which was certainly well-deserved. I have seen Alfre Woodard in roles in which she did not appear comfortable, but she inhabits the role of Nurse Eunice Evers totally (or perhaps, Eunice Evers inhabits her). Her performance alone would be enough to recommend the film. But it does indeed have much more to offer--including a great supporting cast (including producer-leading man, Laurence Fishburne, Joe Morton and Craig Sheffer), an intelligent and complex script, and capable direction. Thanks be unto the heavens that someone is still producing powerful, fact-based social drama. We need them now more than ever.

All I have to say, is WOW.
Ever get into those discussions with folks who say, "No, our government would never do something like that..." ?

This movie is the antidote for those people. Our government has made some tragic mistakes and this movie exposes one of the gravest mistakes our government ever made.

Our family watched this together and we were all incredulous. But it is all true. This movie is based a true incident and amazingly, the whole thing was successfully covered up for 40+ years.

This movie had an curious side effect for me - It inspired me to pray for our country and its leaders. The people involved in this heinous scheme need prayers of forgiveness. Hopefully, this could not happen again.

An Imprint in History
I was very upset when I say what the Goverment did to Our people in this movie! Just to show that Blacks and Whites react the same to Syphills! Damn! I was not taught this in school High School! This is a a piece of history that should be taught! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Mack, a 1973 pimping epic, is at once a laughable, schlock classic and a harbinger of more serious black-themed films to come. Starring the now-forgotten Max Julien as Goldie, the preening ex-con whose dream is to rule the streets with a fine Cadillac and a fleet of topnotch hookers, this film is full of whip-crack, mostly improvised dialogue and hilarious stereotypes (the evil white cops, a wisdom-spouting blind man, and more trash-talkin' pimps than you could shake a walking stick at).

Not only is the film one you can chuckle at in the postmodern, ironic mode, it is also a window on the world of today's rap superstars, many of whom have sampled, invoked, or quoted lines from this gaudy paean to pandering. In other words, The Mack is a kind of godfather to a future stark frankness about life on the streets. But forget the sociological hooey and dig into the piece as an urban costume picture with a greasy/funky score by R&B genius Willie Hutch.

Also, it features an amazing supporting turn by Richard Pryor, who, playing Tonto to Julien's Lone Ranger, unleashes torrents of nearly incomprehensible verbiage in the film's finest moments. Mind you, such brilliance is a direct comedy-organ transplant from Pryor's stand-up act: he was performing his "Pimp on Blow" routine at about the same time The Mack was filmed. Seventy percent of this piece is dross, but the other 30 is the apex of urban surrealism. One vignette to tantalize: Goldie hypnotizing his "ladies" into docile submission as they sit in a planetarium, mechanically repeating his words: "I will remain a lady at all times..." --David Was ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Blaxploitation Classic
The Mack definately belongs in a time capsule for it's 70's clothing and jive-ass dialogue. This is a fun, silly, over the top story of Pimpin' back in the day that somehow is still relevant and popular to this day, particularly in the Hip-Hop community. Max Julien is one laid back cat in the title role and Richard Pryor is in fine manic form as his sidekick. The Player's Ball scene is the highlight to me for the clothes alone. The soundtrack by Willie Hutch is good old school funk. My only real complaint is that it is rather slow and boring in spots. I have to say that after watching this movie several times, I have been inspired to quit my job and pimp out some fine bee-yatches.

"a wad of cash so big your pockets look like they got mumps"
The Mack (1973), probably one of the most referenced movies in the hip hop culture, on appearance has all the qualities of a blaxploitation film, but a closer and thoughtful look might give you a different opinion. Directed by documentarian Michael Campus and starring Max Julien, Richard Pryor, and Carol Speed, The Mack presents a portrait taken in time of a particular lifestyle not many ever get to see.

The movie opens with two men, Goldie (Julien) and Slim (Pryor), involved in a gunfight in a junkyard. Seemingly out numbered, Goldie tells Slim to take off (wouldn't have been my choice as Slim is sporting what appears to be a M16 while Goldie's sporting a handgun). Slim manages to split, while Goldie gets picked up by the police, and subsequently sentenced to five years in a penitentiary. Serving some particular hard time, Goldie gets released, and tries to put the pieces back together. He visits his brother, Olinga, played by Roger E. Mosley (Magnum P.I.), who is involved in trying to educate and empower the community, in a character fashion after Black Panther leader Huey Long. Basically. Goldie is presented with two options; follow his brother in focusing on making a difference through psuedo-political means, or follow the path of the Mack, becoming a flesh peddler, and gaining empowerment through the acquisition of money. Goldie chooses the latter, hooking back up with Slim and taking advice from an older blind man, sort of a Obi Wan Kenobi of the underworld, who shares his knowledge with Goldie on how to deal with women in the Mackin' game, the importance of controlling their minds rather than just their bodies. Goldie soon recruits some ladies of the night, and has to deal with corrupt police detectives, rival players, and various other underworld characters during his meteoric rise (he gets chosen as The Mack of the Year at an annual players ball). As Goldie's popularity, or notoriety, increases, so does the pressures, both internal and external, along with the violence, and begins carrying over into his family, and forces Goldie to decide where it's at...

The Mack certainly does seem to glorify these men who deal in the flesh trade, with their extravagant lifestyles, flashy cars, and great wads of cash, but the glamour is quickly overshadowed by the harsh realities presented as the stories progresses, and just how much one has to give up to be a success in that particular business. There are a lot of laughs to be had here, maybe not intentional, but the film is pretty dated. Between the dialog, stereotypes, and trash-talking criminals, there was an underlying sadness for me in the realness of the disgusting attitudes depicted towards the women, objectified to the point where they weren't even people anymore, merely tools of the trade, a means to obtaining material possessions through the sale of their bodies, and also how many look up to these men, idolizing them, thus perpetuating their activities. Shot on location in Oakland, and featuring actual individuals within the community, the film forgoes the slickness of a Hollywood budget, but gains a real grittiness one wouldn't be able to reproduce on a soundstage. The dialog, a lot of it improvised, and some indistinguishable, only adds to the realistic quality of the film, but also isolates it, in my opinion, within the time period in which it was made. The funniest part had to be when Goldie had his women at a planetarium, using the effects of the simulated stars and a microphone to subliminally enforce his will through their repetition of his player mantras. I did like how the film ended, nicely book ending the beginning, bringing the main character full circle.

Presented here is a very good looking wide screen version of the film, which runs approximately 110 minutes. Special features include an original theatrical trailer, a commentary track featuring star Max Julien, producer Harvey Bernard, director Michael Campus, and actors Richard Anthony Williams, Annazette Chase, Don Gordon, and George Murdok, along with an excellent 38 minute featurette titled Mackin' Ain't Easy, which looks back on the making of the film, detailing all the problems and issues that arose, especially those filming on location within Oakland in the early 70's. To some extent, I found this almost more enjoyable than the movie.

Cookieman108

Give Me A Break?!
I understand why some people are drawn to films from this genre. I appreciate all the many brothers tryin' to perpetrate like they the Mack too. To them I say, "play on, if you know what it means". Films like The Mack echo sentiments of film culture created by certain politics and demographics during certain periods in our country's comparitively short history. With the passage of time, certain words that were once insulting or taboo become cool. With the passage of time, movies "good" parents would not let us watch also may become cool. Regardless of what year it is, or where you come from, this movie sucks! I have seen this movie several times with friends who actually like it, and I have laughed at some of the backward lines, the tripped out clothes, and that cool scene when that guy learns to fly (I'm not giving anything away here, really). This film is like a nice trip going nowhere. Max Julien does his best with the role. He's a believeable pimp. Juanita Moore is a fine actress and plays a believeable mother to his sliminess. However, the sadest thing about this movie is the fact that the actors are really pretty good. It's the movie that sucks. You have to wonder where the good jobs were. Maybe there just weren't any. A better script, a realistic plot resolution, and deeper exploration of the characters and their motives could've made this flick less jive. The budget was probably too small to get Pam Grier to come in and whip some pimpin' fools into shape. Seriously, this just ain't where it's at! ya dig?!

Too much Hype!
I had heard so much about this. Rappers talked about it. Rappers acted like him, but this film is not at all what I expected. Keeping in mind that I saw it on VHS and the quality was very questionable for Blockbuster.

Anyway, this Mack in my mind was to be a powerful pimp who took no s**t. Instead, he is a laughing all of the time, guy who seems to not be concerned with what's going on around him.

I won't go into details as I don't want to waste much more time on a film like this, but it is hard to watch and one of the corniest of the 1970's black films, or films starring more black people than white people, so they are black. I did not want to see this again. Most of those films I keep in my mind with the idea of adding them to the collection, but not this one. This film has too much hype! Where is "Three the Hard Way" on DVD?

Better the second go 'round
This was a popular drinking movie while I was in college and we loved it then. However, 12 years later I decided to check it out again as a 30-something sober man and you know what The Mack is actually a decent movie. It was even better than what I remember from college. This is a classic blaxploitation film, a must see for this genre. ... Read more

Amazon.com

From Keenan Ivory Wayans, the man who brought us Jim Carrey (initially just one of the bunch on Wayans's television comedy-sketch show, In Living Color), comes I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), a comedy spoof on the blaxploitation films of the 1970s. Wayans plays Jack Spade, an army private just returning from the service. He comes home to find his younger brother June Bug dead of a overdose of gold chains (an "O.G.") He vows revenge, and with the help of some of the neighborhood's old school heroes including Flyguy (Antonio Fargas), Kung Fu Joe (Steve James), Hammer (Isaac Hayes), Slammer (football star Jim Brown), and John Slade (Bernie Casey), Spade wages a war against Mr. Big, the neighborhood crime lord.

In the tradition of Airplane! and Naked Gun, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka pokes fun through satire and offensive comedy. The film also features some of the players that would end up on In Living Color and has appearances from such varied actors as Clarence Williams III, Eve Plumb (better known to most as Jan Brady), and Chris Rock as a rib-joint customer. --Shannon Gee ... Read more

Reviews (29)

SHE'S THE DIRECTOR'S SISTER
I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA is one hilarious film; even though many of the jokes fall flat at times, the whole is superlative tongue in cheek satire. A broad humored satire of those wonderful 70's "black exploitation" films, Wayans and crew serve up scene after scene of hilarity. For instance: a sleazy girl is singing a sultry version of "When the Saints Come Marching In," and when Wayans asks who she is, the waitress says "She's the director's sister." (She is!). When ex-football star Jim Brown asks Wayans why he thinks he's qualified to be a black hero, Wayans tells him "I'm an ex football player." When Dawnn Lewis as Wayans' sweetie gets the cramps, she really gets cranky!! John Vernon as Mr. Big spouts off why shouldn't he be in a black exploitation movie, other actors have! There are so many scenes like this that one can't help but laugh and laugh again.
Featuring a cavalcade of black and white actors, including Clarence Williams III, Isaac Hayes, Ja'net Dubois, Antonio Fargas and Steve James, I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA is a hoot to watch!

I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA!
I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA! is a spoof an blaxploitation films of the 1970's. This is the first film written, directed by, and starring Keenen Ivory Wayans. Jack Spade is an Army secretary who returns home to find out that his brother has died of an O.G. (an overdose of gold chains). Jack gathers up an army of some local neighborhood hero's (Bernie Casey, Antonio Fargas, Steve James, Isaac Hayes, and Jim Brown) to help him fight and defeat Mr. Big, the crime lord responsible for his brother's death. This movie has many funny moments, especially one that has Chris Rock making an appearance as a rib joint customer. This is a film for both action and comedy fans! Keenen Ivory Wayans would go on to direct SCARY MOVIE and SCARY MOVIE 2!

hilarious
one of the great films of the 80s (or was it 90s?).

I love Blaxploitation...but this was ok
This film does have some very funny moments like the rib joke but I felt a wee bit let down that the script and story line was not as good as it could have been. It nice to see the old boys back (Hayes,Brown etc...) but where were Pam Grier, Fred Williamson and Richard Roundtree !!....now that would have been excellent. I love Blaxploitation but I wish this was better.

Great Film, Funny as hell
The title caught me, but the film got me hooked. Its all silly. THe plot, the characters, and even the tongue in cheek looks at the camera. But it works. Funnier than Scary Movie and all the other spoofs by the Wayans. You must check out this sh*t, yo. Best scene was with Kung Fu Joe and the cops. I fell off the couch laughing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This absorbing video is chock-full of interviews and footage of MartinLuther King Jr., and a well-rounded picture of the civil-rights movement, beginning with a conversation with Coretta Scott King, Dr. King's wife, describing how her husband's mission has guided how she lives her life today. Throughout the video are more conversations with Coretta and other friends and colleagues of Dr. King including Jesse Jackson, Dick Gregory, Edward Kennedy, Bill Cosby, Andrew Young, Joan Baez, former President Jimmy Carter, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In between the interviews are pockets of historical facts, beginning with how Dr. King developed his views to become, as Dick Gregory describes him, "a giant of a man." It then goes through all the major civil-rights landmarks from the establishment of the Civil Rights Act in 1957 to the guaranteeing of the right forAfrican-Americans to vote in 1964. The raw footage of the 1963 March onWashington is glorious and striking for Dr. King's "Free at Last" speech and the shots of 200,000 people standing beneath the Lincoln Memorial. This documentary does not leave out the violence and atrocities that occurred either. There are objective retellings of the rioting and police brutality that ran rampant throughout the movement. There are also several of Dr. King's most memorable addresses in their entirety such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Civil Disobedience and Nonviolent Struggle, the March on Washington, and his final address in Memphis. Overall The Commemorative Collection is a great teacher about the civil-rights era in history, and is also a wonderful compilation of Dr. King's addresses. --Samantha Allen Storey ... Read more

Reviews (1)

History buffs a must see
Everyone knows who MLK was, but not many know who he really was, and this movie shows the reverends many good deeds, and not just the famous March on Washington and his I Have a Dream speech, but that he visited, in every state, the school with the highest black population and gave moving speeches, and he even gave two in mine, Garfield High School in Seattle WA. After his death, 47 of the 50 schools he visited had riots, including mine, which showed just how large of a following he had. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Long Live Jim Kelly
This title, as bad in production value as it is, definitely ranks up there with the most entertaining movies I've ever seen. I laughed so hard at times, I nearly cried. Either they were doing this tongue in cheek, which then makes it brilliant, or it was complete schlock. Either way, it's a keeper for the library.

NOTE: I bought the VHS version thinking it would contain the edited footage, but it does not. Seems there is no fully uncut version available, because someone wrote the DVD version is edited. Ripoff.

Jim Kelly is a classic, and when he delivers the line "your credibility has reached an all time low", he is unforgettable.

LOVE THE MOVIE, BUT THEY'VE CUT IT
I have the older video copy of this and it's BAD, but fun. Looks like the newer VHS and DVD copies have been badly cut. Too bad! We need an uncut version of this on DVD! Try to find older versions and enjoy the great fights and silly crap served up with the original [***], Kelly's colorful use of language and some good old fashion sex and violence. The "G rated" version they have out on DVD is absurd.

Maybe the worst movie ever - but a must see!
This is singlehandedly the worst movie I've ever seen. Some movies have bad acting. Some have bad direction, bad writing, or just a bad feel. Black Samurai has all of that in spades, and just as icing, bad sound editing, and bad action scenes. Don't waste your time on this movie if you're expecting a martial arts movie on par with.. well, real martial arts movies.

What this movie is, however, is absolutely, although unintentionally hilarious. I laughed so hard my eyes watered up several times. But let's be clear: there are no jokes in Black Samurai. Black Samurai IS the joke, and I think Jim Kelly was in on it.

First of all, the title is horribly misleading. Jim Kelly, while indeed black, is no samurai. There is one scene where Kelly practices with a katana and some nunchucks, but that was apparently just to keep him sharp for later movies; they never appear again.

Secondly, for a government agent, Black Samurai is one evil dude. Even though Kelly is apparently some manner of law-enforcement official, he doesn't arrest anyone. He deals out his own brand of justice: knocking most people out, while selecting a few at random for life-altering injury. In one instance, Kelly chooses a seemingly random opponent and yells THE single most classic line in '70s film: "You never gonna walk again, sucka!", whilst snapping his spine. You cold as ice, BS.

But you don't just have bad titling or random acts of evil to glean cheap laughs from! You still have the veritable treasure trove of laughter that is the sound editing and effects!

First, the punches and kicks for some reason sound just like gunshots. Actual gunshots sound like gunshots too, which sounds confusing, but when you're watching the movie trust me, it'll be the least of your concerns.

Here's the best part: there are entire scenes complete with dialog where nobodys mouths move. Yes, really. No, I'm not making this up. There's a five minute scene where Kelly and an opponent move around sizing each other up. They're talking the whole time, but no mouths move. Maybe they're doing it telepathically. Also, apparently Kelly saw the movie after it was filmed and refused to do the dubbing for his character, hoping the movie would die, because there are several occasions where Kelly is supposed to be talking, but someone else's voice comes out.

This isn't a B Movie. This is more like an H movie. It's WAY down on the chain. I'm buying it anyway! I want to show it to my kids someday when they tell me classics like Ferris Beuller and Spaceballs suck. "...no little Timmy, THIS sucks."

What a terrible film !!!!!!!!!!
First of all let me say I love Jim Kelly but this movie is just plain awful, the acting is the worst i have ever seen and even the fights not the best Jim has ever done.
I actually turned the film off half way through because I was so bored with the story line.
Thank god Jim did "Black Belt Jones" !!

Black Samurai ¿ Not to be Taken Seriously
When watching this DVD all conventional expectations of standard film making (decent acting, editing, direction etc.), should be put aside. Instead this DVD should be enjoyed for what it is a schlock B - grade cult/martial arts send up that is performed with tongue firmly in cheek. "Black Samurai" is directed by Al Adamson who knows his way around low budget action fare. This film stars Jim Kelly as a wealthy agent for the government organization D.R.A.G.O.N. Kelly is lured back into action when his girlfriend is kidnapped by a group of Haitian voodoo slavers. Things do go from the sublime to the ridiculous as Kelly is pitted against a vulture, a slew of diminutive bad guys and the evil warlock Janicott (Bill Roy) all while never messing up one hair of his immaculate afro. Also, there is a scene of Kelly donning a jet-pack to sneak up on the evil doers that has to be seen to be believed. Adamson keeps things from spiraling into an incoherent mess while keeping a brisk pace. The supporting cast is odd but will be familiar to cult movie buffs including D' Urville Martin ("Black Caesar"), Felix Silla (Cousin It from "The Addams Family"), Marilyn Joi ("Kentucky Fried Movie") and tough guy Aldo Ray ("We're No Angeles"). The primary reason to watch this DVD is for the choreographed fight scenes that are done well enough and really do showcase Kelly's martial arts ability. All in all this film is not going to be remembered as great cinema but the charm of its silliness makes it enjoyable. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Roll of Thunder Review
Our class read the book Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor. After that we watched the movie in class. We had to write an Essay about both the movie and the book. We would not recomend this film because the plot is out of order and the characters are not portrayed well. We would reccomend reading the Newberry Award winning book instead.

How Disappointing :-(
My fourth-grader and I read this wonderful book together and I hyped her on watching this movie, which came out when I was in the fourth grade in the seventies. How disappointing! What a rip-off! This video takes edited scenes as a montage at the beginning and then starts in the middle of the story. Entire scenes critical to character development and plot are lost--the beautiful relationship between the siblings, Stacie's relationship to TJ, how the Logans got their land and why they were so different than the other sharecropping families, the role of Mama and Big Ma in keeping the family together, etc. You'd be lost watching this movie if you hadn't read the book. My daughter and I were eagerly awaiting the scene when Cassie gets her revenge on Lillian Jean, which is shown only as a ending montage of scenes. How unfortunate--with DVDs out now, there's no reason for this movie not to be available in its entirety. I should have heeded the warnings of the other Amazon reviewers!

Adult Reader and Viewer
I saw the original version of this movie. I thought it was pretty good. This edited version made this movie frustrating to watch if you read the book first. The original version followed the sequence of the book. Like any movie adapted from a novel, not everything was included, but it was good. This version is horrible. Even the box says it has 115 minutes running time. But thats not true. I don't think anyone should buy this version. The flaws in the editing are just to horrendous. I hope that a DVD will be produced to enclude the original version because the story is excellent.

Read this instead of the other reviews!
Ok, I agree that this movie was not one of the best movies, but the main reason most people hate it was because of it's strange order (different from the book)

Well......

When this movie first came out on TV, it had EVERYTHING! The whole book, I mean it was 4 hours long! They cut it down and heavily edited it later, making it a far worse movie. Still, I think if people saw the unedited version, it might be better, it might not, but please stop bashing about how this movie is soooooo bad because of its order, when in real life, it had the WHOLE BOOK fit into it before the edits!

antisocail
This movie really stunk the acting was horrible except Morgan Freeman.Every copy should be shoved down his throat.They needed a higher budget it looked like it cost six cents to make.Did I mention how much i hate this movie. This is the worst movie i have ever seen and i've saw some pretty bad movies. they should have better actors.during the scene where papa cacthes the cotton on fire Jermey,Cassy, Stacey, Little man. they looked like they were reading the script. ... Read more

Description

U.S. special agent Cleopatra Jones returns to fight crime in this action-packed sequel. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

It's cool, baby!
"Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold" was my initiation into the "Blaxploitation" film genre. In this film, Tamara Dobson stars as a statuesque African-American secret agent woman. She teams up with an Asian woman named Mi Ling (played by Tanny) in order to rescue two undercover agents from the clutches of the Dragon Lady (Stella Stevens), a casino-owning drug pusher. Written by William Tennant, the film is directed by Chuck Bail.

"Cleo" is full of outrageous costumes, hip dialogue, action, and funky music composed by Dominic Frontiere (starting with the opening credits song, "Playing with Fire"). There is a fair amount of graphic violence. Cleo is a fun character; she's sort of like an African-American female James Bond (in fact, I found the tone and pacing of this film to be similar to that of the Bond flicks of this time period). The film makes good use of its Far East setting.

Dobson gets solid support from the rest of the cast, but I especially loved Norman Fell (an actor best known as TV's Mr. Roper from "Three's Company") as Cleo's grouchy but likeable boss. Fell and Dobson have a really enjoyable chemistry in their scenes together.

"Cleo" is a fascinating film that could, I imagine, inspire some lively analyses grounded in race, gender, economics, post-colonial politics, criminology, and other fields of inquiry. Or you could just enjoy it as a fun, slightly campy adventure flick with a kick-...heroine.

Better than the original!
This sequel is that rare bird... one that is better than the original movie (CLEOPATRA JONES). Largely because of the exotic setting (Hong Kong and Macao are more fun than East L.A., after all), and certainly because of the villainess, Stella Stevens.

Cleopatra Jones tends to find herself up against Evil White Lesbian dope queens, and Stella Stevens is certainly nicer to look at than Shelly Winters (in the original). Her climatic fight scene ... with the foxy black Cleo is OVER THE TOP! The ladies must have been covered with bruises after shooting this (NO stand-ins apparent!).

As for Stella's "wild" outfits, they are conservative compared to the title heroine's!

A "must see" for Blaxploitation fans!

Good, Enjoyable Bubblegum Nonsense Action Sequel
The sequel to "Cleopatra Jones" benefits from the authentic location of Hong Kong and its good production design. The story is almost the same as the original one, showing us Cleo fight against drug syndicate, of which mastermind, this time Stella Stevens, lives in a gorgeous casino.

You might remember Warner Brothers once produced "Enter the Dragon" featuring Bruce Lee, which became a worldwide hit, and probably this fact influenced the studio's judgment to shoot the film in Hong Kong. The film is full of shoot-outs and kung-hu fights, but unfortunately, not as good as Lee's deadly fighting style, but still it is mildly entertaining. The final action sequence, chain of good stunts using motorcycles running in a casino, with its riders shooting machineguns (!), is the showdown of the film, and though the film nearly gets so close to ludicurousness, still remains enjoyable as a whole. And check out Stella Steven's outrageous costume.

On how the East was won
By far, this movie is fierce. tamara Dobson is the original Grace jones

Go, girl!
This is not much of a film, but I don't think it was ever intended to be. Low-budget and B-grade, this 70's action film is a riot, sort of a female Matt Helm movie without the martinis. Dobson has big fun, and that's what makes this fun to watch. You've got to be in the mood for camp, though. Don't expect much, and be ready to laugh. Oh, and Stella Stevens' outfits. Child. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Not to be considered as serious filmaking
I saw this mess when it first came out in 1978 under the title "The $6,000." Yeah, it's junk, but it has a kind of "so bad it's kinda good" quality. "Wild Man Steve" Gallon who was a low-grade ghetto juke joint comic who never hit the big time (for good reason) appears as a drunk bum who is given super powers by soem mad scientist crooks who plans to use his powers to commit robberies. That's the plot folx. But hey, any film where somebody with as little going for him as WMS gets the FINE girl in the end can't be all bad! Oh yeah, the guy who was accurately described as "looking like Chuck Berry after a night of drinking" was "The Boss" Lee Cross, who was a Dj at WPAL-AM in Charleston, SC in the early 70s.

This isn't a movie to watch seriously.
This is one of the silliest movies I've ever seen in my entire life. Wildman Steve isn't funny or even talented, but hilarious in his attempts to be so. The VHS tape I saw this on didn't have an FBI warning or anything. It's one of the lowest budget films you'll see, which makes it funnier. I'm thinking of actually purchasing it for a laugh! ...Anyway this movie is one to sit down and laugh at. Not at any jokes told, but at the overall production.

Unwatchable garbage!
I rented Super Soul Brother after reading about Wildman Steve in blaxploitation books and articles, and after enjoying Rudy Ray Moore's films like Dolemite and the Human Tornado.

Unlike Rudy, Wildman Steve isn't even funny. He's the black version of Joe DeRita, the least Stooge ever. Steve whines and blubbers through this film. No one else seems to do much of anything. The acting is awful and most of the characters are totally repulsive, especially Dr. Dippy and the crook who looks like Chuck Berry after a night of hard drinking.

This is truly one of the worst films ever made, and its not even enjoyable in an Ed Wood way.

Don't insult Mr. Dolemite by Associating him with this!
WildMan Steve made a few appearances on Sanford and Son in the 1970's and he probably is more known than he should be. This film so thoroughly disappointed me! I was expecting 'Human Tornado' yet instead I got something equivalent to a flagulent mouse. Steve should have used a script #1 and maybe a cameo by some of the Dolemite crew...even Mr and Mrs. White would have been good...somebody! Low Budget is no excuse for making a film with no purpose...'Sweet SweetBack's Badass Song' was low low low budget and groundbreaking. This aimless effort was just grounded! Terence Knox Vuelveme@aol.com

Super Soul Brother is SUPER BAD!
If you enjoy the cult hit "Dolemite", then this mid-seventies low, low, budget(looks like they spent about $2,ooo.oo for the whole production)is right up your alley! L.A. based comedian Wildman Steve does a decent job at the lead role(look for him in a bit role in "The Devil's Son-in-law")Bottom line...this flick is super soul brother cool to spend some time with on a lazy afternoon! ... Read more

Description

Muhammad Ali. He is known as the most thrilling athlete of all time... he is known as The Greatest. The remarkable story of how he became one of the most loved, hated, intriguing, and controversial figures in American history is brought to life in the 6 hour series, Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story.
You will follow Muhammad Ali from his days as Cassius Clay growing up in Lousiville, Kentucky, to the pinnacle of his amateur career as the light-heavyweight gold medallist in the 1960 Rome Olympics. You will witness Ali's stunning victory over Sonny Liston to become the youngest Heavyweight Champion of the World and then experience his painful struggle to regain his title-a title taken from Ali because his religious beliefs precluded him from entering the Vietnam War. His is a story which fascinates both sports and non-sports lovers alike.
Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story contains 3 hours of exclusive footage of all Ali's greatest and most important fights. You will be ring-side for his famous battles with Ken Norton, "The Rumble in the Jungle" with George Foreman, and the "Thrilla in Manila" with Jor Frazier... it's a boxing fan's dream come true.
This unique documentary chronicles the life of a man who, through his amazing athletic talent, brash and out-spoken personality, courage, and personal convictions, not only changed the world of sports but the entire world around him. Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story will be one of the most talked about collector's series of all time. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Too Pretty To Be A Fighter
I popped some popcorn and settled onto my couch - and was blown away - watched the entire thing in 1 day

Some of the rarest and greatest footage I've ever seen!

It felt like a treat to watch the fights I've only read about - I watched both Liston fights! - how many people can say that?

As the fights are concerned - you get to see them! - you get to watch Ali dance and dance - you get to watch him float like a butterfly and sting like a bee - you get to watch him apply his craft - I've never seen the amount of Ali fights as I did on the day I watched these videos. To be fair - some of the fights you only get a couple of important rounds - but as a whole this is the greatest of any Ali VHS/DVD I've ever seen.

You get to see some others interviewed about Muhammad Ali - from his brother - To Angelo Dundee - to Malcolm X - it' just incredable the amount of footage that this makes available to you.

I know it's said a lot, but if you're an Ali fan you HAVE to own this...you have to!

The best documentary of "The Greatest"
If you're a fan of the great Muhammad Ali, or have an interest in boxing history, or even just an interest in a fascinating period in American history, this 6-tape set (just under six hours total) will be worth the price. It contains a lot of rare footage of Ali in and out of the ring, as well as insightful commentaries by Angelo Dundee and others who knew him best. Of course it's impossible to separate Ali from his social impact and the turbulent times he lived in during his boxing days, and those are certainly covered in this set, but the main emphasis is really on his remarkable boxing career. Aside from his legendary fights with Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton and George Foreman, there's extensive footage of many less-famous fights with boxers like Henry Cooper, Floyd Patterson, Archie Moore, George Chuvalo, Ernie Terrell, Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, and so on, and even his Olympic and early progessional fights. If you'd like the most complete Ali documentary available, this is the one you're looking for.

Amazing Footage
I have yet to view anything concerning Ali that surpasses this documentary. This is an absolute must have for any Ali fan.

The Greatest
Anyone who is a fan of Muhammad Ali, or who understands or admires his greatness, it would be unfair for them not to see this movie. The words really dont do it Justice as to the Depth of it's content. The fights, in depth interviews, and out of the ring footage is truly remarkable. This is a must see for any Boxing fan.....

Great Documentary
This documentary is very good, it has tons of fight footage. It has clips from some of Ali's bigger amateur fights, his Olympic fight, some of his bigger fights before fighting Liston. His fight with Liston, clips from all of his 9 title defenses. Clips from his first fight with Frazier, his fights with Norton. No clips of Ali-Frazier II which was kind of dissapointing, but most of the Rumble in the Jungle and most of the Thrilla in Manila. The only other dissapointing thing was that they didnt show clips of Ali-Spinks II which would have been interesting. Great documentary, 6 episodes an hour each, insights from Angelo Dundee, Jerry Izenberg, Ferdie Pacheco, Wali Muhamad, Howard Cosell etc deffinately worth buying. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Produced as the title segment to a six-part series, this 90-minute documentary traces the evolution of jazz from its 19th-century origins in New Orleans's Congo Square, where slaves first introduced American listeners to the complex rhythms and earthy textures of African music.How that cultural diaspora combined with European and American folk, classical, and popular styles to become jazz, "America's classical music," is an oft-told tale, but it's handsomely served here by an intelligent script shaped by veteran jazz journalist Chris Albertson, and a well-chosen array of performances:Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Willie "the Lion" Smith, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Jimmie Lunceford, Charles Mingus, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sarah Vaughan, and Gil Evans all appear, representing as complete a pantheon of major innovators and influences as could be hoped for.Period footage, including both stills and rare film clips, and interviews with musicians and scholars round out a portrait equally appropriate for hard-core jazz fans and novice listeners looking for a point of entry. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fantastic Overview of Jazz
The best 90-minute look at jazz you can imagine. I used this in my music class and the kids were engaged all the way. Interviews are to the point and fun, clips are great. Hard to imagine a better succint treatment of the history of jazz. Highest recommendation!

This is one great video of golden era jazz.
The samplings are wonderful[esp. Willie the Lion Smith and Sarah Vaughn],but the commentary does justice to all the included muscians as well as the history of jazz in general.I could watch this video ten times in ten days and not get tired of it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The pinnacle of blaxploitation movies, the 1972 Superfly stars Ron O'Neal as a drug dealer who wants out of the business but decides to take out some enemies in the process. With its criminal hero, one might almost think this could be an existential crime movie, but no...it's really just an effective piece of pulp with a strong performance by O'Neal, grim settings, cool direction by Gordon Parks Jr., and a famous soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Superfly is the Bomb X 2!
Superfly, starring Ron O'Neal, Carl Lee, and Sheila Frazier is one of the greatest films ever made in the 70's Black film genre. It is a ghetto drama set to the music of the late great Curtis Mayfield - an excellent soundtrack that brilliantly narrates the film and compells you to contemplate the ins & outs of innercity blues; the challenges Vs. Options or lack thereof. This movie is hitting from beginning to end and though often dismissed as blaxploitation, it's strong messages of changing ones predicament, allows it to escape this criticism. Ron O'Neal portrays a drug dealer by the name of Priest with the baddest vines, cars, and plenty of women. He decides that there is more to life than this. With the help of his main squeeze Georgie,he stages one last score to get out of the game despite strong opposition from his partner and other shady individuals that rely on his thriving drug business. Will he make it out? Buy the film and see for yourself! I own a copy on VHS but I'm hoping and praying that Warner Bros. will stop sleeping on this gem and release it on DVD!

Way ahead of it's time
This movie was filmed and released quietly back in '72 but ended up being one of the biggest box office hits of the year, and deservedly so. ... Even today, 30 years after its release, it packs a hard and bitter punch at "the man" and it is hands down the best and most important of the blaxploitation films of its day... it probably has more in common with the ghetto movies of the '90s like New Jack City than anything else. Ron O'Neal is cast perfectly as Priest, a big-time cocaine dealer disenchanted with the hand he's been dealt... He adds a cold and quiet menace to the character, understating his lines with an authority as cruelly elegant as his cheekbones... Director Gordon Parks, Jr. broke down a lot of doors for young directors in the '70s with this film and caused the major studios to start taking a second look at unknown directors who before would have never been given a chance... Also, the late great Curtis Mayfield soundtrack is an absolutely essential companion piece for this movie and will forever have a place in music history as one of the single greatest recordings of all time.

A Classic....
This is one of those movies that I absolutely do not lend to my friends because its simply that good. I've had this movie on VHS for the longest time but I do plan to get this on DVD. This is simply one of the best movies that I have ever watched!!

R.I.P to Ron O'Neal& this film is tight
the film&the Soundtrack are timeless.Curtis Mayfield matches the Films Intensity.this Film has alot of action&Breaks things down.the Commentary here is Top Notch&Right On. this is a Classic Flim&Much Props to shelia Frazier.Props to the Whole Cast.

Classic Film&soundtrack with Messages
R.I.P Brother Ron O'Neal. what can i say about this film? it's timeless that deals with the Street Hustle,funny time Police officers,&everything else in between.does this not sound like 2004?hard to believe this was 1972 because many of the same issues in this film sound so familiar in this time period we are in.Shelia Frazier is So Fine She makes a Brother pull a Fred G.Sanford on the Spot.I dug the Realness&the constant Messages of the Film.Between what Priest was dealing with&the Genius Sounds of Curtis Mayfield pulsing through each frame you got the big picture&what was going down.Commentary was on Point&the cool thing about this film is that unlike so many films that have big budgets this film does so much with less&makes you think&then you understand so much more. Props to the Entire Crew&Cast on this Gem. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

pretty nice
this isn't a bad movie the fight choreography is very 70's style but with a heavyness to it, its still a good movie

Best of the BRUCEPLOITATION movies
I saw this movie first time round back in 1983 and it was the first and best bruce lee imatation movie.As I come from the United Kingdom the version I saw came under the title THE TIGER STRIKES AGAIN(a.k.a. THE LAST STRIKE),and when it was re-released seven years later it was heavily cut (i.e. the nunchacku scenes,due to the stupid censorship laws in the uk,which are now more lenient,we were forbidden to see this amazing weapon in action.) so I decided buy it from amazon and boy was I glad I did so.It is really a simple plot involving freindship,love,betrayal,rape,murder and revenge but if you look beyond the awful dubbing and not so brilliant acting then you really can be pulled into it mainly because of of it's top notch martial arts coreography,which has to be li's finest hour.Okay I know he's no bruce Lee,and there will never be another Bruce Lee,but when it comes to seeing other imatations like Bruce Le,Dragon Lee,Bronson Lee and Bruce Liang he outshines them all and was a good martial arts performer in his own right.If your a hardcore kung fu fan and looking for a good leealike movie then your search has ended because this is the best of the BRUCEPLOITATION movies ever.You wont be disapointed.

Fantastic
After a long show, there is nothing I like better than watching this tale of betrayal,romance etc. A film of historic importance.

ND

Not as good as I remember
Bruce Li was one of the better Bruce Lee imitators and this was one of his better efforts. However, even 20 yrs later, I could tell the current video version has scenes cut, and more incoherent editing under guise of "alternate ending." I'm glad I only rented it. ... Read more

Description

One of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time - he took the belt at age 23, and successfully defended the title 24 times. See great moments from this powerhouse career - Louis vs. Max Schmeling, Jimmy Braddock, Rocky Marciano and more. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

IF YOU'RE A JOE LOUIS FAN, YOU'LL LIKE THIS VIDEO.
This video contains exciting knock-out scenes from many of Joe's memorable fights, and it brings back the thrill of watching the greatest of all heavyweight champions at the peak of his fighting prowess. My only criticisms are, it didn't show enough of the fights that it featured, and it should have featured more of Joe's fights. In other words, I would gladly have paid twice the price for a video that covered Joe Louis' career in greater depth. Nevertheless, it is well worth the money, and it belongs in the video library of every Joe Louis fan.

Decent bio, but should have been longer
This is a decent bio of Joe Louis, but it only scratches the surface of profiling the "Brown Bomber's" career. Too many great fights are not even shown, such as the Primo Carnera bout, and the clips that are shown are way too brief. For example, they show about 25 seconds of the first round of Louis-Braddock. Yet the producers of the show fail to include the moment when Louis is unexpectedly knocked down! This video has some memorable fight clips and interviews (such as Tony Galento whining after his loss to Louis), but it always leaves me wanting to see more. Billy Conn is one of the hosts of this special, and while he was a great fighter and person, he wasn't a good commentator. Still, for $10 bucks I guess you can't expect too much.

this is a great story of one of boxing true champion and a
this is a story of a truly great champion and credit to his race (the human race) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A fascinating, historically significant documentary
Produced by the War Department in 1944, The Negro Soldier is a very interesting documentary honoring African-American soldiers. World War II was ongoing at the time, and the film may well have served to some degree as a recruitment vehicle for young black men, but it stands most clearly today as an historical piece and an inspiring, patriotic celebration of the American spirit and the critical importance of African-Americans in establishing and preserving the American way of life. I was expecting to see some kind of visual record of African-American soldiers involved in fighting World War II, but the video actually serves as a primer of sorts for African-American soldiering throughout the entire history of the United States. Using official War Department films, newsreels, and captured enemy material in conjunction with footage from historical movies and recreations of actual incidents and events, The Negro Soldier is an impressive albeit rose-colored presentation of an oftentimes neglected subject.

The content of the film, which runs for forty minutes, is presented in a most interesting way, as it is narrated by a minister in an African-American church. Seeing several soldiers among the congregation, the minister decides to forego his planned sermon and speak to the importance of the war effort. Strangely enough, he has a copy of Mein Kampf with him and reads several pertinent passages as part of his introduction to the subject at hand. He first points to a number of important African-Americans in each of America's wars, starting with the Revolutionary War and working his way up to World War II, while we are treated to a montage of videos illustrating the stories of such men as he describes. The minister then takes time to praise the role of African-Americans in the building and continuing prosperity of the country and its infrastructure. At one point, a woman in the congregation gets up and reads a letter from her son, who has just been made a lieutenant; to the backdrop of this letter, we are taken through the boot camp experience to see the making of a soldier. In closing, the minister speaks to the current war effort itself, and the film closes with a medley of patriotic songs. The Negro Soldier portrays military service as a challenge but one that offers nothing but benefit and reward to those who don the uniform. While it foregoes any mention of hardship for African-Americans in "this man's army," it does offer an inspiring and historically significant look at a somewhat neglected aspect of American military history.

Well Researched Look at a Neglected Part of American History
The late African American filmmaker and educator Carlton Moss wrote the script and plays one of the roles in this film used to promote nationalism among new soldiers. It provides a rare glimpse of the middle class African American experience of the time.

Moss plays a minister giving a sermon, which acts as the centerpiece for this film. He speaks about the noble history of African Americans in the United States on and off the battlefield. Intercut with his sermon is footage of a soldier going through basic training along with historical footage highlighting black achievement.

While by no means an exciting film, it is quite honorable and provides a welcome alternative to the often stereotypical and negative portrayals of people of color in Hollywood films of the era. It should be required viewing in schools and a welcome addition to any family's video collection. ... Read more