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 (7)

Surprisingly Good Action Film From the Chef in "South Park"
Issac Hayes carrying the whole weight of an action film alone? A film starring HIM??? At first I thought it's ridiculous. Well, he is a great singer, but .... Then I watched this film, and twice, and am convinced. He should do that more!! Yes, I acknowledge he cannot act like DeNiro or Pacino, and the story of his love interest is as convincing as love between Josh, Ben, and Kate in "Pearl Harbor." But given a right material like this, his towering physical presence makes up for anything single-handedly.

Truck Turner is an ex-football player, and now a bounty-hunter. With his partner Jerry, nothing can stop them. Nothing. If you are disliked by him, pray it ends soon -- because his huge fists are flying to you right in the face! But one day his botched job getting a guy named Gator leads to his being THE most wanted man for the gangsters. They attack him, his office, and his room even, but now it's Turner's turn to pay back!!!

Frankly, the film is too violent, and one scene made me cry "Oh, PLEASE! DON'T HANG THAT!" But Hayes is well-cast and credible as a no-nonsense bounty-hunter, and actions are good. But the most memorable is Nichelle Nichols's "madam," whose foul-mouthed acting completely shatters the good old memory of "Star Trek" fans. (Where did our Uhula go? Or, is this what she really wanted to do?) Another impressive point is director Jonathan Kaplan, who sometimes gives strong emphasis to darker nuance of his direction (maybe overdirection, some say) later seen in his Jodie Foster film "The Accused." The fate of Yaphet Kotto is captured in a very bleak way, which reminds us of Christopher Walken in a very violent noir "The King of New York."

Though I don't share the enthsiastic praise of other reviewers, "Truck Turner" is a great action film, which is raised higher one notch above than average blaxploitaion films. If there should be a sub-genre like "bounty-hunter movies," this comes to the top alongside with more comical "Midnight Run."

If you don't know the details of bounty-hunting and bailbonding, you may not enjoy the film fully. In that case, you might as well see Trantino's "Jackie Brown," in which another icon Pam Grier showcases her great talent as the title heroine.

One of the best action movies ever made
Here's a screenplay that should be studied in film school. Seriously. It starts out with a bang and holds your interest for a slammin' first act. Then, just when you're sayin' to yourself, "OK, this is fun, but where the hell is it going?" the movie makes a 180-degree turn at the 30-minute mark and totally peels out into something you've never seen before. One of the few instances where 3 writers on an action movie is actually a GOOD thing (especially since one of them is Michael Allin, who wrote ENTER THE DRAGON, and another is Oscar Williams, who gave us THE FINAL COMEDOWN and BLACK BELT JONES). Brilliantly directed by Jonathan Kaplan. Solid supporting performances from Alan Weeks, Nichelle Nichols, Dick Miller, Stan Shaw, Stymie Beard from the Little Rascals, and especially Sam Laws, who always turns up as a character named "Dinwiddie" in Kaplan's early films (see also THE STUDENT TEACHERS, THE SLAMS, and WHITE LINE FEVER). Special mention should also go to Yaphet Kotto, who one year earlier had claimed that his role in LIVE AND LET DIE was racist, but apparently thought nothing of collecting a paycheck here by playing a murderous pimp (or, even worse, two years later in DRUM, where he portrayed a slave who is stripped nude, hung upside down, and asswhipped to a bloody pulp). Also, you gotta love any movie featuring an Italian hitman named "Joe Dante" (Kaplan and future GREMLINS director Joe Dante were both working for Roger Corman at the time this movie was produced. I think WHITE LINE FEVER also features a character named Joe Dante). Last but not least, the score by Isaac Hayes is amazing. If you can find the double-CD (paired with his equally great THREE TOUGH GUYS soundtrack), grab it! I play it all the time, and it's always being sampled by hip hop performers. Definitely check this sucker out.

Very Happening Film
Isaac Hayes is Bad in this Film.it's not alot of Musical Artists that can Play&Act but Isaac Hayes pulls it off.alot of Action,Drama&Laughs in this Film.I Got it about a Year ago.The Music is Slamming as well.A Double Winner here.

"Truck" Turns em' out, Dig it!
Isaac Hayes plays an ex football star turned bounty hunter named Mac "Truck" Turner. After he and his partner kill a violent pimp named "Gator", all the pimps get together and a contract is put out on Truck by none other than Gator's woman (Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols). When all the little fish fail to kill Truck, the biggest pimp of them all, Harvard Blue (Homicide's Yaphet Kotto) makes an offer to have it done but for a big price. Does he succeed? What do you think?

Truck Turner is a great part of the blaxploitation genre and of action films in general. Isaac Hayes makes a great action hero and I wish he had made more films like this. Isaac also provides for one of the funkiest soundtracks ever, maybe better than Shaft. The film is exciting from beginning to end and Truck finds time to romance his lady and to make some jokes in between. One of the funny scenes include when Truck and his partner go to pick up a prisoner from a military base and they have to break through the check point. When the security guards start shooting at Trucks car, he hopes they shoot his left tire out because he needs a new one real bad. Guess what, not only do they shoot the left tire out but they have to put the new one on for him! The rest of the time you will be laughing when you hear all the words that Nichelle Nichols has learned since Star Trek!

IKE BRINGS THE THUNDER IN THIS FLICK!!
Truck Turner caught me off guard, I thought I was in for just another Shaft/Super Fly type of movie but man was I mistaken! Good action, seasoned actors and a good plot along with Isaac's commanding performance makes this an awesome flick! I highly recommend the sound track also, can u dig it? ... Read more

Reviews (15)

It's a great film
I love the Dolemite movies, which is quite possibly the greatest duo of films ever made. I'll never in my life forget the kung-fu action scenes and a naked Rudy Ray Moore rolling down a grassy hill in "The Human Tornado." These movies should be viewed every man, woman and child to walk the earth...they are truly an experience like no other.

The Kung-Fu is worth the purchase price alone!!!
Don't believe the fools who doubt Rudy Ray Moore!!! How can people look at the Dolemite movies seriously? The opening credits are printed on his GIANT JAMES-BROWN-STYLE CAPE!! You'll never enjoy the sensory overload and outright absurdity of these movies if you try to THINK about them. Just have a six-pack and a few smart-mouthed friends around when you watch it.

Nothing beats Dolemite's , jokin', hustlin' kung-fu ways. NOTHING!!! Step off, Batman!!!

I quote the man himself when I say: "Man, move over and let me pass, 'fore they has to be pullin' these Hush-Puppies out your ...!!"

My brother MADE me watch this, and I'm a changed man.

Dolemite's back!
Ok, last time we caught up with the godfather of rap he beat willie green and crooked politicans in a brilliant film. This time I'm affraid, Rudy Ray Moore fumbles. The Human Tornando succumbs to the sequel disease of being worse than the first one. It's not horrible it's a very good movie, but it tries to be to formulatic , it wants to be as good as the first one and use sub-plots resembly the first one.

The plot line, Dolemite leaves California behind and is somewhere in the south when he is caught with the sherrif's wife and jumps off a hill naked. The sherrif is pursuing him across the nation as dolemite puts his nightclub act on the go. He makes it back to Cali. and finds Queen Bee in some hot water with nightclub competiors, and Dolemite comes to the rescue. The movie's not horrible, but not as good as the 1st. It sometimes is choppy, hard to follow, and complete nonsense ( even more than in the original) Dolemite saves the day of course but a weird ending leaves you wanting a bit more well enough to leave on a high point. Remember the first had witty comebacks, and two rap songs performed you'll be lucky to catch him even run into rhyme this time. All in all this was good, close but no cigar.

Big time disapointed
I just loved the 1st one but the sequel was just too slow, not very funny and had lost it's charm. It just has a few memorable scenes.

A Dolemite Fan
Although the characters in this movie and other Dolemite movies
are a little rusty with their acting, I can't help but watch
these movies over and over again. The movie hits with the
rest of the top-rated movies of that era. ... 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

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

Reviews (7)

Wow.
Another movie in which Calvin Lockhart is momentarily shirt-less. A hundred, thousand, million stars!

Cotton Comes to Harlem
a little slow in delived but an excellent movie.

I thought it was a funny movie!
I am a huge fan of blaxploitation movies of the 1970s. I thought it was really funny, especially in the beginning of the movie. This is the kind of movie that you can't take very seriously because a lot of it is cliche. Calvin Lockhart's character (Rev. Deke O'Malley) is conniving, but irresistable. You will enjoy this DVD!

Two Words: Judy Pace!
Seeing Judy Pace in this movie is worth the price of admission alone! The movie itself has an interesting storyline and it does bounce around a little but is definately entertaining. This movie isn't as cliche as many of the other films in this genre. There are some good chase scenes and it was interesting to see Redd Foxx pre 'Sanford and Son'. I would consider this one of the most important movies of the blaxploitation genre.

One of the Best Films of the Day, That Set the 70s STYLE
"Cotton Comes to Harlem" is a solid, funny, and most of all, cool movie which was, besides "Shaft" and "Coffy," to set the trend of the black movies of the 70s. Look how Godfrey Cambridge and Raymond St. Jacques walk and talk, and you'll know the meaning of "style."

Based on Chester Himes's novel, the film follows the two super-cool cops who suspect that Rev. O'Malley's "Back to Africa" campaign (minimun entry 100 dallors needed) is a fraud to steal money from people living in Harlem. But things get complicated when, during the rally, the organization is attacked by masked gangsters who took the money of $87,000, and that was done under the nose of the very cops. Determined to nail the criminal, and possibly the preacher himself, the detective Gravediffer & Coffin start their investigation, and do it in their own fashion.

The film keeps the fast pace with a tightly knit web of characters including Reverend's beautiful wife Iris. But most charming part of the film remains the same today: its being funny and smart. In fact, you will see among violent actions suddenly unexpected humor. The best thing of the film is, in my book, the car chase scene that include "the cemetary chase" and "a flying guy." The film also ends with a showdown in the Apollo Theater (though I don't know whether the inside scene of it was really shot there) And the real Harlem locale of the 70s, which helps to create the authentic atomospher, would be someday a precious record of the New York City.

In short, this is a film Quentin Tarantino with his known flair for characters and story might have shot 30 years ago. Some part of the film look, I admit, dated today when you see women's parts are little better than secondary, just catering obligatory sex scenes. Still, those scenes have been given slight touch of humor, that might almost compensate for the lack of the screen goddess like Pam Grier. Buy this one, along with "Coffy" and "Shaft" and perhaps "Across the 110th Street." That makes a quick course of learning what the blaxploitation films are all about.

Those two main charaters are to reappear in "Come Back Charlston Blues," which is, unfortunately, not as good as this one. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Baadasssss is Bad asss
This movie was revolutionary. Unfortunately it spark the blaxploitation era in cinema, a genre of low budget kill whitey flics, that with their high violence, low budgets, and great soundtracks(minus the political message of Sweetback) began to define an era in cinema when black directors where able to make black movies with black cast in leading roles. Released independently by Melvin Van Peoples in 1971 at a time when blacks in the cinema was next to non-existent (unless they were docile and shuffling their feet). Sweetback tells the story of a man that has had enough of the man and fights back. This movie was revolutionary from its polititcal message to its cinematography. The cinematography of this film which set the president for all other blaxploitation movies to follow was amazing.

This film is for people who can appreciate independent films
This is a great film. The story line isn't completely coherent, but the cinematography is great, the soundtrack is great and the cast is great. The film edits and audio layering are so seventies but, so sweet; reminiscent of seventies porn (I'm not even talking about the sex scenes). I'm really glad I picked this one up. This film is for people who can appreciate independent films.

Please let's get serious ....
I bought this DVD based on a .... believe it or not .... three star review in USA Today film selections last week. The negative reviews didn't scare me because I have seen campy, thought provoking movies get drubbed before and I had to see for myself.

This DVD has hit the high point as to the worst garbage ever put on a DVD. The acting is the pitts, if you can call it acting. Matter of fact th other people watching with me had to keep asking if the hero of the film, played by Melvin Peebles, talked or if he was dumb. To even bring up cinematography and the name of this DVD in the same sentence is ludicrous. The one song track is so badly played it's repeated ad infinitum just in case you didn't get to hate it in the first place.

Toward the end of the movie, at least one quarter of the film by the way deals with short shots of a minute or less of Van Peebles running from the man through the brush, the sewer, the street, tunnels, railroad tracks, desert, parks, highways .... you get the picture .... To make matters worse, the best part of the movie was when after wearing the same crushed gold velour jump suit, and dark shirt, for the WHOLE movie during the last five minutes he FINALLY managed to convince a vagrant to change clothes with his ....

Finally, to equate this film with any sort of greatness of black society and their creative ability is really doing an injustice ...... please please please just because it's done by and about blacks does NOT make this DVD great .....

I am however giving serous consideration to cancelling my USA subscription!

Sweet Melvin's Horrible Asssss Movie
This is one of the worst motion pictures ever made and I am not exaggerating in the slightest. Forget the technical stuff-bad lighting, worse acting and no screenplay to speak of, this is boring, incoherent and almost unwatchably slow. It gets a lot of credit for being the grandaddy of "Blaxploitation" cinema, but the truth is black movies were about to happen anyway and this one just happened to get there first. If I could give this zero stars, I would, but unfortunately one is as low as you can go. Unmitigated crap!!!

Baaaaaddddd DVD quality
This movie may have been groundbreaking in its day, but the DVD is horrendous in terms of image and sound quality. Why wasn't this film cleaned up if it's an anniversary edition? The image has too much debris and the crackling and hissing in several sections of the soundtrack is annoying.

Some of the acting is amateurish, but there are moments when the cinematography, editing, and directing is excellent. I would given the movie 5 stars for its uniqueness alone had it not been for this grotesque DVD transfer! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

BT
I saw this movie and it was horrible, but the spell of the plot kept you watching no matter how much you wanted to turn. they have picked a perfect title for this movie because one glimpse of this flick, you are hooked. The movie, itself is only two stars,but the way they keep you in the movie gives it a five.

So horrible it's funny
I saw this movie late at night at a friend's house. Imagine every single stereotype about drugs you've ever heard wrapped up into a low-budget flick. This is that movie. It's so bad it's hillarious. The lingo is great, too. This movie has great kitsch value, and would be a great thing to watch while you're sitting around with your friends, smoking a blunt or drinking. It's definitely entertaining, but only because it's so bad.

So bad I can't stop watching.
Have you ever seen a movie so sorry that you actually get a kick out of watching it over and over? Well that's what you get with this one. There was no real plot and many of the sequences were so stupid they were almost unreal. How can the police buy drugs from a crack house, letting them know what's going on, yet they can't bust in until the exchange is made with the supplier? Ahhhh Hollywood. Dialogue? Forget it. Take away the F word and half the script is gone. Feminists would have a field day with the misogyny in this film, with scenes like Annie being raped, Melissa being pushed into a scalding shower naked and when BT takes advantage of a drug dazed Melissa. In spite of it I find myself watching it again and again for kicks, like video junk food. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Raw, jagged, and explosively angry, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song is a landmark in American independent cinema. Melvin Van Peebles directed, wrote, produced, edited, scored, and stars as Sweetback, a passive bouncer raised in a brothel. Shot guerrilla style on a starvation budget on the streets of Los Angeles, it's a violent tale of Sweetback's journey from passive acceptance to political awareness and active defiance. He becomes the target of a manhunt when he kills two cops who beat up a young black activist, and he bounces from hideout to hideout before running for the border, all the while getting more booty than Shaft and Superfly put together. The movie was so inflammatory by conservative industry standards that it was "Rated X by an All White Jury," which the ads proudly touted. The unusual mix of agitprop and exploitation is directed in a jagged style that recalls Godard and set to a funky score performed by Earth, Wind & Fire, which Van Peebles intercuts with chanting Greek chorus-like slogans. Released independently, it was a huge hit and effectively spawned the blaxploitation genre, but none of the films that followed ever recaptured the energy, the anger, and the social politics of this breakthrough in independent cinema. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Baadasssss is Bad asss
This movie was revolutionary. Unfortunately it spark the blaxploitation era in cinema, a genre of low budget kill whitey flics, that with their high violence, low budgets, and great soundtracks(minus the political message of Sweetback) began to define an era in cinema when black directors where able to make black movies with black cast in leading roles. Released independently by Melvin Van Peoples in 1971 at a time when blacks in the cinema was next to non-existent (unless they were docile and shuffling their feet). Sweetback tells the story of a man that has had enough of the man and fights back. This movie was revolutionary from its polititcal message to its cinematography. The cinematography of this film which set the president for all other blaxploitation movies to follow was amazing.

This film is for people who can appreciate independent films
This is a great film. The story line isn't completely coherent, but the cinematography is great, the soundtrack is great and the cast is great. The film edits and audio layering are so seventies but, so sweet; reminiscent of seventies porn (I'm not even talking about the sex scenes). I'm really glad I picked this one up. This film is for people who can appreciate independent films.

Please let's get serious ....
I bought this DVD based on a .... believe it or not .... three star review in USA Today film selections last week. The negative reviews didn't scare me because I have seen campy, thought provoking movies get drubbed before and I had to see for myself.

This DVD has hit the high point as to the worst garbage ever put on a DVD. The acting is the pitts, if you can call it acting. Matter of fact th other people watching with me had to keep asking if the hero of the film, played by Melvin Peebles, talked or if he was dumb. To even bring up cinematography and the name of this DVD in the same sentence is ludicrous. The one song track is so badly played it's repeated ad infinitum just in case you didn't get to hate it in the first place.

Toward the end of the movie, at least one quarter of the film by the way deals with short shots of a minute or less of Van Peebles running from the man through the brush, the sewer, the street, tunnels, railroad tracks, desert, parks, highways .... you get the picture .... To make matters worse, the best part of the movie was when after wearing the same crushed gold velour jump suit, and dark shirt, for the WHOLE movie during the last five minutes he FINALLY managed to convince a vagrant to change clothes with his ....

Finally, to equate this film with any sort of greatness of black society and their creative ability is really doing an injustice ...... please please please just because it's done by and about blacks does NOT make this DVD great .....

I am however giving serous consideration to cancelling my USA subscription!

Sweet Melvin's Horrible Asssss Movie
This is one of the worst motion pictures ever made and I am not exaggerating in the slightest. Forget the technical stuff-bad lighting, worse acting and no screenplay to speak of, this is boring, incoherent and almost unwatchably slow. It gets a lot of credit for being the grandaddy of "Blaxploitation" cinema, but the truth is black movies were about to happen anyway and this one just happened to get there first. If I could give this zero stars, I would, but unfortunately one is as low as you can go. Unmitigated crap!!!

Baaaaaddddd DVD quality
This movie may have been groundbreaking in its day, but the DVD is horrendous in terms of image and sound quality. Why wasn't this film cleaned up if it's an anniversary edition? The image has too much debris and the crackling and hissing in several sections of the soundtrack is annoying.

Some of the acting is amateurish, but there are moments when the cinematography, editing, and directing is excellent. I would given the movie 5 stars for its uniqueness alone had it not been for this grotesque DVD transfer! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The music
I over the years have become a big fan of blaxploitation films. I have nothing negative to say, because if it weren't for them there would be no Eddie Murphy and so on.

The only reason I gave this picture 4 stars is because I can't for the life of me find out the name of that song that plays at the end of this movie. If anybody anywhere can tell me the name of that song and who sings it, I would greatly appreciate it. Send me an e-mail and I will reply with great thanks. Maurice

Crazy Movie!!
This movie had me rolling in laughter, but there's an important message behind this movie. The production is quite low and the acting will not win any Oscars, but this is one of the best Blaxploitation movies I have ever seen.

Blaxploitation at it's finest
This is my favorite movie of all time.. it has the best dialogue,"hip 70's phrases", music.. the characters are believable.. I've watched this movie a thousand time and it gets better every time.. this has got to be blaxploitation at it's finest!!!!!

country girl enters the big city
Wow! This movie is wild. The acting and even the directing and edting isn't the best, but it keeps you hooked in once you're out the gate.

I enjoyed the music and hints of black militancy. Like at one point when the main character Anna Mae(?) says the same line as Jonathan Jackson when he attempted to liberate his brother George Jackson.

All and all, it's good for laughs and jokes.

This movie did not have the best acting but it was truly fun
I think that this movie needs to be republicized ... Read more

Reviews (22)

THE Movie That Set the Style of 70s
All of Pam Grier movies in the 70s, "Coffy" is the most famous. She deserves it; watch this movie, and you see what so-called blaxploitation films are all about.

The fast-paced "Coffy" starts with a dynamite opening, in which Pam's character Coffy lures her enemy into a nasty surprise, and she blows away poor fool's head with a shotgun literally. Then, her mission of eradicating drug racket goes on until a very bitter ending. There are actions, fighting, nudity, and battling girls at a party where Pam uses most unexpected weapon -- salad! Frankly they look rather bland by today's standard, but good soundtrack by Roy Ayres is still wonderful.

Probably the most interesting thing about "Coffy" is its gorgeous 70s fashion: music, clothes, and hairstyle. even if you find its story a little stale, you never get tired of watching dresses, glasses, hats, and everything -- they are so big! And surprising thing is that the film to certain extent reflects the political condition of those days (see how a black congressman address a speech about drug issues among Afro-Americans).

"Coffy" is one of the movies that set the style of the 70s. Those who are interested in that period should watch it (and the original "Shaft") once.

Vigilante action with Pam!
Pam Grier is Coffy, an inner-city nurse whose younger sister's life has been destroyed by illicit drugs, and who is now out to avenge her by killing the drug dealers. Her method is to lure the dope pushers by offering them her sexual favors, and then blasting them with a sawed-off shotgun!

And what man can resist such a statuesque beauty? Many a dope pusher meets his Maker after making it with Coffy. Pam Grier has some outstanding nude scenes in this movie, and that alone makes this DVD worth the price, but director Jack Hill's commentary is an interesting bonus. This DVD is a must-have for every Pam Grier fan!

One vengeful mama.
For a blaxploitation movie this one isn't too bad, thanks largely to Pam Grier. She is one tough lady in this interesting retooling of "The Bride that Wore Black," only in this case it is little sister who Coffy is seeking vengeance upon. There is plenty of violence and nudity to thrill, but the movie actually develops a story and posits the moral question whether vengeance is justified if criminals can't be brought to justice. Ultimately, Coffy enters the world of prostitution, posing as a sultry Jamaican bombshell, to get the top crime boss in the city. The movie is vintage 70's with luscious babes lounging around swimming pools, garish interiors and love-inducing fireplaces. Too bad Pam Grier had to wait such a long time to get the plum role of Jackie Brown, building her fame on Jack Hill movies.

Errors and omissions
From the information from other sites I am to believe that this is not an 'Anamorphic/16:9 enhanced' DVD. Foxy Brown is. All Region 2's in the MGM Blaxploitation-series are...

They call her Coffy and she'll cream you!
This was a pretty enjoyable movie, but I have to admit that I enjoyed Foxy Brown just a little more. This movie is basically about Pam Griers' character getting revenge on those who have hurt her and her family. She starts out with lower level pimps and pushers, and workers her way up the power structure to the head sleezebags. The one thing that didn't really sit well with me was the way she portrayed the moments of remorse her character felt about what she was doing. I am not saying that a person who becomes a vigilante wouldn't have these feelings, but I just didn't really buy it coming from her. I know, I know, maybe I am delving too deep into the character, but if they're going to go there...anyway, it didn't make me enjoy the movie any less. And it's always nice to see as much eye candy as there was in this movie. Pam Grier is really hot and made most of the other women in this movie look kinda dumpy. To sum it up, it's a fun movie, some minor slow points, but it kept me interested throughout. If funk with a dash of groovitude is your bag, then this movie is for you. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Awful Sequel
This movie is so bad that is not fun. Boring, awful direction, amateurish acting, the plot doesn't make sense. If you thought that SUPERFLY T.N.T. was bad this is worst ( Priest working for the cops to capture the big drug dealers? Give me a break!). Go back and watch the original SUPERFLY which is the one,I am sure, that the guy that gave this one five stars was thinking of. Avoid this one, you have been warned!

Don't even Bother
This is a Waste of Film.it almost's tarnishes the Original.After the First one the Producers&What not should have let well enough be instead of trying too milk another one out.Very Boring&Directionless.Avoid it.

Wonderful Blaxploitation film!!!
What a great film from the era of Blaxploitation. Tye Pierson give a tremendous short presentation! His best yet! ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Good blaxploitation flick, but often disturbing.
If you think John Shaft is tough, then wait until you see the character Tommy Gibbs in Black Caesar. The acting is terrible, the film could use some re-editing, but it's definitely one of the more revered inclusions in the genre. And the James Brown soundtrack is killer!

The quintessential "blaxploitation" film. . .
Those of us who know what it takes to make a powerful film know that you don't need a gargantuan budget and a big-name director. This stylish, gritty crime film from the 1970s "blaxploitation" library stars Fred Williamson as Tommy Gibbs, a tough, confident hood who works his way up the organized crime ladder in New York City. Director Larry Cohen perfectly blends elements from DePalma's "Scarface", 1930s gangster films, and the powerful, in-your-face violence is expertly complemented with the themes of loyalty, redemption, and greed (The scene in which Tommy's gang heads a bloody gun battle at a Mafia pool party was exceptionally well done). The performances were all convincing, especially D'urville Martin's over-the-top portrayal of Tommy's preacher friend. Combining raw, uncompromising violence, a complex morality tale, a dynamic soundtrack from the godfather of soul, James Brown, and believable performances, this film is a powerful journey into the realm of organized crime and its a shame that more people don't know about this movie. So for those of you who like big-budget, socially acceptable Hollywood garbage with action scenes almost completely lacking adrenaline, go see a James Cameron film. If you want an honest, uncompromising character study, definitely check out this underappreciated gangster flick. Don't miss a particularly entertaining scene in which Tommy gets knife happy on one of his victims in a barber shop, cutting off a certain appendage. This scene receives an indirect if perverse tribute in Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs."

Blaxploitation.....A Perfect 10
This is by far the best in the genre.....raw and rugged....a perfect 10....should not be missed if your a fan of blaxploitation flicks.....enjoy!

A CLASSIC I LOVE FRED WILLIAMSON!!!
THIS MOVIE IS SO AWESOME I WISH THAT I COULD GIVE THIS MOVIE 100 STARS BECAUSE THE ACTING IS WONDERFUL BY JULIUS W. HARRIS, GLORIA HENDRY, AND MINNIE GENTRY THIS IS A POWERFUL DRAMATIC ACTION PACKED MOVIE BASED IN HARLEM, NEW YORK I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE TO ANYONE WHO ENJOYS BLAXPLOITATION MOVIES AND I LOVE THE ACTING THE PLOT EVERYTHING THE WHOLE PACKAGE DELIVERS I WOULD ALSO RECCOMMEND THE SOUNDTRACK I AM NOT TRULY A JAMES BROWN FAN BUT HE REALLY DELIVERS WITH"THE BOSS" AND ALSO "MAMA" I LOVE THIS MOVIE AND THE SOUNDTRACK!!!

Perhaps The Very Best Of This Genre
Growing up in the early 1970s, I never really took Shaft, Black Caesar, or Superfly seriously. Thirty years later, my perspective has changed drastically. Black Caesar, starring Fred Williamson, is a masterpiece and represents the absolute elite of this genre. Williamson does a fabulous job portraying the rise and fall of a NYC gangster. Many have referred to Williamson as "The Black Burt Reynolds", but I'm quite hard pressed to come up with a Reynolds performance that is actually better than Williamson's in Black Caesar.

It's a shame Williamson wasn't given access to a broader array of high quality scripts. In a lot of ways, Williamson is more accomplished, educated, and polished than Reynolds. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Solid 70's Action Flick
Big, brawny Jim Brown makes a convincing hero in this two-fisted, jive-talking blaxploitation thriller. The story moves with great speed and plenty of tough action as Brown hunts for the slayers of his parents and encounters a nest of racist gangsters.
Everything about this flick is a notch above the average blaxploitation flick of its era. The direction is tight, the cinematography inventive and slick, and the performances are hammy without going too far. A very young and very weaselly Rip Torn does a fine job as the pinched, hateful villain who really gets what he deserves. Indeed, all the villains go down hard in this movie, which builds to a climactic conflict with a body count like a Spaghetti Western's.
Mention must be made of Stella Stevens, who has a number of short, but memorable, nude scenes. Not to mince words- she's so fine that virtually any man watching will likely gape at the screen in awe.
Superior entertainment for blaxploitation fans and anyone who likes a rip-snorting action movie.

Fairly Good Action & Answer to Shaft; Jim Brown Is Slaughter
So, MGM hit the goldmine with Richard Roundtree's "Shaft," so why not other companies? Samuel Arkoff's AIP (American Internationa Picture), known for many exploitation films (a kind of films you might have seen at local drive-in theaters back in the 50s and 60s), gave an answer to John Shaft. Yes, it's Slaughter, ex-Green Beret who takes the law in his hand for revenge. And Jim Brown, former American football player, and previously seen in films like "The Dirty Dozen" was chosen. Very Good casting, as it turns out.

Plus Brown (later seen in Tim Burton's "Mars Attack!"), we have a good supporting cast, namely Rip Torn and Stella Stevens. It was too good, I guess. Anyway, with the presence of them, "Slaughter" is barely raised above from other average blaxploitation films, some people say...

Interesting thing is, the film's supporting cast almost all consists of white actors. As a result, the atomosphere of the film is different from that of other blaxploitation films like "Coffy" and "Shaft," and you may be disappointed because of that. However, the good pace of the film (thanks to the director Jack Starret's deft hand) will keep you interested. In my book, "Slaughter" is a better-than-average action film. Oh, and there are nudity, which is No. 1 rule of this genre, including that of Stella Stevens (original "The Nutty Professor" and others). Is this misjudge on her side when choosing projects? Probably. (She again shows up in blaxploitation film, the sequel of Warner Brother's "Cleopatra Jones.") But I am happy with her appearance, I confess.

On top of her participation, there is a rousing title song by Billy Preston, whose electoric keyboard with his trademark howling sound can be heard. Probably "Slaughter" should be rated as an average three-star movie. Well, his song, however, is another virtue of the film, and with this and Ms. Stevens, one notch up. Yeah, I like this film. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Pointless blaxploitation/horror hybrid
In this film directed by William A. Levey (also guilty of directing the classics Wham Bam Thank You Spaceman and Skatetown, U.S.A.), "Dr. Stein" replaces the arms and legs of a black Vietnam vet named Eddie, but something goes wrong and Eddie becomes a murdering, rampaging monster. This low-budget mess is long on phony-looking gore, but short on plot. If you're interested in blaxploitation/horror hybrids like this, check out the vastly superior "Blacula" instead.

One-half star out of five.

has anyone noticed some pretty good shot setups?
This has got to be one of the most inconsistent films I have ever seen. Most of the acting is atrocious, the sets in conjunction with the cameras are pretty good, and it features the Frankenstein equipment from the original film (Strickfaden dragged it out for this film and also Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein). The plot is time capsule relevant- a black man comes back from Vietnam with no limbs, and his scientist girlfriend contacts her old professor who has a background in cellular regrowth (RNA, DNA mumbo jumbo for plot purposes... now, if RNA causes people to freak out, wouldn't they just stick with the DNA... oh well, it's all for the good of the monster). Kudos go to this film for portraying a black woman as a take control doctor/scientist and also for portraying VA hospitals as a little subpar (this was the early 70s). Well, the Basket Case boyfriend has some new limbs thrown on, and a lab assistant with the hots for the girl scientist winds up pulling an Rna switcheroo, causing confusion and disemboweling to abound, (or unbound, depending on how you tie your bellybutton). Throw in some bad standup, some mediocre Liz Renay, and some great attack dogs and you're in for a weird time. But just notice the scene shot through the murder victim's droppped eyeglasses, and Blackenstein going out of the lab with his shadow spreading up the wall, and perhaps you'll see what I mean.

Wanna Sit Slack-Jawed with Boredom? Then This Is For You!
When her boyfriend Eddie Turner (Joe DeSue) returns from Vietnam without arms and legs, Dr. Winnifred Walker (Ivory Stone) appeals to former teacher and Nobel Prize-winning Dr. Stein (John Hart) for help--and Dr. Stein, who has been fiddling with DNA, accomodates them by growing some new arms and legs. Unfortunately, the experiment goes awry, and Eddie suddenly develops a square afro, takes to wearing ankle boots, and sneaks out at night... and one of his first victims is an ugly white woman with a really bad hair-do and bad taste in pink nighties.

On the surface, BLACKENSTEIN would seem everything a cult-movie fan could ever wish. And it is true, there are about six "howlers" per minute in this film--actors who can't act, ridiculous dialogue, bad cinematography, awful special effects, extremely silly make-up, you name it, this flick has it. Trouble is, BLACKENSTEIN is also incredibly, unspeakably dull. In fact, it is so dull that after about ten minutes its dullness overpowers the giggle factor and you are left to sit in slack-jawed exhaustion. The DVD offers nothing in the way of extras and the print is bad to boot--not that it makes any difference where this film is concerned. If you have to buy a gift for some you don't much like, this would be a perfect choice. Otherwise, steer clear.

GFT, Amazon reviewer

5 stars for the movie, 2 stars for the transfer...
Xenon's DVD of BLACKENSTEIN is for the most part a sorry affair. It utilizes the same old video master, so those who want to upgrade their VHS copies can do so without expecting anything but the preservation of the title on DVD. The print source is pretty worn, colors are gray and lifeless, and the general muddiness make darker scenes difficult to see. It's also full frame, and a good example of why open matte films look so out of proportion when not presented in their original aspect ratio (in this case it should be 1.85:1). Audio is ok, but lots of surface noise is evident. There are no extras except for some trailers for other Xenon releases, including a hilarious one for Rudy Ray Moore's THE HUMAN TORNADO. (George R. Reis)

Ed Wood's Got Nothing On This Piece Of Garbage
this could very well be the worst movie i've ever seen. horrible continuity - (the soon-to-be blackenstein has no limbs, but in one scene, you see his legs covered by a blanket) - terrible lighting, lame directing and i think i've seen better acting from kevin costner in "the big chill" where he played a dead man. honestly, the main character looks freakin asleep!

who approved this??? who thought this would be a good movie??? there are scenes of blackenstein just walking. and man does he walk! minutes and minutes of him walking! then he kills someone and walks like there's no tomorrow. then he kills somebody else and dies from a dog bite. and that's about it. you could watch a blank screen for 90 minutes and find more enjoyment in that. i'm pretty sure that the script would have been better if it had been 80 pages of crayon scribblings from my 1 year old neice. in fact, i was just born when this movie was made and it could possibly have been me who wrote the screenplay. if so, then sorry about that, because i wrote one horrible piece of trash. blame my mom for not using the darn thing to wipe my doo-doo with it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Much Better Than "Slaughter"
A lot of people feel that the original "Slaughter" is the best one, but "Rip Off" is a much superior sequel. This is still a "revenge flick", but the characters are far more intersting. Jim Brown gets to have alot more fun and alot more sex. The added bonus is Dick Anthony Williams portrayal as a Pimp/Burgular who helps Slaughter bring down the Mob. The only downside to this one is that most of the songs from James Brown's classic soundtrack are missing from the movie.

Not So Exciting: See the First "Slaughter" & Stella Instead
"Slaughter" may not be exactly a first-rate action film, but it still can be proud of its own energy and Stella Stevens. Its quickly-made sequel has none of them; instead, you got Ed McMahon as a villain. Oh no....

This time again some crime syndicate tries to kill Jim Brown aka. Slaughter by shooting from a flying airplane. Instead, his friend got killed, so again Slaughter begins his own vendetta to get the man behind the killing. As usual, FBI got involved, and as usual, he has a girlfriend (Gloria Hendry) to protect.

Though action scenes themselves are not bad, McMahon of "Tonight Show" as baddie is as incredible casting as Demi Moore in "Scarlet Letter." Well, Jim Brown is as cool as ever, but there's nothing exciting about he film. The actions come too few and far between to raise the film's tension too the level of other blaxploitation films. Too ordinary.

Try to spot Valda Hansen (credited as Hanson), remembered by some movie fans as one of the friendly circle surrounding Edward Wood Jr. -- fondly called "the worst movie director" -- and herself star of his unbelievable "Night of the Ghouls."

I bought a VHS tape, but it MAY contain a different soundtrack from CD's or DVD's. As I have not listened to or seen either CD or DVD of "Slaghter's Rip-Off," I'm not quite sure, but the IMDB site shows the existence of the alternate take of the film, which uses a different soundtrack. Some part of the soundtrack of VHS tape, interestingly, clearly uses the same songs you can hear in "Coffy," including the instrumental version of that famous theme song. Very curious.

Not Bad Brainless AIP Jim Brown Vehicle
Though the original is preferred if only for some stunning Stella Stevens nude scenes, this is pretty entertaining on its own terms. Unfortunately, Ed McMahon (!) plays it straight in the bad guy role, when I was really hoping for some of the ol' "John P. Ryan As the Fake Nathan White" scenery chewing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This snappy, cynical cop thriller was marketed as a "blaxploitation"film when released in 1973, but it's really a mixed-cast godson of The FrenchConnection and The Seven Ups set in the racially volatile cauldron of1970s Detroit. Alex Rocco (Moe Green from The Godfather) stars as aveteran detective on the Detroit police force, a sinus-infected loner who'sbitter from constantly being passed over for promotion. Assigned to a politicalpowder keg--the high-profile heist of a black gubernatorial candidate's bigmoney fundraiser--he's paired up with an educated, smart-dressing black hotshot(Hari Rhodes), a fast-rising star in the department. These guys are no LethalWeapon act; they may earn a grudging mutual respect but never really like ortrust one another. The climactic 25-minute chase is edgy and lean and veryviolent, spiced with big bloody gunshot wounds and victims writhing in tortureddeath spasms, and the film concludes on an unusually satisfying note ofambiguity and cynicism. Marks went on to direct Friday Foster andJ.D.'s Revenge. The title, by the way, refers to the police code for"officer in trouble." Virtually unseen since its premiere, it was rescued byQuentin Tarantino's Rolling Thunder label for a brief theatrical revival andsubsequent video release. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (10)

IN A WORD..........SOLID!
This is classic Blacksploitation! I am such a huge fan of the genre, that when I heard a soundbite from Detroit 9000 on the Jackie Brown soundtrack, I knew that I had to see the movie. And, even better, it had Quentin Tarantino's stamp of approval. More than enough for me!

A gritty, tell it like it is white cop is assigned to find the men who robbed the fundraiser for the first black man to run for Govenor of the state of Michigan. When he realizes that he can't do it alone, he reluctantly agrees to let a young black cop, who happens to be an up-and-comer, help him out. What follows is a mess of gun fights, funky music, and dead pimps. All culminating in probably one of the biggest shootouts/chase scenes in film history! My jaw was dropped and my eyes were open in amazement as Detroit cops and the robbers chased each other all over town whilst expending thousands of rounds of ammo. The ending came as quite a surprise, and nothing that I had seen coming. This film is a very good movie, especially for blacksploitation, and it is a total blast. I watched this on a Friday night with some friends, made some remarks(ala Mystery Science Theater 3000), and totally had a great time. If you like blackploitation, see this. If you like action films, with millions of bullets, and bloody gunfights, see this. And if you like cop movies with great chase scenes, see this! I would love it if Tarantino remade this film, and put Sam Jackson in it. A lot of fun, and worth your time. Hey, if you took the trouble to look it up, do yourself a favor and see it.

BORING!!!!
This movie starts out alright, with some good chase scenes and a few shoot-outs, but then it just becomes incredibly boring. Detroit 9000 becomes so slow paced, that it will put you to sleep.

SNOR-FEST.....ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

Better than your expectations
This movie is truly more than a standard exploitation flick (not that there's anything wrong with that). Sure, there's some stilted acting and neon orange blood, but beyond that there's a pretty darn good story, and some of the best location shots of Detroit next to "8 Mile". The plot twists will actually surprise you, and the amount of locations will make you wonder how they got enough money to pull this off. "Detroit 9000" is the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" of Blaxploitation, in that it goes beyond the genre but still keeps the mainstays intact. Highly recommended, although I wish the dvd had more (any) special features. Epic.

Good Movie
This was a great movie and I enjoyed it very much! If you like Blaxploitation movies, this is one to see!

A Must-See for Motown
This is the only non-documentary film that I know of to capture anything of the life in Detroit experience. It is a must-see film for anyone who's spent any serious time in Motown. There are classic Detroit scenes such the drive up the Cobo Hall ramp, a dialogue scene in the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame inside Cobo, the old Top Hat Coney off Grand Circus Park, a functioning Book-Cadillac Hotel, a skyline before the RenCen, and even a B.C./Marathon sticker and Detroit Tigers "Bill Freehan in action" calendar! This film has early-70s Detroit written all over it. Yet, this film also goes beyond its local setting as well. Its no wonder Tarantino has a special regard for this film. It shows the racial hypocrisy of institutions and the establishment. There is racial opportunism and strife among the politicians and police chiefs. So it is no mistake that the criminals in this film are the only ones racially mixed w