Baadasssss Cinema
A bold look at 70's Blaxploitation films
In this groundbreaking documentary from the Independent Film Channel, filmmaker Isaac Julien takes us back to the early 70s and the explosion of blaxploitation films, today one of Americans cinema's most beloved genres. The original guilty pleasure, these fun and energetic films had all the action, comedy, sex and groovy music you could want in two hours worth of entertainment.
Featuring a wealth of footage from classic films such as "Superfly", "Shaft" and Melvin Van Peeble's "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song", and interviews with such key players as Richard Rountree, Quentin Tarantino, and Pam Grier, Baadasssss Cinema thoroughly explores blaxploitation films from their breakout casting and unforgettable soundtracks to the outrageous fashions and hilarious over-the-top story lines that together helped the genre achieve its revered cult status.
Member Reviews
Not too deep--kind of fluffy. - OrionJeriko
Not a bad little documentary on the rise, and the meaning, of the blaxploitation genre that came to prominence in the early 70's, and died near the end of the same decade. A lot of familiar talking heads do their best to define what it has meant to them, and what it meant at the time. Definitely recommended to fans of the genre...just don't expect it to go as deep as the subject matter should.Brief Surface Skim - Nik-
Yeah, yeah -- Quentin Tarantino made Jackie Brown and he likes blackspoitation pictures. Does that mean we have to listen to him talk about it? He takes up valuable screen time that could have been used looking back at the actual pictures made in the day, and the actors and crew involved.
That's why this documentary sometimes feels more like an ad for Tarantino's work, than an actual focus on what it's supposedly about.
Still, my griping aside, the movie does touch on some interesting films and moments in history. But if you're looking for a deep look, forget it.
By the way, Zip.ca does carry Blacula, Sweet Sweetback, and other blacksploitation flicks! Hooray!Nice little appetizer - TaBobo
A well made documentary with some first class interviews make this a worth while viewing; unfortunatly, it feels like it only skims the issues that arose because of this 'genre', barely touching on the subsequent influences and controversy that was created from 'black cinema'. This documentary seems to focus more on a few particular actors who existed because of theses films than on the impact of these films themselves.
Still the select clips and great sound bites from the well known array of interviewees makes this a very enjoyable appetizer.
Member Reviews
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Not too deep--kind of fluffy. - OrionJeriko
Not a bad little documentary on the rise, and the meaning, of the blaxploitation genre that came to prominence in the early 70's, and died near the end of the same decade. A lot of familiar talking heads do their best to define what it has meant to them, and ...Brief Surface Skim - Nik-
Yeah, yeah -- Quentin Tarantino made Jackie Brown and he likes blackspoitation pictures. Does that mean we have to listen to him talk about it? He takes up valuable screen time that could have been used looking back at the actual pictures made in the day, ...Nice little appetizer - TaBobo
A well made documentary with some first class interviews make this a worth while viewing; unfortunatly, it feels like it only skims the issues that arose because of this 'genre', barely touching on the subsequent influences and controversy that was created ...