Is Thug Life the New Blaxploitation?

Think about it.  Hot looking females not only strapped but make target every time.  A dope soundtrack. Everyone speaks in urban slang. Violence.  Maybe hard narcotics.  At the film's climax, someone either died or is badly hurt, either physically or emotionally.

Is this a bad thing or worse, unoriginal?  Not necessarily, as one of my favorites, Power, has at least three of the above named factors.  Additionally, the cable drama is more popular with viewers than Fox Network's Empire, especially in the last couple of years.  While I won't use this post to tear down Cookie and 'em, one thing I will state is the emotionally complex scenarios used in Power make it more meaty than most shows that use a similar formula of a brother who used slangin' to come up.

What about when we make TV shows, big-budget movie and now...stage plays where you have the elements but the story line is "simple"?  Maybe even predictable...can it still be as fun as watching Blacula or even New Jack City.  Well, a new play, THUGS and the Women Who Love Them, is getting mixed reactions at best.  Courtesy of Deadline Detroit.

Based on a 2004 fictional series by Wahida Clark, the play was adapted by producer Melvin Childs and has made short stops in major cities in the past few months.  Casting includes mostly C/D-List entertainers like Ray J, Lyfe Jennings, and reality show superstars (meaning they get continuous work to act a fool on TV).  The only notable on here is Jamal Woolard, who played the title role of Biggie Small in 2007's Notorious.

Some people see the original blaxploitation movement as a way to crawl before walking, as only a handful of actors were offered legitimate (nice, articulate character) roles before.  I once had a debate with a former co-worker about why these types of films should never exist.  While my sentiment was that people needed to get work (and I was only about 20 at the time), she came back much harder.  THIS IS HOW PEOPLE FROM OTHER CULTURES SEE US.

My head was spinning because at that time, no one knew who Rodney King was, L.A. had only one riot, and while Pill Bill Cosby was using his popular sitcom to gradually lecture the viewers about what was right about the world of upper-class blackness, I knew my place in the world.   That was a utopia in my mind where everyone got along and no one saw stereotypes - just good and bad people.

Who would think more than 25 years later that hip-hop (no matter how watered down these days) cannot be used in a different format to tell a story of the streets?  They may not get my money but I feel that people have a right to express themselves by telling their truth.  However, I will be happy when there are more Rainbow Johnsons on my TV screen than Cookie Lyon types.

Goodnight Skillet

On  7/4/17, we lost veteran actor Ji Tu Cumbuka to causes not yet determined.  Cumbuka, whose acting credits date back to 1968's Uptight (starring actor/ screenwriter Max Julian), make a remarkable presence on the stage, television, and the silver screen.  Update: It's been reported that he was suffering from a number of ailments, including vascular disease.

While major mediums mention Roots and Harlem Nights as his most notable roles, blaxploitation movie fans remember him as Skillet from 1972's Blacula.  With Cumbuka's stand out, gap-toothed smile, he was THAT dude in the club.  Rest in heaven bro.

Can John Legend Help Save How Blacks Are Portrayed on Film?

 As you know, Southside with You (the Barack and Michelle love story) is now in nationwide release.  Its Executive Producer is recording artist/emerging media mogul John Legend and the reviews have been decent.  However, this is not his first foray into screen, as he is also one of three EPs behind the WGN smash series Underground.  This period piece about slavery has also been renewed for a second season.

So after years of Tyler Perry and Wayans Bros entertainment styles waning (slightly), does this mean that America gets to see more uplifting content in regard to black history with emphasis on triumphant moments?  I hope so.

I still appreciate the simplicity of straight-to-DVD/Aspire/BET/TVOne movies with a small budget and new faces, or those that were once popular (I see you, Robin Givens) but now are more humbled, I want to see something new.

Will John Legend come to the rescue again?  According to Rhymes with Snitch, a series about Black Wall Street is currently in development.  Here are some more facts, for those who are unaware of this period in history.

Your Favorite Underrated Actor

Here is a tribute video that combines songs by the late actor as well as clips from classic movies like The Landlord.  Gone too soon, here is a rundown of her accomplishments in film and the stage.

Happy B-Day Larry Fishburne!

Yeah, I go back to when he guest starred on the PBS sitcom Up and Coming back in the early 1980s.  Anyway, so many characters to choose from and way too many movies to list.  Not gonna go with Ike Turner, or PeeWees Playhouse, or the obscure $hit that simply paid the bills.

So Larry, or Lawrence, here's to not being a sell-out, handling your daddy business as of recent, and hopefully you can pass the torch on to the next generation without going all Kobe.

Norman, is That You?

Yep...back to actual reviews.  This 1976 classic stars Redd Foxx, Pearl Baily and a really young Michael Warren as the son reluctant to come out of the closet for a man who spent years calling poor Lamont Sanford a dummy...but he got the ladies.

Another one they never show on the Black stations but here is a spoiler alert that would definitely need editing.

Waylon Flowers and Madame (yep, the puppet from Solid Gold) have a cameo where Ms. M comes out in blackface and sings in "jive".

It was funny but then again, I've never been a PC person.



 This movie was also inspiration for the Sanford and Son episode where Lamont and Rollo visit a gay bar.  Enjoy!

Django, Mandingo,Ding Dong a Dango

Not making light of slavery.  However, I did find it only appropos that I give my take on the whole Django controversy.

While I am both a fan of Quentin Tarantino and have genuine love for my people, I am not in a race to see this movie.

Many people like Dick Gregory and Spike Lee have made excellent points about why people of color should or should not see this flick, I'm not phased.

Wanna know why? Because in a sense, $hit has not changed.

They throw us a crumb and we act like its the cow.

A crumb is still a crumb and there is no justifying or glorifying slavery.

You can say that Jews and Mexicans were able to overcome the obstacles but from POV, they had the sense of community that a lot of Black communities have been missing out on for some time.

Only a handful of us have the sense to pass things forward to make someone else's life better. A small percentage of New Money Negroes are too busy patting themselves on the back for getting ahead and the remainder are still chasing the crumbs as they come and go which is rather quick since many have their priorities mixed up.

Is there one answer?  Hell no but if you know that your $10-12 would be put to better use, hold on to it.  And if you're desperate for entertainment (I will be back to business soon, I've got bills), RUN to your DVD guy. If you don't have one, I know of someone that has that unreleased Halle Berry movie where she plays someone who is unbalanced.  Since she's behind it, I haven't given into temptation but I know how it is.

Anyway, here is an interesting trailer that shows one of many Black cowboy movies from the 70's as well as the original Mandingo trailer.

Sparkle...the Old or the New? Whatcha think?

Last weekend, I saw this and there are a few scenes that are worth $10-12 (maybe a matinee at one of theaters that serves real food or has a bar).

1. The club scene where they played 'Sing a Simple Song' by Sly Stone and 'em.
2. The dinner table scene because you can see Whitney is trying REAL HARD to not go off on Mike Epps character.
3. Tika Sumpter was just as cute as she could be (but a little dry).
4. Aaand the ending was way more moving because Jordin Sparks had much more range than Irene Cara.

Soooo. Constructively speaking, they should have called it something else because though it obviously added on things and maybe cleaned up things a little (I know I liked them a little poor instead of middle class in a big ol' house).  

However, some things were just weird like that dude that looked like Gin Rummy (Sam Jackson's character) from the Boondocks.  I was waiting for him to say something that would take away from the fact that I need to buy the Season 3 DVD ASAP.  And no, I'm not clowning Albinos.

So I may see it again.  Word on the street is that they may not break even anytime soon but I will remain hopeful that people will see this for Whitney (RIP).

Willie Dynamite Clip: Your Choice For Best Blaxploitation Film

Oh yeah, mine too!
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In case the below vid left you wanting more from back in the day, here's what you voted for.  This scene is a tea (coke) party consensus where they discuss trade (bitches) and the possibility of forming an alliance so as to protect one's turf.  A cerebral Willie D ain't hearin' it because he feels his bitches should be free to take over any corner without permission.  The beginning of his slow and interesting retirement from the game.

'You sayin' you can't control your bitches?'

Veteran Thespian Documentary Needs Our Support

The grandson of Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis  is seeking assistance for a documentary about the veteran actors.  Read more at his Kickstarter page.

Bounce TV: The First Month + A Tip

I am loving this channel.


Never knew Richard Pryor, Vonetta McGee and others made so many movies in the 70s and 80s.  Since I wasn't born until the end '68, I missed out on quite a bit and some things cannot be found on Amazon.


And of course, I work around Soul Train reruns!


While I am saving money and my last nerve not dealing with the cable company, I do have a few concerns.

1. Why is it when you go to the site, it acknowledges your area but you have to use the drop-down menu when looking at the schedule?  For example, I'm in L.A. but the website defaults to the East Coast schedule.
2. Why are some shows on the schedule mis-labeled?  I've seen a few movies that were supposed to be comedies labeled as 'Drama' and vice-versa.  If they need a volunteer panel to help them sort, I can donate a few hours a month.
3. How come older movies (before 1960) on the schedule do not have a summary?  Once again, I can give them some of my time to help them work this out.
4. Speaking of the newer movies, why are those in constant rotation?  There is a reason they went straight to DVD and for the most part, they're just too weak (dull/ bunk/waste of time)  to be shown at a franchise movie theater.

My new movie recommendation is Dysfunctional Friends.  Despite the weird casting (Terrell Owens, Stacy Dash), this dark comedy is not bad.  Each character is unique, annoying and lovable all at the same time!


Tip of the Day:  Be careful when reserving with Redbox.  They're more than happy to deduct from your card but should you not pick it up, they take forever to reimburse you.  So when you place your reservation, be 99.99% percent that you will pick up by 9 in the PM.  Later!

Those Were the Days

Back when I was growing up between the Century Drive-In and Imperial theater in Inglewood, I didn't realize how much I may have missed out on. I wasn't born until late '68 and I just barely remember the neighborhood kids taking me to see the Melting Man and I cried so much that my mom had to pick me up.

*Sighs* Thanks Mom!

Anyway, back to blaxploitation business.  OK, I watched The Hit Man again and though dude is almost old enough to be my grandfather, I wouldn't mind going out on a date with Bernie Casey.  We both like art and since I just put this link on my FB wall, gotta keep it clean. LOL

Also, I found out who the mystery actors were that appeared in both Hit Man and Cool Breeze.  His name is Sam Laws and finding his pic online is hard because there are about three public figures with this name - and they're White.  Anyway, he's no longer with us as well as Bhetty Waldron/Fast Fanny from the bowling alley on Sanford and Son but I got a clip of her in action w/Fred.

Baldwin Theater Prints - Los Angeles

Long before Mr. Magic Johnson got into coffee and movies, there was the Baldwin Theatre at the NW corner of La Brea and Coliseum by the jungle.  Since I lived near a lot of multiplexes (Hawthorne 6, Old Towne Mall..back when they had the pony rides), I only went there once to see the Color Purple in '85 and next thing you knew, it was gone.

Though the new site has a major bank and some of the most addictive Philly sandwiches this side of the West Coast (even their veggie version is good), I hate that theaters in the 'hood appear and disappear like ghosts.  Anyway, I have a work space there and between my disposition and waistline, I have many challenges before me. LOL

Anyway, one day while waiting for the bus (I refuse to drive my bucket down there), I noticed this writing in the ground.  They didn't do the hand/foot thing like at Mann's Chinese in Hollywood but I wanted to capture this before those with evil intentions take them down.

 Pam Grier

 Marvin Gaye

 Billy Dee Williams

Louis Gossett Jr.

For those in the know, I intentionally did not take Marla Gibbs or Madge Sinclair (RIP) because it looked like they'd been attacked already and eight MP can only do so much.