So, as some may know I've taken to making fun of shitty movies online in my spare time...
A friend was asking yesterday which movies I had planned to "review" next, I named about three I was juggling around and one of them happened to be 'Coffy' starring Pam Grier from 1973, which I happen to love. He googled it, since he hadn't seen it (I know, I know), then answered back with:
"Blaxploitation may be a tricksy subject though."
I was a little surprised.
I mean, on one hand I know a lot about the genre... how it started, what the views of the genre were both contemporarily and modern alike, and certainly wasn't about to let the genre off the hook - I mean, flat out, after the initial film in what would be the genre ("Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song", which was written directed and starred Melvin Van Peebles) was released and confirmed that black audiences were interested in watching movies about empowered militant black protagonists, and would pay good money to do so, White Hollywood jumped on the genre before it could even begin, taking over the writing and producing in almost all cases, and filling theses shitty films with incendiary titles like "Blacula", "Blackenstein", "Dr Black and Mr White" and shit like "Boss Nigger".
But, on the other hand... I am clearly a honkie-ass motherfucker who wasn't even born in 1973. I mean, other than Ann Coulter, nobody is whiter than me. I don't tan, I combust.
So..... the question I lay in the laps of the collective PD.com audience is... have I any right to review this movie and make fun of it? And if I do, do I admit I love it?
Yours,
HOOPLA
First thing: I love your topic start time.
Second: Of course you can you have the right to say anything you want.
Third: Blacula was hilarious, as well as Black Dynamite which now has a cartoon on Adult Swim.
Quote from: The Dark Monk on August 08, 2012, 06:33:08 PM
First thing: I love your topic start time.
My what?
Quote from: The Dark Monk on August 08, 2012, 06:33:08 PMSecond: Of course you can you have the right to say anything you want.
Third: Blacula was hilarious, as well as Black Dynamite which now has a cartoon on Adult Swim.
Blacula IS hilarious, as is Scream Blacula Scream which also stars Pam Grier. Black Dynamite ain't a gen-u-ine blaxploitation, though it is funny as hell. Almost all blaxploitation are hilarious, but then again so is almost any movie from the 70s.
Question about A Cracker Reviewing Blaxploitation
« Topic Start: Today at 04:44:44 PM »
Quote from: The Dark Monk on August 08, 2012, 06:38:00 PM
Question about A Cracker Reviewing Blaxploitation
« Topic Start: Today at 04:44:44 PM »
Thanks?
I just thought it was neat you pinned it right there.
Also yeah Black Dynamite isn't, but it takes it's basis off of it because it was so enjoyable. My cousin and I used to quite enjoy watching that genre, generally because it was so out there and almost meant to be funny with the amount of cheese. The disco era clothing was also enjoyable, and the sound effects such as "WHAPOW YEAH" are simply amazing. Reminds me of old Kung Fu in a way, where every punch and kick had a sound effect.
Personally I think the idea that certain people should be prohibited from discussing something based on the color of their skin is inherently a racist position to take. Just because you're white doesn't mean you're not entitled to an opinion about a film, whether it's Blaxpoitation or another lame Johnny Depp/Tim Burton rehash, even if your opinion is expressed using somewhat disrespectful (to the film itself) terms. I think the time for pussyfooting around and being "extra sensitive" is past, and at this point constitutes an insult to the humor, sensibilities, and resilience of minorities.
So I'd say go for it.
I second v3x's opinion. Rip it a new one based on it being a bad movie.
The fact of the matter is, as a Canadian, you have the right to mock anything yuo want and still have the polite but firm protection of the Mounties. Unless you are French Canadian. In which case you still have the right to mock anything you want with impunity, but your general repulsiveness protects from both the wrath of any naysayers and the oppressive heel of the Mounties.
Quote from: Phox, The Abdicator on August 08, 2012, 06:49:44 PM
The fact of the matter is, as a Canadian, you have the right to mock anything yuo want and still have the polite but firm protection of the Mounties. Unless you are French Canadian. In which case you still have the right to mock anything you want with impunity, but your general repulsiveness protects from both the wrath of any naysayers and the oppressive heel of the Mounties.
Phox Phox Phox... what did I do to deserve THAT??
But yeah, I guess it was pretty clear in the OP that I intend to review the movie anyway, but I was surprised anyone would even think that it was a questionable idea.
Quote from: Hoopla on August 08, 2012, 06:52:43 PM
Quote from: Phox, The Abdicator on August 08, 2012, 06:49:44 PM
The fact of the matter is, as a Canadian, you have the right to mock anything yuo want and still have the polite but firm protection of the Mounties. Unless you are French Canadian. In which case you still have the right to mock anything you want with impunity, but your general repulsiveness protects from both the wrath of any naysayers and the oppressive heel of the Mounties.
Phox Phox Phox... what did I do to deserve THAT??
But yeah, I guess it was pretty clear in the OP that I intend to review the movie anyway, but I was surprised anyone would even think that it was a questionable idea.
'Hey, I have no idea what the geography of your country is. All I know is that the mythical Quebec is similar to our Texas, only with funnier accents and more snow. How'm I s'posed to know what kind of Canadian you are? :lulz:
Quote from: Phox, The Abdicator on August 08, 2012, 06:57:16 PM
Quote from: Hoopla on August 08, 2012, 06:52:43 PM
Quote from: Phox, The Abdicator on August 08, 2012, 06:49:44 PM
The fact of the matter is, as a Canadian, you have the right to mock anything yuo want and still have the polite but firm protection of the Mounties. Unless you are French Canadian. In which case you still have the right to mock anything you want with impunity, but your general repulsiveness protects from both the wrath of any naysayers and the oppressive heel of the Mounties.
Phox Phox Phox... what did I do to deserve THAT??
But yeah, I guess it was pretty clear in the OP that I intend to review the movie anyway, but I was surprised anyone would even think that it was a questionable idea.
'Hey, I have no idea what the geography of your country is. All I know is that the mythical Quebec is similar to our Texas, only with funnier accents and more snow. How'm I s'posed to know what kind of Canadian you are? :lulz:
You'd smell me if I was from Quebec.
If you're truly concerned, write/film the review, then show it privately to someone you think would be able to detect any of the "laugh at, not with" moments you may be afraid of having.
If you're gonna do Blaxploitation, for God's sake, do it right.
Black Belt Jones is quite possible the finest cinema in American history.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on August 08, 2012, 07:07:51 PM
If you're truly concerned, write/film the review, then show it privately to someone you think would be able to detect any of the "laugh at, not with" moments you may be afraid of having.
This is a good idea... I really doubt anything I would say would be truly offensive, but then one never knows, right? I have someone from this site in mind actually... Thanks L.
Quote from: Dirty Old Uncle Roger on August 08, 2012, 07:17:34 PM
If you're gonna do Blaxploitation, for God's sake, do it right.
Black Belt Jones is quite possible the finest cinema in American history.
I'm starting with movies I know and either love and/or hate, but I will add that to the list... I had never heard of it before. Should I be embarrassed?
Quote from: Hoopla on August 08, 2012, 08:25:22 PM
Quote from: Dirty Old Uncle Roger on August 08, 2012, 07:17:34 PM
If you're gonna do Blaxploitation, for God's sake, do it right.
Black Belt Jones is quite possible the finest cinema in American history.
I'm starting with movies I know and either love and/or hate, but I will add that to the list... I had never heard of it before. Should I be embarrassed?
Look it up. It's a GEM.
Quote from: Dirty Old Uncle Roger on August 08, 2012, 09:27:07 PM
Quote from: Hoopla on August 08, 2012, 08:25:22 PM
Quote from: Dirty Old Uncle Roger on August 08, 2012, 07:17:34 PM
If you're gonna do Blaxploitation, for God's sake, do it right.
Black Belt Jones is quite possible the finest cinema in American history.
I'm starting with movies I know and either love and/or hate, but I will add that to the list... I had never heard of it before. Should I be embarrassed?
Look it up. It's a GEM.
Will do! Thanks Roger.
Hoops,
Go for it. You're an intelligent dude and can write well. Anyone who reads your review(s) and gets all white-guilty, 'OMG this is Racist!' is probably too stupid to be reading your review in the first place.
Reviewing Blaxploitation films is no different than writing about Kung-fu movies. It's just a movie genre. I have family and good friends from Hong Kong, they never had a problem with me them. Quite the opposite in fact, I used to trade movies with one of my Asian work colleagues. It was something fun to talk about over lunch.
There's no reason why black movie goers wouldn't enjoy or be interested in what you write. Hell, unless you have a 'I'm white and CANADIAN' disclaimer on your reviews, you don't know what people will assume about your skin colour.
Mang'
Yeah, I pretty much always fully intended to go ahead anyway, I was just curious if there was a faction who thought it was somehow taboo. Also, they're video reviews, so it's pretty clear I'm a big ol' honkie.
I think the only "THAT'S RACIST!" you'll get is if you somehow advocate the way films perpetuate negative stereotypes for African Americans. Maybe you might want to acknowledge that point of view right away for more sensitive readers.
Quote from: Bu☆ns on August 10, 2012, 10:12:22 PM
I think the only "THAT'S RACIST!" you'll get is if you somehow advocate the way films perpetuate negative stereotypes for African Americans. Maybe you might want to acknowledge that point of view right away for more sensitive readers.
Agree completely.
Yeah, mention that you realize its exploitative and you should be good, I think.
It's baaaaack.[/quote]
But it's satire. At least I hope it is. (http://video.adultswim.com/black-dynamite/black-dynamite-the-pilot.html)
The inevitable result: http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php/topic,32766.msg1205124.html#msg1205124 (http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php/topic,32766.msg1205124.html#msg1205124)