That's Blaxploitation! : Roots of the Baadasssss 'Tude (Rated X by an All-Whyte Jury)

Rating:
Summary: A good start in studying this genre, but needs to go deeper.
Review: Darius James' "That's Blaxploitation!" gives a decent account of the genre of American film that dominated the Black Box-Office in the 1970's; however, it doesn't reach the depths of what caused the rise of such films. It's humor is raw and raucus, but his obvious personal biases get in the way.

Rating:
Summary: Getting the Shaft
Review: Darius James' combination of humor and criticism made this a very enjoyable book to read. I am very intrigued by the genre and have been for years. I liked the interviews with the stars although I still wanted to know more about them. Perhaps a sequel book containing interviews with Max Julien, Ron O'Neal, Tamara Dobson, Jim Kelly (why did these actors drop off the face of the earth?) should be forthcoming. I also would have liked more comprehensive reviews of the movies. Some of the reviews were a bit too flippant. I'm a big Shaft fan and Mr. James was very harsh on all three movies, so I disagreed with him on those (although I hated those Burger King ads with a passion). I guess I've been pretty critical of the book considering that I gave it a "9" but that's only because I wanted more of it. The research that Mr. James did for this book was very extensive and very interesting. I still pick up the book every now and then and glance through it. As the owner of well over 40 blaxploitation films, I am more than just an avid fan of the genre. My friends and family have suggested therapy. All my criticism aside, this book is great fun for anyone (not kids), whether or not you are a movie freak.

Rating:
Summary: The movies pale compared to the books
Review: I have long been a fan of the literary movement commonly referred to as "Blaxploitation", having found a copy of the classic DEATH OF A BLUE-EYED SOUL BROTHER on a trip to Indonesia some years ago and developed a taste for this particular literary style since. It wasn't too long after my return that I found a copy of the novel COFFY, and have since accumulated quite a library. As such I was excited to see this book advertised.

Imagine my shock when I discovered that this book was about cinematic recreations of these classic tales! And worse, ALMOST NO MENTION IS MADE OF THE LITERARY WORKS UPON WHICH THESE MOVIES ARE BASED! This is absolutely criminal! I very nearly sent the book back right away, but I'm a lazy man, and never quite got around to it. I am, you see, unemployed, and suffer from the usual lethargy that comes with this state. I don't know why it is, but when you don't have a job to go to it gets harder and harder to get up off the couch. So I missed the chance to send the book back, and now I'm stuck with it.

I have since seen a few of these motion pictures, and am less than impressed. I've tried very hard to give them a fair shake: to wit, some of the visualizing of these great stories is worthwhile, the contrasting class levels of society are well portrayed visually, and some of the adapted dialog works better with actors. But I have to wonder about the goal of recreating a great work of fiction as a movie. These cinematic versions lack the depth of the original literary works and are ultimately reduced to funny clothes and chase scenes. These movies don't contain one iota of character development that the books do. They lack the plot nuances that brought this literary movement to the forefront initially.

I cannot recommend the cinematic versions of these novels, and as such I can't recommend any book that glorifies them. If only I could return this book.

Rating:
Summary: The movies pale compared to the books
Review: I have long been a fan of the literary movement commonly referred to as "Blaxploitation", having found a copy of the classic DEATH OF A BLUE-EYED SOUL BROTHER on a trip to Indonesia some years ago and developed a taste for this particular literary style since. It wasn't too long after my return that I found a copy of the novel COFFY, and have since accumulated quite a library. As such I was excited to see this book advertised.

Imagine my shock when I discovered that this book was about cinematic recreations of these classic tales! And worse, ALMOST NO MENTION IS MADE OF THE LITERARY WORKS UPON WHICH THESE MOVIES ARE BASED! This is absolutely criminal! I very nearly sent the book back right away, but I'm a lazy man, and never quite got around to it. I am, you see, unemployed, and suffer from the usual lethargy that comes with this state. I don't know why it is, but when you don't have a job to go to it gets harder and harder to get up off the couch. So I missed the chance to send the book back, and now I'm stuck with it.

I have since seen a few of these motion pictures, and am less than impressed. I've tried very hard to give them a fair shake: to wit, some of the visualizing of these great stories is worthwhile, the contrasting class levels of society are well portrayed visually, and some of the adapted dialog works better with actors. But I have to wonder about the goal of recreating a great work of fiction as a movie. These cinematic versions lack the depth of the original literary works and are ultimately reduced to funny clothes and chase scenes. These movies don't contain one iota of character development that the books do. They lack the plot nuances that brought this literary movement to the forefront initially.

I cannot recommend the cinematic versions of these novels, and as such I can't recommend any book that glorifies them. If only I could return this book.

Rating:
Summary: Good book but dont let your mama read it !
Review: I'm into the whole 70's thing so I get this book thinking it would be good to check out those old movies my friends and I grew up on. So anyway , we're all sitting around reading and looking at the cool pictures when we get to the chapter containing the graphic details of a girl who has sex with a dog and gets the crap beat out of her! Eventough it was obvious the story was fiction ,it was so nasty I thought for a minute I brought a porn magazine! I almost let my mom(a saint) read it before me, I'm so glad I did'nt! It's a good book, just remember to keep it at the bottom of your underwear and sock drawer where the kids won't find it!

Rating:
Summary: i dug it
Review: the book was funky&frank.straight to the chase.i really enjoyed the style of writting.the book held my complete attention and i hope there is a part two.

Rating:
Summary: This not Blaxploitation!
Review: This book is not an exhaustive study or look into the films of the Blaxploitation genre of the late 60's and early 70's. Instead this book seems to be nothing more than the author stroking his own ego. As a fan of Blaxploitation cinema I picked up this tome hoping to find some reviews and information about the films and people behind them. Most of the reviews, if you could call them that, are less than a paragraph. Many of them are single lines such as this review for "Let's do it again": 'Please let's not.' While these quips can be amusing they certainly do nothing to provide any real information about the productions. Instill other reviews, the author admits to never having actually seen the film, instead reprinting smaller reviews from other sources.

Furthermore the 'interviews' with Pam Grier, Antonio Fargas, and the like are less than illuminating. For the most part the author seems to hold his subject in contempt or talk in a way to one-up them. It's as if Mr James (the author) would like, with this book, to insert himself into the mythology of Blaxploitation cinema. The interviews do nothing to broaden the understanding of their subjects and are ultimately worthless.

Also contained in the book are little diatribes and essays written by the author under the psuedonym Dr. Snakeskin. One such trivial account is titled: "How Noxious negroes can wet the cracks of those young white p******." Once again, perhaps amusing but ultimately needless personal diatribes.

It appears that what Darius James may have been attempting was a book version of the Blaxploitation genre. He failed miserably. This thing is a irritating read that does nothing more than allow the author to expound his opinions which are neither intelligent, well thought out, or convincing.

I give this book one star if only for the list of films of the genre. If you are looking for an insightful book about the actors, directors, and films of the genre look elsewhere.