Black on Black Cinema - Black Movie Reviews

In 1989 Spike Lee decided to take on racial unease in Bed-Sty Brooklyn, New York. Easily Lee's must known film, Do The Right Thing, is an in-your-face look at the boiling tension between the races in the heart of the hood. With a backdrop of a brutally hot summer day we watch as Mookie (Spike Lee) sways between his loyalties to his boss and his loyalties to his neighborhood.

In this preview episode of Black on Black Cinema the next movie, Do the Right Thing, is introduced. Produced, written, directed, and starring Spike Lee. Do the Right Thing takes on racial unease in 1989 in front of the back drop of the hottest days of the summer. This is easily Spike Lee's most universally known film and you don't need to think to hard why.

This week on Black on Black Cinema: In 1975 a movie was released entitled Boss Nigger, and the world was never the same. Directed by a Jack Arnold and written by and starring Fred Williamson, Boss Nigger is a quintessential blaxploitation film. This is Django Unchained before Django Unchained existed. Chock full of offensive stereotypes of Blacks, Whites, and Mexicans in the post-slavery western United States. From the highly quotable one liners to the over the top action, Boss Nigger is a must watch.

In this preview episode of Black on Black Cinema the next movie, Boss Nigger, is introduced. The film deals with a Black sheriff and his deputy in the Western United States some time soon after the end of slavery. The movie also deals with the enforcing of "Black Laws" throughout the town full of White folks. Action packed and full of classic blaxploitation moments the movie runs the line between dealing openly with racial issues and not being consumed by them when telling an entertaining story.

This week on Black on Black Cinema the guys discuss the 2011 coming of age/coming out drama, Pariah. Directed by Dee Rees this film takes a unabashed look at homosexuality and its level of acceptance in the Black community. Alike, a 17 year old girl in New York, has to come to terms with who she is and the world in which she lives.

In this preview episode the next movie, Pariah, is introduced. This film deals with a young girl coming to terms with her own homosexuality at age 17. Her journey of self discovery and the reaction from the black community and her immediate family in which she lives. This is a powerful independent black film that will challenge you to consider your own views.

This week on Black on Black Cinema the guys discuss the 1985 Kung-Fu comedy classic, The Last Dragon starring Taimak, Julius Carry III, and Vanity. The film is a one of a kind off the wall kung-fu flick that takes place in Harlem, NY. On his quest to reach the final level, Leeroy Green, much battle arcade owners, bands of freaks, and of course the Shogun of Harlem himself, Sho’Nuff.

In this preview episode the next movie, The Last Dragon, is introduced. The guys were unanimous in their decision to cover this movie due to their fond memories of it. Produced by Barry Gordy, The Last Dragon is an over the top black martial arts film that takes place in 1980s Harlem.

This week on Black on Black Cinema the guys discuss the 1989 Civil War film, Glory starring Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, and Matthew Broderick. The film covers the formation and use of the first all Black voluntary regiment in the Civil War. The 54th Massachusetts regiment is one of significant historical context and the work on Glory proves it.

This week on Black on Black Cinema the guys change pace from past movies and examine the newly released action western Django Unchained directed by Quentin Tarantino. Dealing with the horrifying issues of the American South two years prior to the Civil War, Django Unchained is an unflinching look at the American slave trade and revenge during that era.