The mission of The Department of Afro-American Research Arts and Culture to identify the global significance of the creative contributions pioneered by an international diaspora of Blackness
Search DAARAC's Archive

Friday, June 21, 2013

Night of the Living Dead (1990)



















Starring:


Storyline
A remake of George Romero's 1968 black-and-white classic that begins in a cemetery, as the recently-dead return to life - from an unknown cause - and attack the living as their prey. One woman escapes the frightening zombies to take refuge with others in a farmhouse, as every cadaver for miles around hungers for their flesh. Will they make it through the night...that the dead came back to life? 

Black Devil Doll (2007)


















Starring:
  • Jonathan Louis Lewis
  • Chris Lewis
  • Minh Bao
IMDB.com
A young, moist, buxom teen vixen finds herself hurled into an odyssey of forbidden sex and unspeakable violence after an innocent evening dabbling in the occult. What started as a simple child's game has now become a fight for her life! What is this evil that she has summoned from beyond? And why does it have a fro? What kind of horrific acts will she be subjected to? And what price will her super-hot, half-nude friends have to pay?

It's all in good fun... Right? No, I don't believe it is. What would be the fun in that, anyway? I don't care who you think you are. I don't care if you think Combat Shock was hilarious. This new and greatly improved Black Devil Doll will grab your sensibilities by the throat and cut it open, and whatever happens after that is your own damn fault. Black Devil Doll is a half homage, half remake of a mind-numbingly awful pile of Z-grade garbage, from the 80's, entitled Black Devil Doll From Hell. A film that, over the years, has gained a bit of a reputation as (arguably) the worst in history. And might I add, a film that has been seen by far too few. but apparently, one day, an aspiring director asked himself a very important question. "What if Black Devil Doll From Hell was a masterpiece?"

Sure, with a little tweaking, here and there. Hire some actual actors. Put some actual money into it. Maybe even cut a few minutes off the opening credits. It could actually turn into something. And what this new Black Devil Doll has turned into will cause a laughing/crying fit, which will know no relief until it's all over. So, a dim-witted chick named Heather messes around with a ouija board, for no particular reason, instantly causing a doll to be possessed by the soul of an executed black-militant (Mubia), who despised white people, and loved raping and slaughtering white women. It's pretty much love at first sight. Although, it might be a short-lived romance, because one woman ain't never enough for this guy, but maybe with a little smooth-talk, Mubia can convince Heather to not only let him cheat on her, but maybe even let him rape and slaughter all her friends... As if she has a choice. Only problem now is just getting her out of the house.

What we have here is simply the most offensive, most outrageous comedy of the past decade. Possibly the most offensive movie since Pink Flamingo's. that's right, I'm a John Waters fan, a Troma fan, and an LBP fan, and now that I've seen Black Devil Doll. I can finally say that I've seen it all. Besides the obvious, Black Devil Doll is also a homage to old Blaxploitation, and Exploitation, in general. I suppose what this film is homaging, and what it actually is, is one in the same. Folks, this is a perfect example of modern Exploitation. For more in future cult classics from this past decade, check out Special Dead, and Sick Girl. If you're smart enough to not take movies seriously, and If you have a sick sense of humor, like someone I know, you will find Black Devil Doll to be positively delightful. And that's a guarantee. 10/10

Thicker Than Water (1999)




















Starring:
  • Mack 10
  • Fat Joe
  • Ice Cube
IMDB.com
In Los Angeles, two rival gang leaders are also trying to be music producers. When DJ's equipment shorts out and Lonzo is cut out of the action by a record producer, the two join forces, which also requires a tentative peace between gangs. With backing from Gator, a smooth New Orleans drug king, DJ and Lonzo start dealing, organizing their gangs into pushers. Just as their finances are looking up, one of Gator's team pulls a double cross and two of DJ and Lonzo's gang bangers start a shooting war. Can the erstwhile music producers salvage anything of their bond or their plans?

I was highly impressed by the interesting and realistic storyline. This is a small budget film. However, it gives no indication of budget constraints. In fact, not many high budget urban drama films are as well done as this pièce de résistance. The writers and screenwriters seem to have created a film that moves effortlessly from attention grabbing cinematic dialog to gritty and realistic action with equal aplomb. I am very impressed with this film by Mack 10 who is also a very impressive rapper.