Bamboozled (2000)

"Bamboozled" (2000) is a comedy-drama written and directed by Spike Lee about two homeless street performers who agree to partake in a television network show where they perform in blackface. Spike Lee examines the racist depiction in Hollywood movies featuring Black people in satirical form. Blackface existed in Minstrel shows in the early 1800s, many years before appearing in Hollywood movies. But in the early 1900s, blackface appeared more in films predominantly played by White people until Black people, such as Bert Williams, began earning film opportunities in the mid-1910s.

There were two primary types of blackface in early Hollywood. The first was in clown form, using some form of black paint or polish (most common in Minstrel shows), and the other was White people portraying Black people in movies with black makeup. Negative stereotypes in Hollywood movies evolved further into characters such as Lincoln Perry (a.k.a. Stepin Fetchit) or Mantan Mooreland, the central inclination of Lee's film.

Throughout the movie, there are several examples of racist depictions of Black people in film and cartoon form. However, the film analyzes corporate dishonesty, the contentious rap militant group fed up with the show's racist content, and the easily appeased audience. The actors performed very well on a complicated topic. Unfortunately, the film flopped at the box office, grossing $2.5 million on a $10 million budget. The movie's content isn't suitable for large, diverse audiences and requires context and understanding. It's an educational piece of artwork not only from the premise of the film but also the technical mastery in editing and cinematography. The soundtrack was a mixture of hip-hop and R&B, peaking at #60 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Director: Spike Lee

Writer: Spike Lee

Starring Damon Wayans, Savion Glover, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tommy Davidson, Michael Rapaport, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Paul Mooney, Sarah Jones, Gillian White, Susan Batson, Yasiin Bey, M.C. Serch, Gano Grills, Canibus, DJ Scratch, Charli Baltimore, Craig muMs Grant

Storyline

Under pressure to help revive his network's low ratings, television writer Pierre Delacroix (Damon Wayans) hits on an explosively offensive idea: bringing back blackface with The New Millennium Minstrel Show. The white network executives love it, and so do audiences, forcing Pierre and his collaborators to confront their public's insatiable appetite for dehumanizing stereotypes.

Halls of Anger (1970)

Starring:

• Calvin Lockhart
• Janet MacLachlan 
• Jeff Bridges
• James A. Watson Jr. 
• Otis Day

Storyline
The court-ordered desegregation of an inner-city Los Angeles high school brings 60 white students into the predominantly African-American student body. African-American teacher Quincy Davis (Calvin Lockhart) reaches out to all his students, enticing Lerone (DeWayne Jessie) to advance his reading skills with racy paperbacks, protecting new student Douglas (Jeff Bridges) after a race-motivated beating and trying to quell a potential student strike led by the militant J.T. (James A. Watson Jr.).

Tongue - Roger Hamilton Spotts (1975)

Tracks

Side A
1. Tongue (04:30)
Vocal: Caprice Clark
2. Funk Time (02:09)
3. Quasi’s Theme (07:40)
4. Mind Blower (03:27)
5. Cherry’s Thing (01:47)

Side B
6. Party Time (18:33)

blaxploitation.com
Yes, here it is at last – one of the holy grails of blaxploitation soundtrack collecting. The original issue of this rare black porn flick soundtrack is a highly prized commodity following its bootlegging a couple of years ago. Issued in tiny quantities on the small Chocolate Cities label, the music is super-tight porno funk all through, with lashings of wicked wah, funky drums, bass licks and deep breathy moans. Quality stuff! The flip is entirely taken up with one long jam played over the top of a scene from the film, sound effects and all. Highly recommended – rarely turns up!

Provided by MusicDawn, who has the following comment on the conditions:
Unfortunately the rip of lp is unfull. B-side with Party Time is missing. If anyone have it and could share it – please post it in comments. It makes a lot of funkers happy

Link to movie review
Niva Ruschell - Tongue (1976)

That's The Way Of The World (1975) - Earth, Wind & Fire

Tracks
1. Shining Star
2. That's The Way Of The World
3. Happy Feelin'
4. All About Love
5. Yearnin' Learnin'
6. Reasons
7. Africano
8. See The Light

AMG.com
Earth, Wind & Fire has delivered more than its share of excellent albums, but if a person could own only one EWF release, the logical choice would be That's the Way of the World, which was the band's best album as well as its best-selling. Open Our Eyes had been a major hit and sold over half a million units, but it was World that established EWF as major-league, multi-platinum superstars. Fueled by gems ranging from the sweaty funk of "Shining Star" and "Yearnin' Learnin'" to the gorgeous ballad "Reasons" and the unforgettable title song, EWF's sixth album sold at least five million units. And some of the tracks that weren't major hits, such as the exuberant "Happy Feelin'" and the gospel-influenced "See the Light," are equally powerful. There are no dull moments on World, one of the strongest albums of the 1970s and EWF's crowning achievement.

Link to movie review:
Sig Shore - That's The Way Of The World (1975)