Essential Blaxploitation: The Top 10

List creator: PokerPro Created on: April 2, 2004 - 9:54 PM PST Description: Forget Shaft and Sweetback, these are the top 10 blaxploitation flicks

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movie title	related list	average rating	MPAA rating	watch	rent	buy
Penitentiary (1979)
#10)Set up by whitey, Leon Isaac Kennedy is sent to prison where he must battle a bunch of gnarly looking rapists. Considering the fact that this movie takes place in a men's prison, there are a ton of exposed breasts... Classic sleaze.
The Human Tornado (1976)
#9) The sequel to Dolemite brings more rhymes and general ineptitude to the screen. The Human Tornado is funnier than the original, albeit with fewer visible boom mics. Beware, Rudy Ray Moore gets naked alot.
Superfly (1972)
#8) A powerful performance by Ron O'neal and the uber-funky Curtis Mayfield score more than make up for the banal script and flat direction.
Black Caesar (1973)
#7) Written & Directed by exploitation god Larry Cohen, Black Caesar is story of how Fred Williamson stuck it to the man and took over New York to the funky beats of James Brown.
Shaft's Big Score! (1972)
#6) Superior to the original in every way, Shaft is back. Owing more to James Bond movies than blaxploitation, the climactic action scene is a gem.
Truck Turner (1974)
#5) Musician Isaac Hayes stars in this film as a bounty hunter, and turns in one of the best performances of the genre. Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek is also memorable as a foul-mouthed madame. (#4 Three The Hard Way unavailable from Greencine)
The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973)
#3) Lawrence Cook feigns Uncle Tomness to become the first black CIA agent. Then he uses his training to lead the ghetto to revolt against The Man. Supposedly, the FBI paid theater owners not to play the film, fearing it would spark riots.
Coffy (1973)
#2) With her trusty shotgun in tow, Pam Grier goes undercover as a prostitute to take down the mob. Highlights include two great catfights and some wild plaid pants. Quite possibly the best "B" movie ever.(#1 Black Belt Jones unavailable from Greencine)