:
Melvin Van Peebles,
Simon Chuckster,
Hubert Scales,
more...
:
Melvin Van Peebles
see all cast/crew...
: 
: Xenon
: Action, Cult, Drama, Adventure, Crime, Cops, Blaxploitation, Quest, Manhunt, Revenge, Urban Drama
: 97 min.
: English
see additional details...
|
|
Produced, directed, written, scored by, and starring Melvin Van Peebles, this landmark "blaxploitation" film was as controversial as it was popular for its then X-rated story of one African-American man's triumph over the Man. After beating a couple of white cops he witnessed brutalizing a local black revolutionary, sex show performer Sweetback (Van Peebles) has to go on the run. As he flees through decrepit South Central Los Angeles, Sweetback demonstrates his formidable potency through sex as well as violence, evading the police manhunt by any means necessary. As Sweetback runs off into the sunset, however, Van Peebles warns that the story, like the 1960s racial strife, isn't over. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
|
| i thought it was worth watching
by alexqsub
February 11, 2006 - 6:36 AM PST
|
|
|
1 out of 2 members found this review helpful
|
i felt i had to say some positive things about this movie, given the reviews that are here.
firstly, this movie was not trying to be a porn movie - apparently the porn was in there so that they wouldn't be hit by the hollywood unions, who do nothing about porn movies. so they wouldn't have to hire union crew, and instead they could hire black crew.
the movie _is_ experimental, and hard to follow. the dialog is incidental, and doesn't have much to do with the plot.
the plot? well, it's hard to call it that. but that's not the point of the movie. i won't say what that is - you'll have to see it for yourself and decide for yourself (is it because i'm not sure myself?)
and of course, the soundtrack, by (i believe) earth wind and fire was pretty good.
|
| Bad Ass Baadasssss
by RRiutta
March 27, 2005 - 6:39 PM PST
|
|
|
1 out of 2 members found this review helpful
|
This is not a great movie when viewed by today's terms. Its production values are low and it shows. But that's not the point.
Watch this movie and then watch Mario Van Peebles' movie "Baadassss!"; Mario's tribute to his father enlightens the viewer to the struggle surrounding this movie.
Coming after the '60's, a truly revolutionary decade, this movie was a middle finger extended to "The Man." It showed a black protagonist from the streets defying the white establishment and getting away. In today's era of anti-heroes, this seems pedestrian. In an era of inner city riots and assassinations, it was incendiary.
Yeah, some of it is cheesy. The lighting isn't great, the sound isn't great, the acting is bad, and the plot isn't very deep. This movie, however, wasn't blessed with money. It was guerilla filmmaking at its finest, a movie constructed with vision and tenacity and heart.
And the soundtrack by Earth, Wind & Fire is groovy.
|
| This movie sucks Assssssss!
by ABrooks
July 10, 2004 - 6:50 PM PDT
|
|
|
6 out of 13 members found this review helpful
|
| I can think of only one good thing to say about this over rated 'B' movie - It made it possible for films like Shaft, Coffey and Foxy Brown to be made. Thank you Melvin Van Peebles. Now, that being said...This movie is SO VERY BAD! There is no narritive, no real story to follow and way to much "experimental" camera use. Does experimental mean out of focus? Does it mean you hire the worst actors available and then give them a bad script to work off of? In all honesty this is a thinly veiled attempt at bad 70's porn. Bad. Really Bad. Do yourself a big favor and rent Mario Van Peebles telling of the making of this film called simply "Badassss". It's a much better movie. MUCH BETTER. |
|
|
GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 5.47)
90 Votes
add to list 
|
|
|
Your cart
GreenCineStaff
cititzenzero
© 2006 All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide®,
a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.