Updated on September 9th, 2011

Sweet Sweetback's Badassss Song (1971)
Review by Mari Lynne Rupp


This movie is entirely controversial, it could be seen as offensive, and it is entirely historically relevant. It was a vision Melvin valued so much he struck out on his own to have it made and shown. He went broke, begged borrowed and bounced checks to get the film made...............read more

Scream Blacula Scream (1973)
Review by Mari Lynne Rupp


Despite the cheesy nearly-offensive name, this movie actually delivers. Not just in blaxploitation cheesiness, but there are some genuinely spooky scenes worth mentioning. Dark Prince Mamuwalde was cursed centuries ago by Dracula, having been double-crossed...............read more

Cleopatra Jones (1973)
Review by Mari Lynne Rupp


This is blaxploitation grindhouse at its finest. Before there was Xena, before there was Buffy, there was...CLEOPATRA JONES. A no-nonsense, beautiful federal agent (played by Tamara Dobson) cracking down on drug rings pretty much around the world...............read more

Sugar Hill (1974)
Review by Mari Lynne Rupp


When her boyfriend is brutally murdered, after refusing to be shaken down by the local gangsters running their protection racket, Sugar (Marki Bey) Hill, decides not to get mad, but BAD! Calling upon the help of aged voodoo queen...............read more