There are movies that I think every guy needs to see.  Movies like Animal House, Caddyshack, Blazing Saddles, and The Blues Brothers are just part of the chi of “guydom”.  You know, the kinds of movies you constantly quote and can watch anytime regardless of the season in your life.  Newer movies such as SuperBad and Zack and Miri Make a Porno have deservedly made that list as well.  And now, after laughing so hard my sides hurt, I am happily adding Black Dynamite to the list of movies that every guy should see. 

Directed by Scott Saunders, Black Dynamite is a spoof of the blaxpoitation films of the 1970s.  The film was shot in only 20 days on Super 16mm film to give it an authentic 1970s feel.  And despite rave reviews by critics, the film lasted on two weeks in the theaters and grossed a measily $250,000.  It was released on DVD just a few weeks ago and I must say, it’s worthy of more than just a rental, you should go BUY this flick!

Black Dynamite, played by Michael Jai White, is a former CIA agent who vows to clean up the streets after his brother is killed by “The Man”.  O’Leary, Black Dynamite’s old CIA partner, reinstates Black Dynamite back into the agency because he’s afraid he might seek vengeance by himself and destroy the city.  Trying to get to the bottom of his brother’s murder, Black Dynamite finds out that his brother was actually working for the CIA.   Black Dynamite also finds out The Man is filling the black orphanages with heroin, yes heroine.  Black Dynamite recruits the help of his militant and pimp friends to take care of the dealers and clean up the streets.

Now, several other studios have attempted to spoof the blaxpoitation films that I grew up with as a kid.  Movies such as I’m Gonna Get You Sucka, and the more recent Undercover Brother have tried to give homage to these films in a humorous way, and have unfortunately fallen short.  I believe these films failed for two reasons.  First, is they tried to make a good film in the first place.  While movies such as Shaft, Foxy Brown, and Three the Hard Way are entertaining and fun for their time, they suffer from some serious production flaws.  To save money and to get these films out there, many studios would rush the editing process; shots wouldn’t match and or you could see an obvious change in stunt doubles stuff like that.  Black Dynamite takes this to an extreme and all of the bad directing and editing you remember is found in this film: cuts don’t match, interior shots of the car are obvious green screen with grips rocking the car, and things that you shouldn’t see like boom mics and such appear in all their glory.  In doing so, Black Dynamite is true to the look and feel of these 70s classics, in an over-the-top format.  It made me laugh and appreciate the genre at the same time…brilliant!   

The second reason why previous homages to the genre failed is they were too afraid to offend today’s audiences.  It was the use of black stereotypes and language that eventually got the attention of the Urban League and led to the death of the genre.  Movies like Undercover Brother dance around these ideas, but never cross the line.  Well, Black Dynamite crosses this line every chance it gets.  Black Dynamite’s crew consists of characters named “Mo Bitches,” “Tasty Freeze,” and “Cream Corn.”  Long diatribes of dialogue that has to rhyme, permeates the film.  And you’ll begin to sing along with the chorus as they sing “Dyno-mite…dynamite,” each time Black Dynamite enters the room.  Even the fight scenes are a combination of bad-ass and funny as shit!  It’s goofy, it’s over-the-top, and it’s just plain fun!  Director / writer Scott Sanders said it best:

It’s just a little too badass. That’s the tone of the movie. Our humor comes from the fact that the movie is just a little too badass.”

So if you wanna be a hip sucka, and need a film full of laughs and kung-fu treachery? Be sure to go and pick up Black Dynamite today!

Black Dynamite [Blu-ray]
Black Dynamite

Last night I eagerly logged into to Xbox Live in hopes of getting a Batman Arkham Asylum nightcap when I saw my good friends Skreesha and Phneri online and watching a movie I have never heard of.  I had dabbled with Netflix party, sharing quick 20 minute episodes of “Bullshit” before, but never an entire movie.  So, I sent a quick message to Skreesha asking what the heck they were watching.  Moments later I was invited to watch their movie in a party, with Moe joining soon after.  What followed was 80 minutes of movie fun that has to be one of the better times I have had on Xbox Live. 

The movie we were watching was “Insane in the Brain.” At first one might think that it has something to do with the Cyprus Hill song of the same name; however nothing could be further from the truth.  “Insane in the Brain” is a spoof of both zombie movies and the “blaxploitation” films of the 70s.  For those unfamiliar with these films, they were known for their (mostly) all-black casts, over-the-top blatant sexuality, and bloody violence.  Movies such as “Superfly” and “Foxy Brown” featured tight, scanty outfits , tailored 70′s-style suits, big afros, sex, violence, drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, and, let us not forget, the tricked-out “pimpmobiles.”  As popular as they were, they soon faded largely due to pressure by the NAACP.  

It is this cultural icon that director Chad Hendricks pays homage to in this horror-comedy.  The movie opens as several zombies (four to be exact) rise from the grave proclaiming their need for “Brains, more brains.”  The zombies find a party at a pimp’s house and start killing hookers.  It’s then that we realize that these zombies aren’t looking for brains so much as they are looking for a good piece of ass.  As the hooker body count rises, two cops arrive in a black Cadillac to investigate.  Detectives Sloan and Goldie are dressed in iconic 70s garb including platform boots, and a big afro with a comb!  The detectives interrogate the hos and soon realize that they are dealing with a group of horny zombies.  After much consternation, and some beer and weed, they come up with a grand plan to eliminate the menace!  Detective Sloan leans a funky cheer as he, his partner, and a bunch of hos attack the graveyard.  Classic!

 The film was produced for only $10,000; and you can tell by the way they recycle shots and re-use the zombie mask and gloves the monsters wear.  It was very cheesy, but unlike many bad movies, this one never takes itself seriously.  The dialogue is straight 70s and reminiscent of “Undercover Brother.”  The film provides a bucket full of laugh-out-loud moments that were only enhanced by the MST2K banter of our Netflix party.  All of us sat and tried to outdo one another with a witty comment about the dialogue or sparse sets.  In short, it was a simply awesome!

 After the show we all sat and looked for other bad movies that we could enjoy such as “Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus,” or “Tokyo Zombie.”  But alas, I fear that whatever we decide to watch next, it will pale in comparison to the experience provided by this film.  So with Halloween approaching, and our need to enjoy all things zombie, grab a friend or two online or in your living room and give “Insane in the Brain” a look.  It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.