Boom Goes The Dynamite

Some of us are old enough to remember the first wave of "blaxploitation" flicks that stormed theaters in the early 1970s. Others experienced the phenomenon via videos and television. Regardless, it's safe to say that most are familiar with the genre and know that its influence is still being felt...

By John Freeman

January 14, 2010

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Some of us are old enough to remember the first wave of "blaxploitation" flicks that stormed theaters in the early 1970s. Others experienced the phenomenon via videos and television. Regardless, it's safe to say that most are familiar with the genre and know that its influence is still being felt today. Whether it's a Van Peebles or a Tarantino, hip young directors are constantly paying tribute to movies like Shaft, Superfly and Cleopatra Jones. And now there is a new entry in this nostalgia parade: Black Dynamite. Not so much a spoof of "blaxploitation" movies from days gone by as it is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to those classic films, it would be easy to lump Black Dynamite in with "fake '70s" movies like Grindhouse, but this is a horse of a different color. While there are fake malt liquor ads at the beginning, the artificial scratchy film and "missing scene" cards are nowhere to be found. Black Dynamite plays like a Dolemite movie, groovy narration included. There are split-screen segments, giant Afros and tons of kung fu fighting, so obviously, it's pretty authentic. This flick could have easily been on a double feature with Coffy back in the day. Catch Black Dynamite at the Inwood Theatre, 5458 W. Lovers Lane, at midnight Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10. Visit landmarktheatres.com.
Fri., Jan. 15; Sat., Jan. 16, 2010

John Freeman

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