Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide by Josiah Howard

(hb; 2008, 2021: cinema/nonfiction)

From the back cover

“Josiah Howard’s Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide contains everything you need to know about the most colourful film movement of the 1970s. Dazzling and highly stylized, blaxploitation enjoyed a brief but memorable period in motion picture history.

“•A comprehensive introduction to the genre.

“•Q&A interviews with ten blaxploitation movie directors: Matt Cimber (The Candy Tangerine Man), Larry Cohen (Hell Up in Harlem), Paul Bogart (Halls of Anger), Cirio H. Santiago (TNT Jackson), Robert A. Endelson (Fight for Your Life), Don Schain (A Place Called Today), Jack Hill (Coffy), Arthur Marks (Detroit 9000), Jonathan Kaplan (Truck Turner) and Jamaa Fanaka (Penitentary).

A complete ten year filmography (1970-1980) featuring more than 270 movie listings, which include director, producer, screenwriter and actor credits along with a full sypnosis.

“•Vintage and contemporary film reviews and commentary, plus movie tag-lines, ratings, and extensive cross-referencing.

“From the blockbuster hits Shaft and Super Fly to the little-known The Guy from Harlem and Velvet Smooth, Blaxploitation Cinema. . . is your one-stop source of information on a decade of intriguing, controversial and thoroughly entertaining black-cast films.”

 

Review

Blaxploitation is an excellent, interesting and straightforward resource book for anyone, whether they’re new to the subgenre, or familiar with it. I’ve little doubt that there are other worthwhile books published on the subject, but if you’re looking to own one book on the subject—something casual readers like myself might do—this is worth your money and your time.


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