On DVD: BLACK DYNAMITE (Scott Sanders, 2009)

Before I start to talk about how awesome this movie was, let me just go off about the supreme coolness of Michael Jai White. It's about time that the dude has headlined a movie that isn't a direct-to-DVD crapfest, because, in essence, he is the very definition of an action star with his unbeatable kung fu moves and that dark piercing stare. Okay, now that that's outta the way, let's get on to the movie...

This movie was HILARIOUS. The whole plot of the film is a send-up of 70's blaxploitation flicks, like D'Urville Martin's Dolemite, Gordon Parks's Shaft, and a little bit of Melvin Van Peebles's Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song thrown in there for good measure. It basically has to deal with Black Dynamite, played by White (who also co-wrote the flick), who's brother is killed by some shady people, and his subsequent fury of revenge on the fools who committed this uncool crime. Along the way, he discovers a conspiracy against the brothers that he must uncover in time so he can make love to the sultry Mahogany Black (Nicole Ari Parker).

I want to praise White and director Scott Sander for not only creating an extremely entertaining movie but also celebrating a genre of film that has long since passed. Along with being a celebration of the blaxploitation genre, it is just as much a parody, and done with such meticulous precision it's almost scary. There are so many references in the brisk 84-minute running time.

Did I mention the movie was HILARIOUS? Well it needs to be said twice. Incredible sight gags and cheesy one-liners had me practically cracking up the entire movie. It seemed all the actors knew exactly what material they were working with, and they knew inside out what to it and how to make fun of it. Screw Boflex. After this movie was over I had a six-pack like you wouldn't believe. Here that, ladies? All two of you reading this blog?

BOTTOM LINE: This is a fun, funny, entertaining, and extremely satisfying flick, with awesome kung fu fight scenes. It doesn't matter if you do or don't know the blaxploitation genre inside out, the appreciation lies in the humor and high spirit. This could join the ranks of great parody movies like Date Movie or Disaster Movie (I KID, I KID).