Special Guests: Belinda Burton-Watts, Dennis Bartok, Craig Rogers Guest Co-Hosts: David Walker, Leon Chase
On this special episode we’re looking at the 1974 film from Sal Watts, Solomon King. The film tells the tale of the titular Solomon King who is portrayed by writer and co-director Watts himself. He’s a former CIA operator who becomes embroiled in international intrigue involving the Middle East. He’s trying to protect the Princess Oneewa (Claudia Russo) from her cousin, Hassan (Richard Scarso), who has assassins in the US and a mole in the CIA. Things look bleak for Solomon King but he’s got Manny and Uncle John on his side.
Chris Stachiw had a Blaxploitation month on The Kulturecast before where he wasn't impressed. I offered to program a month of movies that would help put a smile on his face... and hopefully yours, too.
We wrap up Black History Month 2019 with three white guys talking about one of the pillars of the blaxploitation pantheon, Super Fly (1972). Directed by Gordon Parks Jr., written by Phillip Fenty, and produced by Sig Shore, the film stars Ron O'Neal as Priest, a drug deal who’s looking to get out of the game. The film was derided for its glorification of drug use and lauded for its soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield.
Chris Stachiw and Rob St. Mary join Mike to discuss the film, its two very uneven sequels, and the 2018 remake from Director X.
Special Guests: Robert Hooks, John D. F. Black, Mary Black Guest Co-Hosts: Heather Drain, Maurice Bursztynski
Black History Month 2019 continues with a look at the 1972 film directed by Ivan Dixon and written by John D. F. Black, Trouble Man . Robert Hooks stars as cool cat Mr. T. That’s T that rhymes with P and this cat is great at pool. He does his business out of a billiards parlor where he holds court like a Sicilian on the day of his daughter’s wedding. Mr. T runs afoul a plot hatched by Chalky and Pete (Ralph Waite & Paul Winfield), a salt and pepper team of criminals who put T on the outs with Big (Julius Harris) and the cops.
Michael Campus's The Mack (1973 ) stars Max Julien as Goldie, a man who was set up and goes to jail only to come out and fulfill his dream of becoming the baddest pimp in town. He’s got the mob, the cops, black nationalists, and fellow pimps to contend with... it’s a rags to fur and velvet story.
Shining 2:37
Mike was a guest on the Shining 2:37 episode which looks at Stanley Kubrick's The Shining in 2 minute 37 second chunks. On this episode Jack gets some advocaat spilled on his jacket...
Kulturecast
It was Blaxploitation month on Chris Stachiw's Kulturecast when Mike joined the fray to discuss Ivan Dixon's Trouble Man:
Special Guests: Antonio Fargas, Peter McCarthy Guest Co-Host: Chris Cummins
Keenan Ivory Wayans's I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) is at once a parody of and follow-up to Blaxploitation films of the 1970s. In it, Wayans stars as Jack Spade, the new blood trying to take down Mr. Big (John Vernon) with a team of classic heroes like John Slade (Bernie Casey), Hammer (Isaac Hayes), Slammer (Jim Brown), Kung Fu Joe (Steve James) and Fly Guy (Antonio Fargas).
Chris Cummins joins Mike to discuss the film. Special guests include actor Antonio Fargas (Putney Swope, Cleopatra Jones) and producer Peter McCarthy (Tapeheads, Roadside Prophets).
Music:
"He's a Fly Guy" - Curtis Mayfield
"Jack of Spades" - Boogie Down Productions
"How to Pick Up Girls" - The Little Girls
"This Beat is Military" - K-9 Posse
Special Guest: Paul Maslansky, Don Pedro Colley, Joy Bostic Guest Co-Host: Heather Drain, Chris Stachiw
In Paul Maslansky's Sugar Hill, Diana "Sugar" Hill (Marki Bey) summons Baron Samedi (Don Pedro Colley), a voudou spirit, and his army of zombies to exact revenge on Morgan (Robert Quarry) and his racist thugs.
Interviews include director Maslansky, star Colley, and vodun/voudou scholar Joy Bostic.
Heather Drain and Chris Stachiw join Mike to discuss this horror/blaxploitation film.
Boss Nigger is one of the American Westerns that used the feel of the Euro-westerns that came to the fore in the mid-1960s, but with an African-American twist. The film stars Fred "The Hammer" Williamson as "Boss" and D'Urville Martin as "Amos" – two bounty hunters who become sheriff and deputy of a small western town. The twosome battles bad guys, civic corruption and racism with words and guns.
Our special guest co-host this week is David Walker of Badazz Mofo.
WARNING: You will hear the word in the title a bit. But, if you are offended by ANY USE of that word, skip this episode. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Music:
“Straight up Nigga” – Ice-T
“I Don’t Wanna Be Called Yo Nigga” – Public Enemy
Can you feel the love? We wrap up 2013 with Mike's favorite film, Black Shampoo, the tale of an African American salon owner who squares off against the mob when his true love is taken from him; going from a loving machine to a killing machine.
We're joined by Leon Chase, one of the folks who celebrates Black Shampoo Day every December 26th.
The revolution will not be televised. It'll be a subversive flick from director Ivan Dixon and writer Sam Greenlee, The Spook Who Sat by the Door.
We chat with the filmmakers behind Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door, which documents the story behind this remarkable film.
Get back jack and cut us no slack. We're hopping on our hogs and talking about the Darktown Strutters (AKA Get Down & Boogie), one of the most madcap blaxploitation flicks ever made. Come with us as we follow Syreena (Trina Parks) as she looks for her momma; uncovering a web of intrigue that involves prominent leaders in the community, cloning, and fried chicken. You won't believe your ears.
Mike and Mondo Justin hang out with the actual blades and hookers on the Sunset Strip this week as they talk about Baron (John Daniels), AKA the Candy Tangerine Man. Loving husband by day... pimp by night. That's what Baron's got going on as he gets his $200 a day every day from his stable of hookers. But, there's trouble in paradise. Baron's threatened by other pimps, thugs, and vicious cops. You'll love to see how he handles it.
We talk with director Matt Cimber about this top notch Blaxploitation film.
Episode Two finds Mike and Mondo Justin extending a return invitation to all, as they return into the depths of The Projection Booth. This week the dynamic duo explores the amazing, bizarre and fun blaxploitation oddity: Abar: The First Black Superman (1977)
Also: Tim Mallos reads "Star Wars: The Lost Cut" from Mike White's "Impossibly Funky: A Cashiers du Cinemart Collection". Plus an episode 3 sneak preview featuring Chris Gore talking about Charlie Sheen.
Special Guests: Belinda Burton-Watts, Dennis Bartok, Craig Rogers
Chris Stachiw had a Blaxploitation month on The Kulturecast before where he wasn't impressed. I offered to program a month of movies that would help put a smile on his face... and hopefully yours, too.
Guest Co-Hosts: 
Special Guests: 
Guest Co-Hosts: 
Shining 2:37
Special Guests: 
Special Guest: 
Special Guest: Fred "The Hammer" Williamson
Special Guests: 
Special Guests: Christine Acham & Clifford Ward
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Special Guest: 
Special Guest: