Across 110th St

Not so much a blaxsploitation film as it is just a damn fine movie and a perfect film to end the month.  One of my favorites from the 70's, a decade that is my favorite.  To me, this holds up as well as The French Connection, Chinatown, Dirty Harry, and Dog Day Afternoon.

Yaphet Kotto and Anthony Quinn bring serious chops as two cops trying to break the case when three criminals decide to knock off the mob.  They might not like each other, but they've got to get along long enough to keep Harlem from tearing itself apart.

Fantastic character actors bring alive a story that could have fallen into numerous pitfalls, and the on location shooting adds much needed realism.  Adapted from Wally Ferris's novel by writer Luther Davis and director Barry Sheer, this film just oozes with authenticity.  Anyone wanting to know what NYC was like in the 70's should take a look at Across 110th Street.

Oscar Predictions

I have yet to see all the films involved, so many of these are just educated guesses, but isn't that half the fun.

Original Song - I really don't care for any of these, and I flat out refuse to vote for Randy Newman, so how about "If I Rise" from 127 hours

Original Score - As much as I loved the Inception score, my inner 18 year-old would kick my ass for not voting Trent Reznor.  So it goes to The Social Network

Makeup - The Wolfman.

Costume Design - The Academy always loves period pieces, but I'm going with Alice In Wonderland

Sound Editing and Mixing, Visual Effects - All going to Inception.  It has no shot at any of the major awards so I'm guessing they will make up for it with the technical side.

Live Action Short Film - Absolutely no idea.  How about God of Love?

Animated Short Film - Loved Day & Night.

Art Direction - Alice in Wonderland.  Even when Burton's films don't exactly "stick it" they are always a wonder to look at.

Cinematography - Loved the handheld work in Black Swan.

Film Editing- Where is the love for Inception, a film that juggled numerous timelines.  Let's go with The Social Network.

Adapted Screenplay- If this does not go to Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network I will be stunned.

Original Screenplay - Will probably go to David Sidler for The Kings Speech but I'm holding out for Christopher Nolan and Inception.  He was robbed off a Director's nod, so why not give him this as an apology.

Foreign Language Film - Expressing my Javier Bardem love in this category.  Go Biutiful

Animated Feature- Anyone not guessing Toy Story 3 on this?

Documentary Short- ?  How about Poster Girl.

Documentary Feature - For once I've seen the majority of the films in this category.   I thought Restrepo was really powerful, but I just loved the mischief of  Exit Through the Gift Shop.

Director - Replace Tom Hooper with Christopher Nolan and this would be a dream category.  Fincher, Aronofsky, Russell, and the Coen Brothers, all amazing filmmakers, but it's David Fincher's time.

Supporting Actress, otherwise known as the category I always get wrong - True Grit love time, so Hailee Steinfeld

Actress- It will probably go to Bening, but I'm for Natalie Portman.  Makes up for her sleepwalking through the Star Wars films.

Suporting Actor - Geoffrey Rush has an Oscar already, so let's give it to Christian Bale, who should have been nominated long before this.

Actor - Colin Firth.  It's pretty much a sure thing.

Picture - The King's Speech was tailor-made for an Oscar.  Period piece.  Historically important character.  An physical obstacle to overcome.  Check check and check.  But I'm going with The Social Network.  Everything about this film works, from Eisenberg's understated-yet-nominated performance, to Fincher's assured direction, to Sorkin's crackerjack script.  Remove any piece and this film probably falls apart.  This will be the film that's spoken of in ten years, while The Kings Speech will go the way of Shakespeare In Love.

Cover of the Week - The Black Gestapo

Slaughter

There is no badder man than Jim Brown.  Not only was he a world class, record setting athlete, but also a movie star, author, and activist.  He may be 75 years old now, but I'm willing to bet he could still kick 99% of our collective asses with just a look.

Super Fly TNT

Sometimes sequels are just a terrible, terrible idea.  Pretty much everything I adored about the first movie, including the AMAZING music, is missing from this film.  It's hard to fault leading man/director Ron O'Neal for trying to capitalize on the success of Super Fly and attempting a "message" movie, but using Priest instead of a brand new character might have been a bad idea. (Interesting side note- this film was co-writen by Alex Haley of Roots fame)  It had some high minded ideals, a retired, reformed Priest aiding African rebels, but all of this was undercut by inability to remain awake.  Super Fly TNT committed the greatest sin of an exploitation film.  It was boring.

The Mack

"You know the rules of the game.  Your bitch just chose me.  Now we can handle this like you just got some class, or we can get into some gangsta shit."

It's wise to give yourself goals.  Life can have added meaning when there is something you are working towards, a light at the end of the tunnel.. Gives you purpose, a mission.  And if that achievment is to be crowned the #1 Pimp at the Players Ball, so be it.

One of the best blaxsploitation films ever made.  There is a reason New Line Cinema gave the outstanding dvd release the Platinum Series label.

Black Shampoo

You know what I miss the most about 70's film, and exploitation films in general?  Films like this.  I cannot even imagine a film like Black Shampoo even making past a reader's desk today.  And even if it did manage to get filmed, a studio wouldn't have a clue on how to market it.  The closest approximation we have are the Old Spice commercials.