Tribeca - Black Dynamite
A parody/homage to the Blaxplotation films of the 1970’s, Black Dynamite brings the funk, the soul, and the funny. The genesis of this film (as explained by the director) was rather amusing. Apparently, Michael Jai White (who stars as Black Dynamite) decided that he’d make a great Blaxplotation film. So he got together with the director Scott Sanders and for five hundred dollars they made a trailer. Purely on the strength of the trailer, they wrangled together almost three million in funding and then set about actually creating a story and writing a script. There is something of a plot involving smack in the ghetto and a plot to poison people with malt liquor, but that is almost besides the point. The point is that Black Dynamite is the baddest motherfucker in the hood and is going to throw down on anyone who gets in his way. You dig?
The writing stype cribs heavily from the classic Blaxplotation films, but that doesn’t stop the deadpan one-liners and the speaking in cadenced rhymes from being any less funny. The soundtrack is pure 70’s funk. The ladies are fly, there are hilarious cameos from black comics (as pimps), and the film lovingly plays up the continuity errors and boom mic shots. Viet Nam flashbacks, evil Asian kung-fu masters, corrupt CIA agents—the film throws in everything including the kitchen sink. And just when the film has got you rolling on the floor, they drop the pedal to the floor and end up in the White House, where Black Dynamite has to numchuck fight with the worst villain of the 70’s, Tricky Dick himself. I just lost my shit. The film is ridiculous amounts of fun. A clear five out of five. It gets it theatrical release over Labor Day weekend. Check it out.