557. Super Fly

Super Fly
1972
Directed by Gordon Parks

So wait isn't this just Shaft again?  Or well.  At least the soundtrack is better.

The film follows the adventures of Priest, a cocaine dealer in New York City.  There are strong female characters and different races are celebrated.  Just kidding.

So like I said, it's pretty much Shaft again.  I don't exactly think this a positive step in the civil rights movement.  Not that it necessarily has to be, but you would think that with such a crappy plot that would be the redeeming quality.

Skippable and not worthy of its place on The List.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Script was only 45 pages.

535. Shaft

Shaft
1971
Directed by Gordon Parks

There are very few things about this film that don't make me cringe.  "Who's the private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks?"  "But no one understands him but his woman"?  Does "his" woman realize that he is screwing other people?  And are we really blaming his infidelities on being "misunderstood"?  Give me a break.  I mean, the character's name was Shaft, so I wasn't expecting anything marvelous.  Still, I am seriously going to break something if I have keep rolling my eyes so hard.

I guess I will defend its place in the Book since it is such a cultural icon.  Still, I feel like it is complete shit masquerading as progress.  We certainly need more films produced and directed by African Americans, especially during the seventies, but is this kind of movie that should fill that void?  I really don't think so.

Anyone have thoughts on the remake?

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

The Shaft soundtrack is on the 1001 Albums List.