Customer Reviews

Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide

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...because there are really only two, and this one is better than the other one.
Don't get me wrong. I have purchased and really enjoy this book. But if there were as many books out there on "Blaxploitation" films as there are on Hitchcock or Spielberg films, this one would probably fall in the middle of the road, quality-wise. But the fact is that there are only two books I know of that cover the genre as a whole--this one and "Black Action Films" by James Robert Parish and George A. Hill, available from McFarland in a VERY overprices "library binding" edition. (Another book on the subject, "What it is, What it Was" by Andres Chavez, is also very good but is really a picture book with a few interviews thrown in). While "Black Action Films" has more in-depth listings, "Blaxploitation Cinema" is the much more informative and better-written volume.

But "Blax" could have been a lot better. The book is basically broken down into three sections: 1) interviews with directors famous for Blaxploitation; 2) color reproductions of BLX movie posters and 3) short columns on the films in question. The interviews, I hate to say, kind of suck. The participants are game, but the author shoots them each basically the same bland questions indicating he had little knowledge of the individual's career beforehand ("How do you feel about the term 'Blaxploitation'?"). The poster art section is very good, but if that's what you want, the aforementioned "What it is.." is the better purchase. And the section on the individual films, while well-written, includes too many films that are not in any way "Blaxploitation" or even "Black" films (a problem "Black Action" has as well). "Silver Streak," for example, though it features a black actor, Richard Pryor, is in no way a part of the blaxploitation genre.

But on the whole and in spite of its comparably minor flaws, this is a very entertaining book on a subject that gets too little serious attention.

I never knew i was a fan of "Blaxploitation" cinema when i was a teenager in the 1970s, after reading Mr.Howards book and seeing alot of these films at the Castle Theatre in Irvington, NJ, well, i am now a fan of the genre,and God help me find some of these gems i never knew existed. The interviews are interesting and the photos and artwork of the original movie posters are gorgeous, where did the Author find them?? For me, i loved seeing some of the old double features again ! thank you,
Anthony Alansky

Developing ideas for a radio show about movies I stumbled across this title and knew it would have some great ideas. Had no idea there were so many different films produced during the blaxploitation era! The still photos from the films and the poster art along with the text was a great balance. I especially enjoy reading the taglines of the films. The information on actors, directors, film composers,..etc. excellent. So glad some of the directors from the blaxploitation era were interviewed and included. Look forward to hearing more from book developer, Josiah Howard!

these films back in the day moved me far more than much of what later came. self directed,budget and they kept hollywood lights and doors open. they got a bad rap however there was a time when Hollywood films weren't making any real loot. it wasn't until Jaws that the big modern day film took off. this book is a vast knowledge of of wealth of the actors,films and subject line,etc.. fantastic

I picked this up for the cool stills and color movie posters, but the writing, interviews and recomendations have made this one of my favorite film books. Because of this book, I am now a huge Ron Van Cleif fan! Truly well done in every way.