Drew Bundini Brown

I just happened to see this film last night at NYC's great movie revival house, Film Forum, where a brand-new 35mm print has been unreeling for the past few weeks. Although I DID learn a great deal about this legendary sports figure from watching the film, I must say that I walked out of the theatre feeling extremely disappointed. Before explaining why, let me first say that the film is divided into two sections. The first was filmed in 1964 and '65 and is in black and white. It deals with the buildup and followup to Ali's (then Cassius Clay's) title bouts with Sonny Liston; the first in Florida, the second in Maine. We see all the hullabaloo surrounding the bouts, we see the weigh-ins and the trash talking that Clay used to be famous for; we see Clay goofin' around with the Fab 4, we are shown a drama class talking about Clay in a Harlem school, and on and on. It all builds suspensefully toward the big fights. But when it comes to the main events...nada! This is a documentary about one of the world's most legendary living boxers...and contains not a single moment of actual boxing! Not one! Watch Movies Online for Free on 10StarMovies.

It's 1974, Muhammed Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Forman is ten years younger and the Heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set. A musical festival, featuring the America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King, is also planned. Watch Movies Online for Free on 10StarMovies.

A man is framed for murder and sent to prison. He is beaten and tortured, then forced to fight the prison's worst killer, a martial-arts fighting midget called Thud. Watch Movies Online for Free on 10StarMovies.

This film follows the life of Celie, a young black girl growing up in the early 1900's. The first time we see Celie, she is 14 - and pregnant - by her father. We stay with her for the next 30 years of her tough life... Watch Movies Online for Free on 10StarMovies.

This was a BBC production that was later put out on Video in the UK sometime around 1986 on video label called channel 5. The UK only had 4 TV channels at that time. If you are a fan of the era and the scene then this is definitely a worthwhile acquisition if you can find it (You can view it on the videos section of this site or youtube). Like style wars and wildstyle you will recognise that this has been cained as sample fodder and you will appreciate the opportunity to see a number of legends back in the day. If you are not a particular fan of the genre then you will probably find your toes curling at those same legends, wondering whatever possessed them to dress up in some of the truly ludicrous attire that they wear here. Bam + Force posing as outer space galactic beings in fancy dress, flying down from planet Rok to put the Bronx in Future Shok! Grandmaster Caz and the rest of the Cold Crush indulging their Overtly swelled sexist alter ego's 'the heartbreakers' whilst wearing the campest attire. The Dynamic Rockers having the gayest Breakdance battle with themselves. These and many more moments are truly laughable! Yet fans of the genre probably would'nt bat an eyelid knowing that this was all part of an evolution that at that time, was still in its infancy. (I think some of the current practitioners of Rap still have'nt Grown up yet, but thats a whole different argument). Between some of these contrived set pieces are some good interviews. Kool Herc gets his for being the catalyst to it all. Brim really holds it down on the Graffiti argument. This prompted the production to later tour him around the U.K. in their 1987 "Bombin'" documentary. Talk about standing him under the conservative media's cross hairs at such a young age. The way he held up is just a testament to that guys character. Malcolm Mclaren gives a good account of the first outsiders discovery of hip hop and gets mocked as the first outsider to exploit it. There is a host of small cameo's, Curtis Blow, Arther Baker, Lisa Lee, jazzy jay etc etc. Whilst it was done during that era before Rap called its own and kicked everyone else to the curb, it still isn't that comprehensive over all the elements. The spotlight only gets to a select few. However just for the fact that it's all set in the irreplaceable aesthetic of early '80s NY is enough for fans of the genre to appreciate this. Watch Movies Online for Free on 10StarMovies.

When Shaft finds out that a dead friend ran a numbers racket out of his legitimate business and left $200,000 unaccounted for, he knows why he has suddenly found himself in the middle of a war between rival thugs. These goons are all trying to take over the territory of the dead man as well as get their hands on the missing 200 grand. Shaft has all he can handle trying to track down the money and, at the same time, keep his friend's widow from the clutches of the hoods. Watch Movies Online for Free on 10StarMovies.

John Shaft is the ultimate in suave black detectives. He first finds himself up against Bumpy, the leader of the Black crime mob, then against Black nationals, and finally working with both against the White Mafia who are trying to blackmail Bumpy by kidnapping his daughter. Watch Movies Online for Free on 10StarMovies.