Superfly
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Movie Reviews of Superfly
Movie Review: One Of The Best American Films Ever With The Greatest Soundtrack Of All Time
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently watched Superfly again after a cafeteria argument at work over the best Blaxploitation film ever. Many mentioned The Mack while others bragged on Shaft and I was outnumbered until I broke Superfly down to my co-workers. This brilliant and well-acted film is not only the best of the Blaxploitation era but it's one of the greatest American films ever, in the same category with The Godfather Trilogy, The French Connection films, the first Star Wars series, and other big movies. This tale of a cocaine dealer waking up and evaluating his glamorous but miserable and dead-end lifestyle doesn't pull any punches and still is a valuable lesson for would be hustlers today. Superfly features the best love scene ever captured on film between Priest (Ron O'Neal) and Georgie (Sheila Frazier) as well as the greatest soundtrack of all time by Curtis Mayfield. The film, characters, fashions, cars, and soundtrack were blueprints for almost every other movie that followed during that era. After hitting my work buddies with this info and a few choice lines from Superfly, mainly by Scatter (Julius W. Harris) and Eddie (Carl Lee), I convinced them to give this rough diamond another look. Most of them agreed that it is truly a classic and a must have for any serious movie collector. I wish Warner Brothers would repackage it with better sound and more features but at least they finally put it back out. Now, do yourselves a favor and order Superfly immediately if it's not in your personal collection.Movie Review: Superfly
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me start by saying; this film was part of the soundtrack of my youth back in '72,73. Curtis Mayfield was and is one of this country's greatest social, protest songwriters ever. He also had a special musical groove which connected with both Rockers and Funksters. Along with bands like War, Mardrill and Osibisa,we had one hell of a good time growing up listening to the music. In addition, we never delt in drugs, but we sure as hell dressed like the main character, Priest. However, this was also a time of racial and social unrest, and there was alot of racial wars going on in certain High Schools. My friends and I grew up in an era where we were bused and integrated into High Schools located far away in different neighborhoods. These locations were not the original High Schools we should have gone to. Furthermore, being latinos, we were not about to let ourselves be pushed around by anyone, not by Whites or by African-Americans, and so as a culture or as a group, we banded together and through shear courage and through the use of our fists, we won respect from everyone. I make no apologies for those days, and long for the camaraderie of my Latino brothers. Unfortunately, I now face a world where there are no real men to confront, and a world filled with behind the back treachery and gossip. If that's life...then call me naive...but life can also say alot about human beings and society.Movie Review: Finally...this video comes out on DVD!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is probably one of the best films of it's genre and the music is to die for. Great story telling and intelligent casting. The last release of this film (Good Times video) was one of the worst re-releases I have ever seen in my life. It appeared that they had redone the telecine (or obtained an updated element) but recorded the VHS tapes in EP mode. Recently, I e-mailed Good Times video to voice my displeasure but got no response back. Clearly, this film deserves a whole lot better.
Upon viewing the DVD, it's obvious that great strides were made in transferring this film. Visually, it looks great! Unfortunately, we are stuck with a mono mix, I guess from the original optical mix down. Real lo-fi sounding and it seems like no one put a limiter on it to make it sound loud. You'll have to turn up the DB's on this one (literally) due to poor overall level. Too bad, music is great. The soundtrack CD is so clear and vibrant in comparison.
Fortunately, the extras on the DVD are reasonably insightful and interesting. If you're a die hard fan of this, you love the part 'the threads' fashion part.
Movie Review: THE film of its genre
Summary: 5 Stars
This film could not be made today. With the strict censorship of political correctness anything smacking of stereotype is forbidden. Ironically it was this film that put an end to one kind of stereotype; that a film with black actors couldn't succeed financially. Superfly was a mega hit and is still an enjoyable movie three decades later.
Just what makes this movie great? Start off with brilliant acting, particularly Ron O'Neal (Priest) and Julius Harris (Scatterman). The fact that O'Neal never had another leading role is a complete mystery. He is so incredibly convincing as Priest, the cocaine dealer who wants to get out of "the life". Now add a soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield that just grooves. Complete the whole scenario with a cathartic ending that will have everyone, black or white, up on their feet cheering. Other films of that era which showcased emerging African-American talent can't compare.
For those who have seen the movie the DVD has a couple of interesting extras. Of note is the present day commentary by screen writer Phil Fenty, producer Sig Shore, and actress Sheila Frazier.
Movie Review: powerful, beautiful film; does NOT glamourize pimping or drug dealing
Summary: 5 Stars
Though Priest youngblood may try to justify his pimping and dealing saying "this is what the white man left us" and "I only deal to white MFers"; that is not the message of the film. The scenes show us differently-such as when they accidentally break into a poor, honest sista's decrepit place with her children around a stove trying to stay warm; how eventually this is a strange form of suicide. But what it does do is point out the failures of the mainstream civil rights movement and the man to get us as a people off the bus riding and instead actually owning it; even if we can ride anywhere on it and Obama (who I voted for but would prefer Ishmael Reed or Kalamu Ya Salaam)now drives ONLY as a symbol. Actually, my father was similar to Priest and mama to Cynthia. I'm now a new film producer myself-people compare my political, artistic, musical, and social sensibility to Gordon Parks Jr. at his best-Supafly. One of the best FILMS period-if it'd been a white film it'd have won many oscars at the time it was so powerful. I'd actually give it SIX stars!