bell hooks Movies
British director Isaac Julien takes on the Blaxploitation era of the '70s in the hour-long documentary Baadasssss Cinema. With archive film clips and interviews, this brief look at a frequently overlooked historical period of filmmaking acts as an introduction rather than a complete record. Features interviews with some of the genre's biggest stars, like Fred Williamson, Pam Grier, and Richard Roundtree. Director Melvin Van Peebles discusses the historical importance of his landmark film Sweet Sweetback's Baad Asssss Song. For a contemporary perspective, the excitable Quentin Tarantino offers his spirited commentary and author/critic bell hooks provides some scholarly social analysis. The music of Blaxploitation movies is rightfully discussed, focusing on Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly" and Isaac Hayes' "Shaft." Also features interviews with writer/director Larry Cohen and film historian Armond White. Baadasssss Cinema was originally shown on the Independent Film Channel in August of 2002 as part of a week-long Blaxploitation film festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
In this video, well-known author and social commentator Bell Hooks makes her case for the power of cultural criticism. In her view, learning to think critically is an essential tool for anyone who attempts to find the true meaning of any facet of their culture. In this tape, she explains the theories behind major principles of her own work and demonstrates the value of cultural studies in concrete analysis. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
The Date Rape Backlash: Media and the Denial of Rape features a spirited panel discussion on the perceived media backlash against feminist issues of sexuality. Academy Award-winning screenwriter Callie Khouri hosts the program, which features a diverse guest panel, including author Susan Faludi, Mary Koss, Katha Pollitt, Neil Malamuth, and others. Khouri and guests suggest that the media has halted important progress in the fight to prevent sexual violence against women. They propose several thoughtful solutions. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide
