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Gary Bolling Movies

1982  
 
Losing Ground is a amusing but standard menage a trois, set in a small college town. The principle difference between this and other such films is that all the characters are African-American. Artist Bill Gunn is married to philosophy professor Seret Scott. She prides herself on being broad-minded and liberal; so why is she so peeved that Gunn is using the gorgeous Maritza Rivera as his model? Although there are no star names, and though it might be well nigh impossible to find, Losing Ground is well worth your while. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1977  
 
After a long estrangement, Lt. Kojak (Telly Savalas) is reunited with his tenement-dwelling godson, 17-year-old Theo Kojak Moore (Todd Davis). But it is hardly a joyous reunion: Young Theo is now in charge of a street gang specializing in shaking down shopowners and pensioners. Even so, Kojak believes it is not too late to redirect the boy to the right path--while at the same time, a high-profile hoodlum intends to use Theo as an accomplice in a diamond heist. Appearing in this episode are stars-to-be F. Murray Abraham and Brian Dennehy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1963  
 
No relation to the later Ralph Bakshi semi-animated feature of the same name, Cool World is set in the meanest sections of Harlem. Hampton Clayton plays Duke, a powerful street gang member who claims that he is motivated by the Black Muslim movement. His subsequent criminal activities are thus not merely for gain, but as a means to declare black supremacy over the white establishment. One of director Shirley Clarke's few mainstream projects, Cool World was the first commercial film venture to be shot on location in Harlem. The largely unknown cast features future luminaries (and husband and wife) Clarence Williams III and Gloria Foster. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Hampton ClantonYolanda Rodriguez, (more)
 
1974  
R  
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On a quiet midday in New York, along the Lexington Avenue subway line, the train designated "Pelham One Two Three" -- so named for its station of origin and time of departure -- makes its way down the East Side of Manhattan. One by one, three men board the train, and at 28th Street, a fourth man approaches the motorman (James Broderick) and points a pistol at him, ordering him to unlock the door to his cab and admit the man waiting there; meanwhile, another man points a gun at the conductor and threatens to kill him unless he holds the doors open and then closes them when the man talking to the motorman is aboard. Once on board, "Mr. Blue" (Robert Shaw) and "Mr. Green" (Martin Balsam) halt the train between stations, while "Mr. Brown" (Earl Hindeman) and "Mr. Gray" (Hector Elizondo) seal off the lead car. With Mr. Green at the controls, the front car is separated and isolated in the tunnel with 17 passengers aboard, and then Mr. Blue presents their demands over the radio: one million dollars in cash, within one hour, or they will start shooting one passenger each minute. On the other end, Transit Police Lieutenant Zachary Garber (Walter Matthau) must overcome his initial disbelief to deal with this threat, amid the confusion of a subway system that's chaotic even when it's running normally. With the mayor reluctantly aboard to pay the ransom, Garber must keep the hijackers from carrying out their threat while the money is transported, and keep the hotheads around him and on the police force under control -- and figure out how they intend to get away with a million dollars from inside a subway tunnel with police on all sides. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

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Starring:
Walter MatthauRobert Shaw, (more)
 
1974  
G  
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Veteran black comedienne Jackie "Mobs" Mabley is featured in her first (and last) starring vehicle, Amazing Grace. Essentially playing herself, Mabley portrays a feisty ghetto dweller who champions the cause of ex-convict Moses Gunn. With the old lady's help, Gunn is elected mayor, then proceeds to clean up his corruption-ridden administration. Amazing Gracealso includes appearances by Slappy White, Butterfly McQueen and Stepin Fetchit. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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