Download or read book Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras written by Odie Henderson and published by Abrams. This book was released on 2024-01-30 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A definitive account of Blaxploitation cinema—the freewheeling, often shameless, and wildly influential genre—from a distinctive voice in film history and criticism In 1971, two films grabbed the movie business, shook it up, and launched a genre that would help define the decade. Melvin Van Peebles’s Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, an independently produced film about a male sex worker who beats up cops and gets away, and Gordon Parks’s Shaft, a studio-financed film with a killer soundtrack, were huge hits, making millions of dollars. Sweetback upended cultural expectations by having its Black rebel win in the end, and Shaft saved MGM from bankruptcy. Not for the last time did Hollywood discover that Black people went to movies too. The Blaxploitation era was born. Written by film critic Odie Henderson, Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras is a spirited history of a genre and the movies that he grew up watching, which he loves without irony (but with plenty of self-awareness and humor). Blaxploitation was a major trend, but it was never simple. The films mixed self-empowerment with exploitation, base stereotypes with essential representation that spoke to the lives and fantasies of Black viewers. The time is right for a reappraisal, understanding these films in the context of the time, and exploring their lasting influence.
Download or read book Blaxploitation Cinema written by Josiah Howard and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dazzling, highly stylised, excessively violent and brimming with sex, blaxploitation films enjoyed a brief but memorable moment in motion picture history. Never before, and never since, have so many African-American performers been featured in films, not in bit parts, but in name-above-the title starring roles. Here's a new and appreciative look back at a distinctly American motion picture phenomenon, the first truly comprehensive examination of the genre, its films, its trends and its far-reaching impact, covering more than 240 Blaxploitation films in detail. This is the primary reference book on the genre, covering not just the films' heyday (1971-1976) but the entire decade (1970-1980). Includes: film posters and ads
Download or read book No One Is Illegal written by Justin Akers Chacn and published by Haymarket Books. This book was released on 2017-01-15 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: No One Is Illegal debunks the leading ideas behind the often-violent right-wing backlash against immigrants.
Download or read book Black Caesar s Clan written by Albert Payson Terhune and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The original 'Black Caesar' was a legendary African pirate who made his fortune by repeatedly raiding cargo ships in the area around the Florida Keys. In this imaginative novel from popular American author Albert Payson Terhune, the fearsome pirate's descendents are determined to find his buried loot -- and to run off any interlopers who might be after the same prize.
Download or read book Cleopatra written by Stacy Schiff and published by Back Bay Books. This book was released on 2011-09-06 with total page 432 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Her palace shimmered with onyx and gold but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. Above all else, Cleopatra was a shrewd strategist and an ingenious negotiator. She was married twice, each time to a brother. She waged a brutal civil war against the first and poisoned the second; incest and assassination were family specialties. She had children by Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, two of the most prominent Romans of the day. With Antony she would attempt to forge a new empire, in an alliance that spelled both their ends. Famous long before she was notorious, Cleopatra has gone down in history for all the wrong reasons. Her supple personality and the drama of her circumstances have been lost. In a masterly return to the classical sources, Stacy Schiff boldly separates fact from fiction to rescue the magnetic queen whose death ushered in a new world order.
Download or read book Gutter Auteur written by Rob Craig and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2012-12-13 with total page 313 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Grindhouse filmmaker Andy Milligan has been the subject of a revealing biography, and boasts a grassroots fan base, but his remarkable work has thus far received no serious critical overview. Working virtually alone, on infinitesimal budgets, often using a used 16mm newsreel camera, Milligan crafted some of the most unique melodramas of the 1960s and 1970s. Often mounted as period pieces, using costumes sewn by the filmmaker, Milligan's gritty, bizarre films come across as inimitable meldings of the avant-garde theater of Jean Genet, the experimental films of Jack Smith, and the random cinema verite of a lunatic with a home movie camera. Yet Milligan's films are anything but random, ruminating at length on profound sociocultural themes of the day, including the emptiness of the sexual revolution. Evident throughout all the films are two pet themes: a rabid deconstruction of the heterosexual paradigm, and a grotesque illumination of the family as breeder of dysfunction.
Download or read book Swoon Great Seducers and Why Women Love Them written by Betsy Prioleau and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2013-02-04 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The author of "Seductress" examines the ladies' man and answers the eternal question: what do women want?
Download or read book Handbook for an Unpredictable Life written by Rosie Perez and published by Crown. This book was released on 2015-03-31 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Oscar-nominated actress and star of the new musical drama Rise, Rosie Perez’s never-before-told story of surviving a harrowing childhood and of how she found success—both in and out of the Hollywood limelight. Rosie Perez first caught our attention with her fierce dance in the title sequence of Do the Right Thing and has since defined herself as a funny and talented actress who broke boundaries for Latinas in the film industry. What most people would be surprised to learn is that the woman with the big, effervescent personality has a secret straight out of a Dickens novel. At the age of three, Rosie’s life was turned upside down when her mentally ill mother tore her away from the only family she knew and placed her in a Catholic children’s home in New York’s Westchester County. Thus began her crazily discombobulated childhood of being shuttled between “the Home,” where she and other kids suffered all manners of cruelty from nuns, and various relatives’ apartments in Brooklyn. Many in her circumstances would have been defined by these harrowing experiences, but with the intense determination that became her trademark, Rosie overcame the odds and made an incredible life for herself. She brings her journey vividly to life on each page of this memoir—from the vibrant streets of Brooklyn to her turbulent years in the Catholic home, and finally to film and TV sets and the LA and New York City hip-hop scenes of the 1980s and ‘90s. More than a page-turning read, Handbook for an Unpredictable Life is a story of survival. By turns heartbreaking and funny, it is ultimately the inspirational story of a woman who has found a hard-won place of strength and peace.
Download or read book Black Caesar Pirate written by Cliff Gardner and published by . This book was released on 1980-01-01 with total page 88 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A fictionalized account of the early career of Henri Caesar, a black slave from Haiti, who became a powerful pirate in the Caribbean in the 18th century.
Download or read book Thank You for Letting Me Be Myself written by Mark Jason Murray and published by . This book was released on 2021-09 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As a dancer, singer, comedian and filmmaker, Rudy Ray Moore teetered on obscurity his entire life. Finally, with the creation of his "Dolemite" character and the release of several controversial and groundbreaking hit comedy albums and films during the 1970's, Moore achieved his short-lived success. As the decades changed and he struggled to survive, Moore's influence fueled a new generation of fans and artists who would help resurrect his career. He would become known as the "King of the Party Records" and the "Godfather of Rap," influencing comedians, musicians and pop culture even after his passing. His tenacity and drive were so inspiring, a part of his story was the basis for the hit Netflix film, Dolemite is My Name, starring Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore.Throughout his life, Rudy remained a very private person. He would end his live performances by commenting to the crowd, "Thank you for letting me be myself!" This phrase was chosen as this book's ironic title as Moore was far removed from his public persona, and personal details of his life were rarely shared. Many people, including those closest to Moore, believed they knew him well, yet the complete and detailed story of his life remained untold.Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself reveals Moore's unknown origins as he escaped poverty and abuse to enter the world of show business. Every period of his life and career is discussed in tremendous detail, with great effort made to place everything into proper historical and cultural context. Speculations will be cleared and truths will be told through the controversial last year of his life and beyond.Inspiration. Icon. Legend. This is the story of Rudy Ray Moore.
Download or read book Hair Story written by Ayana Byrd and published by Macmillan. This book was released on 2002-01-12 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A history of the culture and politics behind the ever-changing state of black hair - from 15th century Africa to present-day US - this fascinating book is an entertaining look at the intersection of the personal, political and popular aspects of hair styles, tracing a unique aspect of black American history. An entertaining and concise survey... A book that successfully balances popular appeal with historical accuracy' - Publishers Weekly 'Impressive work of cultural history' - Book Page 'Comprehensive and colourful' - Essence'
Download or read book Footnotes written by Caseen Gaines and published by Sourcebooks, Inc.. This book was released on 2021-05-21 with total page 398 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The triumphant story of how an all-Black Broadway cast and crew changed musical theatre—and the world—forever. "This musical introduced Black excellence to the Great White Way. Broadway was forever changed and we, who stand on the shoulders of our brilliant ancestors, are charged with the very often elusive task of carrying that torch into our present."—Billy Porter, Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winning actor If Hamilton, Rent, or West Side Story captured your heart, you'll love this in-depth look into the rise of the 1921 Broadway hit, Shuffle Along, the first all-Black musical to succeed on Broadway. No one was sure if America was ready for a show featuring nuanced, thoughtful portrayals of Black characters—and the potential fallout was terrifying. But from the first jazzy, syncopated beats of composers Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, New York audiences fell head over heels. Footnotes is the story of how Sissle and Blake, along with comedians Flournoy Miller and Aubrey Lyles, overcame poverty, racism, and violence to harness the energy of the Harlem Renaissance and produce a runaway Broadway hit that launched the careers of many of the twentieth century's most beloved Black performers. Born in the shadow of slavery and establishing their careers at a time of increasing demands for racial justice and representation for people of color, they broke down innumerable barriers between Black and white communities at a crucial point in our history. Author and pop culture expert Caseen Gaines leads readers through the glitz and glamour of New York City during the Roaring Twenties to reveal the revolutionary impact one show had on generations of Americans, and how its legacy continues to resonate today. Praise for Footnotes: "A major contribution to culture."—Brian Jay Jones, New York Times bestselling author of Jim Henson: The Biography "With meticulous research and smooth storytelling, Caseen Gaines significantly deepens our understanding of one of the key cultural events that launched the Harlem Renaissance."—A Lelia Bundles, New York Times bestselling author of On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker "Absorbing..."—The Wall Street Journal
Download or read book Party Like a President written by Brian Abrams and published by Workman Publishing Company. This book was released on 2015-02-10 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There’s the office: President of the United States. And then there’s the man in the office—prone to temptation and looking to unwind after a long day running the country. Celebrating the decidedly less distinguished side of the nation’s leaders, humor writer Brian Abrams offers a compelling, hilarious, and true American history on the rocks—a Washington-to-Obama, vice-by-vice chronicle of how the presidents like to party. From explicit love letters to slurred speeches to nude swims at Bing Crosby’s house, reputations are ruined and secrets bared. George Washington brokered the end of the? American Revolution over glasses of Madeira. Ulysses S. Grant rarely drew a sober breath when he was leading the North to victory. And it wasn’t all liquor. Some presidents preferred their drugs—Nixon was a pill-popper. And others chased women instead—both ?the professorial Woodrow Wilson (who signed his love letters “Tiger”) and the good ol’ boy Bill Clinton, though neither could hold a candle to Kennedy, who also received the infamous Dr. Feelgood’s “vitamin” injections of pure amphetamine. Illustrated throughout with infographics (James Garfield’s attempts at circumnavigating the temperance movement), comic strips (George Bush Sr.’s infamous televised vomiting incident), caricatures, and fake archival documents, the book has the smart, funny feel of Mad magazine meets The Colbert Report. Plus, it includes recipes for 44 cocktails inspired by each chapter’s partier-in-chief.
Download or read book Radio Spaceman 1 written by Mike Mignola and published by Dark Horse Comics (Single Issues). This book was released on 2022-03-02 with total page 22 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When a ship crashes and lands on a mysterious planet and some of the surviving crew go missing, the mysterious mechanical hero Radio Spaceman is called to investigate. But the planet hides much more than the missing crew, and Radio Spaceman may be stumbling into more than even he can handle. Based on Mignola's viral pencil sketches, Radio Spaceman is a steampunk space adventure full of mystery, monsters, and awesome gadgets. Featuring the amazing art of Greg Hinkle (The Beauty, Black Cloud) and colors by longtime Mignolaverse collaborator Dave Stewart, this new series is perfect for Mignola fans old and new!
Download or read book Women of Blaxploitation written by Yvonne D. Sims and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2015-03-26 with total page 233 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With the Civil Rights movement of the sixties fresh in their perspective, movie producers of the early 1970s began to make films aimed toward the underserved African American audience. Over the next five years or so, a number of cheaply made, so-called blaxploitation movies featured African American actresses in roles which broke traditional molds. Typically long on flash and violence but lacking in character depth and development, this genre nonetheless did a great deal toward redefining the perception of African American actresses, breaking traditional African American female stereotypes and laying the groundwork for later feminine action heroines. This critical study examines the ways in which the blaxploitation heroines of the early 1970s reshaped the presentation of African American actresses on screen and, to a certain degree, the perception of African American females in general. It discusses the social, political and cultural context in which blaxploitation films emerged. The work focuses on four African American actresses--Pam Grier, Tamara Dobson, Teresa Graves and Jeanne Belle--providing critical and audience response to their films as well as insight into the perspectives of the actresses themselves. The eventual demise of the blaxploitation genre due to formulaic plots and lack of character development is also discussed. Finally, the work addresses the mainstreaming of the action heroine in general and a recent resurgence of interest in black action movies. Relevant film stills and a selected filmography including cast list and plot synopsis are also included. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.
Download or read book A River in Darkness written by Masaji Ishikawa and published by Amazon Crossing. This book was released on 2018-06 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Previously published in Japan in 2000. Translated from Japanese by Risa Kobayashi and Martin Brown. First published in English by AmazonCrossing in 2017.
Download or read book Obama written by Brian Abrams and published by Little A. This book was released on 2018 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abrams reveals the behind-the-scenes stories that illuminate the eight years of the Obama White House. The exclusive interviews include Obama's cabinet secretaries; his teams of speechwriters, legal advisers, and campaign strategists; as well as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who fought for or against his agenda. From the early struggles of an idealistic outsider candidate to the exacting work that led to cornerstone legislation, their accounts combine to deliver an unfiltered view of Obama's battle to deliver on his promise of hope and change. -- adapted from jacket.
