BAADASSSSS! (DVD)

Director: Mario Van Peebles (New Jack City, long active acting career)
Starring: Mario Van Peebles, Joy Bryant, Klheo Thomas, more

This film by Mario Van Peebles about his father's obsessive creation of the first independent black movie was quite good. Although Mario may not be a particularly gifted director, his screenplay was so full of interesting characters and situations that he may not have needed to do much more than he did. It's just plain interesting to know that Mario lost his virginity at 13 in a sex scene in his father's movie. It's interesting to see how his father put his whole financial self on the line for an independent film. Sweet Sweetback's Baad Assss Song may not have been a very good movie, but it was the very first movie with strong black characters kicking some whitey ass - and that's probably worthwhile. This tale of its creation might even be more worthwhile. An engaging film from beginning to end.

Standouts: Solid film in most every aspect.
Blowouts: Not much to pick on.

Grade: A-