CULT CLASSICS
ABAR: Black Superman
Tobar Mayo, J. Walter Smith, Roxie Young, Gladys Lum, Tony Rumford
Directed by: Frank Packard
A black scientist moves his family into an affluent neighborhood, only to be greeted with threats and vandalism by their new white neighbors. When the bigotry turns murderous, the good doctor works to transform his militant bodyguard into a black superman with fantastic physical strength and mental powers that set the stage for a remarkable climax!
“Strike fear into the hearts of intolerant racists everywhere.” Rovi
The Black Godfather
Rod Perry, Jimmy Witherspoon
Directed by: John Evans
A small-time numbers runner takes on the drug king pin that murdered his best friend.
HD Restoration in Progress (1920×1080)
Blackenstein
Referenced in Eddie Murphy's "Dolemite is My Name"!Joseph De Sue, Ivory Stone, Roosevelt Jackson, Liz Renay, Cardella Di Milo
Directed by: William A. Levey
Eddie, a Vietnam vet who has lost his arms and legs, is restored by DNA expert Dr. Stein. But the results turn monstrous when a rival for Eddie’s fiancée gives him the wrong medication.
Remastered in High Definition (1920×1080)
Coonskin
Barry White, Scatman Crothers, Philip Michael Thomas, Charles Gordone
Directed by: Ralph Bakshi
“The most incendiary work of the entire genre” – Quentin Tarantino
Starring Scatman Crothers, Phillip Michael Thomas, and soul legend Barry White. Originally reviled by activists (who had not seen the film), Coonskin has now been acknowledged by critics as the important masterpiece that it is. Rap superstars The Wu Tang Clan have expressed their love for the film, and want to produce a remake.
“Coonskin could be RALPH BAKSHI’S MASTERPIECE.”-New York Times
Remastered in High Definition (1920×1080)
Death Force
Remastered from Original Elements!James Iglehart, Leon Isaac Kennedy, Jayne Kennedy, Carmen Argenziano
Directed by: Cirio H. Santiago
After being betrayed by his friends, an American soldier on his way home from Vietnam is left for dead and is saved by a pair of Japanese stragglers from WWII, who train him in the way of the samurai.
45th Anniversary!
Remastered in High Definition (1920×1080)
The Harder They Come
A film by PERRY HENZELJimmy Cliff, Carl Bradshaw, Ras Daniel Hartman, Winston Stona, Toots & The Maytals
Directed by: Perry Henzel
This gritty, groundbreaking film tells the story of Ivanhoe Martin, an aspiring young singer-turned-outlaw, at war with both the law and his ganja trade rivals. His dream of stardom becomes reality as he rises to the top of the pop charts and the most-wanted lists.
“Once you’ve seen it, you’ll know what all the fuss is about”—Roger Ebert
Remastered in High Definition (1920×1080)
Lord Shango
A Battle Between Gospel Glory and Shango SACRIFICE! Remastered from Original Elements! 1974 lost blaxploitation/horror classic!Marlene Clarke Lawrence Cook Wally Taylor
Directed by: Ray Marsh
In this horror film, black African Christians confront the traditional religion of their peers when a Yoruban priest is drowned after attempting to stop the Christian baptism of a young girl and her mother. Trouble ensues when the priest comes back to life.
“Rife with powerful allegory … A film of style and deep substance that ranks among the best independent works of 1970s Black cinema.” – Screen Slate
This came out of nowhere and hit me like a ton of bricks…. extremely well constructed …. I can’t recommend it enough! – Chris Kirby, Letterboxd
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The Muthers
Remastered from Original Elements! Brand New Acquisition! JAYNE KENNEDY BLAXPLOITATION CLASSIC! Out of the steaming slave markets come the ravaging sea-savages...THE MUTHERS!Jeannie Bell Jayne Kennedy Rosanne Katon Trina Parks
Climb aboard THE MUTHERS, the meanest, toughest and most action packed pirate ship in the pacific. Join Jayne Kennedy, Rosanne Katon, Jeannie Bell and their all female crew on a daring rescue mission to save one of their own from the clutches of vicious white slavers. Directed by the master of Filipino sleaze, Cirio Santiago. Newly restored from its 35mm negative
JAMAA FANAKA
HD Restoration in Progress (1920×1080)
Black Sister’s Revenge
Original Title: Emma MaeJerri Hayes, Ernest Williams II
Directed by: Jamaa Fanaka
COMPTON 1976: Emma Mae, a young woman from rural Mississippi, goes to live with her aunt and cousins in Compton, CA, following the death of her mother. Green as grass and far from beautiful, Emma Mae still manages to earn the respect of her peers with her positive attitude and her remarkable ability to kick ass!
“Watching Emma Mae kick the s#!t out of Jesse is certainly worth the cost of admission.”—Darius James, That’s Blaxploitation
HD Restoration in Progress (1920×1080)
Penitentiary
Leon Isaac Kennedy, Donovan Womack, Badja Djola
Directed by: Jamaa Fanaka
“Too Sweet”, a hardened but pragmatic inmate, joins the prison boxing team to secure an early parole. A highly acclaimed film directed by Jamaa Fanaka.
“Comparisons to ‘Rocky’ are inevitable, but ‘Penitentiary’ is too vital and personal to be a copy of anything.”—Los Angeles Times
HD Restoration in Progress (1920×1080)
Penitentiary 2
Leon Isaac Kennedy, Ernie Hudson, Mr. T, Stephanie Mills, Rudy Ray Moore
Directed by: Jamaa Fanaka
An ex-con is forced back into the boxing ring as a condition of his parole. This big-budget sequel gave Mr. T his first major screen appearance.
HD Restoration in Progress (1920×1080)
Soul Vengeance
Marlo Monte, Reatha Grey
Directed by: Jamaa Fanaka
Convicted of a crime he did not commit, Charlie is bent on getting revenge on the cop who not only framed him, but mutilated his manhood. In his restored state, he can destroy his enemies and mesmerize their women!
“Blaxploitaiton made legendary!”
– rottentomatos
Melvin Van Peebles
HD Restoration in Progress (1920×1080)
Don’t Play Us Cheap
Remastered from Original Elements!Esther Rolle, Mabel King, Avon Long, Joe Keyes Jr.
Directed by: Melvin Van Peebles
The film version of Melvin Van Peebles hit Broadway show. Two imps are sent by the devil to break up a house party in Harlem.
“A FIND….broadly, humorously and exuberantly acted by its cast, which includes Esther Rolle from ‘The Jeffersons’….those who think of Van Peebles only as an angry young man with a single message will be pleasantly surprised.” —The Onion
Remastered in High Definition (1920×1080)
Story of a 3-Day Pass
Remastered from Original Elements!Harry Baird, Nicole Berger, Christian Marin, Pierre Doris
Directed by: Melvin Van Peebles
NO LONGER AVAILABLE
An African American soldier stationed in Europe encounters racism from his superiors following his idyllic 3-day affair with a young French woman. Directed by Melvin Van Peebles, it is the first major film by a black director to be released in the U.S.
Winner of the 1968 San Francisco Film Festival
“The film is a moving and brutally honest achievement from Van Peebles…” -TV Guide
Rudy Ray Moore
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Dolemite
Eddie Murphy stars as Rudy Ray Moore in 2019's "Dolemite is My Name"Rudy Ray Moore, Lady Reed, Jerry Jones
Directed by: D'urville Martin
The legendary classic…the pillar of the ‘blaxploitation’ genre….Rudy Ray Moore is DOLEMITE!
Dolemite and his beautiful All-Girl-Army of Kung Fu Killers take on the corrupt city in this groundbreaking film whose influence is still being felt today. The basis for Eddie Murphy’s “Dolemite is My Name”!
“The Citizen Kane of kung-fu pimpin’ films”—New York Times
Remastered in High Definition (1920×1080)
The Human Tornado
(Dolemite II)Rudy Ray Moore, Lady Reed, Jimmy Lynch, Ernie Hudson
Directed by: Cliff Roquemore
In this sequel to the smash hit Dolemite, Dolemite is on the run from a redneck sheriff who has caught him with his woman. Dolemite and his posse (including a young Ernie Hudson) dodge the sheriff and his bullets in a high-speed chase that takes them to LA. Upon Dolemite’s arrival, he learns that Queen Bee (Lady Reed) and her Kung Fu Girls have been pushed out of the night-club business by a ruthless competitor who ... Read more
“The most essential Dolemite movie…”-ColeSmithey.com
Remastered in High Definition (1920×1080)
Disco Godfather
Remastered from Original Elements!Rudy Ray Moore, Carol Speed, Lady Reed, Jimmy Lynch, Jerry Jones
Directed by: D'urville Martin
Rudy Ray Moore’s fourth in a series of cult favorites finds him playing an ex-cop called back into action to stop an angel dust producer.
“Rudy Ray Moore is a comic genius.” –ColeSmithey.com
Remastered in High Definition (1920×1080)
Petey Wheatstraw: The Devil’s Son-In-Law
Remastered from Original Elements!Rudy Ray Moore, Jimmy Lynch, Leroy & Skillet, Eboni Wryte, Wildman Steve
Directed by: Cliff Roquemore
One of the classic films from Dolemite himself – Rudy Ray Moore! Gunned down by the mob, a comedian is given a second chance at life if he will marry the Devil’s hideous daughter.
“…[Moore] delivers his particular brand of humor forcefully…” – Variety
HD Restoration in Progress (1920×1080)
Rude: Rudy Ray Moore LIVE
Rudy Ray Moore, Leroy & Skillet
Directed by: Cliff Roquemore
Rudy Ray Moore brings his infamous original rap-comedy to the screen, featuring the routines that earned him the title “The Godfather of Rap”.
Other Great Films
Mahalia Jackson Sings the Songs of Christmas
Mahalia Jackson
Includes: “Silent Night”, “A Child of the King”, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy”, “Evening Prayer”, “A Star Stood Still”, “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, “The Lord’s Prayer” and many more!
“A voice like hers comes along once in a millennium.”-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Winans: The Lost Concert
The Winans, The Commissioned, Vanessa Bell Armstrong
This powerful live concert performance by The Winans, The Commissioned (with their original line up), and Vanessa Bell Armstrong was lost for over 13 years.
“The most important group of the last 30 years in pushing the crossover of gospel into both soul and pop radio”- SoulTracks.com
Oversexed Rugsuckers from Mars
Must be seen to be believedDick Monda, Billybob Rhoads
Directed by: Michael Paul Girard
Tiny Martians use Earth as a laboratory to try out new life forms. They return after ten million years only to find that the human experiment is a complete failure. They decide to mate a human with a vacuum cleaner to create a species that will be better at cleaning up after itself, but a programming error by a drunken Martian sends the oversexed cleaner on a wild rampage of rape, murder and overall bad manners.
“MY SICKEST PLEASURE”
—cincity2000.com
JAY LENO
The 1984 Los Angeles Comedy CompetitionJay Leno, Ray Combs, Fred Willard, Steve Oedekerk, Howie Gold
America’s best-known comedian hosts the 1984 LA Comedy Competition. The show includes 25 minutes of Leno’s world-famous nightclub act from that era. Fred Willard is hilarious as one of the celebrity judges.
Huey P. Newton: Prelude to Revolution
Huey P. Newton, The Black Panther Party
Directed by: John Evans
Filmmaker John Evans’ never-before-seen interview with jailed revolutionary and founder of the Black Panther Party, Huey P. Newton.
You see bullet riddled walls, ransacked family dwellings and shattered windows. This is the very terrorism that Huey and the Black Panther Party were standing up against.”—activist Assata Shakur
A Woman Called Moses
Coming to BD! Harriet Tubman is the face of the new U.S. $20 bill!Cicely Tyson, Will Geer, Orson Welles, Lorne Greene, John Getz
Directed by: Paul Wendkos
This sprawling miniseries tells the true story of Harriet Tubman, a founder of the underground railroad, who led hundreds of slaves to freedom in the North before the Civil War.
“One of the most moving evocations of the Black Experience”-Newsweek