This movie is not good. - Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1973) Discussion

[–] OptimumTaurus 18 years ago

I am of the opinion that what happened in the film was much less important than the fact that the film existed. It was so "shocking" to see a lot of the things that occurred in the film, but the film itself was, I agree, not a good film.

If you haven't seen "BaadAssss", I suggest you do. It's the movie about the making of Sweetback's, and IS in my opinion a great film.

Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment. -Michael Corleone

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] raintothesoundofpanic 18 years ago

don't you appreciate the music, cinematography, editing, or any of that?

i sure do... the scene where sweetback's lost in the desert with the call/response chants going on is one of the best things i've ever seen

rather be forgotten than remembered for giving in.

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[–] jasrey32390 18 years ago

It's a minstrel show set in the 70s. Too bad the creativity of the cinematogrpahy was wasted on such a piece of crap.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] theskylabadventure 18 years ago

The worst. Really. Certainly one of the very worst movies ever made.

Important? Yes.

Inspiring (in its own way)? Yes.

Piece of utter cinematic garbage with no artistically redeeming qualities whatsoever? YES!!!

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[–] xxMK_ULTRAxx 18 years ago

You just cited 2 redeeming qualities. You said that it was imporatant and inspiring in its own way, so therefore it does have redeeming qualities based on your statements.

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[–] mydadownsadealership 18 years ago

this ilm was inspiring to black and bown kids in the 70's. it basically said yes you can go out and make a film, and it can be exactly the way you want it. looking at it now it's outdated, the editing the music the plot everything isn't good. i don't think sweetback actuall has but five lines in the whole movie. but when this was released it was a giant step forward with otu this there would be no john singleton or spike lee. yes this is a horrible movie but an important one. see badass before you watch this just so you know what the hell is going on!

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] TwistedPhil 18 years ago

This is considered the very first Blaxploitation film, which is considered a subgenre of Grindhouse
however, I think this is the only Blaxplotation flick which fully qualifies to be Grindhouse

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[–] raintothesoundofpanic 18 years ago

badassssssssssss! was what inspired me to check out sweet sweetback... the documentary is infinitely better than the actual film... this is true. but the film itself is rather neat on many accounts, the editing and the soundtrack in particular.... the last 20 minutes are harrowing, it redeems the first half of the film and justifies sweetback's ranking in the blaxploitation canon, influence or no.

van peeble's first film, "watermelon man", displays a subversive kind of genius that really should've been given a chance to make more pictures.

rather be forgotten than remembered for giving in.

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[–] JohnKoliba 17 years ago

If you look at blaxploitation films through honest eyes you'll have to admit that the only merit is the music and maybe the titles.

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[–] jtpaladin 17 years ago

Stupid disgusting racist film.

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America put the "fun" back into "Fundamentalism".

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[–] clarifier 17 years ago

jtpaladin = Stupid disgusting racist

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] clarifier 17 years ago

And how talented are you seifer?

"BadAssss" was not intended to be a film in the traditional sense. It was more of a social commentary, and it spoke volumes about the times when it was made, and to the people it was intended to reach.

To this day, it is studied in both sociology and film clsses, in colleges and universities across the country and internationally. Not bad for someone you claim to be so untalented.

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[–] LadyLovie 17 years ago

seeing badassss is what made me really want to see sweetback.I was warned -but i wanted to give it a chance.yes it is terrible.very confussing movie.but I applaud mr. van peebles effort.he wanted to make a blk film with all the discrimination going on in that era,& successfully accompished it.if u want a better understnding of what he was doing watch badassss.I had a great respect knowing what he went through.with the lack of dialogue,that's what makes it hard to follow.

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[–] collin-reid 16 years ago

Arguing that SSBS is poor because:

1) It is waaaaaaayyyyy to padded for 97 minutes. I saw 10 years ago and I remember most is the running scenes to EW&F.
2) It had a "strong" point of view.
3) Too graphic violently and sexually
4) It is obvious the budget was small.

OK you have stated the obvious. Like complaining High School Musical is made for the tween fans, Griffith's Biograph/Chaplin Mutuals were primitive, Plan Nine From Outer Space was incompent, Gone With The Wind is melodramatic...

But the greatness of the movie, is it does exist. At no other time, anybody could make such a strong statement about racism and militant black interests. And considering most blaxploitation in two years became complete formula derivative of classic Hollywood noir showed its power.

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[–] BwlBoy 16 years ago

This film does nothing to belie its low budget. The sound and lighting are woeful as is a large part of the acting. Van Peebles has won plaudits over the years for his technical achievements in this such as montage, superimposition, jump cuts and split screen editing. I'll trust the critics on that but it doesn't change my perception that this is one of the very worst films I have ever seen.

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