Getting passed an excellent issue of a magazine called Cinema Retro from a family friend,I noticed a huge story about the films of Pam Grier.Talking to a family friend about the mag,he mentioned to me that he had recently discovered that Grier had appeared in a Blaxploitation remake of The Asphalt Jungle,which led to me getting ready to catch some breeze.
The plot:
Released from jail, master criminal Sidney Lord Jones (what a "street" name!) heads to LA. During his time in jail,Jones read magazines about diamonds ,which gave him the idea of planning a diamond heist,so that Jones can set up a "black bank",which will give affordable loans to African Americans.
Meeting underground bookie Finian and his major "financer" Bill Mercer,Jones reveals that he needs $50,000 in order to hire the best team for the heist.Keeping the fact that he is almost broke hidden from view,Mercer agrees to fund the robbery,whilst making secret plans to keep the diamonds all for himself.As Jones and the rest of the team start robbing the diamonds,they discover that Mercer has ruthless plans of his own.
View on the film:
Before I get to the movie,I have to mention that Warner Archives have given the title a very good transfer,with the audio being clear and easy to hear,whilst the picture is clean,but still retaining the gritty flavour of the film.
Keeping Solomon Burke's smooth jangly Funk score humming in the background,writer/director Barry Pollack gives the title an extraordinary rustic atmosphere,with Pollack following each gang member with hand-held whip-pans that give the film an almost documentary appearance.Along with the shot gun whip-pans,Pollack also slices Neo-Noir tension through a Blaxploitation filter,by covering the movie in ultra-stylised,low-lit primary colours,which heat up as tension starts to build between the gang.
Whilst the guys dominate the movie,the very sexy Pam Grier (who also appears naked) stands out in her small role as Mona,with Grier clear unease being the first shot of doubt to hit any of the gang members.Entering the film dancing out of jail, Thalmus Rasulala gives an excellent performance as Sidney Lord Jones,who Rasulala wraps up in silky-smooth Blaxploitation charm,which becomes brittle,as the fall out from the robbery leads to Rasulala transforming Jones into a Film Noir loner. Joining Rasulala, Julian Christopher gives a wonderful performance as Travis Battle,who Christopher gives a hard thug edge which never fits in with the socially savvy skills of Jones & Mercer.
Bringing The Asphalt Jungle into "the hood",the screenplay by Barry Pollack surprisingly does not pay much attention to the rehearsals of the robbery,with Pollack moving from the formation of the team straight to the robbery.Whilst sadly missing out on building anticipation for the robbery,Pollack makes up for it by making the robbery a thrilling set-piece,which sets each of the gang up for a Neo-Noir final note.Making sure that the title does not solely hang on the robbery,Pollack gives each of the gang members distinctive introductions,with Jones movie star sheen rubbing against Travis battered & bruised street fighter,as they both enter the deadly Blaxploitation Asphalt Jungle.
The plot:
Released from jail, master criminal Sidney Lord Jones (what a "street" name!) heads to LA. During his time in jail,Jones read magazines about diamonds ,which gave him the idea of planning a diamond heist,so that Jones can set up a "black bank",which will give affordable loans to African Americans.
Meeting underground bookie Finian and his major "financer" Bill Mercer,Jones reveals that he needs $50,000 in order to hire the best team for the heist.Keeping the fact that he is almost broke hidden from view,Mercer agrees to fund the robbery,whilst making secret plans to keep the diamonds all for himself.As Jones and the rest of the team start robbing the diamonds,they discover that Mercer has ruthless plans of his own.
View on the film:
Before I get to the movie,I have to mention that Warner Archives have given the title a very good transfer,with the audio being clear and easy to hear,whilst the picture is clean,but still retaining the gritty flavour of the film.
Keeping Solomon Burke's smooth jangly Funk score humming in the background,writer/director Barry Pollack gives the title an extraordinary rustic atmosphere,with Pollack following each gang member with hand-held whip-pans that give the film an almost documentary appearance.Along with the shot gun whip-pans,Pollack also slices Neo-Noir tension through a Blaxploitation filter,by covering the movie in ultra-stylised,low-lit primary colours,which heat up as tension starts to build between the gang.
Whilst the guys dominate the movie,the very sexy Pam Grier (who also appears naked) stands out in her small role as Mona,with Grier clear unease being the first shot of doubt to hit any of the gang members.Entering the film dancing out of jail, Thalmus Rasulala gives an excellent performance as Sidney Lord Jones,who Rasulala wraps up in silky-smooth Blaxploitation charm,which becomes brittle,as the fall out from the robbery leads to Rasulala transforming Jones into a Film Noir loner. Joining Rasulala, Julian Christopher gives a wonderful performance as Travis Battle,who Christopher gives a hard thug edge which never fits in with the socially savvy skills of Jones & Mercer.
Bringing The Asphalt Jungle into "the hood",the screenplay by Barry Pollack surprisingly does not pay much attention to the rehearsals of the robbery,with Pollack moving from the formation of the team straight to the robbery.Whilst sadly missing out on building anticipation for the robbery,Pollack makes up for it by making the robbery a thrilling set-piece,which sets each of the gang up for a Neo-Noir final note.Making sure that the title does not solely hang on the robbery,Pollack gives each of the gang members distinctive introductions,with Jones movie star sheen rubbing against Travis battered & bruised street fighter,as they both enter the deadly Blaxploitation Asphalt Jungle.