Black Belt Jones (1974)

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  December 30, 2010

  cosmo313

  Your decision to see this film will probably be determined once you consider the following: it is a 1974 film that is both a blaxploitation film and a martial arts picture. As a regualr movie, it's not great, I'll admit, but as a genre piece (or genre pieces), it's better. I have... read more more knowledge of blaxploitation films than martial arts ones; for the former, it's damn good. How it truly ranks among its contemporaries in the latter is hard to say. For me, I think it's great as a martial arts film, but that's just me. It does help that this was directed by Robert Clouse (who directed Enter the Dragon) and that it stars Jim Kelly, who was also in Enter the Dragon.
  
  Because of those bits of info, you can believe me when I say that the music is fun, and that the fight choreography is well done. The story is the typical convoluted mess of fighting mob factions with a smooth and badass alpha male caught in the middle. The acting's not great, but Kelly has presence, and it's fun to see Scatman Crothers as an older martial arts man. Gloria Hendry is easy on the eyes and is also fun to watch.
  
  There's a lot of humor and some really entertaining scenes (action or otherwise). There's also some substance, but not a whole lot. What little bit of it there is though helps elevate into something more than just popcorn entertainment. Some highlights include the music, fun fashions, the image of tons of black dudes with afros doing martial arts, and the climax which takes place in a car wash.
  
  This is one of the coolest, grooviest, and most entertaining 70s films out there. For the love of God do yourself a favor and check this one out- it's a wild and fun ride.

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  October 15, 2009

  matertenebraum

  What can I say? ? This is simply awesome stuff! From the super cool Jim Kelly in the main role, the numerous chop-socky fights, car chases and general mayhem to the absolutely side splitting humour throughout this is an absolute gem and a true pleasure to sit through from start t... read moreo glorious finish.
  
  Director Robert Clouse who also directed Kelly in the classic Bruce Lee opus Enter The Dragon takes a far more light hearted approach here and delivers a film that blatantly doesn't take itself at all seriously (which proves to be a most sagacious decision). Just check out the utterly hilarious scene for instance in which Kelly single handedly beats up a whole room of thugs by having his pal (played by the ever likable Alan Weeks) turn the lights on and off ? the dialogue from the villains is guaranteed to leave you on the floor with laughter for sure!
  
  Other scenes of particular note (every single scene is great in fact!) include a number of funny brawls in Papa Byrd's (played by the welcome face of Scatman Crowthers who actually joins in the fight!) karate dojo, an amazing punch up in a train carriage during which Kelly manages to smash every opponent through separate windows in turn(!) and last but not least the classic soapy finale!
  
  A great assemble cast of highly recognisable faces including the aforementioned actors in addition to the likes of the lovely Gloria Hendry (Rosie Carver from the James Bond classic Live and Let Die), (Earl Jolly Brown - Whisper from the same film!), Malik Carter as Pinky (a character of comic genius!) Mel Novak (who also appeared in Bruce Lee's final unfinished Game Of Death as Stick) and keeping in with the Bruce Lee connection a brief appearance by Tang Soo Do champion Bob Wall (O'Hara from Enter The Dragon and Carl Miller from Game Of Death) who also choreographs the fight scenes in this film.
  
  What more can I add? Fans of seventies fashions (including a majestic display of solid looking Afros!), groovy seventies beats, kung fu and indeed comedy would be well advised to boogie on down to your local video outlet and grab up a copy of this veritable classic!

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  June 15, 2007

  dhetteix

  Some truly horrible things, such as bad acting, cornball retro-kung-fu action, gratuitous exploitation, trampoline-jumping beach babes, and lame stereotypes. Strangely, when they are all put together, a creepily entertaining film emerges.
  
  Nonetheless, I admit that this is a stan... read moredard Blaxploitation genre, with a marvelously cheesy end-fight scene... with lots of bad kung-fu to boot. At least it doesn't take itself too seriously (see Disco Godfather.)

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  March 12, 2012

  dt10111

  This is Robert Clouse's follow-up to Enter the Dragon, using Jim Kelly as the main action focus. The kitch is turned all the way up to 11, so be prepared. This falls squarely in the middle of the post-Bruce Lee kung fu movie craze (Well, karate in this case) and full on 70's Blax... read moreploitation. This movie also has, without question, THE most amazing title/intro music of all time. I'm not even kidding.

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  June 25, 2009

  dirtedutch

  This is one of those movies that could (and have) watch over and over without being bored. Jim Kelley is a god. This is slightly better than Black Samurai, which is classic just the same.

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  November 18, 2007

  futsin

  This is just a brilliant great grindhouse/exploitation movie. If you don't like it, you just don't get that genre. Nuff said. I saw it when I was 9 and still love it to this day when I saw it again tonight! AMAZING film to see in a theater, too, even when it's only a 16mm print!!... read more! :D

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  November 18, 2007

  markymarkslunggnome

  Choose money over honey? Shiiiiit. Man, you can pull out my groin, just gimme that coin! Man, I'd rather be dead than not have any bread! Pinky's mama didn't raise no fool!

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• Jim Kelly as Black Belt Jones
• Gloria Hendry as Sidney
• Scatman Crothers as Pop
• Alan Weeks as Toppy
• Eric Laneuville as Quincy
• Vincent Barbi as Big Tuna
• Malik Carter as Pinky
• Nate Esformes as Roberts
• Ted Lange

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

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• Who portrayed 'Black Belt Jones'?  Answer »
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• (1997) Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are there to keep track of all the alien life-forms living here on Earth. They have their work cut out for them though, when the Bug comes looking for Orion?s Belt.   Answer »
• After starring in Enter the Dragon, international middleweight karate champ Jim Kelly played the leading role in which 1974 movie?   Answer »

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