Baadasssss!

First of all, 5 S's in the title. Second, this includes one of THE heroic filmmaking stories; The man claimed union compensation for the gonorrhoea he contracted during the unprotected sex he had in his own film, all to pay for more film stock.

As an artform more self-involved than rock n'roll, Hollywood loves to tell stories about how films come together. Usually those aim to be inspirational tales of artists maintaining their vision against moneyed interference. But Melvin Van Peebles also had to overcome America's racism and tell a story with black actors when liberal Hollywood was against it. It's fun seeing him as a hero confront constant obstacles--like losing his guide and film editor. A must see for film students & movie buffs.

I love movies about movies, and this is one of the best. Baadasssss! is a love song to film-making, but first and foremost, a touching tribute to a father from a son. Surprisingly, Mario Van Peebles doesn't idealize his dad Melvin: as the writer, director and star of the film, he crafts on honest portrait showing the real man, warts and all. His approach lifts the movie beyond being just a great underdog story. It's a great film.

Mario Van Peebles playing his father who is trying explain why Mario Van Peebles has to lose his virginity on camera for the sake of a picture is *nuts*. As an inspirational 'artist vs the establishment' tale, it's a delight. As a son trying to make peace with his father's monstrous ego, it's fascinating. A bit cheap, made-for-TVy in places, but that somehow adds to its charms. And the interviews at the end are icing on the cake.

Pretty good. I recommend seeing "Sweet Sweetbacks Badasss Song" first.

"Despite the interesting subject and promise of the father-portraying-son dynamic, this plays very much like a standard biopic, lacking the dangerous spirit of the movie that inspired it."

Good film.

Well, it looks kind of cheap in places, but as an admirer of Melvin's work, this was a lot of fun.

Fascinating film about a true pioneer.

One of the best movies about movies. A powerhouse

blaxploitation!

It is badass. Mario Van Peebles does an amazing job emulating his father (Melvin) when he was making Sweet Sweetback's Badassss Song. It was a hell of a lot better than I thought it was going to be, and is one of the better fliers that I've taken at the movie store. If you're a fan of both biopics and movies about the making of other movies, you'd be doing yourself a disservice to pass this up. Very good.

What starts out as a weird, jumbled late '60s pseudo-documentary turns into an interesting, lovingly-crafted story about Mr Peebles and his drive to make a cinema for African-Americans everywhere.

flawed attempt to make a film about the legend that is Melvin Van Peebles. Still better than just about anything with Will Smith in it. Toe knee :-)

Ser

Good, but once the actual filming of Sweet Back is finished, the rest of the film is just never as engaging.