Classified X

He's respectful of the people who made careers as a black actor in Hollywood while still pointing out the broad assumptions underlying the roles and the changes from decade to decade. I checked this film out becuase of Spike Lee's comment about it on the Bamboozled dvd. Like Spike, MVP doesn't apologize for not suger coating how he sees things. And his views are fascinating, if difficult.

I consider this a must see dvd for anyone interested in film history, black cinema, or a different look at the Lethal Weapon series. MVP talks about how there was a moment when he saw past the film on the screen and into the broader view of the films taken together as a whole. After viewing this dvd I had quite a bit to think about. I wish I had seen this film before Bamboozled as it is a great prequel to the message of the Spike Lee film.

My hope is that these two together lead to more extensive studies of the topic - perhaps a joint project with MVP, Spike Lee and other interested actors/directors. If you're even thinking about ordering this dvd - do it. It's less costly than a large pizza and much more filling.


Great Stuff!!   March 15, 2001
Sea Wasp (Hooterville, Australia)
Despite the incessant whingeing of Melvin Van Peebles, who is almost totally obscured by the chip on his shoulder and completely devoid of a sense of humor, this enjoyable doco on how blacks were depicted in old Hollywood movies will turn you onto some fantastic films of a bygone era that you may have forgotten about....or never heard of in the first place. If Mr. Van Peebles had his way, we would be denied the genius of Willie Best, Mantan Moreland and Steppin Fetchit. The latter made millions by portraying a slow-moving, backwoods negro. He, like Liberace, cried all the way to the bank. It's called comedy and it's supposed to be funny, silly, klutzy!! I'm sure the performers enjoyed what they were doing, got paid for their efforts and we enjoy the fruits of their genius to this very day. If Mr. Van Peebles is so concerned about African-Americans looking stupid and undignified, he should check out some of the haircuts and attitudes on the Jerry Springer Show and take up his cause with present-day offenders. THose old time black clowns were funnier than a lot a white "comedy teams."
I found "Classified X" extremely entertaining and recommend it highly. I have removed one star because I wish I could remove Melvin Van Peebles' monotonous whining from the proceedings. Also highly recommended is "Small Steps, Big Strides - The Black Experience In Hollywood" (Fox Video).