Wattstax

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=80 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="04000500dvldtc.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Reel Movie Critic.com</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reel Movie Critic.com"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2014.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Porn Star"><U>Porn Star</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1939.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Prince of Egypt"><U>The Prince of Egypt</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1972.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Promises"><U>Promises</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1982.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Punisher"><U>The Punisher</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1925.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Real World Las Vegas: The Complete S"><U>The Real World Las Vegas: The Complete Season (2002-03)</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1932.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Respiro"><U>Respiro</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1969.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Right Stuff"><U>The Right Stuff</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1954.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ronin"><U>Ronin</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1927.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Rugrats Go Wild"><U>Rugrats Go Wild</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2004.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="See Spot Run"><U>See Spot Run</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1975.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Short Films"><U>Short Films</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1919.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Simpons: The Complete Second Season"><U>The Simpons: The Complete Second Season</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1980.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas"><U>Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2005.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring Forward"><U>Spring Forward</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2001.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sweet November"><U>Sweet November</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1950.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Swimming Pool"><U>Swimming Pool</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2003.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Taboo"><U>Taboo</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Taste of Others"><U>The Taste of Others</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1995.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="T3: Rise of the Machines"><U>T3: Rise of the Machines</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1946.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tattoo"><U>Tattoo</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1935.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Ten Commandments"><U>The Ten Commandments</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2009.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Time and Tide"><U>Time and Tide</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1953.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="To Live and Die in L.A."><U>To Live and Die in L.A.</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2012.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tokyo Olympiad"><U>Tokyo Olympiad</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2006.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tomcats"><U>Tomcats</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2002.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Too Much Sleep"><U>Too Much Sleep</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1971.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tosca"><U>Tosca</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1976.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Tracker"><U>The Tracker</U></A>   |   <B>Wattstax</B>   |   <A HREF="id1948.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whale Rider"><U>Whale Rider</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2000.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="When Brenden Met Trudy"><U>When Brenden Met Trudy</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1936.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wholly Moses"><U>Wholly Moses</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1986.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wings of Desire"><U>Wings of Desire</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2042.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Woe is I"><U>Woe is I</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id2033.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wonderland"><U>Wonderland</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1896.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wrong Turn"><U>Wrong Turn</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="041d2c00dvldtc.png"> <div> <B>Home Pages for</B></div> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/index.htm"><U><B>Movies</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>      </B><A HREF="http://www.newbookdiscounts.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.newbookdiscounts.com/"><U><B>Books</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>          </B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/travelforless/id364.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/travelfor"><U><B>Travel</B></U></A><B> </B></div> <div> <B>                </B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/travelforless/id361.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/travelfor"><U><B>Great Web Sites</B></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Similar Genres</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id349.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id349.htm"><U><B>Documentary</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id1190.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id1190.ht"><U><B>Comedy</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id1660.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id1660.ht"><U><B>Musical</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id959.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id959.htm"><U><B>African-American</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id1722.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id1722.ht"><U><B>Politics</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=400 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> Wattstax</div> <div> <IMG SRC="318c8ee0.png" border=0 width="200" height="238" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="34582820.jpg" border=0 width="130" height="130" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> 2 CD Soundtrack  <script language="JavaScript"> function popUp(URL,NAME) { amznwin=window.open(URL,NAME,'location=yes,scrollbars=yes,status=yes,toolbar=yes,resizable=yes,width=380,height=450,screenX=10,screenY=10,top=10,left=10'); amznwin.focus();} document.open(); document.write("<a href=javascript:popUp('http://buybox.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=reelmoviecriticc&link_code=qcb&creative=23424&camp=2025&path=/dt/assoc/tg/aa/xml/assoc/-/B000000ZMT/reelmoviecriticc/ref=ac_bb1_,_amazon')><img src=http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/associates/remote-buy-box/buy1.gif border=0 alt='Buy from Amazon.com' ></a>"); document.close(); </script> <noscript> <form method="POST" action="http://buybox.amazon.com/o/dt/assoc/handle-buy-box=B000000ZMT"> <input type="hidden" name="asin.B000000ZMT" value="1"> <input type="hidden" name="tag-value" value="reelmoviecriticc"> <input type="hidden" name="tag_value" value="reelmoviecriticc"> <input type="image" name="submit.add-to-cart" value="Buy from Amazon.com" border="0" alt="Buy from Amazon.com" src="http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/associates/add-to-cart.gif"> </form> </noscript>  </div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="579" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="575"><div> Wattstax</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="575"><div> <B>4 stars </B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="575"><div> Rating</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> Not Rated but has strong language and sensual elements </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="575"><div> <B> </B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="575"><div> <B>Director</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="575"><div>  Mel Stuart</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="575"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="575" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="575"><div> <B>The real Barbershop </B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="575"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="575" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="575"><div> <B>Starring</B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="579" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="575"><div>  Isaac Hayes</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="575"><div>  Rufus Thomas</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="575"><div>  Johnnie Taylor</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="575"><div>  Emotions</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>"Wattstax"</B> is one of three recent films that provide a perspective on the soul music of the 1960-70's. <B>"Only the Strong Survive"</B> is the best picture for pure music, while providing an understanding of how some of the old timers are still making music 30 years later. <B>"Standing in the Shadows of Motown" </B>gives insight into the Motown back up band, The Funk Brothers, that created much of the music that we associate with household names like Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and more. <B>"Motown"</B> touched somewhat on race when it spoke of the 1967 riots.  <B>"Wattstax"</B> has its great musical moments, but the real message is in the politics of the time rather than the business and entertainment end of soul music. This music documentary is infused with politics.</div> <bR> <div> The interviews of ordinary working folks in the barbershop, restaurant, or sitting around having a drink are interesting in themselves. When that is combined with the humor of Richard Pryor's casual observations and Jesse Jackson's motivational preaching on "I Am Somebody," the film instantly takes on depth and breadth.  The total package is a moving portrayal of everyday black thought shortly after the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's. </div> <bR> <div> It also provides perspective, not an excuse, as to why frustrated blacks burned and looted their own neighborhoods. Listening to The Emotions sing in church, or the Staples Singers perform "Respect Yourself," is moving. Watching the face of Martin Luther King Jr. fill the screen as he delivers his "I've been to the mountain top" speech is so powerful an image that it evokes a feeling never experienced before.  </div> <bR> <div> The N word was used so much that you'd need a computer to count the number of times. Yet it was not offensive because it helps in understanding American culture. George feels this is easily the best film he has seen which expresses the culture of the African-American community during that period. You expect to see Afros and bell-bottom pants. Now mix that with a crowd of folks dancing that includes young children partying with their great grandparents. In that crowd are short shorts that define the term "hot pants." All that, and you have a perspective on a situation much like the difference between a full-length novel and one that is abridged.</div> <bR> <div> The film also captures what many African Americans feel regarding patriotism. Although it was not a part of the film, it provides insight into the controversy of the Confederate flag. When the National Anthem was sung, people were quietly respectful but they were not standing and saluting. Only when the anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing" followed the words of "I am Somebody" was there conviction in just what the flag meant to them. A backdrop not to be forgotten is the Vietnam War, in which so many African Americans and whites without money and influence died (50,000), for a war that few now think was a worthwhile effort. </div> <bR> <div> Issues such as interracial dating, and skin color (especially "high yellow,") are covered. A definition of what "Nigger" means (an American tribe composed of the best from various African nations, per Richard Pryor), make this a political film that should be part of our history classes because it touches on so much of American culture both then, now and likely into the future. It addresses how American society continues to change and how important freedom of expression is. </div> <bR> <div> Richard Pryor's "observations," interspersed throughout the film, done from a barstool in a local club, were brilliant. While much social progress has been made in the last 50 years, it's scary to know that Rodney King type events continue to happen. One can laugh at things </div> <div> that are not funny.</div> <bR> <div> The fact that so many African American men have been disenfranchised from voting because of felony convictions is a current example of the punishment not fitting the crime. If one has done his or her time, why should they not be encouraged to participate as a responsible citizen? I do believe that while in jail or on probation, they should not have the right to vote, but once you've paid your debt to society, then you should be able to be a citizen in all regards. Jesse Jackson has written about that recently and it was a part of the strategy to legally lower the number of black voters in Florida during the last presidential election. Add to this normal apathy and it becomes a different kind of slavery. As one man said, "if I can't work and make it, I steal and take it." So it's no jobs, felony convictions, and the inability to vote to change your situation<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Symbol" >¾</FONT>the epitome of a vicious circle. Another man said somewhat tongue in cheek, "I've been down so long, thinking about getting up never crosses my mind."</div> <bR> <div> Although there is plenty of politics here, there is a lot of music. The Bar Kay's perform "Son of Shaft," Johnnie Taylor gives a performance in a night club, which defines funky when he talks about "Jody," that man who slips into your woman's bed right after you leave the house. Luther Ingram singing "If Lovin' You is Wrong I don't Want to be Right" must have been who inspired blues singer Robert Cray. Rufus Thomas showed the origins of break dancing, and demonstrated crowd control (you have to see it to believe it when he had people dance on the ball field and then go back to the stands). One man would not leave and the crowd took him off the field. Albert King hit some blues notes on his guitar that BB King would be proud of. Missing from the initial release of the film because of legal issues was Isaac Hayes singing "Shaft" and "Soulsville." A patched on recording made after the concert was in the prior release. The emotional musical high point of the film was the song by The Emotions called "Peace Be Still."</div> <bR> <div> This one day, seven-hour concert was a benefit, with an admission charge of only $1.00. More than 110,000 people attended in the Los Angeles Coliseum. Record labels like VJ, Atlantic, Motown and Stax defined soul music. Stax Records was founded in Memphis in 1959 by Jim Stewart and his sister Estelle Axton, when they took the first two letters of their last names to combine and make STAX.</div> <bR> <div> Some say this was a "black Woodstock," but the one thing missing was the wide spread use of drugs. I'm assuming this happened to some degree. If so, it was not in the film. This was a family affair. The DVD will be out this fall and if you want more music, you can buy a double CD set, which has two hours of music from Stax called "Wattstax, The Living Word." We will be getting the CD now and the DVD in a few months. The year is about half over and we've seen a lot of films, so we can now say, this is one of the best films of the year.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="621" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="617"><div> George O. Singleton  © 2003</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="617"><div> <A HREF="George@reelmoviecritic.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="George@reelmoviecritic.com"><U><U>George@reelmoviecritic.com</U></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>