Rating: 
Summary: Not Even Dolemite Can Save This Mess
Review: Rudy Ray Moore was a comic ahead of his time--rapping',rhymin', jivin', conniving --but evenhis classic delivery can't save this low-budget, idiotic mess. You never see the mike hanging down like you did in Dolemite (a better movie), but it still reeks of amateur moviemaking, from the shabby script, to the bad performances, to the hokey martial arts sequences, and, worst of all, a Devil about as evil as your Aunt Bertha. Moore plays Petey Wheatstraw, a foul-mouthed, karate-kicking comic. He gets machine-gunned with a crowd of other people outside a church after a funeral. A couple of fatso, rival comics want Petey out of the way so he won't take away customers from their upcoming show. Dead, Petey makes a deal with the Devil, promising to marry his ugly daughter (whom we never see) to get his life back. He also gets a magical cane from the Devil which gives Petey special powers, even powers over the Devil himself! (That doesn't make sense, but neither does the movie.) The talented Moore offers some fine, raunchy moments. But so much of '70s blaxploitation was BAD, REALLY BAD, baby, and junk like Petey Wheatstraw undoubtedly hastened the cycle's demise. Still, you have to wonder the kind of hilarious movie Moore could have delivered with the backing of a major studio. Unfortunately, he was a little bit too much out there at the time.
Rating: 
Summary: IT WAS THE TIME AND THE ERA OF BLACK MOVIES
Review: THANKS RUDY RAY MOORE FOR THIS ONE HE MADE US LAUGH EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A LOW BUDGET FILM BUT DOING THAT TIME HOW MANY BLACK FOLKS WERE EVEN IN MOVIES AND OUR PEOPLE LOVED SEEING HIM.
Rating: 
Summary: Ghetto Surrealism
Review: This film is THE most deranged, horrific, nasty, disturbing, idiotic mess I have EVER seen pass itself off as a comedy. It's awesome. At first, I thought this was the most inept movie ever made, but now I see that Rudy Ray and his partner in crime Cliff Roqumore made the first piece of Ghetto Surrealism to stink up the screen (This movie does actually bring to mind certain unpleasant odors). This accomplishment should not be denegrated simply because it was undoubtedly unintentional. Technical flaws aside(and they are plenty ample), there are images and scenarios in this film which play out in mind like a reoccuring nightmare(none of which I can recount without being censored). It is one of the most scatalogically obsessed films outside of Pink Flamingos or Salo, but I think it is more successful than either in its attempts to outrage. The performances are all variations on racial stereotypes and ghetto caricatures. This film plays like some evil cartoon. Which is to say there is a devilish imagination at work, one with utter disregard for logic and restraint. And one, seemingly without any good intentions. If you are looking for a twisted cinematic experience look no further.
Rating:
Summary: Great Old-Fashioned Comedy!
Review: While sitting on the couch trying to recover from an extremely painful tooth extraction, I looked around for a diversion. My eyes lighted on this video, which I had purchased previously but not yet viewed. I was not disappointed; this turned out to be one of the funniest movies I have seen in years! Every character and situation was taken to the extreme, the plot was ludicrous but oh so funny, and Petey's poetic jokes were hilarious. It looked like everyone was enjoying playing his/her role to the hilt. Petey's attempt to beat Lucifer at his own game was bound to fail, as we all knew it would, but it was sure fun watching him try to get out of marrying the ugliest woman ever seen. A few splashes of wisdom are thrown in for good measure. Leroy and Skillet were a comedy team who should have gone straight to the top of the comedic ladder of fame; they were funny enough to build a TV series around their shenanigans. It looked like everyone was having a great time making this film. I laughed from beginning to end and it sure helped take my mind off my throbbing jaw. This movie is offensive only if you are the type of person who takes life way too seriously and cannot laugh at his/her own human foibles. Though raunchy at times, it is a relief to view a comedy that doesn't rely on a continuous stream of sexual jokes to succeed, but creates a nice balance which results in a comedy all adults can enjoy. It has certainly gained a place among my top 10 most favorite comedy films. If you are willing to suspend any semblance of reality and just want to have a good time, get this movie. It is just the thing to brighten your day. Thank you, Mr. Wheatstraw and company, for reminding us that life does have its lighter moments.
Rating:
Summary: Great Old-Fashioned Comedy!
Review: While sitting on the couch trying to recover from an extremely painful tooth extraction, I looked around for a diversion. My eyes lighted on this video, which I had purchased previously but not yet viewed. I was not disappointed; this turned out to be one of the funniest movies I have seen in years! Every character and situation was taken to the extreme, the plot was ludicrous but oh so funny, and Petey's poetic jokes were hilarious. It looked like everyone was enjoying playing his/her role to the hilt. Petey's attempt to beat Lucifer at his own game was bound to fail, as we all knew it would, but it was sure fun watching him try to get out of marrying the ugliest woman ever seen. A few splashes of wisdom are thrown in for good measure. Leroy and Skillet were a comedy team who should have gone straight to the top of the comedic ladder of fame; they were funny enough to build a TV series around their shenanigans. It looked like everyone was having a great time making this film. I laughed from beginning to end and it sure helped take my mind off my throbbing jaw. This movie is offensive only if you are the type of person who takes life way too seriously and cannot laugh at his/her own human foibles. Though raunchy at times, it is a relief to view a comedy that doesn't rely on a continuous stream of sexual jokes to succeed, but creates a nice balance which results in a comedy all adults can enjoy. It has certainly gained a place among my top 10 most favorite comedy films. If you are willing to suspend any semblance of reality and just want to have a good time, get this movie. It is just the thing to brighten your day. Thank you, Mr. Wheatstraw and company, for reminding us that life does have its lighter moments.
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