The Black Godfather (2004, DVD)

Ghetto crime kingpin J.J. (Rod Perry) joins forces with black-power revolutionaries to combat the Mafia-controlled heroin racket which cripples their neighborhood. The mobsters retaliate with murder, kidnapping, and racial slurs. It's just one more variation on the "keeping the white man's dope out of the inner city" plot, but The Black Godfather doesn't possess enough of the eccentric edges that modern blaxploitation audiences seek (outlandish pimp outfits, heavy funk soundtrack, and archaic ghetto slang), resulting in low-impact black action sleaze that doesn't stand out from the pack. Director John Evans includes some perfunctory explosions, karate kicks, and gun battles, but too much of the film is staged in cheap offices with the characters sitting behind plywood desks; a coffin warehouse makes for an inspired location near the film's conclusion, but it's too late to matter. As for the cast, former pro-heavyweight champ and future Rocky co-star Tony Burton is the film's most convincing actor, more intense than leading man Rod Perry, who has a great voice but not much behind it. Blues great Jimmy Witherspoon makes a weak acting debut as the big boss of the ghetto's crime syndicate, but he maintains his dignity in a substantial supporting role. Exploitation vet Duncan McLeod (Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, Garden of the Dead, Finders Keepers, Lovers Weepers) contributes his trademark smirk as the token corrupt policeman.