All the latest Movieland investigations from detectives Dick Japowski and Joey Arizona.
The Arizona Case Files: Black Movies Matter
Super Fly (1972)
A drug dealer tired of the life plans to retire, just as soon as he makes one last big score.
Hands down my least favourite blaxploitation flick thus far, at least twenty minutes of the movie are spent watching people walking or driving accompanied by a funk/soul soundtrack, and largely it's pointless, you spend more time watching someone get to a place than you do watching them at the place they were going to.
There are some great pieces of dialogue though, and a sweet soundtrack.
First watch: 2 Doughnuts
The many views of detective Dick Japowski: Black Movies Matter
Good Burger (1997)
Ahh here goes... A new Mondo burger restaurant threatens to crush the good burger establishment. It's a battle of the buns starring your favourite Nickelodeon stars Keenan and Kel, minus the orange soda!
I was a big fan of their show and I can't think why I never watched this film before? But now was the time, and it was like catching up with old friends.
With a plot that SpongeBob Squarepants would later use to great success and a simple comedy that rarely gets made anymore.This was a warm hug of a movie, with plenty of laughs.
First watch: 3.5 Doughnuts
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Audition (1999)
A lonely widower listens to his movie producing friend and holds fake auditions to find a new wife. Mistake number one, don't listen to a producer!
And although that sounds like very creepy behaviour, the protagonist in this is actually very sweet, making what comes his way all the harder to watch..
Super affective, tense and eye watering.
You will not sleep easy by your loved one in the same way ever again. Highly recommended.
First watch: 4.5 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files: Black Movies Matter
Message From the King (2017)
A South African man arrives in LA in search of his estranged sister, who needed his help but has now vanished.
There's a interesting mystery here with Chadwick Boseman following the trail, but most of the characters are very one dimensional giving this little appeal for a rewatch. There's also one very disturbing moment which may actually haunt me forever.
First watch: 3.5 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files
The Sheik (2014)
Documentary spanning the life and career of Khosrow Vaziri, better known as wrestler The Iron Sheik. From growing up in Iran to him spiralling out of control following the murder of his daughter to becoming a social media sensation....and some wrestling.
The Sheik feels like it was made in two parts, the first half covering his early years and wrestling career is well constructed, informative, and more importantly easy to follow. The second half following his drug addiction and social media activity seems more erratic, one of the talking heads is now a part of the story, and the film becomes as much about their relationship as anything else.
One thing The Sheik also has over other wrestling documentaries (not produced by WWE) is that the talking heads include big names like Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley, and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as opposed to the normal parade of faded stars, as well as non-wrestling personalities like Jack Black and Seth Green.
First watch: 3.5 Doughnuts
Have you witnessed any of the movies we've investigated? What's the verdict? Let us know in the comments below.