Search - Soul Vengeance on DVD

A revelation!!!!

Jason N. Mical | 05/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My goodness, I'm as white as a turnip, but this movie still moves me in a multitude of ways!! Blaxploitation at it's finest. Marloe Monte convey's the despotism and decrepitude of south central L.A. to perfection, a visceral portrayal of what could be considered one of the most ignominious eras in contemporary American culture. The laconic dialogue, consisting in it's finest moments of archaic "jive talk", replete with the obligatory "mutha" every ten minutes, realistically portrays the culture and frustration of Charles (Monte) and his prostitute girlfriend as they struggle to ameliorate their lives in an atmosphere of ubiquitous oppression and exploitation by the omnipresent "MAN". A brilliant concept, brilliant execution, inspired acting...I cannot prase it enough. The sexual tension is as tangible as can be, and the action is incessantly non-stop."

Greatest Movie Ever

Jason N. Mical | Bellevue, WA, USA | 03/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not kidding - this movie has to be seen to be believed. It's got love, romance, lust, sex, revenge - in short, all the things that make life worthwhile. Shakespeare doesn't have anything up on this fine piece of cinema. The strangulation scene makes this whole movie worth it."

Without fail, the greatest movie ever made!!

Ibochild | 05/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""soul vengance" works on so many levels, it's hard to know where to begin. marlo monte's riveting portrayal of charlie is so ridden with angst and pure pain it's heart-wrenching. the climaxes are breath-taking, and the loves scenes are beautifully directed. i can't believe they skipped this one on oscar night!!"

Disjointed, Camp Classic

Ibochild | Los Angeles, CA USA | 12/03/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Originally released in the theatres as "Welcome Home, Brother Charles," this is the first feature directed by Jamaa Fanaka ("Penitentiary"). Made while a student at UCLA, the film looks like it was shot on a shoestring budget -- and without the help of faculty advisors. The technical quality of the film aside, the narrative is terribly disjointed. What little story it has involves a man wrongfully sent to prison. What takes the film beyond mere cliche is a bizarre twist on the "Pinocchio" story. Here, another part of the man's anatomy grows instead of his nose. It must be seen to be believed. If ever there was a rival to the campiness of Ed Wood (and later, John Waters), it is Jamaa Fanaka with this film. Perhaps like Ed Wood, someone will do a biopic on Fanaka's early career.Even more amazing is that "Welcome Home, Brother Charles" got significant theatrical distribution over equally risky, but much better crafted works by fellow UCLA classmates Haile Gerima ("Harvest: 3000 Years") and Charles Burnett ("Killer of Sheep"). Gerima later directed the indie hit "Sankofa." Burnett would go on to make "To Sleep with Anger" and the telefilm, "The Wedding." Meanwhile, Fanaka followed this film with the vastly superior "Emma Mae" (released on video as "Black Sister's Revenge"), which also got a theatrical release. The latter is arguably the best film of his career ("Penitentiary III" being the best from a technical standpoint).In short, "Welcome Home, Brother Charles" is nothing more than a curiosity piece for avid fans of so called "blaxploitation" films. It might also serve as an example to aspiring filmmakers of what NOT to do in a film. You have been warned."