Double Feature:
Black Mama, White Mama (2-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray +
DVD]
and
Sheba, Baby (2-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray + DVD]
Starring: Pam Grier, D’Urville Martin, Austin Stoker, Margaret
Markov, Sid Haig, Lynn Borden, Zaldy Zschornack, Eddie Garcia,
American Distributor: MVDVisual
My Review and Thoughts:
What is better than having a double feature of Pam Grier,
nothing. Well Arrow Video has released 2 separate Blu-ray DVD combos of this
amazing, one of a kind, cool, lady. Black Mama, White Mama and Sheba Baby. Two
cult classic films. Two brilliant, old school, Grindhouse style, and pure bliss. There is never a dull moment. From the start to the finish, Blaxploitation films are a
true hoot of entertainment. Both of these films have never looked any better.
Arrow Video has created two flawless Blu-ray's, jammed with special features. Any
lover of cinema, both great and small will absolutely be in Cult Movie Heaven
with these two releases that Arrow Video has flawlessly brought out for viewing pleasure.
In Black Mama, White Mama you have a prison. A women’s
prison. Not just an average women’s prison, but a prison in a tropical country.
Your main characters are Lee Daniels, a.k.a. Pam Grier and Karen Brent a.k.a.
Margaret Markov. Both basically hate each other. Both fight and cause tons of
problems, resulting in both being transferred to a maximum security prison,
while being transferred, they are chained together. Now after an altercation,
both women break free from the prison, but still chained together. And so
beings the ordeal of two that hate each other. Each must use each other to escape.
In Sheba Baby you have a Private Investigator named Sheba,
as you would guess played by the sexy, awesome Pam Grier. Now Sheba leaves her
Chicago Illinois and goes back to her hometown in Louisville Kentucky because
there are bad guys trying to force her father into giving up the family
insurance business. Now as you and I know this doesn’t fly when it comes to the
one and only Pam Grier, I mean Sheba. Another classic style storyline of bad
guys against one bad sexy dame.
Both of these films are true Drive-In classics. Pure
Grindhouse style entertainment. Both Black Mama, White Mama and Sheba are
perfect Blaxploitation films. One Private Eye crime story, and then the other classic is a women in prison film.
Sheba Baby was directed by a true Drive-In master, William
Girdler, creator of late night B-movies of pure cheesy popcorn entertainment. Sadly,
this B-movie master died at the age of 30 years, helicopter crash ended this
Cheesy B-Grade Guru. His films are absolutely grand for any lover of lower
budget B-Movies and Late Night Drive-In flare. If you know me, the cheesier the
better and William Girdler accomplished that reality. In 7 years he directed 9
movies. 9 movies of B-movie bliss. He directed three of my personal favorite
B-movies of all time. 1976 Grizzly, 1977’s Day of the Animals and my all-time
favorite Cheesy film 1978’s The Manitou. I can’t imagine all the other great
Drive-In movies he would have made if lived. His passion for over the top
entertainment was absolutely grand and Sheba Baby showcases that wonderment of
popcorn entertainment.
Black Mama, White Mama is also directed by a Drive-In
B-movie master. Eddie Romero has directed some of the cheesiest Drive-In
glories. From 1968’s Brides of Blood, 1968’s The Mad Doctor of Blood Island,
1971’s Beast of the Yellow Night, 1971’s Beast of Blood, 1973’s The Twilight
People, he like Girdler knew how to create fan based B-Movie cheese that
lingers and satisfies. As I have stated I am a huge low budget, B-movie,
Drive-In, Grindhouse lover of cinema and both Romero and Girdler mastered this
reality.
This was a passionate, over the top Double Feature of
B-movie Drive-In Grindhouse style bliss that made pure popcorn entertainment at
its best.
Audio/Video:
Both have never looked any better. These are older films and
was filmed on lesser film to start with, and so one should expect small
imperfections, but I own both of these on VHS and DVD and now Blu-ray, the
Blu-ray’s by Arrow Video is better quality than anything else out there.
Vibrant colors and perfection in sound quality.
For Black Mama, White Mama:
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD
presentations
Original mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
For Sheba Baby:
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD
presentations
Original mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Extras:
As I have stated before, Arrow Video never fails in
capturing wonderful Special extras. Both these products come with a variety of
extras. Arrow Video always pleases me with the extras and always feeds my fan
boy lust for all things related to the movies I am reviewing.
For Black Mama, White Mama:
Commentary by filmmaker Andrew Leavold, director of The
Search for Weng Weng
White Mama - An interview with star Margaret Markov
Sid s Filipino Adventure - An interview with star Sid Haig
The Mad Director of Blood Island - A previously unseen
archive interview with director Eddie Romero
Trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned
artwork by Sean Phillips
For Sheba Baby:
Audio commentary with producer-screenwriter David Sheldon,
moderated by critic Nathaniel Thompson
Sheldon: Baby - a brand new interview with David Sheldon
Pam Grier: The AIP Years - a look over the wonder years of
the Blaxploitation queen with film historian Chris Poggiali
Trailer
Gallery featuring rare publicity images and Lobby Cards
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned
artwork by Sean Phillips
Booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by Patty
Breen, webmaster of WilliamGirdler.com, illustrated with archive stills and
posters
Overall:
Arrow Video always shines in the department of releasing
older B-movies of the Drive-In glory. Both these products are pure gold for any
fan of Cult cinema. Both have excellent transfers, great audio. Both are
perfectly crafted with special features. Can’t say this enough, highly
recommended.
INFO: