Exploitation Movies

[JollyApe]

I've been watching the trailer for an upcoming movie called Bitch Slap (click me for youtube trailer) and I thought it would be interesting with a discussion on exploitation movies.

We recently saw Grindhouse in theatres, and even though that in many ways was more of a spoof on the phenomena than actual exploitation movies (or at least in my opinion). Bitch Slap on the other hand seems to be a proper exploitation movie following more closely in Russ Meyers foot steps. So what I wanted to know is if there is room for a proper exploitation movie in today's society?

Is this type of movie positive or negative? Are we dealing with pure exploitation or empowerment? Do you watch them? Did they serve a different purpose back in the 60s and 70s? If you're a fan of the genre do you have any favourites?

(there's an interesting interview with the creators of Bitch Slap; if you click this link.)

 

[Dancing man]

Are they films like Jackie Brown.

 

[JCC]

Are they films like Jackie Brown.

Jackie Brown is more of a homage to a blaxploitation film than an actual blaxploitation film, but yeah, in effect.

 

[Allycat]

I voted other, because not every exploitation movie is actually an exploitation movie. That might sound a bit contradictory, but what I mean to say is; when I ask myself "What is an exploitation movie?" I come up with two different definitions.

1. Exploitation movies are movies that for the purpose of attracting viewers do not rely on their own quality, but on their shocking, explicit, or controversial visual content.

2. It is a genre of movies named after the above technique, which it often, but not always, relies on. Its signature qualities are that it does not take itself too seriously and that it does not shun the use of shocking, explicit, or controversial content.

Now, if someone were to ask me how I feel about films from two above categories, I could more give straight-forward answers.

1. I loathe movies that rely solely on visual content rather than on intristical quality.

2. I neither like nor loathe the genre as a whole. As with any genre, there are both wonderful and aweful films in this genre.


I just like to add that taking these two definitions into consideration, one could argue that films that solely rely on the presence of a single actor or actress to attract viewers and do not offer any real content (think Glitter).

 

[Dancing man]

Erm Ive heard theres this film called bad asses which is a documentary about these kinda films if anyone interested.