Hit Man - Todsicher

Largely because I read Pam Grier was in this, I was curious about seeing Hit Man so when I found it at my local library, I snapped it up! She plays a porn film actress who eventually gets on lead Bernie Casey's bad side because of something involving a relative of his she did something bad to. Casey is looking for info on why his brother was found dead but the people he runs into tell him nothing but lies. Plenty of sex and nudity (Yes, Ms. Grier is one of those who unclothe themselves) and some violence sprinkled throughout. I must admit I couldn't keep track on why certain sequences were happening but for the most part, I didn't care. So on that note, Hit Man is worth a look for anyone very interested in these blaxploitation pics from the early '70s.

I first saw this movie at a Blaxploitation Film Festival in 1992. Bhetty Whaldron and Roger Mosley {The Mack was also shown} were among the guest stars. Mosley admitted in the post film commentary the everybody knew that it was a black version of Get Carter. It came under fire at the time of it's release for it's racial stereotypes, but it was a big hit at the drive ins and neighborhood theaters across the country. Bernie Casey was better know at the time for his NFL career but would come to be regarded as a handsome and talented leading man and of course the incredibly beautiful Pam Grier was on her way to becoming a cult movie legend.This is a real guilty pleasure film and is a real time capsule piece to see how black men and women were coming to be regarded in 1970's cinema.

George Armitage's "Hit Man" is a blaxploitation version of Ted Lewis's novel "Jack's Return Home", more famously filmed as "Get Carter" starring Michael Caine. It's got what we expect in one of these movies: afros, wide-collared shirts, and lots of smooth talk. There's nothing particularly serious about the plot; it's all about the fun stuff. Bernie Casey as the main character is a cool dude, while Pam Grier isn't as tough as in most of her roles. But the movie delivers what it promises. It turns out that Armitage also directed "Grosse Pointe Blank". Tyrone aims to please (to reference the movie's tagline), and he succeeds.

I might eventually read "Jack's Return Home", but it could be decades, considering how long it takes me to get through books.

This brutal , austere crime-thriller focuses cheerless Tyrone in the title role (a tough , amoral African-American Bernie Casey) , he's a hit-man who returns home to investigate his brother's death by some mobsters . Two-fisted Tyrone in order to revenge his brother , vows vengeance and spontaneously meets sleazy characters in the middle of sinister bands war and running afoul into underworld . Tyrone Tackett keeps the things moving along until ending vendetta , as he aims to please .

This routine film features thrills , raw energy , adult subject matter with abundant nudism and lots of violence . Plenty of intrigue , funky music , kinky sex , noisy action and grisly killings until finale vengeance . Cool secondary cast filled with African-American actors such as Pam Grier , Roger E Mosley and appears unbilled Paul Gleason . Based on a novel titled 'Get Carter' by Ted Lewis from 1970 original movie and of far superior directed by Michael Hodges and starred by Michael Caine and Britt Ekland . Remade again (2000) by Stephen Kay with Sylvester Stallone and Mickey Rourke . This Blaxploitiation movie was regularly directed by George Armitage . He's a good director with a few movies and expert on action and intrigue genre , such as ¨Miami Blues¨ (with Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Jason Leigh), ¨Grosse Point Blank¨ (with John Cusack and Minnie Driver) and ¨Big Bounce¨ (Charlie Sheen, Owen Wilson). Rating : Acceptable and passable ; being rated R for nudism and strong violence .

An excellent version of the Ted Lewis book, Jack's return home. Although the style and acting is below the high standard of Hodges' classic Get Carter, it conjures up some novel death scenes and some cool dialogue. Caine said "You're a big man, but you're out of shape. Me, it's a full time job." Bernie Casie said, "You're a big cat, but don't be selling me no wolf ticket." Quality. If you liked Carter, you'll like Hit Man.