Foxxy Madonna vs. The Black Death (2007)
Review by the Film Fiend
It seems that every bloke and bird on this jolly green planet is in negotiations to produce and/or direct their own low-budget grindhouse-inspired feature these days. Be it blaxploitation, horror, or old-fashioned kung fu, the dodgy films produced during the 70′s have suddenly become a white hot pop culture commodity, due in part to the generous amount of hype surrounding the failed Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez collaboration Grindhouse released earlier this year. Listening to former emo kids flaunt their limited B-movie knowledge is definitely a surreal experience, especially since most are deathly allergic to anything produced before 1991.
Mime director Jakob Bilinski’s 2006 National Film Challenge entry Foxxy Madonna vs. The Black Death seems to have a deft understanding of what made the cheap action flicks from this by-gone era so impossibly appealing. Clocking in at a breezy 16 minutes, the film manages to capture the true essence of the grindhouse experience without coming across as either embarrassingly desperate or overly calculated. By the time all is said and done, most viewers will curse the Gods of Homage for not allowing this film to blossom into the complete full-length production it was destined to be.
Here’s the setup: Foxxy Madonna (Monica Barajas), covert agent of G.O.D., is instructed by her monotone superiors to infiltrate the hideout of the notorious Black Death (Jomar “Dez” Banks) before he unleashes a deadly virus upon the world’s unsuspecting population. Armed with a pair of shiny hand cannons and a set of ultra-spiffy martial arts skills, our heroine must complete her seemingly impossible mission before everyone and their creepy uncle is pushing up the proverbial daisies.
In true grindhouse tradition, the film’s so-called “plot” takes a back seat to the oh-so explosive on-screen shenanigans, allowing you to slip easily into the action without wading through a tub of needless exposition. Additionally, the handful of performances we’re presented with are suitably wooden, though I’m not entirely sure this was intentional. Regardless, it works within the confines of picture, staying true to such obscure amateur hour outings as TNT Jackson and Velvet Smooth. As long as you know what to expect from Foxxy Madonna, I don’t foresee too many complaints from those educated in the ways of wonky cinema.
The only real complaint I have is the film’s length — it just left me wanting more. Which, I suppose, is a good thing. Foxxy Madonna rightfully deserves the full-length treatment, though I seriously doubt that’s going to happen anytime soon. However, given the success of the like-minded throwback Lethal Force, I’d say there’s definitely a market for this sort of tongue-in-cheek nonsense. It’s something I believe Bilinski should devote a few moments of serious thought to.
Foxxy Madonna vs. The Black Death is one snazzy action flick. It still blows my mind that this was filmed over the course of one weekend, especially when I’ve seen lesser efforts by filmmakers who spent months attempting to perfect their own low-budget grindhouse epic. Granted, the 2006 National Film Challenge version is a little different than the spit shined “director’s cut,” but it still showcases the talents of a group of determined individuals who might just have a bright future in show business. There’s also a very good reason why this film won “Best Use of Spy Genre” at the aforementioned short film competition.
It’s a sizzling stick of Grade-A Superfly TNT.
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Popularity: 2% [?]
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