The Last Dragon (1985, dir. Michael Schultz)

The Last Dragon (1985, dir. Michael Schultz)

What Is It?: The ultimate blaxploitation kung-fu, fantasy, musical, comedy guilty pleasure.

What About It?: Also known as Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon, this trash classic was made in 1985 for 10 million dollars and untold gallons of Jheri curl. Ostensibly about the rise of a young kung-fu legend, Leroy Green, and his romance with Prince protege Vanity and his rivalry with Sho' Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, easily one of the greatest screen villians of all time. No, really, he's phenomenal. Julius Carry, who plays Sho' Nuff, imbues the character with a grandeur and mania not seen much this side of Brando. That it was directed by Michael Schultz, the auteur behind Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Also available ON DEMAND until 12/31/06 and also staggeringly great/bad/wondrous/totally watchable) and Krush Groove, makes it all the more great.

Why Should I See It?: Because you enjoy fun, over-the-top guilty pleasures now and then. This is one of those. Watch it with someone you love, because they likely won't believe that it exists otherwise.

What Else Is It Like?: Nothing of this universe. OK: They Call Me Bruce?, Big Trouble in Little China, Black Samurai.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 12/14/06, so get on it.

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

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