Black lenses, Black voices : African American film now /

Reid (Univ. of Florida, Gainesville) makes another substantial contribution to literature on African American film history and theory with this book, which joins his PostNegritude Visual and Literary Culture (CH, Mar'98, 35-3681) and Redefining Black Film (CH, Nov'93, 31-1428). Using a postnegritude understanding of race and blackness that describes the fluidity of African diaspora communities, the author "challenges conventional beliefs and singular black identity formations" that plague too many studies of African American film. The volume's six freestanding essays examine early African American film, black family film, black action film, black horror film, black female-centered film, and black independent film--specifically, Haile Gerima's Sankofa (1993). This final essay--in which Reid puts Sankofa in historical context and examines the production, distribution, and exhibition of the film--will lead to many classroom discussions. The strength of this volume lies in Reid's ability to transcend issues of race and demonstrate how class and gender play a major role in African American film. In addition, he brings into the discussion films that are not considered black "classics" (e.g., Def by Temptation, Bones, The Inkwell, The Associate) and brilliantly illustrates their social importance. ^BSumming Up: Essential. All collections; all levels. G. R. Butters Jr. Aurora University

Reid (English & film, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville; Redefining Black Film) has long helped define the critical study of black film. His current work examines from a self-described "womanist post-Negritude" perspective films of the 1990s written or directed by African Americans in addition to black-oriented films by nonblack crews. Although expected movies like Soul Food are critiqued, Reid also delves into the world of the modern black horror film (Bones) and independent film. Scholars will be interested in his provocative thoughts on the significance of Whoopi Goldberg and Halle Berry as symbols of the era; a useful filmography of the 1990s and a bibliography complete the volume. Although brief, this book will make a solid addition to the growing library of recent black film studies, including Black American Cinema, edited by Manthia Diawara; Struggles for Representation, edited Phyllis R. Klotman; and Janet K. Cutler and Paula J. Massood's Black City Cinema. Highly recommended for all film collections.-Anthony J. Adam, Prairie View A&M Univ. Lib., TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.