Who payed the critics

Lack of good storyline.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

After the death of his brother a man named "Duke Johnson" (Fred Williamson) travels down south to a place called "Bucktown" to attend the funeral. After the funeral he is pressured by his brother's friends to reopen the bar his brother owned long enough to sell it prior to departing back east. However, when he does this he finds that the entire police force of the town is corrupt and rather than being held hostage to extortion decides to call a friend to come down and help him out. Little does he realize that when he does this all hell is about to break loose. Now, rather than reveal any more of this movie and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this movie had the potential to be an excellent "blaxploitation" movie especially given the fine performances of Pam Grier (as "Aretha") and the aforementioned Fred Williamson. Unfortunately, the story became more and more implausible as it progressed to the point that it totally lacked any semblance of realism toward the end. Even so I still thought it was somewhat enjoyable and I rate it as slightly above average.

Dean Johnson (Fred Williamson) came to Bucktown to bury his murdered brother. Dean is forced to stay in Bucktown for two months, because of his brother's will. Now Dean works on his late brother's bar, he becomes friends with a foxy lady named Aretha (Pam Grier) but he has to deal with a sleazy police force led by Chief Patterson (Art Lund) and his men. When Dean calls his best friend Roy (Thalmus Rasulala) to clean up the mess in Bucktown with the help of Roy's men. The clean up is successful and getting rid of these sleazy cops but it ain't easy. Dean slowly realized that Roy and his men are the same of the previous corrupt cops. They want money from any business in town. Now Dean becomes a one-man army to get rid of Roy and his men.Directed by Arthur Marks (Detroit 9000, Friday Foster, J.D.'s Revenge) made an entertaining, action movie with some good laughs. Williamson is fun to watch as the lead hero. Grier is fine as Dean's girlfriend. Rasulala and Lund are strong in supporting roles. It is nice to Carl Weathers as one of Roy's tough guys in a small role.DVD has an good anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an OK Dolby 2.0 Mono Sound. The DVD's only extra is the original theatrical trailer. "Bucktown" does have some good moments, some of the dialogue are extremely funny but the movie becomes laughable at times and forced at times. Despite some flaws, It's a fun "Soul Cinema" feature. (*** ½/*****).

Well, she doesn't show those Pammeries often (just one time) in this film, but just the chance to see Ms. Grier perform is worth the price of admission.She actually has a very meaty role in the 70s blaxploitation flick that also stars Fred Williamson (From Dusk Till Dawn), who is set to play Henry Kissinger in his 100th film this year; and Carl Weathers (Rocky I-IV, "In the Heat of the Night"), and Thalmus Rasulala (Willie Dynamite, Blacula).Bob Ellison's screenplay actually is interesting for the genre and the twist in the story is unique.And, did I mention it is another chance to see Ms. Grier?

"Bucktown" is certainly less melodramatic and more savvy than most 70's blaxploitation fare. In this film, Fred Williamson stars as Duke, who returns home to Bucktown to bury his brother and resume business at his brother's bar. He soon discovers the corrupt white police force had his brother - alongside everyone else - in their pocket and intend to keep it that way. Urging against any confrontation is the eternally sexy Pam Grier as Aretha, a local. Duke calls in some friends from the big city to oust the cops, who are led by Duke's longtime pal Roy. Once the cops are out, the grateful mayor wants to thank Duke's friends with a great parade; but unbeknownst to Duke, Roy and his crew become aware of the judicial and financial power the police force had, and now suddenly have other plans...One thing I really enjoyed about this film is that while I enjoy (over and over) the many films where Pam Grier is naked, it was nice to see one of her blaxploitation films where her nudity is dissolved to only one scene. Also, she isn't scantily clad in every frame. She appears classic and tasteful in fine outfits with glittering earrings and complimenting make-up. I know you guys want - and are accustomed to - seeing her breasts every 10 minutes, but I found it a nice change of pace to see her in a more graceful light. The final showdown of the film is tremendous, loaded with hilariously menacing "I'm gonna beat you down, boy" prologues between the two combatants. There is also good use made of a tank in this film, but I don't want to spoil the whole experience for you. Check it out for yourself.