Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Black Oak Conspiracy (1977, Bob Kelljan)

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Released this past June exclusively through Shout! Factory's website is the 70's Southern Exploitation classic Black Oak Conspiracy. Originally announced as a two-fer with the equally classic Great Texas Dynamite Chase, Black Oak Conspiracy was shelved and GTDC was included in a triple feature set with Georgia Peaches and Smokey Bites the Dust (read my review for that set HERE). Luckily for fans, Shout! has released this little gem as a stand alone disc.

Black Oak Conspiracy stars Jesse Vint (Forbidden World) as Jingo Johnson, a struggling Hollywood stunt man who comes back home after hearing his mother is sick. He is greeted by his friend Homer (Seymour Cassel) and is saddened to find that the old girlfriend he left behind (who is also Homer's sister) is now going out with local rich kid Harrison Hancock. Jingo also finds out that his mother signed over her house in return for medical care and that the house is going to be demolished. Jingo soon discovers that there is corruption going on in town and it is up to him to stop it.

Black Oak Conspiracy is another wonderfully enjoyable slice of Down Home, Southern, Good Ol' Boy Action. Jesse Vint proved to be perfect for the role after starring in Macon County Line. He is tough and very charismatic. Also starring Albert Salmi as the corrupt sheriff, Karen Carlson as Jingo's love interest, one of my favorites Seymour Cassel as Homer and Robert F. Lyons as the sniveling Harrison Hancock, Black Oak Conspiracy is a blast from start to finish. The film has lots of action, some comedy and great stuntwork. The story, though a little predictable in some parts, had a lot of momentum and didn't let up until the end credits. Black Oak Conspiracy was easily one of my favorite of Shout!'s Roger Corman Cult Classics line. Though the disc doesn't have any bonus features (not even a menu!), I am just glad that its available.

RATING: 8/10

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