Search - J.D.'s Revenge on DVD

Endless Repetition...

11/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw this in the late 70's while on a USN ship in the Med. It was a good distraction - and absolutely hilarious! In those days, the crews would exchange movies while underway via a large canvas bag. We'd send our "viewed" movies to another ship in exchange for the movies they'd seen.
EVERY EXCHANGE we'd end up with a copy of J.D.'s Revenge and Revenge of the B Girls. J.D.'s Revenge was so funny that the crew and wardroom watched it nearly every night for nearly 6 months. In a few months, nearly everyone had memorized the entire movie. It was like J.D. was taking over the crew...
Yup. Life was much harsher in the "Old Navy". How could anyone NOT want such an enjoyable (and quotable) movie?"

A Real Surprise! This Supernatural Thriller Is!

Tsuyoshi | Kyoto, Japan | 01/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Devoted fan of Soul Cinema Collection, I was not a little glad to find "J.D.'s Revenge" another hidden gem of the series. Not exactly a blaxploitation work (though originally released from American International, company famous for Pam Grier's movies), "J.D.'s Revenge" is a rivetting shocker that has still considerable power to grip your heart.Set in modern New Orleans, the film tells a story of a law school student working as a taxi driver, Ike (Turnan, superb acting). One day, just for fun, he and his friends decide to see a hypnotist's show, in which Ike volunteers to be on the stage. Being hypnotized as part of the show, however, he sees something very weird ... and his plight begins. Haunted by the repeated nightmarish vision, he starts to behave like someone else. Or, maybe, he really became another person....The film uses fine locations of New Orleans, and all the cast give their great performance. Most notable is Turnan, whose changing personality compels you to keep watching the film; also good is Gosset Jr. (credited as Lou Gosset) as a preacher who has a secret in his past (though his part is smaller than Tarnan) Though made with low budget, "J.D.'s Revenge" entertains you more than you expect. But note: the film is very violent, and sometimes repellent (one character is physically assaulted, and the scene is painful to watch). Still, the vitality of the film is undeniable. My only complaint is its banal title and a little flat ending. The film's good, though."

Interesting...

Tsuyoshi | 08/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This movie came out when I was about nine years old. Just out of the blue, the title popped into my head and I decided to purchase it....The movie literaly had me on the edge of my seat once JD's spirit took over Ike's body. I disliked how this possession affected those close to Ike. He couldn't remember hurting his girlfriend or one of his customers. JD was CRAZY!!! It really did not take me long to figure out who killed JD and his sister, but I don't want to give it away. If your into "blaxplotation" movies, check this one out..."

Very Good 1970s Urban Thriller

Hype Currie | Detroit, Michigan United States | 03/29/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"JD's Revenge was a horror thriller released in 1976. Hitting theaters near the wane of African-American themed genre films, it was released by American International Pictures, which had become perhaps the most prolific American studio to produce `blaxploitation' movies.

Glynn Turman stars as Ike Hendrix, taxi driver and law student in New Orleans, who has a live-in girlfriend, Chrisette (Joan Pringle). A night on the town with another couple brings the group to a stage hypnotism show. During the show, Ike somehow is possessed by the spirit of J.D. Walker (john smith), a local hoodlum active during the 1940s who met a violent end at a meatpacking plant. Shortly, Ike begins to exhibit odd behavior--he buys a vintage used hat, has frequent headaches, but soon his behavior becomes sinister as J.D.'s influence comes to the fore.

Terrorizing cab riders and womanizing are among the sins J.D. commits with Ike's face. Of particular interest to J.D. is the reverend Elija Bliss, who pastors a popular church in town. As played by Gossett, Reverend Bliss likes to use boxing metaphors in his sermons; his brother Cleotis apparently handles the business affairs for the church, but based on his dialogue he is not remotely the believer that Elija seemingly is. Indeed, Cleotis `reminds' Elija that the church is just a barely-veiled hustle, and sends some ushers to rough up Ike when he takes Elija's lustful daughter home.

Pros
New Orleans is an interesting change of pace from the most frequent genre settings of New York (Harlem) or Los Angeles. Bourbon Street and other locales are showcased. The film handles Ike's internal struggle fairly well--mild mannered and genial normally, smug and swaggering as J.D. By the film's climax the possessed Ike has permed his hair and bought a garish suit to complete his `old-school' look. The principal and supporting actors all play it straight, which helps avoid a campy feel to what is already a high-concept story. Some unintentional humor is wrought from a doctor who suggests to stressed-out Ike that he smoke some marijuana to calm down. The same can be said for when the movie's main couples celebrate an anniversary at a topless nightclub. Slightly less humorous is Ike's pal coming up with a rather reaching justification for Ike's slapping around Chrisette while possessed.

Cons
The climax of the film sets up a revelation that clever viewers may likely have figured out beforehand. The epilogue is fairly cut and dry despite the fantastic series of events that just took place. Despite some mirror-image appearances, there is no verbal confrontation between Ike and J.D., which could have been interesting--instead, Ike just totally blacks out whenever J.D. takes over. There are also several subplots that the movie seems to ignore. Despite this, "JD's Revenge" is a good B-film."