[Review] J.D.'s Revenge (Groovy Gory Gruesome Gold, 1976): A Surprising Blaxploitation Classic - by Paul Cardullo

In this episode of Groovy Gorey Gruesome Gold, Paul Cardullo goes back to the mid-1970s for the Blaxploitation classic J.D.'s Revenge (1976). In the 1940s, gangster J.D. Walker (David McKnight) witnesses the murder of his sister (Alice Jubert) and then is gunned down by her murderer. Flash forward to 1976 . . .  Isaac, played by Glynn Turman (Cooley High [1976], Gremlins [1984]), is a law student who drives a cab to make ends meet. After being hypnotized during a nightclub act, Isaac's personality begins to change as he is slowly taken over by J.D.'s spirit. J.D. is seeking revenge on the men involved in his murder, former-gangster-turned-preacher Reverand Elija Bliss (Louis Gossett Jr.) and his brother Theotis (Fred Pinkard). Directed by Arthur Marks and written by Jaison Starkes, the film is refreshingly good and sports a top-notch cast, in spite of the fact that Turman's portrayal of the possessed version of Isaac can seem a little over-the-top at times. Even though the viewer thinks they know where the story is going, Starkes' script has J.D.'s actual revenge take a slightly different form than one would expect, giving the film a bit more depth than the usual exploitation fare. Give a listen below and hear why Paul says that this is one for which views should keep an eye out.