funkyfry A pretty good idea that remains basically no more lifelike than Sugar Hill's zombies, because of a lack of imatination on the part of the film-makers I would assume. You have some good people in the movie, Marki Bey is beautiful and has cool screen presence at least, but none of the actors are getting much help from the director. Most of the cast under-plays, while some like Don Pedro Colley are too far over the top to match the rest of the film. Some of AIP's late 70s horror/black action films are very good, such as "J.D.'s Revenge", but this one feels flat in all the wrong places. Even the unintentional humor is few and far between.Basically the story is about Sugar Hill (Bey) using black magic to get a bunch of zombies to kill mobsters. Said mobsters made Sugar very angry by killing off her idealized nightclub-owning man (Larry D. Johnson). Luckily though her backup boyfriend (Richard Lawson) is a cop.Can't say much that's good about this movie so best not to say much at all. It might have some redeeming qualities that require multiple viewings to pick up, like a lot of exploitation films. But it doesn't really aspire to be more than it is, and that's not really a good sign. It seems a bare bones film in every way, and much of the blame lies with the director probably.

sonya90028 Marki Bey stars as a foxy lady, named Diana "Sugar" Hill. Her handsome prince fiancé, Langston, owns a Voodoo-themed night club in the deep south. The club is so successful, that the local mobster, Mr. Morgan, wants to pressure Langston into selling the club to him. When Langston refuses, Morgan's thugs beat Langston to death, in the parking lot of the club.Consumed with anguish and thoughts of vengeance, Sugar decides to take matters into her own hands. She seeks out an elderly Voodoo priestess, named Mama Maitresse. Sugar explains to her, that she needs Mama's help, via her Voodoo powers. Mama Maitresse conjures up the ruler of the dead, Baron Zamedi. He then summons an army of Zombies, who were all former slaves, to help Sugar dispatch Langston's killers, one-by-one.Marki Bey can certainly compete in the looks department, with that other 70s Blaxploitation goddess, Pam Grier. Ms. Bey is completely convincing as the grief-stricken Sugar, who is determined to settle the score with Morgan and his henchmen. Robert Quarry's performance as the suave yet vicious Morgan, is pulled-off well. But it's not Quarry's most compelling role. He was much more charismatic, in his past performances in his Vampire films. So if you're a Robert Quarry fan, be forewarned that he doesn't shine that brightly, in this film.Betty Anne Rees plays Morgan's racist, sex-starved girlfriend, Celeste. Betty Anne has a natural talent for portraying licentious, dangerous characters, with malicious intent. Her wicked-looking, gleaming gray eyes, make your blood run cold. Celeste is a particularly vile character, and Sugar exacts exquisitely appropriate revenge on her, in this film. Viewers will be cheering at Celeste's utter comeuppance, orchestrated by Sugar and the zombies.Don Pedro Colley as Baron Samedi, gives an over-the-top performance. Don really chews-up the scenery, emoting like mad. You can tell that he really enjoys his role, as Baron Samedi. The other actors give mostly wooden performances. Especially Richard Lawson's portrayal of Valentine, the cop who was also Sugar's former love interest.Like virtually all the films of the Blaxploitation genre, Sugar Hill's main thrust is revenge. Only a tiny handful of 70s Blaxploitation films, worked horror into their plot-lines. Of those, Sugar Hill stands out from the rest of the bunch. For fans of 70s Blaxploitation films, Sugar Hill delivers the goods.

Scarecrow-88 Southern Crimelord, who doesn't take no for an answer, Morgan(Robert Quarry)desires the popular club of a black businessman, Langston(Larry D Johnson)who wouldn't sell and is beaten to death by his thugs. Diana "Sugar" Hill, who was his fiancé, vows revenge and gets help from Voodoo Priestess Mama Maitresse(Zara Cully)and the summoned spirit of Baron Samedi(Don Pedro Colley). Samedi offers to assist Sugar on one condition, that she gives her soul to him. Sugar, whose love for Langston provides a burning, thriving hate for those who murdered him, accepts. The rest of the film shows how Samedi, and his undead zombies, eliminate Morgan's men. Morgan still persists in buying the club from Sugar but has no idea that she has much more in store for him. Meanwhile, detective Valentine(Richard Lawson), once a boyfriend of Sugar's, begins to find a scent leading towards Sugar regarding the ritualistic ways Morgan's men are found murdered.Tame blaxploitation revenge voodoo horror flick, has lots of attitude and colorful characters. I really enjoyed Colley's outrageous Baron Samedi with his demented eyes, plated teeth displaying a wicked grin enjoying "playtime" with his victims, and giant top hat. Quite a flashy character, played to the hilt with gusto. I couldn't get enough of him..a real hoot. He's always present when Morgan's men are about to meet their impending doom. Marki Bey, as Sugar, is tough-talking, foxy and fine..a representative of the Pam Grier model. You mess with her and there's hell to pay, that's for sure. Bey has an authority to her and I think that's an essential ingredient in a film such as this. Nothing wimpy about this chick, and she doesn't cower to nobody. Quarry is terrific as her arch nemesis...a real, slimy, racist bastard who treats the men under him like cattle. Betty Anne Rees is Celeste, Morgan's mistreated lover. Despite how he pushes her around, talking down to her as if she were swine, Celeste isn't a sympathetic character. Nope, she a rude, crude smart-Aleck, who is just as racist as the one she pampers. I loved Celeste's reactions towards Morgan's attractions to Sugar. There's even an amusing little fight between Sugar and Celeste for our enjoyment..guess who wins this skirmish? Cully is also quite a memorable character as Mama Maitresse, a voodoo queen you don't want as an enemy. Along with Samedi and Maitresse, Morgan never has a prayer. And, those zombies..aren't they a creepy brood! Covered head to toe in cob-webs, with pale skin, eyes of silver, and long hideous finger nails, these zombies are often photographed coming directly towards the screen..quite an eerie sight. If you are not a demanding viewer, accepting that "Sugar Hill" is simply a film about supernatural revenge, then there's fun to be had. The murders, quite imaginatively set-up and executed with tongue-firmly-in-cheek, aren't graphic, but seeing Morgan and his men squirming and pleading for their lives as Samedi and Sugar smile with glee, is grand. The title song, Supernatural Voodoo Woman, is out of sight, baby!

Gatorman9 This is the worst movie I have ever seen on Turner Classic Movies. One wonders whether the owners of the channel are trying to kill it. At 4.7 stars, it is grossly overrated. The only thing worse than the contrived adolescent plot, the stilted, clichéd dialog, the pitiful attempts at special effects, and the bland photographic technique is the high-school-play quality acting. This is so bad it isn't even campy. Only MST 3000 could get anything out of this, assuming even they could. Probably the only redeeming feature of this movie is that the Mama Mataisse character could very well have served as the inspiration for Yoda in Star Wars (makes you wonder what George Lucas likes to watch when he goes to the movies). Don't waste any of your time on this turkey.