A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994)
Rotten Tomatoes got this one wrong. Keenen Ivory Wayans (backed up by a young Jada Pinkett) created a hood classic and we won’t let no one take that from us. Everyone knows that the multi-hyphenate director has a knack for sensing the pulse of an audience and delivering a timely laugh. But the critics in the mainstream thought that this was a bust.
Stephen Holden of The New York Times stated, “Mr. Wayans is an agreeable screen presence, but he makes a surprisingly bland action hero.” The film performed moderately as the final domestic box office indicates the film grossed about $29 million.
Alison Macor of the Austin Chronicle said, “I’m not sure what type of movie this is supposed to be or who its audience is, but it’s a low down dirty shame that Wayans’ talent is wasted on this film.”
However, just ask Lamar and Tameka what they thought about the film. They will tell you that Keenan gave us an updated Shaft that resembled the 1994 cultural nuances that spoke to our people. Others might not have got it … but break out the VHS and watch everyone come with popcorn and knowing the lines.