In this study, Reid examines films directed and written by African Americans as well as black-oriented films whose directors and/or screenwriters are not black. He begins with an overview of African American filmmaking from 1912 through the 1970s. Subsequent chapters investigate recent films in the genres of black family, action, horror, and woman-centered. Particular attention has been paid to the relationship between types of film narratives and everyday news reports. Reid teaches film at the U. of Florida at Gainesville. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)