Director Cody Jarrett's homage to Jack Hill's women-in-prison exploitation flicks(it even features Hill in a cameo as a corrupt judge!)concerns a news journalist going undercover to undermine/shakedown a prostitution ring headed by an evil warden and her guards, using inmates as hookers to wealthy clientèle. Aunt Irene(Jacqueline Scott)calls up news reporter Valerie March(Geneviere Anderson), known for her crusades against those in power positions using their authority to commit criminal acts. Irene's niece, Cheryl Jean(Jayme Rhae Edwards), was arrested for prostitution(not a crime which warrants an excessive prison term)and she desires for Valerie to help save her. Valerie beckons her publisher to allow her the opportunity to assume the identity of hooker named Angel, and while clashing with certain inmates, she does, albeit not without some initial resistance, befriend a prostitute named Loretta(Thela Brown; an obvious Pam Grier imitation), a tough-talking sista with attitude who fires back at anyone who raises her ire. When her plans of rescuing Cheryl(and taking down the prison camp)backfires, Valerie decides to take matters into her own hands, instigating a prison revolt and violently resolving her issues with all those behind the abuse of authority which had even resulted in the rape and murder of inmates. Darin Cooper is Captain Greene, over the security guards, who basks in treating the prisoners with cruelty, besmirching the women with vile comments, while his equally repellent boss, Warden Beverly Buckner(Linda Dona)imbues her employees with the ability to do whatever they so desire. SUGAR BOXX caters to a devoted crowd who like films about foul-mouthed women rising up against the despicable cretins who hold power over them, enjoying a steady diet of sleaze and vulgarity(the violence isn't particularly graphic, although the retribution is satisfying because the villains are so repulsive). Lots of nudity and sexually explicit dialogue. The movie looks like it cost about 10 bucks and some change, so don't expect a heavily budgeted affair. Anderson, in "hooker garb" wielding a whip and sword, is quite a distinctive image.
Review of Sugar Boxx
