bexleyheath, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 10/12/2016 03:19 PMReported by: Film Critic
    From the start of 2016, this film has been talked about non-stop. It's debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January saw sold-out screenings and standing ovations BEFORE the film. The reviews from the film sounded fairly positive, but nothing that mirrored the anticipation for Oscar success.

    For me, this sounded like a film that was going to be an incredibly one-sided story with no subtlety in it whatsoever. With all the discussions from last years Oscars being labelled as 'white-washing', this film to me felt like a response to that, and they are expecting to get some recognition in the awards season, whether they deserve it or not. That therefore made me apprehensive to go and see it.
    After seeing the trailer, I saw some promise in terms of its film-making. That being said, the in-your-face content was noticeable.

    After weighing up everything else, I felt it was right to see it and make my own assumption of it and that I should never separate art from the artists involved.

    In the end, I am sort of glad I did. It is always to criticize a film portraying a topic that you pretty much have to tread carefully. But I feel I am confident in giving the review it deserves.

    I must mention that it is the directorial debut for Nate Parker, who also stars as the main character. Also, while it is billing itself as a true story, it is using that term loosely. There is little information on the events or characters the film is portraying. So there is a lot of gaps to fill, and Parker does not hold up on what is left for the imagination.

    The imagery is most certainly strong, powerful, graphic, and at times gory. There were times where I could see some violent moments feeling gratuitous. But most of it seemed to mean something to the story, as the tone was pretty strong anyway.
    There is some really nice cinematography throughout, with many well constructed haunting images. But there were some oddly timed metaphorical imagery, that while it being shot well, did not seem to make as much sense as I felt it was trying to.
    As for the story, the first two acts are developed well, I enjoyed the performances and where it was going. However the third act seems to take a major shift in tone with the story and the motives of the characters. That putt me off as I felt the final third was an unrated-version of the story I was just watching.

    The performances on the whole very good and realistic. I have to give my due to Nate Parker. You can totally see the passion in this project within the performance. It is consistently strong and carries the film well to make the overall experience worthwhile.
    I was really surprised to Armie Hammer in this. Despite all the coverage I have been reading and hearing, his name never seemed to crop up anywhere. His performance was pretty good. I felt I connected well with his on-screen partnership with Parker's character.
    It was great to see Jackie Earle Hayley play a disgusting character as he has done that really well in the past. Other performances that were worth mentioning were the ones from Penelope Ann-Miller and Aja Naomi King.

    What I think is the main fault with this, is the lack of depth to the story, characters and the story structure being quite conventional and cliched. In some way, it felt like a TV movie. What I mean by that, is that TV movies usually go for spiritually uplifting or emotional stories and execute in a way that feels that they are forcing us to feel like this. The Birth Of A Nation does that, but not as extreme as most TV movies do.

    It is still a good film with a lot of ambition, especially in the imagery. But I think it lacks of depth compared with something like '12 Years A Slave' will not make this as memorable. A directorial debut is never an easy one, and I think that was the main thing lacking in Parker's film.
    Nevertheless, I think you should see it for the ambition, if you are interested in this particular subject, and if you want to know what all the fuss is about.

    I think if it was done with a bit more experience behind the camera, then I think we would have been the seeing an Oscar worthy film that I think Parker and his team were aiming for.

    It will probably do better then it would normally have done. It has been made at the right time, and all of its excitement with the studios going a bit nuts on wanting to fund this has given this the coverage that it needs. Fair to play to Parker and his crew, for a solid job.

    Rating: 7/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Bexleyheath / London
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Bexleyheath



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
bexleyheathbexleyheath News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
bexleyheath Bathroom Suppliesbexleyheath Bathroom Tapsbexleyheath Bathroom Furniturebexleyheath Bathroom Showersbexleyheath Shower Enclosuresbexleyheath Bathsbexleyheath L Shaped Bathbexleyheath P Shaped Bathbexleyheath Wet Roomsbexleyheath Bath Screensbexleyheath Bath Mixer Tapbexleyheath Bidet Tapsbexleyheath Toilet Seatsbexleyheath Sanitarywarebexleyheath Combined Toilet Basinbexleyheath Stovesbexleyheath Wood Stovesbexleyheath Home Stovesbexleyheath Cooker Stovesbexleyheath Enamel Stovesbexleyheath Designer Stovesbexleyheath Contemporary Stovesbexleyheath Multi Fuel Stovesbexleyheath Accounts Softwarebexleyheath Sage Softwarebexleyheath Sage Line 50bexleyheath Sage Line 200bexleyheath Pegasus Accountsbexleyheath Access Accountsbexleyheath Car Servicingbexleyheath MOTgbexleyheath Tyresbexleyheath Car Batterybexleyheath Exhaustbexleyheath Journalist Jobsbexleyheath Reporter Jobsbexleyheath Writing Jobsbexleyheath Freelance Writerbexleyheath Self Employed Jobsbexleyheath Franchise Businessbexleyheath Franchise Opportunitiesbexleyheath Driving Schoolsbexleyheath Driving Lessonsbexleyheath Driving Testbexleyheath Driving Theory Testbexleyheath Driving Instruction, 0000 bexleyheath Driving Instructor, 0000 bexleyheath Insolvencybexleyheath Insolvency Servicebexleyheath Insolvency Servicesbexleyheath Liquidation Servicebexleyheath Business Recoverybexleyheath Insolvency Practitionerbexleyheath Bankruptcy Servicebexleyheath Winding Up Petitionbexleyheath Business Financebexleyheath Business Recoverybexleyheath Voluntary Arrangementbexleyheath Individual Voluntary Arrangementbexleyheath IVAbexleyheath Debt Advicebexleyheath Debt Managementbexleyheath Company Administrationbexleyheath Administrationbexleyheath Corporate Recoverybexleyheath Corporate Voluntary Arrangementbexleyheath CVAbexleyheath Corporate Insolvencybexleyheath Corporate Liquidationbexleyheath Members Voluntary Liquidationbexleyheath MVLbexleyheath Partnership Voluntary Arrangementbexleyheath PVAbexleyheath Tax Demandbexleyheath Invoice Financebexleyheath Bridging Financebexleyheath Vouchersbexleyheath Dealsbexleyheath Matalanbexleyheath Firewoodbexleyheath Fire Woodbexleyheath Kiln Dried Hardwoodbexleyheath Logs For Salebexleyheath Log Suppliesbexleyheath Logsbexleyheath Firewood Logsbexleyheath Seasoned Logsbexleyheath Hardwood Logsbexleyheath Firewood Suppliersbexleyheath Firewood Log Suppliersbexleyheath Firewood Dumpy Bagsbexleyheath Firewood Cratesbexleyheath Cheap Firewoodbexleyheath Homefire Logsbexleyheath Cheap Firewood Logsbexleyheath Kindle Conesbexleyheath Pizza Oven Logsbexleyheath Heating Oilbexleyheath Home Heating Oilbexleyheath Red Dieselbexleyheath White Dieselbexleyheath Keresenebexleyheath Commercial Fuelsbexleyheath Calor Gasbexleyheath Propane Gasbexleyheath Butane Gasbexleyheath Heating Gasbexleyheath Horse Trainingbexleyheath Horse Trainerbexleyheath Horse Whispererbexleyheath Equine Whispererbexleyheath Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithbexleyheath Rattan Garden Furniturebexleyheath Rattan Furniturebexleyheath Rattan Sofabexleyheath Rattan Dining Setbexleyheath Rattan Directbexleyheath Cheap Rattan Furniturebexleyheath Rattan Corner Sofasbexleyheath Rattan Day Bedsbexleyheath Rattan Sun Loungersbexleyheath Rattan Cube Setsbexleyheath Rattan Bistro Setsbexleyheath Chimeneasbexleyheath Firepitsbexleyheath Patio Heatersbexleyheath Card Payments Processingbexleyheath Credit Card Processingbexleyheath Merchant Servicesbexleyheath Merchant Accountbexleyheath Merchant Paymentsbexleyheath Card Machinesbexleyheath Card Terminalsbexleyheath Online Paymentsbexleyheath Worldpaybexleyheath Bouncy Castlesbexleyheath Bouncy Castle Hirebexleyheath Garden Trampolinesbexleyheath Pramsbexleyheath Pushchairsbexleyheath Strollersbexleyheath Hauck Pramsbexleyheath Huackbexleyheath Childrens Trampolinesbexleyheath Baby Mobilesbexleyheath Baby Activity Matsbexleyheath Baby Bedroom Furniturebexleyheath Childrens Bedroom Furniturebexleyheath Hygiene Vendingbexleyheath Washroom Vendingbexleyheath Air Freshenersbexleyheath Air Carebexleyheath Aerosol Systemsbexleyheath Gel Systemsbexleyheath Water Savingbexleyheath Urinal Water Savingbexleyheath Eco Capsbexleyheath Sensaflushbexleyheath Water Managementbexleyheath Urinal Dosingbexleyheath Urinal V Screensbexleyheath Legionella Risk Assessmentbexleyheath Legionaires Bacterialbexleyheath Odour Controlbexleyheath Odour Eliminationbexleyheath Odour Removalbexleyheath Airsterilbexleyheath Hand Carebexleyheath Hand Creambexleyheath Hand Soapbexleyheath Hand Washingbexleyheath Hand Dryingbexleyheath Hand Dryersbexleyheath Electric Hand Dryersbexleyheath Fast Hand Dryersbexleyheath Commercial Hand Dryersbexleyheath Energy Efficient Hand Dryersbexleyheath Hand Dryer Rentalbexleyheath Hand Dryer Salesbexleyheath Paper Towelsbexleyheath Roller Towelsbexleyheath Cotton Roller Towelsbexleyheath Blue Roller Towelsbexleyheath White Roller Towelsbexleyheath Janitorial Suppliesbexleyheath Janitorialbexleyheath Cleaning Suppliesbexleyheath Cleaning Productsbexleyheath Cleaning Equipmentbexleyheath Office Cleaningbexleyheath Home Cleaningbexleyheath Debt Recovery Servicesbexleyheath Debt Recoverybexleyheath Debt Collectionbexleyheath Outsource Credit Controlbexleyheath Collection Agencybexleyheath Debt Collection Agencybexleyheath Commercial Canopybexleyheath Steel Canopybexleyheath Bike Shedsbexleyheath Bike Storagebexleyheath Bicycle Storebexleyheath Bicycle Storagebexleyheath Bikes Storebexleyheath Bike Storebexleyheath Outdoor Canopybexleyheath Cycle Sheltersbexleyheath Cycle Shedbexleyheath Cycle Storagebexleyheath Cycle Rackbexleyheath Cycle Compoundbexleyheath Cycle Solutionsbexleyheath Scooter Storagebexleyheath Scooter Shelterbexleyheath Canopiesbexleyheath Canopybexleyheath Play Area Canopybexleyheath Entrance Canopiesbexleyheath Entrance Canopybexleyheath Waiting Shelterbexleyheath Smoking Shelterbexleyheath Parent Waiting Shelterbexleyheath Parent Shelterbexleyheath Teen Shelterbexleyheath Nursery Canopybexleyheath School Canopybexleyheath Play Canopybexleyheath Envirolawnbexleyheath Astroturfbexleyheath Cheap Astroturfbexleyheath Artificial Grassbexleyheath Cheap Artificial Grassbexleyheath Astro Turfbexleyheath Artificial Lawnbexleyheath Fake Grassbexleyheath Fake Lawnbexleyheath Fire Stove Glassbexleyheath Heat Resistant Glassbexleyheath Fire Glassbexleyheath Stove Glassbexleyheath Fire Resistant Glassbexleyheath Replacement Stove Glassbexleyheath Glass For Stovesbexleyheath Spill Kitsbexleyheath Spill Control Kitsbexleyheath Spill Kit Refillsbexleyheath Spill Kit Refill GK6bexleyheath Chemical Spill Kitsbexleyheath Oil Spill Kitsbexleyheath Solar Panelsbexleyheath Solar Panels Costbexleyheath Solar Heatingbexleyheath Solar PVbexleyheath Commercial Solarbexleyheath Photovoltaicbexleyheath Dust Matsbexleyheath Entrance Matsbexleyheath Reception Matsbexleyheath Anti Fatigue Matsbexleyheath Floor Matsbexleyheath Logo Matsbexleyheath Washroom Servicesbexleyheath Principal Washroomsbexleyheath Washrooms Suppliesbexleyheath Washrooms Solutionsbexleyheath Sanitary Disposalbexleyheath Sanitary Binsbexleyheath Sani Binsbexleyheath Lady Binsbexleyheath Feminine Hygiene Unitsbexleyheath Sanitary Waste Disposalbexleyheath Sanitary Wastebexleyheath Sanitary Unitsbexleyheath Feminine Unitsbexleyheath Hygiene Servicesbexleyheath Sanitary Bin Supplierbexleyheath Sanitary Bin Rentalbexleyheath Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesbexleyheath General Wastebexleyheath Trade Wastebexleyheath Commercial Wastebexleyheath Business Wastebexleyheath Waste Managementbexleyheath Waste Collectionbexleyheath Cardboard Wastebexleyheath Paper Wastebexleyheath Plastic Wastebexleyheath Glass Wastebexleyheath Biomass Wastebexleyheath Metal Wastebexleyheath Confidential Wastebexleyheath Confidential Waste Servicebexleyheath On Site Shreddingbexleyheath Off Site Shreddingbexleyheath One Off Shreddingbexleyheath Contract Shreddingbexleyheath Dental Wastebexleyheath Dental Waste Disposalbexleyheath Dental Waste Legislationbexleyheath Dental Waste Compliancebexleyheath Accupuncture Wastebexleyheath Accupuncture Waste Disposalbexleyheath Accupuncture Waste Collectionbexleyheath Tattoo Wastebexleyheath Tattoo Waste Disposalbexleyheath Sharps Binbexleyheath Sharps Collectionbexleyheath Hazardous Sharpsbexleyheath Non Hazardous Sharpsbexleyheath Cytotoxic Sharpsbexleyheath Cytostatic Sharpsbexleyheath Ink Blockbexleyheath Wet_Wastebexleyheath Tattoo Inkbexleyheath Drug Destructionbexleyheath Drug Disposalbexleyheath Drug Denaturingbexleyheath Unwanted Drugsbexleyheath Out Of Date Drugsbexleyheath Pest Controlbexleyheath Rodent Controlbexleyheath Bird Controlbexleyheath Bird Proofingbexleyheath Guano Controlbexleyheath Pest Call Outbexleyheath Pest Preventionbexleyheath Pest Deterrentbexleyheath Nursery Wastebexleyheath Nappy Wastebexleyheath Nappy Binbexleyheath Nappy Disposalbexleyheath Nappy Wheelie Binbexleyheath Nursery Waste Disposalbexleyheath Nursery Waste Collectionbexleyheath Incontinence Padsbexleyheath Offensive Wastebexleyheath Human Wastebexleyheath Nursing Home Wastebexleyheath Care Home Wastebexleyheath Hazardous Wastebexleyheath Infectous Wastebexleyheath Pharmaceutical Wastebexleyheath Medicinal Wastebexleyheath Medicine Wastebexleyheath Infection Controlbexleyheath Hand Sanitisersbexleyheath Clinical Waste Disposalbexleyheath Clinical Waste Managementbexleyheath Clinical Waste Policybexleyheath EA Registrationbexleyheath Hammocksbexleyheath Garden Hammocksbexleyheath Adult Hammocksbexleyheath Childrens Hammocksbexleyheath Baby Hammocks