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Reviews (1)

Fabulous look into someone's head
The video is like opening the top of the artists heads and getting the chance to swim around in them a bit.The video leaves no questions as to the tremendous level of creativity that came from this particular time and place.I strongly recommend that this video be used at home and in the classroom. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

Anyone who loves soul music or rhythm & blues probably knows that it all springs from the roots of gospel music. This 1982 documentary by director George T. Nierenberg breaks it all down beautifully as he examines the lives and careers of a handful of since-departed gospel stars, who helped create the genre from which so many other forms of music flowed. Focusing on the aging but still vigorous "Professor" Thomas A. Dorsey and "Mother" Willie Mae Ford, he also offers musical moments by such gospel stalwarts as Sallie Martin and the Barrett Sisters. Live performances are mixed with telling, sometimes touching reminiscences by these pioneers of a musical style, all leading to several striking points: principally, that this energetic music took time to be accepted by the conservatives in the church, and that the music itself has a surprising power to raise spirits and confirm faith. Yet it's all done in a way that is spiritual without being preachy. A truly joyful film. Read more

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Reviews (13)

Say Amen, Somebody
Regardless of anyone's race or creed, this movie provides rare nourishment for the soul. With its message of love and hope contagious, Director Nierenberg fashions a touchingly human and uplifting portrait of gospel music that translates how this special music has sustained people through adversity. A humbling and glorious film.

Gospel Music Lovers, Don't Miss This One!
If you're into Gospel Music (the older clasic type) and even if you're not, this is one of the most moving , informative, authentic documentaries I've ever see.Maybe that's why it won an academy award when it was released.I saw it then at the theatre, and later on video, and it's lost none of its power.It took a European to make it, which is just more proof how little we as Americans care about what many consider the most influencial form of African- American music.

Give me that Old time religion
For those who have not yet goten a grip of the new strange stuff in the gospel scene, this is for you.For those who have got all the latest music, this is for you too.It shows the background of songs such as "precious Lord".Also it goes on to show how the gospel music had to fight to be where it was int he early eigthies.Thomas Dorsey is also a little entertainer and Willie Mae Ford Smith is definitely a minister for the truth whatever the cost.Get it and you will not be disappointed ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gospel    2. Music Video - Gospel    3. Pop    4. V/a Compilations   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (29)

Denzel Doesn'tDissapoint
This is one of my favorite movies. I just saw it last week and I decided to go get in DVD. Denzel is the greatest actor of all-time. He didn't dissapoint in this one. Very nice movie!

I remember seeing this film on opening night.......
and being blown away. Firstly was the music. At the time I was a real hip hopnew jack swing remember that)head. Could never really get into Jazz. This film started my voyage of Discovery, which has led me to Jazz Guitar Artists. Secondly, to me, it shows a man that thought his whole world would fall apart with out his so called 'First Love'(music) only to discover that life had much more to offer him. I don't want to give a running commentary of the film, but I would highly recomend it, and you should also peep this soundtrack, and Book of the making of the film.

Cause mo better makes it mo better.
I am normally a Spike Lee fan. It takes some time to really get into his "mojo", but once you see the clear message and the ability to tell the story that is close to his heart, Lee is a genius. Unlike The 25th Hour or Bamboozled (two of my favorite films of his), there was no clear story in this film. I was able to understand the struggle between Washington and the choice to play well or be influenced by others, but for some odd reason Lee was never able to get the true feeling out. Washington did a decent job with what was handed to him, but you could tell that this was not Lee's favorite film. Not only did Lee direct this film, but he also wrote it. You could tell. The camera work was horrid and the writing only contributed to the decay of the film. This film was coming full circle and it wasn't going to be pretty. Lee was not 100% behind this film as he was with Do the Right Thing. Of all the films I have seen Lee direct, this was the brightest and more modest of his films. It was almost as if he created a Hollywood movie instead of one that was all his own. I don't know if he saw the money from Do the Right Thing and ran with it, or what ... but this film did not demonstrate his true talent.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

Based on Terry McMillan's best-selling novel, Read more

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Reviews (69)

Wasn't what I expected...
This film was not what I expected. It was so plain. I was about ready to turn it off.
Boring, uninteresting, and dreadful that's what one reviewer is saying...
As much as Angela Bassett, Whoopi Goldberg and Taye Diggs work together as a great cast, this film is boring, which they can't help because they're all wonderful actresses and actors, but the plot is just dull and boring.
How Shawn got his snooze on. For diehard Angela Basset fans only.
Shawn got his snooze on watching How Stella Got her Groove back A great looking Angela Bassett strolling around the beaches of Jamaica in sexy swimwear just wasn't enough to keep me awake during this boring movie adapted from one of the weakest Terry McMillan novels. This movie was so forgettable that I saw it over a month ago and I kept forgetting to write the review for it.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

Part concert documentary, part pop-cultural time capsule, Bert Stern's Read more

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Reviews (30)

For die-hard jazz fans
I appreciate the reviews in which it is suggested that viewers try to experience this film in a broader context--as a time capsule of an era. However, as an avid fan of Anita O'Day, I was deeply frustrated by the camera's focus on odd-looking (check out the chick eating the ice cream cone!), and apparently disinterested listeners in the audience, when the camera should have been focused on this amazing singer. Still, because O'Day--at the height of her sensuous form-- remains sadly undocumented on film, this is the best we've got.

Jazz on a Summer's Day
My personal 50s sci-fi favorite, "Invasion" is an ingenious nightmare vision that reflects the paranoia of the time created by McCarthyism.Absent of the effects that characterize more recent entries in this genre, the film remains genuinely creepy strictly on the basis of story, direction and performances.

Marks the end of the reign of Jazz
Bert Stein captures the Newport Jazz festival of 1958 in vivid color and with clarity. While jazz is the primary focus of the film, Stein does meander to the America's Cup race that was being contested off Newport at the time, along with some diversionary local flavor, which gives us a sense of what it was like to actually be there. Continuing along this vein, during the festival itself, Stein spends much of his camera time observing the audience caught unaware reacting to jazz on a summer day; after all, live music does not exist in a vacuum. It's this footage along with the incredible jazz music that makes this documentary really special. As a viewer we get to react to the music, and react to the audience reacting to the music. That girl with the seductively cute smile in the yellow dress, and that gruff man hiding behind the shades with the nervous twitch are people that we can connect to from our own personal experiences at open air summer concerts. The feeling of community one gets as the music breaks down the barriers and the sun begins to set. Stein allows his moving compositions to develop and flesh out the character of his subjects, giving us a nostalgic feeling for a time gone by that may have occurred long before we were even born. It does not matter because we are there! But this particular slice of time has special significance, because jazz would soon be replaced in popularity by Rock & Roll. We watch it happen before our eyes as a young Chuck Berry takes the stage. Backed by some excellent jazz musicians, all looking "amused" but not taking very seriously the music that would knock them off the charts for good within a couple of years. As Berry's classic Rock & Roll riffs project across the audience, young people spontaneously jump to their feet and start moving to the rhythm while their parents watch, perplexed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Drama    3. Movie    4. Music Video    5. Music Video - Jazz    6. Performance   

Editorial Review

Director Norman Jewison's (Read more

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Reviews (17)

One of my favorites
This movie is a must have for your home collection.
Our Nation's Story
A Soldier's Story simply has everything working for it, and the result is a frequently overlooked masterpiece that will add depth to any collection of American film.It works as a murder mystery and it works as an astounding inside look into cultural psychology.Certainly the themes of racism - and self-hatred - are universal.But this snapshot of southern race relations in 1944, seen in a military context, is also very specific, and more powerful still because of this specificity.
Aphenomenal Cast
This movie will be listed as an all time great.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

This layered film, a labor of love from director Jonathan Demme and star Oprah Winfrey, covers a lot of turf in its nearly three-hour running time. Part slavery fable, part mother-daughter tale, part ghost story, Read more

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Reviews (130)

The Movie Is Just As Bad AsThe Book
I'm looking at reviews and people are saying, "The movie is awful! Read the book."It's true that the movie is one of the worse films you will ever see, butI advise you NOT to read the book. It's too difficult to read and it leaves you with a headache. If you're in school and you're required to read this book, I suggest you just watch the movie (get the 2 hours and 52 minutes out the way) andget Cliff Notes. For real, don't watch the movie or read the book unless you have no choice.

Speechless...
I have watched this film repeatedly since purchasing it years ago.There are not enough words to describe my emotions while viewing this film.There is no way that you can disrespect Toni Morrison's work as portrayed via this film which was so deftly done by Jonathan Demme and acted out by Oprah/Glover/Elise/Newton/Richards.NO WAY.You must feel this movie.Read the book and appreciate the movie. One of the most soul-stirring scenes is the one with Beah Richards as the preacher and the brothers singing and dancing!!For me, it was heart renching.

This is Oprah !
I bought this for my collection because I had seen it originally in the theater.The comments coming out of that showing were really negative.I had mixed reviews then, but thought I would watch it again; it is after all Oprah, and her performance in The Color Purple was wonderful.Danny Glover we just don't see enough of ever, and he shines here for sure.I didn't read the book, but in the movie there is such a deep level of darkeness and pain. Talk about Mothers guilt! It's difficult catching on to what's going on, and for someone who doesn't catch on easily, don't bother.I do recommend watching this movie, even if you have to take a break! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

This 1967 film took home lots of Oscars for its fascinating drama about a Philadelphia detective (Sidney Poitier) who assists a redneck Southern sheriff (Rod Steiger) in solving a murder. A study in racism that ebbs a bit through the collective and shared need between a black man and a white man who don't want to be working together, the film continues to strike a chord today. Steiger is a mass of snarling danger, Poitier a bundle of nerves covered in class. Norman Jewison (Read more

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Reviews (53)

Still great fun due to the Poitier-Steiger pairing...
The racism in this film may be a bit dated now, even in the deep south, where blacks holding high positions in police work is no longer a novelty. The movie, however, still holds my attention when I find it on television, although I must have seen it 20 times since its first release. I like Steiger's work best, but Sidney is also at a high level here. The supporting cast is uniformly good as well. If you have never seen this, take a rental and enjoy yourself. The film's success eventually led to a multi-season TV series starring Carroll O'Connor, and that had some good moments, too, but never equalled the big screen version.

Vintage classic 60's film on racial tensions with superb acting.
In The Heat Of The Night (1967) Rod Steiger and Sydney Poitier team up in study of racial politics in a sleepy Southern town. Steiger won an Oscar as the prejudiced lawman who begins to question his own motives after being outclassed by Poitier during a difficult murder investigation. Watch closely when Steiger evolves from a racist bigot (which he never really was, deep in his heart) to a man who trusts a "colored" enough to pour out his alcoholic-soiled soul to Tibbs,this is the heart-cliching scene which nabbed Steiger the Golden Prize.
Cinema Milestone and Entertaining Movie
Winner of best picture for 1967, In The Heat of The Night may have just been another crime thriller or murder mystery, but the profound and topical Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (38)

Soul Food
This is such a good family movie!It has all the trials and tribulations that people go thru and how they can over come them if they work at it.The movie has a lot of good actors in it that really brought it together, this really is one of my fav. movies of all time.It made me wish that I had a family so close as they did, getting together to have dinners.Not just on holidays but every Sunday.
Big Sunday dinners with the whole family!
I wish my whole family,aunts,uncles,cousins,yada,yada,yada,would do that on Sundays,even if my grandparents are dead. Big Mama's brother was alive,and he didn't like McDonalds[Everyone loves McDonalds!] He loved only homecooked soul food.I saw this in my class on semester with Nobody's Fool,Home For The Holidays,The Joy Luck Club,Soul Food,Bastard Out Of Carolina,and The Burning Bed. Big Mama didn't want to have her leg or arm amputated,so it killed her.

A Collection of Cliches
I enjoyed the performances of the actresses and actors in this film, in particular the subdued fury of Vanessa L. Williams. However I think such good acting goes to waste in this film that simply repeats so many "heart of gold/can't win for tryin'/unfaithful husband" cliches in the way African American life is portrayed on film.
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Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

This tedious remake of the classic Christmas movie Read more

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Reviews (29)

A Hallelujah Good Time
Whitney and Denzel make a phenomenal team. The soundtrack makes the movie all the more wonderful.

A new holiday classic!
Ever since I saw this film in theaters with my family in 1996, I knew this film would become an annual holiday tradition and it has. It's amazing to think how far Whitney has fallen since her role as the singing Preacher's wife, but I do consider this to be the best role she has played on screen (surpassing "The Bodyguard", "Waiting to Exhale", and "Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella"). It was a role tailor made for her, as she did start her singing career in church and always wanted to make a Gospel album.
Great Story And Music Combine In A Terrific Christmas Movie
As a rule I dont tend to warm to remakes of classic films however the Penny Marshall directed Christmas story "The Preacher's Wife", is a definite exception and has become one of my favourite festive season viewing experiences. Based on the classic Samuel Goldwyn film "The Bishop's Wife", which starred legends Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven, this 1996 effort has a charm and slant on the essentially same story all its own. Denzel Washington in the role of an angel sent down to earth to sort out the life of a preacher who has lost sight of what really is important, is a most worthy successor to Cary Grant in the original film and Whitney Houston in the female lead displays a warm screen presense and great musical talent that couldn't be bettered in this type of story. Amazingly I only saw this film for the first time 3 years ago but it has become a firm favourite of mine ever since. Combining a traditional and much loved Christmas tale with some truly wonderful gospel singing gives this effort a really upbeat feel which however never sacrifices for one minute the more touching aspects of the story.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

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Reviews (16)

If you take is seriously then you're totally missing the point!
A Low Down Dirty Shame is really no more than all the most familiar Cop movie clich�s arranged in an order that makes a barely cohesive story. But it's all the fun and silly action that occurs in between that really matters! It's a bit like The Last Boy Scout from a spoof-blaxploitation angle.
PERFECT MOVIE
This movie is perfect. It has Comedy, action, drama, lots of shooting, I guess I would recomend this for all action lovers.

Very funny at times
Very funny action-comedy. There are some huge plot holes and sometimes the movie gets kinda silly but the movie was overall very entertaining. Very funny and energetic performance from Jada. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Feature Film-comedy    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

One of the essential documentary series from 20th-century television,Read more

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Reviews (20)

The Most Insightful, Thorough, and Engaging Documentary on American History Ever Made
Eyes on the Prize describes in great detail the historical conditions, processes, and events that existed in America before the Civil Rights era and the inevitable but inspring response that was made by some of our greatest citizens.It covers in tremendous detail and breadth the notable and forgotten figures in this great American story.
Exteremely moving...
This is the best documentary I have ever seen it is wonderful that they are reissuing it on DVD.Many of the stories bring me to tears as the time line of the civil rights movement is played out.It should be a requirement for all americans to watch this important piece of american history. A must see.

Eye's On The Prize only on VHF and not DVD
Open letter to Amazon.com
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Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie    3. TV Shows   

Editorial Review

Gordon Parks (Read more

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Reviews (50)

Another Private Eye Adventure
This 1971 film opens with traffic in wintry Manhattan. Detective John Shaft crosses the street and dodges cars. [Note how the prices mentioned are far out of date since Nixon's 1971 devaluation of the dollar!] Two "friends" are looking for Shaft, but they do not get what they want. One quickly leaves out of a window. Now the police interview Shaft to find out what happened. Shaft telephones "Bumpy" to arrange a meeting. Bumpy's daughter has been kidnapped, and he wants Shaft to get her back. Shaft searches for his friend Ben; the landlord (Gordon Parks) doesn't know. Shaft finds his old friend and asks about Marcy (Bumpy's daughter); Ben doesn't know. Shots ring out, and dying man falls into the room. The group scatters, but most are mowed down in an ambush. Shaft suspects a conspiracy theory is operating. Lt. Vic Andozzi tells Shaft what Bumpy tried to do. "Money always matters" says Bumpy as he makes a deal with Shaft.
Showcase performance for Rich Roundtree! Moses Gunn equally good as villian
Great early 1970's Det. movie starring Rich
"The Man"
Handsome, strong, intelligent and able to get the job done. Shaft was the man and he was black. What a good combination and one that was long overdue.
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Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

Accompanied by a menagerie of products, Ken Burns's expansive 10-episode paean, Read more

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Reviews (133)

Great Study on Black History
The best thing I like about this documentary is that it is a great study on black History. But it needed to deliver more on what it was supposed to be Jazz Music. I can't believe he left out the great jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. Left out Roland Kirk and Keith Jarrett. very little on dave Brubeck. Should have talked about classic Jazz Albums like Kind of blue, Time out (with the song Take Five) A Love Supreme, My favourite things, bitches Brew etc. Also nothing on Milt Jackson and the great Modern Jazz Quartet. Ken burns must realize there's is more to jazz than just the big band swing era. But still a great study on black history which makes it worthwhile just for that alone. and nothing on jazz hip hop. songs like doo bop song(miles Davis) and Jazz thing (gang Starr)

Great Place to Learn about the Older Jazz
This series is fantastic.Many reviewers have criticized it as being dogmatic in its pandering to earlier styles of jazz while panning later ones.This criticism is valid to some degree.I think it provides a great service, howerver, despite its shortcomings.I loved jazz since I was a child, and started buying jazz records in the late 1970s at the age of about 19.Nobody in my family had a great appreciation of this music. At that time it was somewhat difficult to get a handle on the development of jazz through the swing period to the fusion period at that time.The older stuff was generally out of print, etc.Learing about bop was like an archeologist looking at shards of pottery.So a documentary like this is great in this instance; it advanced my knowledge of music before my time unbelievably. I would recommend this highly.It was also nice to watch the documentary with my elderly parents who grew up in the 30s and 40s.It was great to share this with them.I could not believe that they wanted to continue into the bop period watching the series (I always thought they hated my records like that).Finally, being from New Orleans, and surviving Katrina, it was great to see the New Orleans culture treated with such respect.
Great for Jazz fans
I think this film is not as accesible as some of his other works. Whether you like Baseball or not you'll be drawn in, whether you like boxing or not you'll won't be able to stop watching Unforgivable Blackness, I don't think the same could be said for Jazz.It is well made and detailed on the areas it covers, but it might not grab someone that isn't into the topic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

Once upon a time, a boy named Michael Jordan lived in Wilmington, North Carolina. Young Michael dreamt of becoming a professional basketball player. He began by participating in drop-in games with his brother, although at first he could not beat the older, heavier, more experienced sibling. As time went on, though, something grew inside of this child, a will and determination to beat anyone and anything that stood in the way of his success on the court. Playing basketball for his high school team, Jordan won a scholarship to the University of North Carolina. It was there that he first gave the world a glimpse of his greatness. Read more

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Reviews (12)

Summed Up, Who MJ really is
I watched this movie during my first year of doing graduate study. It really moved me. Not only it tells us the story of how Michael achieve his greatness, but also how we can come back to achieve even more great accomplishments.
AMAZING!
Being the MJ fan that I am, I have seen quiet a lot of movies about Jordan, and really I must say that this is one of the best, it has all those moves that just make MJ the great player that he is, I mean the way he moves with the ball, its just amazing, and unlike some other movies, this one doesnt waste long time on people talking, but shows what MJ is all about BASKETBALL.

It is the most Outstanding and unforgettable sports video
This video features a complete summary that documents Air Jordan's remarkable NBA career which I think nobody will ever achieve. It is just as great as Michael jordan's career. But the video is inclued in 'Ultimate Jordan' on DVD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Basketball    2. Movie    3. Sports   

Editorial Review

From the era when American films almost never put black characters at the center of a movie,