Review: Nat Turner ignites a revolution in ‘The Birth of a Nation’

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Revolutions don’t happen overnight. There are many stories about the Civil War, but The Birth of a Nation tells of Nat Turner, a slave who rose up against oppression years before the fighting began.

In this retelling of Nat Turner’s life, Nate Parker delivers a performance that’s full of heart. From moments of joy to tears of heartache, we see every range of emotion that grabs hold of you and keeps you close. The rest of the cast is equally excellent, particularly Armie Hammer as Nat’s owner, Samuel Turner. He balances humanity and evil, sometimes in the same scene, and it’s truly chilling.

The rest of the cast are all people you have seen in many other roles. They each commit and bring a level of heart that’s unmatched. There are also several scenes that are so graphic, I almost looked away and it must have been very difficult for everyone involved.

[SPOILER] My biggest issue with the film was Nat’s sudden discovery of the teachings of the bible and their hypocrisy. This is a man who has studied the bible for years and years, and all of a sudden he realizes this? And why doesn’t it cause him to revolt against it?  [END SPOILER]

I remember learning about The Birth of a Nation (1919) in a college film class. There’s no denying that it broke new ground, but the subject matter and story were undeniably racist and bigoted. Make sure you watch 13th, on Netflix now, as it gives some insight.

The controversy surrounding Nate Parker, the director, co-writer, producer, and star, has been overshadowing his film, but years in the future, it’s the film itself that will stand. Although it’s disjointed, the core story is very important and one that deserves to be told.

Wow – check out the trailer for ‘Every Secret Thing’ starring Diane Lane, Elizabeth Banks, Dakota Fanning, Nate Parker & Common

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Synopsis: From a producer of FOXCATCHER and based on the novel by New York Times best-selling author Laura Lippman, EVERY SECRET THING is a gripping psychological thriller about the chilling consequences of the secrets we keep.

Opening in select theaters and VOD this Friday May 15th from Starz Digital

Detective Nancy Porter (Elizabeth Banks) is still haunted by her failure to save the life of a missing child from the hands of two young girls. Eight years later, another child goes missing in the same town just days after Ronnie and Alice (Dakota Fanning and newcomer Danielle Macdonald), the two girls convicted of the former crime, were released from juvenile detention. Porter and her partner (Nate Parker) must race against the clock to prevent history from repeating itself. But as they begin to investigate the girls and their families, especially Alice’s protective mother (Diane Lane), they unearth a web of secrets and deceptions that calls everything into question.

Directed by Academy Award(r) Nominated Filmmaker Amy Berg and Executive Produced by Frances McDormand.

Every Secret Thing

Posted by Reel News Daily on Thursday, May 14, 2015

Jeremy’s Review & Interview: ‘About Alex’, The Big Chill for the 20-teens & Footprint Features CEO Adam Saunders Gives Us Some Production Skinny

about alex-posterSometimes movies are anchored in the minds of those who watch them, so much so that they become a permanent part of the landscape of when they were watched or released. I first saw The Big Chill when it hit home video back in 1984, but I had already soaked in an integral part of the film as my parents played the soundtrack (on vinyl of course) at home on a regular rotation (and usually at parties they threw). I was immersed in the film and although its subject matter was rather advanced (suicide) for someone of 9-years old, I truly think it is a film that had a profound effect on me without me really realizing it. So when I had the chance to review Jesse Zwick‘s About Alex, a film that covers many of the same themes as Lawrence Kasdan‘s 80s classic, I jumped at the chance. I am excited that I was able to interview Adam Saunders, CEO of Footprint Features and producer of the film, which helped fill in some blanks about the film, its production and the process by which it was made. Read More →