Cry Freedom

Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies I've seen
Review: ... I'll tell you the truth about this movie. It's not the kind of thing you just pick up at the video store and say to yourself "now that looks like a good movie." I was forced to watch it at first by my history teacher, at which point I fell in love with it. It's a wonderful depiction of the past situation in South Africa. If you want a good perspective of what Apartheid Africa was like, as well as a beautiful story about freedom and the triumph of the human spirit, this is your movie. ...

Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies I've seen
Review: ... I'll tell you the truth about this movie. It's not the kind of thing you just pick up at the video store and say to yourself "now that looks like a good movie." I was forced to watch it at first by my history teacher, at which point I fell in love with it. It's a wonderful depiction of the past situation in South Africa. If you want a good perspective of what Apartheid Africa was like, as well as a beautiful story about freedom and the triumph of the human spirit, this is your movie. ...

Rating:
Summary: Close your eye's
Review: ....and let the rhythm take you to the heartbeat of Africa. This album has had such an impact, that after 10yrs, it still ignites a fire within. This is a must for anyone who feels the music and is not shy letting go, emotionally!

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: A truly inspiring story based on the real life of a man who fought with his mind instead of guns. Teaches a great lesson about how a real life hero should act and how to make changes against so many odds.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful & provocative--a strong performance from Washington
Review: Cry Freedom is an incredibly stirring and thought-provoking film. It has strong performances from the entire cast, especially Washington. Though Kline does a great job, he has to carry too much of the film--the entire second half. Overall, an excellent film and definitely worth seeing.

Rating:
Summary: An important film
Review: Denzel Washington plays the legendary Steve Biko in this late-80's film, while Kevin Kline plays a top journalist who befriends Washington's character in South Africa. Denzel is my favorite actor, and although he doesn't get a lot of screen time, this is one of his strongest roles ever(and you know that's saying a lot). Not only does he nail down the African accent, but he portray's Biko's renown concern and persistence.
This movie was awesome for the first hour. I could not take my eyes off it! As the inevitable came around this point, the movie turns to Kevin Kline's character who's trying to escape South Africa and spread Biko's story and message. It drags on quite extensively(the movie is over 2 & 1/2 hours) but it still maintains, enough to keep it's five-star rating in my book. There were some other flaws, like how quickly Kline's character switched from hostility to befriending Biko. That happened so quickly I couldn't tell when they actually saw eye-to-eye. The film was beautifully shot, especially for the 1980's, and I love the scene where Biko is speaking at an outdoor stadium being held up by dozens of supporters. Keep an eye out for Joseph Marcell(Geoffry the butler from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) who has a couple crucial scenes at the end playing a character aptly named 'Moses.'
The reason this movie was so memorable to me was because it really got me thinking how oppressed black folks have been throughout history. Sure, other movies have depicted this and maybe display this better, but Sh##! To find out how black people were even kicked aside and discriminated against in South Africa was eye-opening! I am beginning to understand their frustration as a race, and even those in America, more and more. Seeing this movie, and being Caucasian myself, you get a sense of why the black brethren distrust the white man or see him as evil, and there's no propoganda or direct bashing of the white race in this film. Just depiction. I, myself, kind of feel like a jerk for what my race has done over all these years. And believe me, we may think this sh#t's resolved and straight today, but we got a long ways to go!
You really gotta hand it to Denzel. He's tackled some of the biggest black icons so effortlessly, not only Malcolm X, Reuben Carter, among others, but Steven Biko as well. He may just be an actor, but he must have some strong beliefs in his own race as well to portray legends like these! It would be great to see him start speaking up for his people and directly to his people, a la Bill Cosby. I got this movie off Amazon because I could not find it in stores, but I recommend searching for it yourself or buying it however you can...

Rating:
Summary: Cry Freedom
Review: Excellent movie for college students and scholars! A very good family movie also.

Rating:
Summary: Cry Freedom commits an apartheid of its own
Review: I always found it ironic that "Cry Freedom," while it's supposed to be about the inhumanity, ignorance and hate behind apartheid, it commits its own apartheid by making Steven Biko play second fiddle in what should be his story/film. Instead, as Hollywood filmmakers often do, it makes the minority character a bystander in what should be his/her own story, and pushes a white character into the lead. Like "Mississippi Burning," which basically shows us how two white characters singlehandedly kept the Civil Rights movement alive, "Cry Freedom" shows us how a white journalist battles apartheid. By far, Denzel Washington's portrayal of Biko is outstanding, the best performance here. He receives a four star, but the director and the film receive less than a one star for committing its own apartheid, pushing a minority to the back of the bus -- and unfortunately, Hollywood continues to do this -- just go see the implausibility that is "Last Samurai."

Rating:
Summary: pretty boring
Review: I had to watch this movie for a History Project. My teacher made it sound inspiring and dramatic. Maybe it was, but it's hard to know when it makes you fall asleep after 10 minutes. Look elsewhere buddy.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie about true life
Review: I loved this story from the first time I saw it. Kevin Kline is another actor who can swing from the clown to the serious with great ease. It would be hard to say who should have been given a oscar for their role in this movie for Densel Washington was just as great too. Im glad I added it to my collection.