Go see it. POWERFUL. The odyssey of suffering and final emotional intensity from way back in The Color Purple is here in less of a storybook fable poem like that movie (which I saw repeatedly back in 1986), this is rock solid, intense, and incredibly acted. EPIC.

[img:$uid]http://media.salon.com/2013/10/12-years-a-slave-trailer.jpg[/img:$uid]

[Edited 11/8/13 22:24pm]

^^I may see it later on when it comes to On Demand...for now I'm not really enthused about another slave narrative.

babynoz said:

^^I may see it later on when it comes to On Demand...for now I'm not really enthused about another slave narrative.

Yeah A. I really should know better by now.

I'm going tomorrow - at the first showing, and can't wait. I think it looks fantastic!

morningsong said:Hmmmm, another tragic black story? I keep hearing how great it is. And im dying for a really great movie. But seriously after seeing Precious it felt like so much of my spirit died until I don't think I can stomach another black tragedy story for a very long time.

Co-sign. I know this is part of our story, but African people had a rich history before slavery. We should focus on that too.

I've not yet seen this film, but it's been on my radar for many months. I tried to get tickets to its Toronto International Film Fest premier back in September, but all screenings sold out in minutes.

Director Steve McQueen is extraordinary. He's able to capture such aesthetic poignance and such emotional depth in his actors' performances -- and he involves himself in narratives, I think, that truly deserve wide attention.

From a cultural standpoint, too, while this latest project will be excruciating, I'm thrilled that it calls attention to the very real man, Solomon Northrup, whose story is told here. I've seen revisionist accounts of late -- both fiction and nonfiction -- attempting to posit the Transatlantic Slave Trade as little more than a slightly unflattering hiccup in human civility, a sort of protracted Negro summer camp adventure (and one in which we were critically complicit) that served as mere backdrop to the romance of the antebellum South in the U.S. Work like this importantly calls bullsh*t.

[Edited 11/9/13 17:25pm]

For those who haven't yet seen McQueen's first feature film Hunger, I'd very much recommend it. It's difficult, but it's quite an arresting film.

I thought you were talking about yourself...

Man, I couldn't stand watching "Roots", so I'm not sure about this one.

Stymie said:

Saw it and wish I could unsee it. The actors were amazing but it was painful to watch. Reminds me of the violence in Passion of the Christ.

After seeing it, I too liked it - and was glad I did see it, but also wanted to "unsee" it. Man, there were some A-holes and b*tch*s portrayed in it! I can't believe how evil the Michael Fassbender, Paul Giamotti, and Sarah Paulson characters were. What an interesting story though.

I wasn't sure that I wanted to see it at first but I finally did see it and WOW. This movie really is fantastic. I've seen it twice now and I NEVER see movies (in the theater) twice like that, so in that regard, I suprised myself.

It's not a typical slave story by any means. This was really something that should get Oscars and be considered an American classic.

SeventeenDayze said:

I wasn't sure that I wanted to see it at first but I finally did see it and WOW. This movie really is fantastic. I've seen it twice now and I NEVER see movies (in the theater) twice like that, so in that regard, I suprised myself.

It's not a typical slave story by any means. This was really something that should get Oscars and be considered an American classic.

Dilemmas, dilemmas. I really hate to miss out on a truly great story. I'll probably go, but I'm dragging my feet.

morningsong said:

SeventeenDayze said:

I wasn't sure that I wanted to see it at first but I finally did see it and WOW. This movie really is fantastic. I've seen it twice now and I NEVER see movies (in the theater) twice like that, so in that regard, I suprised myself.

It's not a typical slave story by any means. This was really something that should get Oscars and be considered an American classic.

Dilemmas, dilemmas. I really hate to miss out on a truly great story. I'll probably go, but I'm dragging my feet.

I think it's one of the best movies I've ever seen and I hope that all those involved get the higest accolades. It is not easy to watch BUT it is really fantastic. I think a lot of people (rightfully so) are turned off by these types of films because it covers a topic that a lot of us can't/don't/won't acknowledge or think about. All I can say is that when you think about a bad day that you've had lately, it just pales in comparison to what you'll see through the eyes of the main character.

Beautifulstarr123 said:

Man, I couldn't stand watching "Roots", so I'm not sure about this one.

Co-sign. I cried through all of ROOTS and don't know if I can stand this one although I really really love Chiwetel Ejiofor...I actually drove to the AMC parking lot last night and saw it was playing, but couldn't bring myself to go in and drove home.

noimageatall said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

Man, I couldn't stand watching "Roots", so I'm not sure about this one.

Co-sign. I cried through all of ROOTS and don't know if I can stand this one although I really really love Chiwetel Ejiofor...I actually drove to the AMC parking lot last night and saw it was playing, but couldn't bring myself to go in and drove home.

The movie's so good you can't even enter!

ufoclub said:

noimageatall said:

Co-sign. I cried through all of ROOTS and don't know if I can stand this one although I really really love Chiwetel Ejiofor...I actually drove to the AMC parking lot last night and saw it was playing, but couldn't bring myself to go in and drove home.

The movie's so good you can't even enter!

I've just read so many reviews of how brutal it is and don't know if I'm ready for that again.

[Edited 11/13/13 17:34pm]

12 Years a slave finally made it to my town last Friday. I'm trying to decide if I wanna see it this weekend or check out Thor. I might see both this weekend...Yes I'm a Movie-fanatic and I Love the whole Theatre experience, especially the Buttered popcorn...

*****************************************************************

If you've seen 12 Years & The Butler who do you think has a better chance at winning the Oscar for Best Actor and Best supporting Actress?

Chiwetel Ejiofor VS Forest Whitaker &

Lupita Nyong'o VS The Mighty Oprah.

Lammastide said:

For those who haven't yet seen McQueen's first feature film Hunger, I'd very much recommend it. It's difficult, but it's quite an arresting film.

McQueen's "Shame" was also a good flick that should have earned Fassbender his first Oscar nomination..

Chancellor said:

If you've seen 12 Years & The Butler who do you think has a better chance at winning the Oscar for Best Actor and Best supporting Actress?

Chiwetel Ejiofor VS Forest Whitaker &

Lupita Nyong'o VS The Mighty Oprah.

The actors in 12 Years have the advantage I think.

Throw in Fruitvale Station, Mandela, and 42 and you could make a case for an all black lead actor nominations list this season for the Oscars. It will never happen of course, but this year has been the strongest for prominent quality performances by black actors in a very long time. Black actresses are doing very well this year too in supporting roles.

[Edited 11/13/13 7:46am]

Stymie said:

Saw it and wish I could unsee it. The actors were amazing but it was painful to watch. Reminds me of the violence in Passion of the Christ.

Yeah there were a lot of scenes that reminded me of that other movie as well. I wonder how many other people thought the same.

Chancellor said:

12 Years a slave finally made it to my town last Friday. I'm trying to decide if I wanna see it this weekend or check out Thor. I might see both this weekend...Yes I'm a Movie-fanatic and I Love the whole Theatre experience, especially the Buttered popcorn...

*****************************************************************

If you've seen 12 Years & The Butler who do you think has a better chance at winning the Oscar for Best Actor and Best supporting Actress?

Chiwetel Ejiofor VS Forest Whitaker &

Lupita Nyong'o VS The Mighty Oprah.

Please don't remind me about the popcorn. Aside from the fact that I think movie ticket prices are too high, the added problem is the tasty popcorn. I live in close proximity to a movie theater and i swear walking by there when I walk the dog is just terrible. The smell of popcorn makes me just want to go in just for the popcorn and eat it on the way home

I think the Butler is good but 12 years was on a different level I think....maybe Chiwetel will have a big year coming up. He was fantastic in 12 years. I would be interested in hearing about his experiences while filming this. It seems like that slave's soul jumped inside Chiwetel's body for this....

Started off in select cities then made it here to ours.

Saw it.

Steve McQueen , Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong should be people behind the names to be applauded. Such a gripping take on life that to this day leaves marks. Educated, sold, abuse in a manner no human or dog should have suffered, but did. Reality bites.

History can't be erased only remembered.

Chancellor said:

12 Years a slave finally made it to my town last Friday. I'm trying to decide if I wanna see it this weekend or check out Thor. I might see both this weekend...Yes I'm a Movie-fanatic and I Love the whole Theatre experience, especially the Buttered popcorn...

*****************************************************************

If you've seen 12 Years & The Butler who do you think has a better chance at winning the Oscar for Best Actor and Best supporting Actress?

Chiwetel Ejiofor VS Forest Whitaker &

Lupita Nyong'o VS The Mighty Oprah.

As a black woman who finds Michael Fassbender to be very hot, I had some serious feelings of weirdness about seeing him as a slave master. I think those kinds of moments of feeling inner turmoil while watching this film is part of what I think makes it so powerful. It's a movie that really takes you to that plantation and doesn't let go of its grip.

sexton said:

The actors in 12 Years have the advantage I think.

Throw in Fruitvale Station, Mandela, and 42 and you could make a case for an all black lead actor nominations list this season for the Oscars. It will never happen of course, but this year has been the strongest for prominent quality performances by black actors in a very long time. Black actresses are doing very well this year too in supporting roles.

Some Critics have given Idris Elba's "Mandela(Long Walk to Freedom)" a thumbs down. Media Oscar pollsters still add Idris and his leading co-star Naomie Harris to numerous Oscar Nod polls floating around. Critics feel both are long-shots in getting a spot in The Best Leading Acting categories....Especially Idris who many thought had a good chance with this role....Hmmm....I guess we'll have to wait till December and see who the Golden Globes nominates.

SeventeenDayze said:

Please don't remind me about the popcorn. Aside from the fact that I think movie ticket prices are too high, the added problem is the tasty popcorn. I live in close proximity to a movie theater and i swear walking by there when I walk the dog is just terrible. The smell of popcorn makes me just want to go in just for the popcorn and eat it on the way home

I think the Butler is good but 12 years was on a different level I think....maybe Chiwetel will have a big year coming up. He was fantastic in 12 years. I would be interested in hearing about his experiences while filming this. It seems like that slave's soul jumped inside Chiwetel's body for this....

..LOL...I ONLY patronize one particular AMC Theatre because they have the BEST popcorn around town. ...We have several nice-ones including one with Stadium seating and Rocking chairs. It's beautiful and so Freaking comfortable you just wanna buy a ticket and go take a nap in those soft rocking chairs...LOL....But their Popcorn SUCKS so they gets no Love from me....I don't see how people can buy a ticket and walk right pass the concession stand....I never buy that expensive ass Candy unless a Date wants something but I don't mind paying a Million dollars for Sodas & Popcorn....I NEVER eat popcorn outside of a theatre anywhere...I never buy it at any store....It's just a theatre-thing with me...

SeventeenDayze said:

As a black woman who finds Michael Fassbender to be very hot, I had some serious feelings of weirdness about seeing him as a slave master. I think those kinds of moments of feeling inner turmoil while watching this film is part of what I think makes it so powerful. It's a movie that really takes you to that plantation and doesn't let go of its grip.

Michael is a Great Actor..Movie Critics are speaking his name all over the place and he's becoming a LOCK for Best Supporting Actor..."Bad Guys" usually take home the Oscar for a Supporting role...

Chancellor said:

SeventeenDayze said:

Michael is a Great Actor..Movie Critics are speaking his name all over the place and he's becoming a LOCK for Best Supporting Actor..."Bad Guys" usually take home the Oscar for a Supporting role...

LOL@ what you said about popcorn. The popcorn at the AMC that I go to is perfect but it seems like it doesn't get hot enough but everything else is spot on. I just wish they had "matinee prices" for popcorn AND the movie but I digress

Hopefully, Fassbender along with Chiwetel get Oscar nods and you're right the Golden Globes are always a big predictor of the Oscars.....

SeventeenDayze said:

LOL@ what you said about popcorn. The popcorn at the AMC that I go to is perfect but it seems like it doesn't get hot enough but everything else is spot on. I just wish they had "matinee prices" for popcorn AND the movie but I digress

One time I was standing at the concession stand and I saw the cashier walk to the back then return to the front with a BIG bag of what looked like pre-popped popcorn. All a Brotha asked was "Is that Fresh Popcorn?"...Oh my Gosh you should have seen that Sista's eyes get Big..LOL...She said "Yes this popcorn is fresh I popped it earlier!"...I stopped bothering her for real.....Lord, I will NEVER ask anybody if anything is Fresh again...