12 Years a Slave (Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor & Brad Pitt) Movie Review

[@jrad410]

It's very disturbing and insulting that she's saying that they shouldn't have shown the brutality. That's what really happened why do ppl in America want to act like it wasn like that

[@JamesKirks]

Your absolutely right

[@dfjr1990]

I agree with some some it the comments on here. How could it be heavy handed or over done when that's how it actually was back then

[@evillink1]

There is a fine line between getting the point across in a movie based on horrible events, and going for cheap shock value. I personally think this film wasn't too graphic, but everyone has different sensibilities and perhaps Christy has a lower threshold for what constitutes distasteful than I do. Schindler's List could have been exponentially more violent and graphic than it was, but Spielberg chose to push things only as far as they needed to be pushed to serve the story. After all, it's a movie, not a documentary.

[@JollyOldCanuck]

The violence in this movie was relatively tame. Baby boomers are just so sensitive.

[@Zsmart]

Guess what, Christie. Slavery was heavy-handed.

[@himuro16]

But it's gratuitous....waaaah!

[@Group51]

Color purple sentimentality? Can Americans not handle their own history?

[@slawdog8]

I think he's talking from a movie-making perspective. Sometimes some artistic license is acceptable to help the movie play out. Real slavery was often even crueler than what was presented in TYAS but there are exceptions (not all slave owners were rapists or child beaters), I think the movie found a pretty good "average" of the cruelty one could expect to endure.

[@slawdog8]

No we have a disgusting level of amnesia when it comes to our racist past.

[@bemaniac2]

This is ridiculous. What film did they watch? This is an incredible film hands down. Tour-de-force performances.

[@TheConciseStatement]

Oh dear. 'Toy Story Holocaust' Christy's came out to play again. The film's called 12 Years a Slave. It'd be far more offensive if the violence and human degradation wasn't gratuitous. You can't sugar coat such a terrible and recent sin of the Western world.

[@pureuncutlakers1010]

I agree 100%. She wants the movie to be "Hollywood" which seems like an insult in my opinion.

[@ameliacraig8789]

Awww diddums! Was the somewhat realistic, (but, going by the actual book, minimal) depiction of the horror of slavery too much for Christy's delicate disposition? Ignorant woman. I wouldn't be surprised if she still hankers for a filmic portrayal of the slave trade in beautiful, luxurious, scenic settings, with happy-go-lucky slaves as in 'Gone With The Wind'. Steve McQueen said he gave an unflinching insight into the abomination of slavery because to do less, would have been totally disrespectful to the people he was honouring. Of course it's graphic & torturous. Slavery, through any amount of rose-tinted glasses would have held no veracity whatsoever.

[@TheConciseStatement]

amelia craig It's a film I actually have reservations about dramatically. But one of the film's many strengths is it pulls off that almost Hitchcockian trick of making you think you've watched longer shots of injury detail than you really did (the difference in 2013 being you can show it). The makeup and sound design is so shocking that it lingers on in the mind for longer than on screen.

[@mike7190]

I think the point is that it really happened. The movie doesnt need to latch on to you emotionally or try to make you believe anything, its not fiction. The fact that as you watch these scenes and KNOW that everything your watching not only happened on a daily basis in those times but literally happened to one particular man, thats all the reality you need. The Astonishing part is that its a true story in a real way.

[@watermelonygoodness]

Bruce Marlon I think you're missing the point

[@mxbblife_mu]

Crazy how they gave 12 Years A Slave a lower score than Django.

[@TheDominionOfElites]

Being more serious or meaningful doesn't make it a better film.

[@mxbblife_mu]

***** LOL So Django was a better movie ?

[@ZR38315]

I love both but prefer Django

[@ScorpioSaurus-Rex]

This review is a mess I don't need a perfect review but when I hear the phrase "this was too brutal" it pisses me off. What the hell do some people think was happening back then.

[@MIchelle4reel]

so true. like it should have taken some people's fragility into account. It's so disrespectful and I'm kind of disappointed in what the flick for it.

[@TheIsh1988]

+AtTaria Taylor They did the same with their Beast of No Nation review...

[@gmcdonald5783]

I totally agree America needs comfort when discussing slavery despite the horrific harsh reality . American Slavery was brutal. Enslaved Women, men and children were raped constantly, beaten, and families were separated and laws prevented education and human rights. Frankly, the movie wasn't brutal enough.

[@scotthall1658]

You guys know these reviewers are liberal as fuck right?

[@TheJaker5]

It’s 2019 and I still regard this as one of the greatest movies I’ve ever seen. Rarely do movies churn emotions out of me the way this movie did. I balled at the end when he’s reunited with his family and the first thing he says is “I apologize for my appearance...” and then learns his grandson was named after him.

[@pureuncutlakers1010]

Great movie. Here is why I think Alonso got it, and Ben and CHristy didnt. This movie was based on a true story and actually dumbed it down for Hollywood while most movies "based on a true story" stoke the story up. For example, when Christy seems upset that "every single lash mark was shown". no it wasnt, it was really much worse. THis is what the white washing (Animal Farm referene, not racial) of history gets you. Ben and Christy and even Alonso to a much lesser extent wanted the movie to be more Hollywood in my opinion which is why I applaud the director. Movies like Schindlers List, 12 years a slave and others that broach serious topics should not be dumbed down. Serious topics of that nature deserve to be at worst historically accurate. Slavery/the Holocaust/Ethnic Cleansing/etc, were not and will never be Hollywood subject matter. So to put "Hollywood" as a knock or gage on this movie is totally unfair.

[@TheTruthiest]

I agree, though I think you meant to say this movie toned it down rather than dumbed it down. Alonso was really on point with this review, particularly about our national amnesia about our history of racial injustice. Christy's points fell right in line with what he was talking about. When she says she doesn't want to be hit over the head with gratuitous violence, she was really talking about how those scenes made her feel uncomfortable, which they should if the film is going to in any way accurately reflect what happened. If Christy had her way, she'd be able to walk out of the movie and immediately put it out of her mind. This is also why I think Alonoso was wrong to expect a more emotional ending since this would detract from everything that came before. I think this is a movie you have to see again or at least think about before rating; my score has certainly gone up over time.

[@detubeme]

TheTruthiest Christy, an upper middle class American white middle aged woman.... of course she thinks the violence and long shot of the hanging are heavy handed and too much. It's really easy to say "ok, i get it, don't show me anymore!" But, unlike torture porn horror movies, this one is depicting things that really used to take place. God forbid she feels the discomfort of even seeing these things. Ben and Alonso can handle watching such a thing a little better because they're men. I'm not trying to be sexist, but things are how they are. There's a big difference between saying "slavery was horrible and my ancestors shouldn't have done it" and letting yourself actually keep your eyes on the horrible scenes and then sit with it. Maybe even the next time she receives any sort of privlege or special consideration she might have to wonder if it's because she's either white or female. I completely understand why it would be hard for Christy. I'm glad she saw it, even if she couldn't let herself feel it. At least she's capable of acknowledging things. The movie wasn't perfect and definitely could've used more emotion; this might be in part because of Ben's point that it's basically "a sequence of events".

[@haggismangjw]

I absolutely disagree the move needed a "color purple" moment to push it over the edge. I was completely drawn in and felt the total emotional impact by the end.

[@WtHMauwi]

This film wasn't heavy handed at all. All of that shit actually happened.

[@NeoSe7ens]

This film is brilliant. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but what I don't like is the inconsistencies in their reviews. The violence depicted in this film shows the horror of the time and the way life was for a African American slave. It invokes deep emotions that unearth the pure inhuman acts of slavery. But when they review such films as Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan or The Passion of the Christ the violence enhances the story and the film is brilliant. I suppose when Tarantino did Django Unchained it is more palatable to their tastes. This film is based on someone's memoir, "Real life" not a piece of fiction. I'm done watching movie reviews from this channel.

[@chickensdontclap147]

It's interesting that they didn't feel it was super emotional, because I found it to be one of the most emotional and visceral reactions I have ever had to a movie.

[@hankatkinson2732]

Totally agree. When Ijiofor finally makes it home I'm wheeping. When he just takes the time to look at his family how much they've grown

[@chrispowell5598]

Christy Lemire looks extremely uncomfortable, which is very interesting...

[@mvkratos3196]

JeremyJahns FTW does a better job of reviewing movies,hands down

[@albc7519]

In regards to the film, "and there isn't a great deal of humanity in it." What is humane about slavery? It mystifies me how much people are still to this day so unwilling to confront the realities of American history. Folks, slavery was that bad- actually worse. It irked me when the woman complained the movie is "gratuitous and heavy handed" when in reality, that is how ugly slavery was. McQueen's adaptation is honest and truthful. Sloppy review, excluding the guy on the right...he had some valid points

[@DELTABOY04]

aaaaaaannnnnnddddd i just remembered why i skip the "what the flick reviews"...just horrible breakdowns

[@Phi1618033]

As someone who studied American History in grad school (and even took one grad course in African-American history), I can say that the historical accuracy in 12 Years a Slave is impeccable.

[@datdame]

It is absolutely a transcendent movie. Truly brilliant. The movie is very faithful not just to the facts and detail of the book, but the tone. The book is emotionally understated, surprisingly so. It moved you not through maudlin, or sugary sentimentality, but by matter of fact day to day horror. The film, and Ejiofor, delivered that aspect perfectly. Intelligently conceived, beautifully shot, superbly acted (Ejiofor, Lupita, Fassbender), & masterfully executed. Best film of the year.

[@thePANDEMlC]

Agree with Alonso the most here. I feel like he pretty much touched on everything I felt about this. It just needed a bit more of a payoff. I honestly found it so gripping I thought there was another hour to it. I wanted to see what he did after he got back home, hell I didn't even realize it had been 12 years yet, he aged so well. Then we see his family standing there all grown up and it hits you that damn, it's over and I couldn't tell. It's a small gripe but it's important due to the fact that feeling the passing of time accurately helps you empathize and understand just how long 12 years is. The way it was edited it felt like months between each new slave owner not years. But that might also just be me not picking up on subtleties like relationships within the groups of slaves and the slave owners themselves. On the brutality of the film, I thought it was very sufficient. I honestly thought it could of been worse and probably should have been. But I think the forest hangings scene really did a great job of getting you that immense psychological aspect that the film needed. Just that overbearing sense of helplessness coupled with that immense injustice, evil and contempt the men doing the hanging exhibited. In terms of performances, the only one that really stood out as off to me was Pitt. He instantly made me think of his role in Inglourious Basterds with his accent. He was also a very stoic character, whether that was intentional or not I felt it kinda lessened the scene where he agrees to send the letter. To some extent it's a subtle and believable performance but I felt he needed more emotion behind the eyes, he felt kinda detached and just overall stood out from the rest of the film.

[@GabagoolForeverAndAlways]

I hate this lady in all of the reviews, she always seems to try and make a point then everyone disagrees, so she retracts from what she was saying

[@eviola11]

I think the scenes where Northrop breaks the 4th wall as well as the one where he leaves the plantation and you see the rest of the slaves knowing they are going to be left behind were incredibly emotional and put this over the top.

[@TheSwagnostic]

I agree with Alonso here. It was a good film, but lacked that special something to make it great.

[@Brysonhundley]

Pathetic. This movie isn't supposed to be about you. It's supposed to portray a horrible, time where human beings were treated as property because of such hatred and stupidity from ignorant people. And it nailed it perfectly. Saying this movie is any less than amazing is totally incorrect.

[@emilygracey]

Thank God that the Mark Kermode review is still up. The good doctor brings up Django too but points out that one is a real visceral and accurate portrayal of slavery while the other falls into straight up exploitation, which he conceeds is fine since that's a trademark that Tarantio is known for. I can't believe tbe trio still thought this was too rough. It was rough, but it was gratuitous voilence that didn't further the plot. I remember after the scene of the aftermath with Patsy thinking, "I can totally see why she begged Solomon to kill her earlier in the movie and I don't think a huge number of the population who saw this movie would have disagreed or necessarily held it against him if he had." I get the impression these are the kind of people who have watched 'Roots' and 'Gettysburg' once and feel like they've assuaged some guilt for doing so. Watch the Kermode review instead. Hell, watch ANY single Mark Kermode review over the entire catalogue of WhattheFlicks.

[@lmccr001]

Watch the girl in purple she looks so uncomfortable talking about this film.

[@Delboy0]

This is the most ridiculous review I have ever heard on 12 years Slave. One guys says it too linear, the woman says it was too brutal and the last guy said he wanted a more sentimental ending. It is a true first hand account of account story about American Slavery. It was gratuitously brutal because real slavery was brutal. Real slavery didn't have sappy nice endings in real life so why add that into film when it wasn't the case. This panel shows why this film could have never been made by an American, because white Americans still can't handle seeing themselves as the bad guys, so don't want to see the brutality of Slavery or want a happy ending so they feel less guilt. Steve McQueen is British black and wanted to show America how slavery really was because Americans like to sweep slavery under the carpet. You have never seen in an American slavery film the scene where a mixed raced slave has been genetically altered to be a sex addict because she is the offspring white rap before. Americans would have never had shown that scene because of the guilt.

[@sunnygirly2k4]

The violence illustrates to some extent the conditions back then, Christy, no matter how uncomfortable it makes one feel, as that's the point! Song of the South this isn't! I do agree that the hanging scene was protracted, though.

[@amixofeverything]

Although few people bothered to read the book first. There were some big differences from the book.

[@amixofeverything]

Nor would the slave owners just kill you for no reason, as a slave. You were considered valuable property.

[@Ana-vz3uj]

People need to credit Lupita Nyong'O more often for her roll

[@clioronnie7383]

Lupita Nyong'o played more than Brad Pitt in the movie. Yet in the title it's unfortunate that you didn't put her name.

[@oscarreece8801]

This film was perfect... no question about it

[@mxbblife_mu]

The movie was good but I think it spent too much time on the plantation. I wanted to see Solomon have his day in court suing the guys who captured him and his slave owners.

[@Euvari]

He never got justice for what happened to him. According to the law, no black man could testify against a white man, and, without other witnesses, everyone involved got away with their crimes.

[@KINGJADEX]

3:08 - 3:32 CHRISTY'S STARE

[@blacklite911]

It was funny when Christy thought the furnace scene in toy story 3 was like the holocaust. Its kinda like she has historyphobia haha. Can't take anything that remotely reminds her of the evil things that people did historically.

[@PrecisionWrittens]

This movie did a great job at showing just how barbaric the process of whipping another person is. Everyone knows whipping is horrible but you tend to forget how quite horrible it was and to think this went on for hundreds of years, institutionally, hurts your head to imagine.

[@gravityvertigo13579]

I'd like to qualify my thumbs-up; it's 80% for Alonso, 20% for Ben. I like you Christy buuut...

[@naidoo95]

'there isn't a great deal of humanity in it' - worst review ever

[@dodavis419]

So that rated the 2nd hunger games film above this movie, hm interesting.....

[@monalove810able]

Christy remind of the mistress of 12YAS a 7 because its heavy handed.... Its the truth you can't heavy hand the truth. Why deny or fear the truth. Just empathize and let it shape how you see race in America. Christy you not responsible even if your ancestors was the worst of slave owners. They probably wasn't many say their family were not owners but many non owner were cruel breakers overseers. Don't deny or own this nasty history. Denying it is the problem.

[@XxdorkarellaxX]

it was an amazing movie!! You could never understand what african americans went thru with slavery thats why you cant give it 5 stars. This was an amazing story line for someone who WORKED and STRUGGLED To stay alive !

[@emmav1994]

They are movie critics, therefore they criticize the narrative and execution of the film. You can still say a movie was inconsistant in tone and production and still be disgusted by slavery.

[@asland52]

It feels like they wanted a different movie, but I don't feel like the fact that it was different than what they wanted or expected should lessen how great it is. I think it's a near perfect, must see film.

[@Cinderskull27]

I'm surprised they actually saw the movie before they reviewed it this time.

[@gplus46]

I also found the film emotionally flat. The physical suffering seemed to be captured more on the supporting characters. I also didn't get a sense that years passed until the end; I was lost e.g. regarding the length of time between the first time Solomon tried to send the letter and the second. In this type of film, 'time' is as important as a supporting character. Unfortunately this was lacking, which may explain the problem with emotion in this film. The acting was strong, but overshadowed by the short comings of director's choices, which at times left me confused.

[@astone08]

they so underrated this film

[@WeWatchTheMovies]

They always under rate films

[@OvUK]

The movie was a masterpiece.

[@exitcheese]

long shots is part of steve mcqueen's style, and that i comes from him being an artist and artists tend to see the world differently, without yet seeing the film, i think what he was doing with the scene where solomon remains hanging is giving us the sense of real time plus the pain he went through and how long he was left in that state, if you read the book, that particular moment was one of utter discomfort to the point of unbearable,so yes we need to feel his pain because we're meant to put ourselves in his shoes.

[@davidbacamusic]

Christy calls it "over bearing and heavy handed"……. WELL YA ITS SLAVERY. the most awful, tragic, disgusting aspect of our country's history of course its over bearing. that criticism does NOT make sense to me.

[@CaroleMcDonnell]

Dang! Is Christy calling torture in a slave movie "gratuitous" and heavy-handed? Christy should read the book! Good grief, woman!

[@MovieGuy808]

Christy calls the film "heavy handed", which is inaccurate. That would imply that the film unnecessarily portrays events in an overly dramatic way. I think we can all agree that slavery was barbaric and ruthless, and therefore should be portrayed with all due emphasis as such. Why do I always disagree with Christy?

[@thatasiankid45]

I thought it was great, but it lacked the subtlety that Shame and Hunger had (less quiet moments, etc). This might be because it was a lot more produced, but it's still a fantastic movie in my view.

[@PurushaDesa]

Oh Jesus, I forgot about that. Even the other panel members were like, "What the flick?!" It adds insult to injury that she picked on the most powerful part of that film - the part that convinced me I was watching a timeless classic.

[@Chaitanyack410]

I agree with Ben, this movie is amazing but just one step short from being a great movie like Schindlers list. I dont know what it is.

[@caruzo9631]

you're crazy... though I'm quite young and was never confronted with this topic here in europe... jesus christ the feels, the pain, the cruelty, the hopelessness in stark contrast with the beautiful landscapes... watched it high af and cried like a little bitch. amazing movie.

[@khaoulacb7931]

This moovie is now аvailаblе to watсh hеrе => twitter.com/6992b7b6fc27512bc/status/795843088790921216 12 Yеаrs а Slаve Stаrring Chiwetеl ЕЕEEjiоfоr Brаd Рitt Moviе Rеview

[@byakugan2173]

I can't believe that based on this review i doubted, even for a second, that a movie by Steve McQueen about slavery could be anything less than a perfect 10. I often rely on these reviews for the movies i watch, i guess i should reconsider many.

[@SuperCitizenBane]

How did this movie not any emotional push? These guys most be cold people.

[@jaganmaster]

I don't agree with making 12 year olds watch this movie or that it was over the top but I do agree that the movie was lacking that "umph" which I believe came from the lack of character development. The movie was still a great film but was a dark sequence of events that didn't let up till the end. It was based off of Solomon Northup's memoirs so maybe the reality of it was just too dark to include (any) lighter scenes that may have helped the darker ones hit harder.

[@WeWatchTheMovies]

Alonso rated it well. Ben and Christy gave this movie terrible ratings

[@stanman8334]

Alonso still underrated it.

[@morpheos111]

In the book there is a young African American boy who escapes, brought back and eaten by dogs. It is FAR more graphic than the film. Remember that whenever someone says it's too violent.

[@MoviesWithDallin]

I thought the hanging scene went on way too long. I wanted to yell at the screen "Ok we get it! Move on!!!" I was majorly let down by this movie. I wanted to like it, but was overall disappointed. Felt like nothing happened in the movie. He's a slave for 12 years and then is freed. Nothing else happens in the movie.

[@poontang3zizo]

How many kittens have you murdered in your life sir?

[@Paperbagman555]

I understand some of the criticisms on the plot, but the "heavy handedness" or brutality criticism is ridiculous. Those scenes were done exceptionally and a story like this calls for that - McQueen doesn't gloss over, and props to him for it.

[@stanman8334]

The average rating from top critics on RT is 9.8

[@MarketResearchReading114]

I don't think roots is as important a movie for people to see, now. I think the cultural relation between white/black has shifted and we're not seeing a full development of that interracial relationship because of a sense of separation, that these things do create. Oh, 'we' did that to 'you', compared to 'they' did that to 'them', I think it matters at a level of how you view and treat each other and how you have a natural relationship.

[@ginatira]

These people always find something wrong with the movies. so annoying

[@46.56.A.]

Seems like Christy wanted the film to be a lot less real and be an easier watch rather than actually have the film portray the pain and suffering.

[@richfictionfighter]

"Starring Brad Pitt"? He has two scenes on the movie!

[@rafaelmarkos4489]

Best way to market a movie IMO. If that's how this movie drew people in, I'm all for it. It deserved every dollar it earned, and then some.

[@iluvatarchem]

The blondie just can't stand the thought of US embracing slavery. 7 because 'it was of putting" .Lol to her

[@Miller2nd]

They do give lots of spoilers. In summery: Alonzo - 9: Great movie that could use a little sentimentality at the end to make it more gratifying. Ben - 7.5: Good but not great. More like a sequence of events with out much character arc, but says it is still a must see to understand what slavery must’ve been like. Christy - 7: A very powerful movie but felt at times the violence was too graphic, more to show how realistic they filmmakers could make it seem than because it was necessary.

[@MrHero17]

Wow ........ I'm done with this Chanel . This was absolutely the best movie of this year and greatest movie off all time you people are some of the worst critics I've seen

[@OfficialSolidState]

Calm down.

[@timmyrushton9203]

i'm with alonso on this one with the rating, and share most of ben's sentiments. christy was way off with her review, especially the certain scenes she mentioned. they needed to be shown the way that they were.

[@PhantasmagoricSplend]

Very powerful film. Unbelievable that this actually happened. Wow. The only issue I had with the movie was the dialogue between Solomon and the slaves. While Solomon was an educated man, the slaves were not. And they all spoke more or less like him. Slaves were not normally taught to read or anything so their vocabulary is too sophisticated. I hope that doesn't sound racist.

[@Delboy0]

You clearly aren't smart enough to realise why they had such good vocabularies. Michael Fassbender's character was called the slave breaker. The slaves that needed breaking the most were the educated kidnapped black people like the Solomon character, meaning the other slaves on his plantation were educated and kidnapped like the main character. They even talked about hiding their intelligence in case they get killed in the film. I suggest you engage brain before typing or at least pay attention to the movie you are watching before making dumb statements.

[@Delboy0]

***** No aggression. Just ignorance can be annoying. It was pretty obvious watching the film that all the slaves where hiding how intelligence they to the slave masters and when they speak to amongst themselves they display their true intelligence. Her comment was a very dumb. It would be like saying she liked Avengers but didn't think it was like Ironman flying.because it wasn't real. It is a superhero movie and clearly explains how Ironman can fly. When 12 years a slave has scenes where slaves say keep your head down and that being showing intelligence gets you killed. it doesn't take a smart person to work out that there were more educated slaves there.

[@PhantasmagoricSplend]

Delboy0 You were a bit harsh and I didn't feel like writing a reply. I guess I didn't catch that the other slaves were educated too. I own it so I will have another watch. I'm not sure I believe you but we all miss things sometimes.

[@Delboy0]

I apologies if I came over a bit harsh but it is slightly obvious that the slaver in the fassbender plantation where the educate people who were kidnapped and the most resistant to their situation.

[@alphacause]

Given the level of brutality that was inflicted upon slaves, it is flabbergasting to say that any depiction of slavery - regardless of how gruesome and sadistic it appears - is gratuitous. I am surprised that Christy stated that. Even if we were to posit, HYPOTHETICALLY, that it is not historically true that such level of cruelty existed during slavery, it would still be necessary to portray slavery in such a vile manner, so as to convey what a crime it is to own another human being.

[@BottleConcreteBlond]

When you have conservatives saying that slavery wasn't so bad (like we do now) I think it's very important for people to see this.

[@ChristofMitchell]

I will say I do see her point somewhat. And normally, under any other situation I would agree with her (there is an excessive amount of "torture porn" in movies these days used as a cheap trick to evoke emotion). But in the case of this film I feel like it was very necessary because its attempting to force people to wake up and really look at the truth about the time. Something we all need to do.

[@XBOXMASTER123456]

These people are film critics. They know how to judge a movie without a bias. People do not need to experience an event or be close to it to judge a movie based on it. Just like how people do not need to read the novel versions of films to judge the film.

[@MovieGuy808]

So lemme get this straight. Gravity gets a 9.9, meaning it is near perfect. And 12 Years a Slave gets a 7.0, and is described as "heavy handed". Well that's just great. Guess Whattheflick would have us watch Avatar and Armageddon over and over, and turn our brains off for good.

[@InteractionImplants]

It could also mean that she felt that the movie was awkward at times. It was an offhand comment that was ill explained and somewhat convoluted. If she did feel that the violent scenes were too over the top, then she's entitled to her opinion. Remember, this is still a movie and not reality. We still watch these things for fun. Right?

[@6663000]

Nobody is conned into the job and they can leave voluntarily... it is not slavery.

[@zacharysiple783]

Alonzo gave the highest rating to a GREAT movie....WOW!

[@YoshimitsuBloodPedal]

From her comments about the hanging scene, I can clearly tell she's never seen Rosewood.

[@ibrahimaballer23]

Thank you Alonso. 12 years a slave is way better then gravity.

[@Tomsfilipsons]

Alonso still hasn't shared his opinion of Gravity anywhere, I can't help noticing. Is he pulling a Pacific Rim again and saying that it was too dark and he couldn't see anything?

[@earthlingcrusader1529]

Btw, I'm not surprised that they didn't get the movie. After all, when you see their past reviews of other McQueen films, you get the idea that he's not their cup of tea.

[@hannahtriz]

"doesn't have to show every single lash mark" "don't get the arc of this movie" .........................

[@hassanilahi909]

More Emotional Heft? Seriously? The movie was emotionally draining in the way that it portrayed slavery and incredibly powerful. I cried throughout and was deeply moved by it, so no idea what Alonso is saying...

[@GRiMHOLDx]

Watched this review before i watched the movie... I just watched it. Christi's opinion about the movie baffles me.

[@daynengatuere]

to put christy into perspective she thought that the furnace scene in toy story 3 was too reminiscent of the holocaust. i shit you not!!!

[@YoshimitsuBloodPedal]

(Not saying Rosewood was over-the-top, but that guy seemed like he held his breath for hours)

[@ericap3993]

12 ?! I'd say no younger that 14 for when kids should watch but that's me! great powerful movie!, it's necessary to see how cruel man can be and has been and how we can't stand by

[@jakejonescomedy]

Slavery was abolished; now let's abolish the next worst thing: near slavery in China with low pay and harsh working conditions, all corporate-run.

[@thisisnancybot]

Interesting, I felt the "Roots" of my generation was Amistad. Clearly, a very different film, more focused on the experience of the Americans than the actual Africans, but I saw stuff in that movie at twelve that I wasn't aware of at all.

[@occasional_doomer]

Well, unless you built that computer yourself, you're just as guilty as the rest of us.

[@poontang3zizo]

Note well the blonde lady called The Lego Movie possibly the greatest movie ever made and gave it a 10/10 score. Not saying that film isn't very good but when compared to such a raw piece of art like 12 Years A Slave, well then you see how much of an idiot she is.

[@PurushaDesa]

Isn't 5 stars traditional? (I know Ebert used four which always seemed like an awkward scale to me.)

[@rbriggs89]

Thank you. I completely agree. Christy is way off on this one

[@stewart0312]

It's a great film, thoroughly deserving of Oscar Best Film. Agree with Ben, the film is a must see, especially for intelligent people who like to label themselves conservatives and libertarians. Teabaggers will probably treat this like a popcorn flick, and wish we would go back to owning slaves.

[@TheJaker5]

These people are terrible critics. 7? 7.5? “It lacked emotion”? WTF are they talking about!?

[@Tomsfilipsons]

Here's an allegory: Imagine a friend of yours slept with your girlfriend and you broke up. The friend then says he's devastated and to show his remorse he has made a movie of the whole thing: "There's a really nice guy playing you, and to be realistic, me and your girl were played by me and your girl. I didn't want to go easy on my conscience, so we filmed the sex scenes really explicit. You have to see them man, it's like YOU WERE THERE. I'm just emotionally destroyed every time I see it."

[@MovieGuy808]

It's like Christy doesn't think things out before she says them. Did she write Star Wars Episode 1? Because it feels like she did.