A must see for all...not just black men
923598
This profound revelation of the truth concerning black men opens the door for a new dialogue to take place within the black community.  The current paradigm of mis-information for profit is unacceptable and the time for  reclaiming our true place in the fabric of the American experience has come.
2578144
Saw this with my daughter when we couldn't get the new '42 movie about Jackie Robinson..We are different adult generations, but both of us found this movie informative (though we knew about his life already) and especially moving BECAUSE Jackie Robinson starred as himself in it, and did so shortly after he joined the league: so very historical!

Also, the movie made clear the role of his and Rickie's faith, with the famous question/ response: would Jackie be able to turn the other cheek ? (Jesus, Matthew 5:39)--all bets were off, unless he could/ would be willing to do so, and would be courageous and strong enough...the rest is history. (But what a different history it would have been, had he not been able to do so!)

Also showed the accurate situation of African-Americans after the war, with his college-educated brother taking a job as a sanitation dept. to feed his family; the importance of a supportive spouse, and the differing responses of people, based on their faith and values and not their race.  It also showed the truth that individuals can make a difference, and impact society for the better. REALLY recommend to all ages/ ethnic groups... Romans 12:17-21 in action.
4192400
This film needed to be made I like it showed the truth about black men, thus giving us a better self image!
2004807
I really loved this movie, and I say this while being a harsh movie critic.  It was well written, well acted, and well directed.  I loved the dialogue, the pacing, and the framing of each scene.  Ava DuVernay did such a great job.  I definitely though it was a Oscar worthy effort on her part.

The movie was both entertaining and insightful.  I definitely urge everyone to see this film.

I thought David Oyelowo did a great job as MLK.  His portrayal was brilliant.  He really stepped into the role and became MLK.

My only minor complaint is that I felt like there wasn't much character development beyond the main protagonist and antagonists.  I'll have to watch the movie again to know for sure but I initially felt like I didn't get to know some characters.

The thing I appreciate the most about this movie is how it stressed the tactics used by King and the SCLC.  Specifically, I love this quote:

"The way our organization works is simple. We negotiate, we demonstrate, we resist. We raise white consciousness. And in particular, the consciousness of whichever white man happens to be sitting in the Oval Office." - MLK

King used the violence and maltreatment of others (local police, etc.) to raise consciousness and invoke tangible changes to the laws and to the status quo.  This contrasts greatly with many protests we see today that often struggle to identify tangible goals while often succeeding at providing cover for violence, looting, and destruction caused by the actual protesters.  Perhaps if this movie came out six months earlier, the outcry in Ferguson would have been more constructive than destructive.

Yes, the movie got LBJ wrong and the LBJ camp has the right to complain about it.  A simple solution would have been to make Gov. George Wallace or the local Selma sheriff the lead antagonist.  Many movies take liberties with their depictions of historic events.  However, those liberties can be called into question, especially when the change falsely portrays someone's legacy.
4340963
I ordered two copies of this movie after watching it online myself.  It is my desire to share it with as many people as I can.  Of course, it is not easy to convince some people that there are those in our government and the pharmaceutical and medical world that would actually allow so many people to suffer and die, when there are natural non-toxic treatments in existence that have actually cured many people of cancer...even after the medical doctors have given up on them.  I think of the fathers, mothers and children who are taken from us early because of our failed system of treating cancer.  Many of my own family and friends have died from cancer, after receiving the "best" that medicine has to offer.  We watched helplessly as they suffered through agonizing pain and nausea, being brave and hopeful to the end.  And then to watch their families suffer their loss for years.  I finally learned about Dr. Burzynski and others like him, amazingly gifted doctors and scientists, who have studied the nature of cancer and how to help our body's natural healing processes to prevent and kill cancer cells.  I've read several books and researched the subject on the internet.  I didn't believe at first that such a thing could happen in this country.  I couldn't believe that human beings could be evil enough to allow so much suffering and death.  But, after months of reading and pondering, I now understand that for some people, money is the only thing that matters.  Even though they bring about the tragic, unneccessary death of many, many trusting people.  If you watch this movie for the first time, you will be blown away with the truth.  But even so, it is truth that we must face.  Only when people in great numbers come to see the truth about our situation, will we be able to rise up and demand changes.  We are all accountable for how we serve our fellow beings.  Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country.  This movie is very, very well done, and is our best hope for a real cure for cancer (and any other disease) today.  Incidentally, an excellent book on the subject of alternative non-toxic cancer treatments (if you only have time to read one) is "Outsmart Your Cancer" by Tanya Harter Pierce. It took me a long time to finish it, as I was really studying it, but it taught me so much about how the body works and how to avoid disease and what to do if cancer strikes.  I definitely recommend that book as well.
3368128
I really feel this should be required viewing in high school. Most curricula spends a day or maybe a couple of days on the history of African Americans in America, but that leaves out so much. For as well read as I like to pretend I am, there are SO many things I don't know. Even more importantly, watching this gives me an insight into how we've gotten to the point we have today, and ways it can be turned back. The injustice, intolerance and violence African Americans have had to endure at the hands of the White people in this country should, if not shame, then at least cause you to have more empathy for what they have endured and we should all feel pride in all theyve accomplished in spite of it.
Even if you didn't have southern, slaveholder ancestors or if your ancestors came over after the civil war, (which is how I used to comfort myself into thinking I bore minimal responsibility) it's likely that your family and/or way of life profited either directly or indirectly at the expense of African Americans.
This series is well written, interesting and thought provoking. Its sad and heartbreaking at times, but also has funny moments. Lest you think its a one-sided big white-bashing series, it most certainly is not. It is as fair as it can be, presenting the facts and not getting bogged down in too much sentimentality and rose-colored glasses nostalgia for the good old days.
As a final note, Henry Louis Gates Jr. is a great host and the historians and experts he talks to are very enjoyable to watch.
I highly recommend this series to anyone with an interest in how weve gotten to the point we have in America today, and what we must do to keep progressing forward, not regressing into the self- destructive, self-defeating actions of the past.
4483119
This is a great film in that it shows the human side of the "other". I wasn't expecting much in this film but I was taken by surprise by it's humanity. A very wise man told a group of his students after 911 that it was important for them to communicate with the people from other nations so as to build a better understanding between them and this movie does just that. It's hard to believe that some viewers couldn't see that fact presented here. After seeing it, I thought everyone needs to see it in order to create a better world,e.g., love and acceptance, and a safe and peaceful place to raise a family. That shouldn't be that difficult except for the few who just can't seem to connect with their heart causing strife for practically everyone else.  The only question is, 'how do we help them make that connection, because it cannot be forced?' Perhaps leading an inspiring life is the only  solution.  This movie has further inspired me and hopefully it will also inspire others after seeing it. Highly recommended!
2627898
This documentary was designed to SPARK conversation not provide answers. It was to help you shine light on a topic that is NOT discussed. Even young men need to see this because they are not understanding how they are treating or playing into the stereotypes. The part with the White Women discussing Black Women was really great. With all this mess happening with Nicki Minja and Lil Kim, when you look at and hear Kelly Rowland's music/videos, it tells us that we are not having conversations with our BLACK GIRLS! Buy the Video an start a movement. I am a man with NO KIDS and I am doing my part!
535705
For those of you who want to watch Oprah give someone a make over so you can feel pretty, go see "Remember the Titans."  For those of us who are eager to understand and confront racial and sexual oppression, this is your movie.  It's not Oprah's fault that The Beloved flopped in the theaters.  Even as I write (2004), men are still busy masturbating to porn featuring "exploited black hos," "border bangers" or "raped asians."  I wonder who is making and consuming the porn?  White men perhaps?  This film is a good starting point for anyone who hope to confront our human weaknesses with courage and honesty.
1836401
I am a single 45 year old African American raising a 7 year old son.  This film was absolutely amazing and accurate in my opinion.  I found myself and my circumstances in so many of the characters and dialogue.  I was up til 3am watching the film, jotting notes and quotes, and afterwards wanted to purchase at least 10 copies for my friends!

Trust, this is a message that women need to hear.  Most issues that we deal with in relationships are addressed in this film and feedback by the average "joe/josephine" plummer across America are incorporated.

This is a man's "waiting to exhale" film that can be extremely beneficial to men and women in relationships.  WELL DONE MR. ALEXANDER!"
1408576
Our organization hosted a local screening of Poverty Inc, and it was amazing.  We had a sold out theatre, and poeple stuck around for an hour afterwards talking about the ideas in the film.  It is strikingly relevant.  Convicting and inspiring.  Makes you want to live differently, and certainly sheds a whole new light on how we "give" to people in other countries, and how that giving may actually be perpetuating the problem. Wow.
1536912
This movie moved me to tears! It was a great moive and the actors and actress performed outstanding. This is a movie I plan to purchase and show to my grandkids. I do not ever want them to forget the struggle that African Americans went through..
282464
I really enjoyed this movie! I'm not really into love stories,  but this movie is very educational. It's interesting to see how certain black people were treated differently simply based on skin color. The light skinned blacks were treated a little better, but at the end of the day......they're still black and we're treated as such!
3518988
I have watched this movie twice now and am amazed at the amount of bravery and courage all these men had.  As mentioned in other reviews this isn't a movie about politics, but more about facts and the events that happened.  The acting is fantastic and you are immediately invested in all the characters, getting a real feel for who these people are and their personalities.  This movie is worth the watch, you will not be disappointed.
2645531
I'm a guy and not a young one. Have been a film addict all my life.
Raised by my Grandmother (who could have run IBM but of course
had the horrible genetic disease of being a woman) I have fought
for equality (not sameness) all my business life, and was quite successful.
Watch this then show it to all the teenagers you can.
Bought it for Xmas for my 11 year old Grandson. (But watched it again
before I gave it to him.)
2898439
This is an amazing documentary that should be watched by every woman and girl in this country. What we THINK is happening or has happened with women's liberation, women's equality, women's opportunities, and what has REALLY happened in the last few decades, is not the same. This film calls a spade a spade and lets us see what is really going on in our society. Girls need to see how their futures are being formed and planned through what happens in the news, advertising and social media. The media pressures parallel much that is currently happening politically. And we cans ee why women are marching worldwide in January of 2017. Don't miss it.
638132
The Murder... provides a thoughtful and soul stirring view of how racial hate destroys individuals and social institutions.  At the same time, it is a reminder of the historical nightmares pregnant in America as a result of segregation.  Indeed, this film renewed my commitment to be an individual who teaches students about the way African Americans have thrived in the midst of living within and in the blues existence known as racial hate.  This is a movie all people need to experience.