Malcolm X
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Movie Reviews of Malcolm X
Movie Review: "Malcolm X" is one important historical film.
Summary: 5 Stars
Regardless of the politics, the life and times of Malcolm Little as portrayed in Malcolm X is a true American story. "Malcolm X" can truthfully be said to be one of Spike Lee's best films, which was an important step for him, perhaps the most important one of his career. This biopic, and Spike's fifth full-length feature, makes only partial sense as a follow-up to his other hits, "Do The Right Thing," "Mo' Better Blues" and "Jungle Fever,' the three films in which he created and developed his unique voice and made a name for himself as one of the most prominent independent filmmakers in the US; Spike's own voice can barely be heard in Malcolm X, and his usually immediately recognizable trademarks are tough to point out.
The reason is that for the first time in his career Spike Lee took a step back, and he is not the dominant personality in the film; the dominant personality is Malcolm X himself, and Spike let Malcolm's voice be heard throughout the film louder than anything else. This film was more of a statement than Spike's previous films. Its scope is immensely larger than anything he did before - it does, after all, span 200 minutes gracefully. Spike tackles "Malcolm X" head on the very subjects he treated with symbolism and subtlety in this film, and therefore is a natural and important progression for him. In a biopic, the most important factor is for the director to care about the subject and Mr. Lee clearly proves that.
Malcolm X boasts a huge ensemble casts, with wonderful performances by Delroy Lindo, Angela Bassette, Al Freeman Jr. (in a harrowing performance as Muslim extremist Elijah Muhammad) and Spike Lee himself - but the movie is still entirely Malcolm X's, and therefore Denzel Washington's. Spike's prot?g? gave a lifetime performance in "Mo' Better Blues" two years earlier, but he surpassed it with his gut-wrenching portrayal of "Malcolm X," which earned him an Oscar nomination and based him as one of the best actors of his generation.
Malcolm X is an important film that is impressive, moving, and beautifully film. This film is highly recommended to every culture.
Movie Review: This film is magical
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is magical. The writing and directing capture the complexities and dynamics of Malcolm's progress. It is almost as if Spike Lee lets the camera run on a condensed version of Malcolm's life. We see and understand his conversion from pimp to racist to social critique and leader. More imporantly, we see how his own life is a metaphor for his teaching: that once the oppressed understand what is holding them down, they are free to flourish.
Perhaps even more amazing than the writing (which closely alligns with Malcolm's autobiograhy) and the directing is Denzel Washington's performance. It may be the best acting in the history of American film. Lee often spliced into the film historical footage of X, yet it requires close discernment of physical characteristics to realize we still aren't watching Denzel.
While lamenting on the systematic yet subtle exploitation of blacks, Malcolm often pointed to the black mindset as the culprit for the rampant poverty, crime, and ignorance in the black community.
Overt racism and institutionalized drawbacks were hard enough for black people to overcome. But worse yet, Malcolm noted, was the psychological prison that enslaved blacks in a quagmire of abasement, escapism, and an inclination of deference. Malcolm proclaimed that to release the human potential of the black man, he must first accept who he is, and more importantly be proud of his color.
This is the importance of Malcolm X: from his life (and legend)propagated the concept of black pride. Indeed, Malcolm preached that in order for black people to gain respect, they must first develop respect for themselves. In fact, self-respect was the only thing important. From the era of slavery onward, whites had imbued blacks with an inferiority complex to keep them docile and subserveant. It was time for Blacks to learn about their own heritage without White spin, time for Blacks to recognize their own capabilities for greatness, time for Blacks to rise from the depths of the mudsill class. And, as Malcolm warned, if the exploiters got in the way, the "keg of blackpowder is going to explode and blow the house up."
What is even more admirable is his openness to change. By the end of his life, Malcolm overcame his racism and strived for the realization of human dignity for all people. Like King, when Malcolm demanded equality for all, the FBI's communist sensors went off and X was summarily assassinated.
Movie Review: "Denzel Washington was robbed"
Summary: 5 Stars
If ever an actor's performance deserved an Oscar, Denzel Washington was robbed on this one.
After watching the movie I actually believed Mr. Washington was Malcolm X and if that is not some fine acting then what is?
This was a great movie and a great actor played the lead. Too bad he was passed over when it came time give him the true credit that he deserved.
Movie Review: A Political Materpiece Based On A True Hero
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutely love this movie always have since the very first time i saw it. The likeness that Denzel Washington shares with Minister Malcolm is astonishir, the way he speaks, acts and looks is just uncanny to the original man himself.
Incase you don't know who Malcolm X or have just heard about him or the movie from a friend then let me give you a bit of a background. Malcolm Little grew up in the streets of Harlem New York with his mother and father and all his brothers, his father was murdered by the Klu Klux Klan but nobody was brought to justice infact it was claimed his fathers death was suicide. Shortly after the death of his father his mother started to break down and become extremely depressed and was admitted into a mental health home. Malcolm and his brothers where split up into foster homes and Malcolm while attending school one day was told by his favourite teacher that he couldn't be a lawyer because he was a "Negro" which as you can imagine this hurt Malcolm extensively.
As a teenager Malcolm turned to a life of Hustling and crime and along with a friend of his "Shorty" where thrown in prison for 10 years. During his time in prison he was introduced to the Nation of Islam by his brother and was told to write to The Messenger Elijah Muhammed. This religion taught how the black people are constantly pushed down by the white man and how they are degraded and embarassed beyond belief.
This education brought out a fury in Malcolm that he had never felt and on his release from prison he immediately became a follower of the Messenger Elijah Muhammed and a preacher for the Nation Of Islam. With his strong words which to some where racist and promoted white hate immediately created a media storm and Malcolm became instantly a world wide political figure admired by some detested by many.
During his time in the Nation Of Islam Malcolm became aware that there was corruption around him and that his peers where going behind his back to Elijah complaining that he was bringing bad press to the NOI.
I won't tell you what happens next as that will spoil the film for you and i want you to see it because it is amazing and nothing like. 3 hours long but every minute will keep you captivated and your eyes glued to the screen.
Movie Review: great depiction of a great man
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie gave a great depiction on Malcolm X, an unsung hero of the Civil Rights movement. Especially with the second disk of the set, it goes through the production of the film where Spike Lee faced difficulties in creating it, specifically with funding. This movie was a great adaptation of the book, yet I highly recommend reading the book first before watching the film, like most books which became film.
Denzel Washington did an outstanding job playing the role of Malcolm X and should have won an Oscar for it. You can tell he researched the character and met with family and friends of X and got personal with the depiction when filming.
Great history film.