BambooLounge

He may not be "honorable," but really, I don't find much honor in criticism. Criticism is important and I enjoy it immensely, but I tend to reserve the adjective honor for more substantial feats.

But, I think his true opinions are sprinkled in here and there, like in this review, but his panhandling is his means to a more valuable (to him) end, which is to revitalize the type of intellectual debate and discussion around movies that was once, but sadly no longer, en vogue even in the more "cultured" circles of American society. People just don't care about movies really any more. You'd have an easier time going out to bars and hearing intellectual debate about hip hop than movies now.

Yavin

It's a fairly brief role, but he pulls his weight. Although, if I had recognized him (I thought he looked familiar) then it probably would have made his performance (i.e., his accent) unintentionally funny.

Personally, I was surprised by how many of the big names only had brief roles in the film. Even Pitt. Fassbender is the only other actor to get a good amount of screen time here.

Overall, I would say this is one of the most powerful films of the year, if not of the last few years.

Here's my review.

Supermallet

This is easily the best film I've seen this year. It doesn't pull any punches but it also doesn't feel like a "message" movie (I didn't read Armond White's review because I prefer my blood pressure to be at reasonable levels). Ejiofor knocks it completely out of the park, and Fassbender is also excellent. Steve McQueen is 3 for 3 in my eyes, and this might be his best film to date.

bluetoast

Considering driving out 12 miles to see this tonight. Shooot.

GoldenJCJ

Make sure you pack an overnight bag for that 12 mile journey.

Dr. DVD

It would be an overnight trip for me. More like a plane trip. Hopefully it expands a bit next weekend.

bluetoast

Just got back from the overnight trip. This is a solid entry in my top 10 for the year, man great performances all around, especially Ejiofor and Fassbender.

Jaymole

Never saw that joke coming...what brilliant wit Mr Wilde!

sauce07

I traveled 7 miles to see this last night, well worth the journey. Steve McQueen is a special filmmaker, I loved how he tweaked his style to fit the subject matter here. Huger and Shame relied on the audience reading into the characters to understand their pain, that's why we get long takes of Fassbender running. In 12YAS, we can see exactly what he's up against. There was a shot near the end where Chiwetel is just looking around and eventually looks right at the audience, it haunted me.

All of the acting was great, even the people who only had a scene or two. I've never seen an actor cry like Chiwetel did at the end, such raw emotion and the fact that he was blaming himself. As for Fassbender, what more can be said about him? The dude is just amazing in everything.

The scenes that are sticking with me are Solomon hanging on the tree as all the slaves just go back to work, the slave dance party where Mrs. Epps throws the bottle at Patsey and Solomon being confronted about asking the man to deliver a letter.

This is a special movie that hopefully will find the audience it deserves.

Dr. DVD

7 miles? That's nothing dude. Where I grew up a lot of people had to drive at least that far to see a movie and that was in the town in which they lived.

JumpCutz

Lot of people here logging some serious miles to check this out.

Osiris3657

Saw this on Sat. Very well made movie. The acting couldn't have been better. That Best Actor statue is Ejiofor's.

Fassbender also deserves a nomination.

I was kind of hoping that Solomon would escape on foot and journey back home, would have been alittle more exciting (but yes I understand they followed the true story). It was really interesting to learn that the circumstances of his death are unknown. Did the slaver get retribution? Interesting to ponder.

sauce07

You forgot to mention how far you traveled to see it

Osiris3657

A quick Google search reveals it was a 4.5 mile trip each way

Patman

Saw the film, probably will never watch it again due to the uncomfortable subject matter, but well-acted and well-directed, totally see Oscar noms for Ejiofor and McQueen, and perhaps even a supporting nod for Fassbender.

I give it 3.5 stars, or a grade of B+.

Troy Stiffler

This is that 'great' drama that is going to be big this year. Provocative, entertaining, engaging.

McQueen doesn't make a lot of cuts. He uses single shots of actors doing their job very well. He has a way of staging his frames with precision to move the scene forward. And he doesn't mind taking time with a scene, to pull us into the story.

It's a well crafted movie that is here for our entertainment. And it is very, very entertaining.

I traveled 3 miles to the parking lot. And maybe another 1/4 mile until I was inside. And another 20 inches, when I put my feet up on the seat.

Troy Stiffler

Also, Hans Zimmer's score was standout (as usual). And, yes, there are hints and cues in there from Inception.

Defiant1

Incredible movie with amazing performances and it deserves all the accolades to come in the upcoming months during awards season. I actually had to look away when Ejiofor looked directly at the camera as it was too painful to see the horror in his eyes. Like Schinder's List though, I'll probably never watch it again.

15.7km, or 9.75 miles, one way to get to the theatre.

bootsy

I did too and kept trying to stare back but couldn't. LOL

hanshotfirst1138

This is showing at my local AMC multiplex about three miles away, presumably a 4K encode.

sauce07

Don't bring unneeded info into this thread

JumpCutz

This is playing about 4 miles from my house. I'll try to find someone to carpool with so we can split the cost for gas.

hanshotfirst1138

Um, OK. I wasn't trying to start a conversation about anything, it was just a stray observation.

Dr. DVD

Interesting that this is getting so much buzz yet the only theater close to me playing it is a serious arthouse type in Orlando. I would have thought some of the chains in a major city would want it, as I am sure it has more appeal than a small, one screen house.

Dr. DVD

Saw it. "12 Years a Slave" is probably the most sobering movie experience I have had since "Schindler's List" in 1994. Very powerful and needs to be seen by whomever can do so. Best all around acting of any movie I've seen this year , or in a long time.

Ejiofor deserves a nom., and IMO a win as well. Fassbender was superb, as always, and I think a nomination should be easy for him. While Sarah Paulson's role was not that big, it was significant and I would hope she might get a nod as well.
I have to say that this is shaping up to be a year where quality actors that have long flown under the radar will finally get some recognition. Ejiofor and Fassbender are on the track, and having seen the Mandela movie preview, it appears Idris Elba might get some love as well. Of course there's also Daniel Bruhl. Hope their run of good roles continue.