Steph:
This film reminded me of listening to a lecture where the professor’s passion for the subject becomes infectious, and even though I thought the film meandered a little and it felt self indulgent at times and the cadence of the narration had a lulling effect, I found the discussion of the history of Black representation in cinema to be powerful, and the scope of the film feels ambitious and deeply personal, which makes it an easy film to recommend. ⏰⏰⏰
Josh:
Riveting and meandering by turns, Mitchell’s inarguably worthy documentary is at its best when he’s rhapsodizing about the unique power of the Black filmmakers and the magnetic screen presence of Black stars of the ‘70s, but despite his insight, he takes such a personalized approach that the film sometimes feels haphazard, and so less incisive than it might have been. ⏰⏰⏰⏰
The Bare Minimum 