Dear Reader: Update, Movie Review Intelligence will
continue publishing this website through June (more...)
Search a Movie:
BENDA BILILI!Movie Reviews
Lingala and French language documentary about an unlikely group of musicians in Kinshasa, capital of the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Cast:Leon "Ricky" Likabu, Roger Landu, Coco Ngambali Yakala, Theo "Coude" Nsituvuidi, Claude Kinunu Montana, Paulin "Cavalier" Kiara-Maigi, Djunana Tanga-SueleDirector:Renaud Barret, Florent de la TullayeRelease Date:September 30, 2011DVD Release:April 4, 2012From:National GeographicRating:PG-13Length:1 hr 25 min
Benda Bilili! played in limited release to excellent reviews. • Lisa Schwarzbaum wrote in Entertainment Weekly, "...unsentimental, smartly assembled film is equally attentive to the cacophony of African poverty and the balm of harmony provided by these pied pipers of hope." • And Ernest Hardy called the film in the Village Voice and LA Weekly, "...absolutely riveting." More Reviews Below...
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...unsentimental, smartly assembled film is equally attentive to the cacophony of African poverty and the balm of harmony provided by these pied pipers of hope."(See all of Lisa Schwarzbaum's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 110 words, 09/30/11
we have an app for when you're out and about
get our iPhone app... or get our mobile web app...
movie review intelligence
NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (7 Reviews)
David DeWitt, New York Times: EXCELLENT "...brutally real... shows not only the magic of transcendence -- which may be fleeting -- but also the transformation of aspiring to it, every struggling step of the way."(See all of David DeWitt's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 503 words, 09/30/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...a feel-good movie that actually makes you feel good... it will have you shaking your head in astonishment and moving your feet to some unstoppable rhythms."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 640 words, 10/07/11
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: VERY GOOD(cg) "They celebrate their life in song and whatever moves they can manage. Many are paraplegics... Yet all seem possessed of an irrepressible spirit."(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 367 words, 10/14/11
Jennie Punter, Toronto Globe & Mail: VERY GOOD(cg) "...tracks the inspiring journey of a hard-working ensemble that once slept on sheets of cardboard and, today, is dazzling audiences in Europe with its world-class grooves."(See all of Jennie Punter's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 521 words, 10/14/11
Radheyan Simonpillai, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...intriguing is what's glimpsed in the Congolese background: streets always on the brink of violence and kids who ache to rob the cameraman..."(See all of Radheyan Simonpillai's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 226 words, 10/13/11
KEY CITIES (1 Review)
Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Sometimes the backstory proves more dazzling than the main event. Although the musicians are skilled, their unlikely rise to success is nothing short of miraculous."(See all of Stephanie Merry's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 406 words, 10/14/11
Andrew Schenker, Slant: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...no doubt the band deserves the adulation of the European masses, but by the third such scene, the steady diet of good vibes begins to wear thin..."(See all of Andrew Schenker's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 598 words, 09/25/11
Radheyan Simonpillai, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...intriguing is what's glimpsed in the Congolese background: streets always on the brink of violence and kids who ache to rob the cameraman..."(See all of Radheyan Simonpillai's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 226 words, 10/13/11
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
David DeWitt, New York Times: EXCELLENT "...brutally real... shows not only the magic of transcendence -- which may be fleeting -- but also the transformation of aspiring to it, every struggling step of the way."(See all of David DeWitt's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 503 words, 09/30/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...a feel-good movie that actually makes you feel good... it will have you shaking your head in astonishment and moving your feet to some unstoppable rhythms."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 640 words, 10/07/11
MOVIE INDUSTRY (4 Reviews)
Jay Weissberg, Daily Variety: VERY GOOD "Nailing the right balance of musical energy and social observation... a spirited docu about a group of musicians, many handicapped, from the streets of Kinshasa..."(See all of Jay Weissberg's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 571 words, 05/13/10
Duane Byrge, Hollywood Reporter: EXCELLENT "...rousing... Paced with a tight narrative cadence and shot with a jagged verite style, the film's aesthetics are fittingly true to the music and spirit of the Benda Bilili."(See all of Duane Byrge's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 436 words, 10/14/10
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...a feel-good movie that actually makes you feel good... it will have you shaking your head in astonishment and moving your feet to some unstoppable rhythms."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 640 words, 10/07/11
David DeWitt, New York Times: EXCELLENT "...brutally real... shows not only the magic of transcendence -- which may be fleeting -- but also the transformation of aspiring to it, every struggling step of the way."(See all of David DeWitt's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 503 words, 09/30/11
11.2 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Benda Bilili!'s reviews are separated by an average 11.2 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Benda Bilili! (12 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Benda Bilili!'s reviews cover 17.1% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 4,814 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 401 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 20 Days Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Benda Bilili!'s reviews on average broke 20 days before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Benda Bilili!'s opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Benda Bilili! (12 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
Mobile Web App version 1.2 shows a list of all current movies and review information. You can click through to the cast, director, synopsis, release date and rating on page two, plus individual reviews on page three. The information is updated on a live/real-time basis. You can also search our database of films. Designed for when you're on the move and want the latest info, this app will work on any mobile web browser. From your mobile device -- only from a mobile device -- open our Mobile Web App here...
