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SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTIONMovie Reviews
Documentary about the role that music played in the American civil rights movement, featuring contemporary musicians performing some of the inspirational songs. Cast:John Lewis, Harry BelafonteDirector:William Guttentag, Dan SturmanRelease Date:January 22, 2010DVD Release:September 28, 2010From:Area23aLength:1 hr. 22 min.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
Soundtrack for a Revolution, Good Reviews (Doc) Limited
Soundtrack for a Revolution played in limited release to good reviews. • Susan G. Cole wrote in Toronto Now, "As a document of the American civil rights movement of the early 60s, 'Soundtrack For A Revolution' is astonishingly good. Too bad it fails in tracking the songs that so inspired the activists." • And Mark Feeney wrote in the Boston Globe, "The music is the occasion, and it’s stirring. What linger, though, are the images..." More Reviews Below...
Soundtrack for a Revolution Positive Reviews (11 Reviews, reviews below)
Soundtrack for a Revolution has not been reviewed by Broad National Press
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (5 Reviews)
Mike Hale, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...a condensed, lightly airbrushed, skillfully assembled history of the civil rights movement... The images and stories may be familiar, but it's history worth retelling."(See all of Mike Hale's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 343 words, 01/22/10
Kyle Smith, New York Post: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...interested in the music that accompanied the turmoil, which is a bit like covering the American Revolution with the focus on the wigs Washington and Jefferson wore."(See all of Kyle Smith's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 204 words, 01/22/10
Aaron Hillis, Village Voice: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...directors Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman at least figured out a new throughline to retell this vital tale: the anthems of the day."(See all of Aaron Hillis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 234 words, 01/22/10
Jennie Punter, Toronto Globe & Mail: VERY GOOD(cg) "...an elegantly crafted new documentary by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman (Oscar winners for their 2003 doc 'Twin Towers')."(See all of Jennie Punter's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 345 words, 02/19/10
Susan G. Cole, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "As a document of the American civil rights movement of the early 60s, it's astonishingly good. Too bad it fails in tracking the songs that so inspired the activists."(See all of Susan G. Cole's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 169 words, 02/11/10
KEY CITIES (3 Reviews)
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a stirring documentary... the filmmakers create moving vignettes that, taken together, form a fascinating primer on nonviolence as a political force and discipline."(See all of Ann Hornaday's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 266 words, 04/30/10
Mark Feeney, Boston Globe: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "The music is the occasion, and it's stirring. What linger, though, are the images -- and the ideals and emotions they convey."(See all of Mark Feeney's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 586 words, 05/28/10
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...illuminating and sometimes devastating... may very well be the finest, broad history on film of the Southern Freedom Movement years..."(See all of Tom Keogh's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 536 words, 04/30/10
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (3 Reviews)
Aaron Hillis, Village Voice: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...directors Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman at least figured out a new throughline to retell this vital tale: the anthems of the day."(See all of Aaron Hillis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 234 words, 01/22/10
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix: VERY GOOD(cg) "...provides an uplifting history lesson for the complacent and ignorant.... The songs are rousing, but it takes more than a soundtrack to make a revolution."(See all of Peter Keough's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 147 words, 05/27/10
Susan G. Cole, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "As a document of the American civil rights movement of the early 60s, it's astonishingly good. Too bad it fails in tracking the songs that so inspired the activists."(See all of Susan G. Cole's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 169 words, 02/11/10
HIGHBROW PRESS (1 Review)
Mike Hale, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...a condensed, lightly airbrushed, skillfully assembled history of the civil rights movement... The images and stories may be familiar, but it's history worth retelling."(See all of Mike Hale's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 343 words, 01/22/10
MOVIE INDUSTRY (3 Reviews)
Ronnie Scheib, Daily Variety: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "A stirring civics lesson combined with glossy modern musicvideos of the movement's greatest hits, the pic never quite reconciles its different agendas..."(See all of Ronnie Scheib's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 574 words, 05/13/09
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...spotty execution trumpets undeniably good intentions... Still, the material packs its inevitable dramatic punch, and many of the musical performances are stirring."(See all of Frank Scheck's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 332 words, 01/21/10
Mike Hale, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...a condensed, lightly airbrushed, skillfully assembled history of the civil rights movement... The images and stories may be familiar, but it's history worth retelling."(See all of Mike Hale's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 343 words, 01/22/10
13.2 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Soundtrack for a Revolution's reviews are separated by an average 13.2 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.
Soundtrack for a Revolution (11 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Soundtrack for a Revolution's reviews cover 10.3% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 3,736 words involume (average is 20,172 words). Length:The film's reviews average 340 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Soundtrack for a Revolution Coverage, Volume & Length (11 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 24 Days After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Soundtrack for a Revolution's reviews on average broke 24 days after 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 Soundtrack for a Revolution's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Soundtrack for a Revolution (11 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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