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UNDER AFRICAN SKIESMovie Reviews
Documentary about Paul Simon's album 'Graceland,' featuring a 25th anniversary reunion concert as well as interviews with anti-apartheid activists and music legends. Cast:Paul Simon, Hugh Masekela, Dr. Wally Serote, Dali Tambo, John Selolwane, Bakithi Kumalo, Sonti Mndebele, Albert Mazibuko, Joseph Shabalala, Koloi Lebona, Vusi Khumalo, Okyerema Asante, Tony Cedras, Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, Philip Glass, Lorne Michaels, Jon Pareles, David Byrne, Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Oprah Winfrey, Harry Belafonte, Miriam MakebaDirector:Joe BerlingerRelease Date:May 11, 2012DVD Release:June 5, 2012From:IFCLength:1 hr 42 min
JUNE 5, 2012
Under African Skies, Outstanding Reviews (Doc) NYC, LA
Under African Skies played in New York City and Los Angeles to outstanding reviews. • Peter Travers wrote in Rolling Stone, "...unmissable... a cultural lightning bolt that soars on its music and an unshakable belief in the transcendence of art." • And Betsy Sharkey called the film in the Los Angeles Times, "...a satisfying blend of insight and entertainment..." More Reviews Below...
Under African Skies Positive Reviews (10 Reviews, reviews below)
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...unmissable... Powered by Simon's brilliance... a cultural lightning bolt that soars on its music and an unshakable belief in the transcendence of art."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 94 words, 05/11/12
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (5 Reviews)
Stephen Holden, New York Times: OUTSTANDING "...skillfully interweaves several strands to tell a true story with a happy ending.... reminds you that great music outlasts the politics of the moment."(See all of Stephen Holden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 569 words, 05/11/12
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: EXCELLENT(cg) "Don't expect to walk out not humming any of the album's perfect music -- and eager to listen to the groundbreaking 'Graceland' anew."(See all of Joe Neumaier's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 256 words, 05/11/12
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...excellent... a satisfying blend of insight and entertainment as it examines the artistry and the politics of the Grammy-winning album..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 710 words, 05/11/12
Tim Grierson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD "...examines the firestorm that exploded in the album's aftermath... the controversy ends up being drowned out by 'Graceland's' impossibly buoyant tunes..."(See all of Tim Grierson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 228 words, 05/09/12
KEY CITIES (0 Reviews)
Under African Skies has not been reviewed in Key Cities
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (4 Reviews)
Tim Grierson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD "...examines the firestorm that exploded in the album's aftermath... the controversy ends up being drowned out by 'Graceland's' impossibly buoyant tunes..."(See all of Tim Grierson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 228 words, 05/09/12
Noel Murray, AV Club: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...remarkably even-handed when it comes to the subject of apartheid and the cultural boycott, letting the people who protested Simon have their say..."(See all of Noel Murray's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 420 words, 01/24/12
Kenji Fujishima, Slant: VERY GOOD(cg) "...suggests scintillating questions about how much of a responsibility artists have to reflect current political moments in their music..."(See all of Kenji Fujishima's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 547 words, 05/06/12
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
Stephen Holden, New York Times: OUTSTANDING "...skillfully interweaves several strands to tell a true story with a happy ending.... reminds you that great music outlasts the politics of the moment."(See all of Stephen Holden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 569 words, 05/11/12
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...excellent... a satisfying blend of insight and entertainment as it examines the artistry and the politics of the Grammy-winning album..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 710 words, 05/11/12
MOVIE INDUSTRY (4 Reviews)
Rob Nelson, Daily Variety: VERY GOOD "Berlinger constructs a running inquiry into whether and how the borrowing of black music by white musicians -- nothing new even in '85 -- exploits marginalized artists..."(See all of Rob Nelson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 552 words, 02/02/12
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: VERY GOOD "A pure-bliss celebration of Paul Simon's landmark album 'Graceland' coupled with an interesting if not unbiased look at the controversy surrounding its release..."(See all of John DeFore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 538 words, 01/22/12
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...excellent... a satisfying blend of insight and entertainment as it examines the artistry and the politics of the Grammy-winning album..."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 710 words, 05/11/12
Stephen Holden, New York Times: OUTSTANDING "...skillfully interweaves several strands to tell a true story with a happy ending.... reminds you that great music outlasts the politics of the moment."(See all of Stephen Holden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 569 words, 05/11/12
10.6 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Under African Skies's reviews are separated by an average 10.6 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.
Under African Skies (10 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Under African Skies's reviews cover 15.3% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 4,142 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 414 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 12 Days Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Under African Skies's reviews on average broke 12 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 Under African Skies's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Under African Skies (10 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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