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Selma
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Selma

Selma

2014
Drama, History
2h 8m
Martin Luther King, Lyndon Baines Johnson and the civil rights marches that changed America. (imdb)

Directed by:

Ava DuVernay

Screenwriter:

Paul Webb

Starring:

Martin Sheen, Cuba Gooding Jr., Giovanni Ribisi, Alessandro Nivola, Tom Wilkinson, Tim Roth, Wendell Pierce, Tessa Thompson, Carmen Ejogo, David Oyelowo, Jeremy Strong, Tara Ochs

Genres:

Drama, History, Biography

AKA:

Glory

Countries:

UK, USA

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
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Selma

2014
Drama, History
2h 8m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 59.77% from 1448 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 08 Jan 2015
70
53rd
I was expecting to hate this based on the trailer with its really inappropriate musical choices but phew ended up with a film that treats MLK as a human being.
Rated 08 Jan 2015
chadisdangerchadisdanger
Rated 07 Jan 2015
86
88th
A much-needed film about an important time, made with real artistry and power. Like Spielberg's "Lincoln" it's a beautifully focused biopic (there's no need to dramatize the man's entire life!) and an excellent depiction of the nuts-and-bolts of political change; there's decisions to be made and hard behind-the-scenes work to be done, and DuVernay shows us both the public and private moments that lead to progress. See it, both to celebrate great cinema and for its (sad) contemporary relevance.
Rated 07 Jan 2015
jasongirl67Jasongirl67
Rated 01 Sep 2019
100
94th
Powerful moving recreation of a movement in American history told with heart and passion a tremendous cast lead by David Oyelowo
Rated 01 Sep 2019
matthew_parkinsonMatthew Parkinson
Rated 10 Jan 2015
80
89th
A topical and worthwhile movie focused more on the events -- the 1965 marches about racial equality -- than the people involved, Selma is an inspirational movie based on a true story that rips away some of the mystique surrounding Martin Luther King and turns him into a man like any other. You'll think back on that time and also relate it to things that happen nowadays. It'll make you feel, think, and care. Selma, while not perfect, is a very fine movie.
Rated 10 Jan 2015
juntakinte99juntakinte99
Rated 13 Jan 2022
94
89th
The ads misrepresented this film. Even with Oprah in it, it isn't a "Remember Your Spirit" Civil Rights story like The Help. Instead it shows the battle for human rights--and the emotional toil & planning that goes with it--like a war movie. At the time the relevance wasn't understood; Oscar voters blacklisted the cast for wearing "I Can't Breathe" shirts to a premiere. But it holds up, with Oyelowo's great performance, and Ava showing a level of world building she hasn't matched since. Classic.
Rated 13 Jan 2022
kasperlKasperL
Rated 15 Feb 2015
75
77th
Very solid, if somewhat pedestrian. David Oyelowo gives a great performance as Martin Luther King.
Rated 15 Feb 2015
cosmicmonkeyCosmicMonkey
Rated 17 Jan 2015
85
86th
It's interesting, it's still a biopic, yes, but the films succeeds not because it focuses on the life of a man, but of the life a movement and the people behind it, and on the heels of Ferguson, #ICan'tBreathe, and #BlackLivesMatter, it's a story of a struggle that's as relevent as ever, and as a result is a must-watch for ever single person in the Western World. Also, Oyelowo was amazing, an easily his performance was the biggest Oscar snub of the year.
Rated 17 Jan 2015
filliganFilligan
Rated 10 Jan 2015
95
92nd
This is incredibly, viscerally good and depressingly relevant. I caught myself transfixed throughout this entire film; it seems to leap by with Oyelowo commanding attention with a shockingly good portrayal of one of history's most commanding and inspirational figures. Not only is DuVernay's directorial eye brutally honest, but it is unflinching in making MLK appear as a man, not a poster. I did not expect this to crack my top 5 of the year, or even top 10, but I loved this a lot.
Rated 10 Jan 2015
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 14 Sep 2015
83
72nd
It takes a very formulaic approach to the filmmaking, with it's use of music and editing, but it's a powerful story and hits all the right beats to be effective.
Rated 14 Sep 2015
naurunauru
Rated 22 Jun 2015
48
43rd
This is a by-the-numbers Oscar-bait flick, complete with over-staged scenes, over-acting, and unnatural dialog. The film isn't terrible, but there are many films that do far better with similar subject matter. For example, you're better off re-watching Rosewood (1997) and Mississippi Burning (1988) instead.
Rated 22 Jun 2015
zealot185Zealot185
Rated 24 Jan 2015
35
14th
It's a vital era in US history and timely released, but I felt that it was a terrible depiction of how events transpired. The script is so incredibly scatter-shot, as if it tried to touch on so many points during that era without giving an appropriate amount of context to it. I respected seeing MLK's private struggles, but there was a distracted direction leading up to the superb 15-minute finale.
Rated 24 Jan 2015
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 22 Jan 2015
85
87th
I was very emotional during much of this film. I wasn't really expecting to be but I couldn't help myself. Much of the credit to that goes to the acting. Oyelowo and Ejogo were phenomenal and will get most of the praise but many smaller roles were done just as wonderfully (Ledisi Anibade Young, Stephan James, and Henry G. Sanders just to name a few). Very inspiring film.
Rated 22 Jan 2015
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 20 Jan 2015
35
20th
I think a historical drama should have at least the slightest regard for actual history and basic realism. Selma is very obviously a thoroughly fictionalized, glossy Hollywood soap opera, and rather than help you imagine what things might have looked like, I think its contrivances obscure its subject matter. Sitting down to read about MLK and Selma is a far more interesting and enriching experience than watching this.
Rated 20 Jan 2015
burkayadaligburkayadalig
Rated 14 Jan 2015
84
73rd
slow paced but very elegantly executed
Rated 14 Jan 2015
xacviantxacviant
Rated 11 Jan 2015
88
85th
The story of the voting-rights marches of 1965, with Martin Luther King (David Oyelowo) as their public leader, and an army of organizers, volunteers, and desperate citizens behind him. Passionate, gripping rendition of a hitherto-unfilmed chapter of American history, with a powerful, subtle performance by Oyelowo and a large, universally strong supporting cast. Ava DuVernay's sharp direction is aided by Bradford Young's epic cinematography. The stock-footage heavy finale alone disappoints.
Rated 11 Jan 2015
charlieCharlie
Rated 11 Jan 2015
80
82nd
I don't really know about the LBJ controversy, but anyways it's a very vivid and moving picture about an important part in American history.
Rated 11 Jan 2015
kevinjosephkevinjoseph
Rated 18 Dec 2014
76
91st
A movie made of silence and noise: effective quiet moments matched with equally-effective visceral encounters. It focuses on just one moment of MLK's legacy (a demonstration in Selma, Alabama which prompts a nuanced political standoff among MLK, LBJ, and George Wallace) as opposed to trying to take on his entire life, and this film was much more vivid and affecting for it. Oyelowo and Ejogo were simply transformative. See this.
Rated 18 Dec 2014
twincinematwincinema
Rated 29 Jul 2022
80
75th
Sometimes you skip a film, for whatever reason, and then when you finally watch it, you wonder what the hell you were thinking. Year-after-year, the Academy acting noms are dominated by actors in biopics, yet somehow, Oyelowo misses out? Gonna just let out a huge HMMMMMMM and let you figure out what that means.
Rated 29 Jul 2022
braddad68braddad68
Rated 13 Jan 2021
95
84th
Excellent Civil Rights era drama. Great casting and performances.
Rated 13 Jan 2021
adam_p_dAdam P-D
Rated 17 Nov 2020
60
71st
An important slice of US history. Sadly relevant today with recent Republican campaigns to suppress black votes.
Rated 17 Nov 2020
difontaineDifontaine
Rated 07 Sep 2020
83
84th
Tough to watch in places, but important even to this day.
Rated 07 Sep 2020
nepetaNepeta
Rated 08 Jul 2020
60
28th
I was struck whilst watching this of how little changes, even after over half a century. Selma confronts the voter suppression occurring in the 1960s, but this is an issue that the US still deals with today too. I wish that there was some way for the film to acknowledge that whilst the progress that was made via the protests it shows was great and important, there is still such a damn long way to go. It's hard for that not to feel lost among the complicated catharsis offered at the film's close.
Rated 08 Jul 2020
rurusmasherRuruSmasher
Rated 13 Jun 2020
90
75th
I love Ava DuVernay's powerful work and this is just as infuriating and heartbreaking as her other stuff (except A Wrinkle in Time). David Oyelowo was amazing as Dr. King. I think the power in Selma resides in how it shows that things haven't really changed all that much even after almost 60 years. The beatings on the bridge are very similar to the Black Lives Matter protests. The restricting access to vote for black people is still a thing.
Rated 13 Jun 2020
nobambanobamba
Rated 21 Jan 2019
85
92nd
Oyelowo had a very commanding presence. Nice to see a movie that was based on a lesser known period than "I have a dream." Great song. Fav scene: final speech.
Rated 21 Jan 2019
koiraskoiras
Rated 13 Sep 2018
60
64th
A little slow. Could be a shorter film.
Rated 13 Sep 2018
chrisarmadaChrisArmada
Rated 11 Jun 2018
75
66th
The acting kept this movie appealing and conjured up frustrations for their treatment for a non-emotional person like me. However, as Ava does in all her movies, the camera angles are significantly lacking and there are gaps in the writing. These faults caused some of the emotions of the actors to be lost. Had potential to be in my top 10 movies but missed probably be cause Ava directed it.
Rated 11 Jun 2018
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 03 Apr 2018
78
57th
The highlight of the film is David Oyelowo's commanding performance as MLK. When he speaks, he has such gravitas, and you really listen. Tom Wilkinson and Tim Roth are also very good as the argumentative white politicians. Although the film contains a few powerful street sequences, the narrative journey as a whole seems a bit one-dimensional - dare I say it, boring. A solid drama and worthy historical treatment but not exactly the most creative or entertaining experience.
Rated 03 Apr 2018
mo_iiMo-
Rated 11 Mar 2018
78
58th
Stunning performance fro Oyelowu, it's hard to believe none of those speeches were actually MLK speeches. This movie does a great job illustrating how taxing and difficult non-violent protesting is, the strength to bite your tongue in such situations was moving. The scope of the movie is too large to get a proper feel for the other characters (Malcolm X had a brief appearance), most of the events are told in a factual and clinical manner and can feel a little pedestrian, a common biopic pitfall.
Rated 11 Mar 2018
antaresAntares
Rated 27 Feb 2018
65
40th
Clumsily made, with moments of tedium. Wilkinson & Roth are horribly miscast as LBJ & George Wallace. Both come across as caricatures, meant only to be the villains in the plot. Don't waste your time on this one, find a documentary on the subject. Your time and effort will be better served.
Rated 27 Feb 2018
osyosy
Rated 31 Mar 2017
100
98th
This movie shows the power of people is stronger than the powerful politicians and the powerful corporations.
Rated 31 Mar 2017
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 14 Dec 2016
80
81st
This is a well made film. David Oyelowp is great in this movie. There are plenty of tense and interesting moments in this story. Overall I would recommend this film.
Rated 14 Dec 2016
fenixdownfenixdown
Rated 18 Jan 2016
81
80th
Very well made, everyone should see it!
Rated 18 Jan 2016
nobletNoblet
Rated 13 Jan 2016
78
65th
Great cast and direction.
Rated 13 Jan 2016
gogolitgogolit
Rated 27 Dec 2015
80
76th
Only film that had me in tears in the first, not the last quarter.
Rated 27 Dec 2015
dorothyozDorothyOz
Rated 23 Aug 2015
80
81st
Really good and it really happened!
Rated 23 Aug 2015
rittehRitteh
Rated 13 Jul 2015
73
71st
So, it wasn't my favorite movie ever, but it was pretty good. A lot of people thought it should have been nominated, if not won, best picture for the Academy Awards. I will say it's better than some of the other crap that got nominated.
Rated 13 Jul 2015
hajikarimihajikarimi
Rated 17 Mar 2015
92
76th
1321: how criticker can guess my rate?!? !!
Rated 17 Mar 2015
syntheseizurSyntheseizur
Rated 08 Mar 2015
86
86th
An emotional, visceral document that does its best to transcend the biopic descriptor by being energetic and focused. It's very smartly written and composed, with very few attempts to make the subject matter seem topical, namely because it is regardless. The film understands its value and doesn't betray that, and it doesn't feed the audience any dumb sound bites or reductive melodramatic scenes. Simple, elegant and powerful, just as a historical film should be.
Rated 08 Mar 2015
doughbarondoughbaron
Rated 07 Mar 2015
82
86th
I usually don't like biopics, but this wasn't so much a biopic as an emotional portrait of the spirit of a time. As someone who didn't live through the experience, the pain, frustration, and injustice of the events as depicted was extremely powerful.
Rated 07 Mar 2015
boyd_crowderBoyd Crowder
Rated 22 Feb 2015
85
81st
could have done without oprah winfrey & the terrible credits song. other than that: perfect.
Rated 22 Feb 2015
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
Rated 22 Feb 2015
86
76th
Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream and it wasn't to have a great movie made about him but I'm sure he would be pleased with this one. David Oyelowo did the role justice, it was too bad he wasn't nominated for this part. It has this crazy fast start, right at about 5 minutes in something jarring happens and then there is about 1/3 of the movie after that has a pretty lazy slow pace. Once that's over it kicks it into high gear and it had me hooked. ..
Rated 22 Feb 2015
kavuKavu
Rated 20 Feb 2015
65
39th
Well made, but most of the time feels like I've seen it all before. Oyelowo would've deserved a nomination here.
Rated 20 Feb 2015
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 15 Feb 2015
70
82nd
Good film.
Rated 15 Feb 2015
wezzoWezzo
Rated 08 Feb 2015
91
83rd
A marvellously moving portrait. David Oyelowo is astounding as King Jr, in absolute command of every aspect of his performance, embodying the role completely. The film as a whole is strong, though: the material is consistently engaging and cerebral, and the focus on one particular element of King Jr's vast legacy works well, painting a vivid portrait. (Props, also, for "Glory", a wonderful and appropriate closing song.)
Rated 08 Feb 2015
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 08 Feb 2015
78
52nd
The general structure (march, confrontation, discussion, repeat...) can make things feel pretty slow at times, but by the end, it remains profoundly moving to watch law-abiding citizens of good will taking a stand against legitimate oppression. The illustrations of black & white unity also feel fresh & the archival footage is a nice reminder of why certain white people need to cut the crap and admit the confederate flag is as much a symbol 4 "I hate black people" as it is anything else
Rated 08 Feb 2015
kalichan88kalichan88
Rated 05 Feb 2015
83
91st
Something we should remember and not forget. I made me think about how our society is formed and how this country has been made. Good movie.
Rated 05 Feb 2015
ocelotOcelot
Rated 04 Feb 2015
65
64th
Selma falls into an odd historical middle ground in terms of audience awareness of the subject matter. Everyone knows Lincoln freed the slaves and almost no one knows anything about Alan Turing, but the disparity of knowledge of MLK's actions vary drastically by age, race and location. I knew more about it than my mother did, and she loved it while I merely enjoyed it. It's hard to gauge if that's a flaw of the movie or a side-effect of re-enacting history. David Oyelowo is amazing.
Rated 04 Feb 2015
mrarnmrarn
Rated 02 Feb 2015
80
97th
This is a movie based on actual events, it's not a documentary. As a movie it conveyed to the viewer the powerful emotions at play during this historical event.
Rated 02 Feb 2015
icarusIcarus
Rated 31 Jan 2015
90
89th
I am sympathetic to King's powerful, biblically-informed vision of peoples of all kinds living in peace and equity with one another. The film takes great pains to allow this vision to shine, but does so by placing such an otherworldly goal in the context of everyday people. This tension plays out beautifully in the faces of simple people in churches, in sit-ins, and in marches. And while DuVernay muddies the waters visually at times (see esp. slo-mo violence), the film works most of the time.
Rated 31 Jan 2015
realmacgyverRealMacgyver
Rated 25 Jan 2015
80
79th
How is this the first MLK biopic?! Great performance by Oyelowo and the cast in general (nice accent Tim Roth!). Not hugely mind blowing or anything as it's a period of time I'm relatively familiar with but still something that needed made, and could stand a sequel
Rated 25 Jan 2015
stuie299stuie299
Rated 24 Jan 2015
85
76th
While some may want to see more of Dr. King's life and works this is really all that you need to get a sense of the man, his devotion, and effort to strive for equality. Oyelowo was phenomenal as MLK. Webb's script and DuVernay's directing gelled beautifully. Despite all that the film dragged in a few places and felt a little conventional in spots compared some other more original parts of the film. Though, overall a triumphant film for DuVernay's first big budget picture.
Rated 24 Jan 2015
ytadelYtadel
Rated 19 Jan 2015
7
84th
I'm not sure what to make of some of the film's odd treatment of LBJ, but it is still a powerful, moving and educational portrait of a key period in American history. I agree that David Oyelowo probably deserved an Oscar nomination. I do wish filmmakers would stop casting Oprah in acting roles - not because she isn't a competent actress, but because it's just plain distracting. Overall though, a fine film. For what it's worth, my fiancée, who is black, said she preferred it to 12 Years a Slave.
Rated 19 Jan 2015
iconogassediconogassed
Rated 18 Jan 2015
75
64th
The cinematic pessimist in me says DuVernay's snub is a product more of the academy's insensitivity to aesthetics than to race; the IRL pessimist is not convinced it's otherwise.
Rated 18 Jan 2015
slrsoapboxSlrSoapbox
Rated 17 Jan 2015
75
59th
Quite powerful and well-acted. I wouldn't have known the speeches were not Dr. King's if I hadn't found out from elsewhere that they couldn't afford the rights.
Rated 17 Jan 2015
aceysaid10AceySaid10%
Rated 12 Jan 2015
82
64th
Oprah is impeccable at casting evil white dudes.
Rated 12 Jan 2015
cowfrappecowfrappe
Rated 07 Jan 2015
81
90th
Affecting and impeccably made.
Rated 07 Jan 2015
allisoncmallisoncm
Rated 14 Dec 2014
80
88th
Saw an early screening. Great story, great performances, could easily be the film of the year.
Rated 14 Dec 2014
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 23 Aug 2023
72
64th
There's a lot of talking in this film, but it's never boring. A brilliant cast all around and a very steady, profound way of telling this part of history. hard to imagine sometimes how hard some rights come by, especially when many of these things are taken for granted. That being said, the movie doesn't take a lot of risks and it feels like a dramatized documentary. That scene at the bridge (first) was so brilliant and heart-wrenching, though.
Rated 23 Aug 2023
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 25 Jun 2023
78
66th
Very good, powerful portrayal of the Selma to Montgomery march and surrounding events including King, LBJ, Hoover, and other civil rights leaders. It's a bit formulaic for a slice of life biopic but it works well. Oyelowo is unbelievable as King, fully embodying him in what must have been a terribly intimidating role. How he didn't get nominated for an Oscar for this I have no clue. Good stuff.
Rated 25 Jun 2023
ultrightultright
Rated 15 Mar 2022
9
22nd
This is like listening to NPR. It's a goodthinker view of the world where everything is simplistic and easy. Should have been a filmstrip not a film.
Rated 15 Mar 2022
denizgunal13denizgunal13
Rated 18 May 2019
74
69th
#73
Rated 18 May 2019
glm01glm01
Rated 01 Oct 2018
87
91st
87.33.
Rated 01 Oct 2018
burrrburrr
Rated 29 May 2018
87
79th
86.50+.50 = 87.00.
Rated 29 May 2018
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 16 Jan 2018
74
43rd
B
Rated 16 Jan 2018
tyrantrcTyrantRC
Rated 08 Jan 2018
95
78th
Intense representation of the events that led to the Selma voting rights marches in 1965. The film takes you from impactful scenes to downright depressing incidents in the american history. The film while not refined as it could be, it's highlighted by the amazing representation of MLK by Oyelowu, whom inspire the same feelings while performing the original speeches. This is a piece which value resides in the amount of historical knowledge you will take from it.
Rated 08 Jan 2018
movie_houseMovie House
Rated 10 Oct 2017
80
68th
This should have been way better than what we got.
Rated 10 Oct 2017
luordluord
Rated 09 Aug 2017
70
69th
Selma does justice to the admirable man at at its center, even if its outright journalistic nature keep it from being as moving as it could've been.
Rated 09 Aug 2017
prestobixPrestoBix
Rated 21 Apr 2017
93
94th
Seen 2x
Rated 21 Apr 2017
montycircusMontyCircus
Rated 27 Jun 2016
60
69th
Started out slooooow. But improved as it went. Still, the clips of actual footage near the end reinforced my feeling that a documentary on the subject would have been preferred.
Rated 27 Jun 2016
boesballboesball
Rated 14 Feb 2016
59
50th
It was well made, and it had a great message and reminder about American history. The movie was not as good as people said it was, however, and I left the theatre disappointed.
Rated 14 Feb 2016
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 06 Feb 2016
71
53rd
Powerful effort to mix political thriller and historical exposition with personal & social drama. Competently produced and well acted although plays it a bit safe with the story. It's like a massive civil rights anthem, clunky, pompous and slightly simplified but very moving and relevant.
Rated 06 Feb 2016
perrystroikaPerryStroika
Rated 24 Jan 2016
70
85th
Selma is much more than a biopic; it's a snapshot of a country on the verge of a momentous historical moment, a terrifying primer on the repressive methods of police violence and surveillance, and a portrait of a terrorized community drawing strength together in mutual love and purpose.
Rated 24 Jan 2016
gsbgsb
Rated 15 Nov 2015
82
85th
Very nice direction. The actual content is really good too. Such a pragmatic look on one slice of the Civil Rights Movement. Very fresh.
Rated 15 Nov 2015
shalevshalev
Rated 12 Aug 2015
81
56th
Cuba Gooding Jr. doesn't really stand to the immense challenge of portraying King. Besides that very good, but the sides don't matter as much.
Rated 12 Aug 2015
namurnamur
Rated 31 Jul 2015
80
63rd
Got me a little heated.
Rated 31 Jul 2015
aaautinAAAutin
Rated 29 Jul 2015
53
54th
"And we ain't marchin' in the middle of the goddamn road/'Cuz Martin got smoked"
Rated 29 Jul 2015
gkfilmgkfilm
Rated 18 Jun 2015
65
65th
Entertainment: 3.5/4. Spirit: 1.5/3. Sustainability: 1.5/3
Rated 18 Jun 2015
sebbysebby
Rated 16 Jun 2015
30
7th
Cheap awards-bait built on a lazy foundation of cliches, a garbage script and amateurish filmmaking. What a disappointment.
Rated 16 Jun 2015
smuhusmuhu
Rated 07 Jun 2015
54
19th
The events portrayed are stirring, the portrayal in "Selma" is not. A way too clinical, not to say poor depiction.
Rated 07 Jun 2015
lightning17Lightning17
Rated 11 May 2015
80
89th
Well written and directed, and driven by excellent performances, Selma is an emotional and personal look at the events surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr.'s marches for the civil rights movement.
Rated 11 May 2015
boxcarsBoxcars
Rated 11 May 2015
9
89th
Competently directed and admirably performed. "Selma" isn't breaking any barriers, and it isn't shedding any new light on the late Dr. King, but the presentation of his amazing story is undeniably powerful, and the timeliness of its release will resonate in certain profound ways that will hopefully be felt differently in years to come.
Rated 11 May 2015
chemical404chemical404
Rated 06 May 2015
48
34th
And the black movie of the year award goes to... I honestly didn't care about it. Not very enetertaining, even as biopics go.
Rated 06 May 2015
vassagoVassago
Rated 27 Apr 2015
80
81st
Glory..
Rated 27 Apr 2015
cinemaasiaCinema_Asia
Rated 26 Apr 2015
70
56th
There are too many historical issues to give this a higher rating. Such as unsourced depictions concerning Lyndon B. Johnson's motives. As well as too many dramatic alterations with Dr. King's personal life including the reality behind his affair. However, the direction and the acting is still good. It's just not as good as it could be and that's a damn shame. A good biopic also examines the flaws of the subject this doesn't. It's still a sanitized version of Dr. King at the end of the day.
Rated 26 Apr 2015
astrophizzAstrophizz
Rated 21 Apr 2015
70
44th
Paint-by-number. David Oyelowo is pretty great though.
Rated 21 Apr 2015
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 31 Mar 2015
75
65th
A little bit too long, but mostly great, thanks largely to Oyelowo's performance. Although you can probably just watch the Glory performance at the Oscars and have an equally good, if not better, experience.
Rated 31 Mar 2015
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 30 Mar 2015
6
52nd
David Oyelowo is fantastic in what to me felt like a by-the-numbers experience.
Rated 30 Mar 2015
bentienbentien
Rated 28 Mar 2015
57
45th
Oyelowo is the best reason to see this pretty straight-forward biopic. Everybody speaks as if they were holding speeches which gets a bit annoying.
Rated 28 Mar 2015
nothingsgoodNothingsGood
Rated 21 Mar 2015
65
65th
More relevant than 12 Years a Slave, though not as well made. LBJ is such a dickface.
Rated 21 Mar 2015
timmytomtimmytom
Rated 17 Mar 2015
65
43rd
Needed more background. It's difficult to follow if you don't already know the history of the events shown in the film.
Rated 17 Mar 2015
jenner1407jenner1407
Rated 11 Mar 2015
83
63rd
It would be a dismay if anyone, Americans in particular, saw this movie and thought merely: "Well, that was a shameful part of our past." This is not history. This is now.
Rated 11 Mar 2015
aalperraaaalperraa
Rated 26 Feb 2015
71
46th
19.02.2015 Büyülü Fener
Rated 26 Feb 2015
damildamil
Rated 22 Feb 2015
70
67th
The subject matter of this film is very powerful, so in a sense, if any filmmaker does a halfway competent job, you're going to end up with a decent film. Luckily, everything's more than competent, so it's more than just decent. David Oyelowo did a great job, and all the other performances were good, too. I don't have a whole lot else to say - it was a good movie, and I recommend it.
Rated 22 Feb 2015
dresd_r_e_s_
Rated 21 Feb 2015
3
65th
Solid in the anti-racism genre, but not as riveting and emotionally engaging as a Mississippi Burning. - Good
Rated 21 Feb 2015
aflickeringAFlickering
Rated 13 Feb 2015
2
17th
this is one of the best oscar-nominated biopics in ages, and yes there may well be racism in the decision to snub both duvernay and oyelowo in favour of the fucking imitation game (vomit), but i'm also not dissuaded from sharing some of armond's reservations. i don't necessarily agree with all his examples/counter-examples, but the underlying skepticism about the purpose/perspective/appeal of many such well-made, ostensibly well-meaning films about black strife is not without basis methinks.
Rated 13 Feb 2015
mandymandy
Rated 13 Feb 2015
7
73rd
Although there are lingering moments of violence that shock the overall feeling that Selma projects is of the strength and dignity of the Marchers. A worthy film.
Rated 13 Feb 2015
vengefulkbmVengefulKBM
Rated 08 Feb 2015
70
51st
David Oyewolo makes for a terrific Dr. King, and that song at the end is truly powerful. That said, it's certainly not one of 2014's strongest Best Picture nominees, and comes off as a little by-the-numbers by the fifth or sixth time we see someone delivering a long, impassioned monologue about race relations.
Rated 08 Feb 2015
patmanpatman
Rated 03 Feb 2015
77
88th
Similar to Spielberg's "Lincoln", "Selma" focuses on one period of time to portray a pivotal character in american history. It's a honest and factual approach rather than a glorification, a story bigger than one man and one movement. It portrays Luther King as a slightly flawed family man but a leader amongst leaders and a great articulator of big ideas. Oyelowo's amazing performance makes this an interesting, inspiring and a powerful watch.
Rated 03 Feb 2015
timmotimmo
Rated 01 Feb 2015
90
66th
By the books, but probably for good reason, because the story needs to be told and understood by as many people as possible.
Rated 01 Feb 2015
sw1341sw1341
Rated 24 Jan 2015
80
47th
This was a fine film and the acting was good, but it did seem to be missing a little something. Glad to have introduced to the acting of David OYelowo and director Ava Duvarney
Rated 24 Jan 2015

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