cinemajesty Film Review: "12 Years a Slave" (2013)Based on memoirs by actual real-life personality Solomon Northup, living from 1808 to 1863, enduring deception, betrayal, torture of being a slave brought from the State of New York to plantages of the South, where leading actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, here in a fulminate portrayal as slave without a cause, meeting supporting characters, ranging from a gentleman real estate owner "Ford", performed by Benedict Cumberbatch to iron-as-temper losing Edwin Epps, given face to utmost hostility-striking actor Michael Fassbender, who could look back on two hardcore NC-17 rated drama collaborations, "Hunger" (2008) and "Shame" (2011), with to excellence-ascending director Steve McQueen, who navigates "Northup" on his emotional as tragically-struck journey through the "Southern Wild".In its visual conception, as already on the scripted page by screenwriter John Ridley, a just powerhouse of wanting-to-be cinema motion picture, from the very first shot beginnings to slightly over-charged conclusion after the title-given time-span, compressed in a gripping 130-Minute-Cut, as actor Chiwetel Ejiofor is able summon up the state of an human condition in slavery with an one-minute-running close-up in silence in front of a nature green background, when actress Lupita Nyongo acts her heart out of her African roots to win justified an "Academy-Award" for Best supporting actress, when so-honored "Best Picture of 2013" had been backed up and put into motion not only by Brad Pitts production company "Plan B", but also with splendid support by Arnon Milchans "Regency Enterprises" when production value are given by high-end, full-frontal cinematography by Sean Bobbitt and an atmosphere-pitching score by fully-occupied composer Hans Zimmer under lingering Southern environmental sound mix in favor of an sky-reaching cinematic experience.Copyright 2018 Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC

TheLittleSongbird With many fine actors, a remarkable subject matter and the number of accolades it received, '12 Years a Slave' was watched by me with high expectations.For me, '12 Years a Slave' is not quite as good as the hype and isn't one of my favourite Best Picture winners. It could have been truly extraordinary, but it wasn't quite despite having individual elements that were that adjective. Can see though why it has been so well received, while also seeing where those who didn't like it are coming from in their reservations (though not sharing the vitriolic way they've been expressed by some). It may not be perfect, but from personal opinion, and quite a big number of others, it was tremendously powerful and very brave,'12 Years A Slave' may have some one-sided and conveniently black and white characterisation. It may not say anything new about the subject. Some of the cast, like Paul Giamatti and Benedict Cumberbatch (though they are excellent still), are underused. And Brad Pitt and his dialogue did feel out of place and the dialogue additionally coming over as heavy-handed. On the other hand, to tell the story from the viewpoint of the enslaved was a brave decision in an industry where few films have done it, and it comes over very well on the whole. The treatment of the slaves is not for the faint-hearted, they are shockingly harrowing and not comfortable to watch but they don't feel that gratuitous. There are some emotionally devastating moments, such as the ending and the long shot of Northup singing.Steve McQueen was the right director for the film, a film that needed to be told in a brutal and honest way and being a director with that directing style McQueen brings that out perfectly in a bravura directing job. '12 Years a Slave' is very impressive visually and technically, and Hans Zimmer's score is suitably stirring.John Ridley's script adapts Northup's memoir with tautness, honesty and sincerity, not subtly mind you but it's not a subtle subject. It only falters with Pitt's dialogue. The acting is superb, with Chiwetel Ejiofor's powerfully restrained and sincere performance wholly deserving of its acclaim. Lupita N'Yong'o, very moving, and Michael Fassbender, at his most frightening, are more than up to his level, as are Sarah Paulson and Paul Dano. Overall, extraordinary it isn't but an emotionally impactful film it certainly is. 8/10 Bethany Cox

kiaragilbertcc I believe this movie was done exceptionally well. This movie directed by Steve McQueen was almost perfect at depicting the true story of Solomon Northup acted by Chiwetel Ejiofor. It included vivid and real events such as when Solomon a free man of Upstate New York was recruited by two men who claimed to be circus performers and convinced Northup to travel with them to Washington D.C. where they would earn lots of money. Upon arriving to Washington D.C. the men treat Northup to drinks and dinner where he is drugged, and wakes from his unconscious state to find himself in shackles and chains in a cell. He was delivered by ship to New Orleans. In June he is sold in a slave market where he is known by alias name, Platt Hamilton. He is first sold to a man named Ford. Northup ends up running into trouble with a man named Tibeats who works on Ford's land who envies how strategic and smart Northup. Tibeats ends up getting Northup hung where the look out for the land spots Tibeats and tells him to scram before he shoots him and his friends. Ford ends up finding Northup and cuts him down. The next day he tells Northup that he has created a reputation for himself and was returned to the slave market. He then is sold to a man named Mr. Epps where he serves the rest of his years working on the plantation. This is where my favorite part occurs in which a Canadian man named Mr. Bass tells the Epps that Mr. Solomon is a free man by law and helps him to prove that he is free and returns him back to his family in Saratoga. This movie included great actors to portray as characters from the book 12 Years a Slave.

ohtommo I really enjoyed this movie. It was raw, real, and very moving. The actors were very emotional which made it easy to get into.