Michael_Elliott Ten Minutes to Live (1932) ** (out of 4)This Oscar Micheaux film clocks in at just 58-minutes and it pretty much has a little bit of everything in it. There's really no "plot" but it does have a few different story lines going on. One includes a movie producer trying to pick up a woman by offering her a role in his new film. Another subplot has a woman receiving a note saying that she will be dead in ten minutes. We also get a couple comedy acts as well as some musical numbers.Micheaux was producer and releasing quite a few pictures during this portion of his career and TEN MINUTES TO LIVE isn't nearly the worst but it's also not very good. The film is certainly very uneven but it remains mildly entertaining because the director manages to present a couple interesting acts and it's at least a very good time capsule to black entertainment from this period.The acts are interesting but I'd argue that none of them are overly good. The comedy bits are pretty weak and there's nothing ground-breaking about the musical numbers but it was just Micheaux's attempt to show black audiences some black talent. The two dramatic story lines aren't the most entertaining that you're going to see but they work well enough for what they are. They're basically two different short subjects mixed together with other shorts dealing with the music.TEN MINUTES TO LIVE features a couple decent performances scattered around and I'd argue that fans of race movies will at least get some mild entertainment out of it.

Rainey Dawn The copy of the film I have of this movie is badly damaged. The lighting is bad - that maybe due the the film's aging process (I've seen many other films that have this problem from this time era and earlier). This film would have to be restored to appreciate, just like other films that have not been restored.From what we see, there are some really cute dance numbers, some comedy, and a mixed up drama mystery that does not make sense but would I'm sure if the missing pieces of the film were found. It's hard to make a fair judgment on a film like this as to how good or bad the story really is.But if you are studying the history of film making this is a neat piece of historical footage from the 1930s. I would recommend trying to find a restored copy of this film or someone to restore it for you to watch.2/10

jcappy "Not Radio City" The grade. the grade! Normally it's 4 parts objective to one part subjective, but in this case maybe the reverse is in order. Because... this is not exactly a movie... and yet.. I guess it is more movie than anything else.Part one carries more punch for me. And punch is the word. It's in the potent story line and in the nightclub entertainment that shares at least equal billing with it. But the two are not separate--at all. Both are dominated by women, sisterly women both on stage and in life.The performing women have a kind wide-figured prowess which speaks a physicality that is more than sexual. They are up close, in charge... collectively insistent about the nature of their energy. Whether dancing or singing they demonstrate a particularity that drives them past normal showmanship. What we see in their nightclub is not "creativity" or "talent" or "the arts" but rather entertainment in its fullest sense, under rehearsed, stomping, athletic, energetic, steamy, and unrecorded.The women actors carry a similar prowess that is outside the bounds of femininity. Their lines might seem over-rehearsed, but it is not so much how they speak, but what they say that is important. And the language they speak is one of resistance--a solidarity in the face of men's lawlessness and exploitation of women. Or a language of gamemanship that can one-up the men's. Thus the ultimate revenge act is more communal than private.******* As for part two, it's real hard to say what's going down. Very confusing and downright messy. (I guess one can sit back and take in the noir-ish street and train scenes, if so inclined)

msladysoul This movie is excellent, also gives a great glimpse into Harlem Nightclubs and their Entertainers and Black Life in the 1930s. I'm sure Oscar Micheaux wanted us to understand something. But with his films, you have to watch them 3 or 4 times before you actually get it. But its a watchable film. I thank God for these Black cast productions showcasing Black talent that would of never been seen if it wasn't for these films. They were too good for Hollywood and was too talented for Whites to understand. Sometimes I think what ever happen to these people. I want them to know I enjoyed their work. Its sad Hollywood didn't take into consideration these Black talents and want to make them stars. Some of these women and men were just as beautiful and talented as the White stars.Willor Lee Guilford is a brown beauty, voluptuous and sweet and a fine actress. She has a lot of appeal. She's a combination of sex appeal and girl next door type. You can't help but feel her emotions through the movie. She seems to be a real actress, not someone Micheaux picked off the street like most in his movies. Willor is a natural. You forget color and look at the talent and person and that's what Black Cinema is all about. Mabel Garrett is so cute, she has much spunk, and is quite wonderful and sexy. Carl Mahon, one of the best actors of Black Cinema isn't his best in this movie but his presence is always welcoming. This movie isn't bad at all. I think you will enjoy it. I like this movie because its not a racial story but a movie about people from all walks of life.