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(1 - 25) of 25 OFCS Rating: 76% Fresh Page   1   3.5/5 "As a movie, The Great Debaters misses too many possibilities, and harps on too many ancillary issues, to be stellar. It's solid, but that's all."   PopMatters   Bill Gibron B "The bottom line is, this is a stirring portrait of African-American intelligence and pride, and if you poured this content over Tyler Perry's head, he would melt just like the Wicked Witch of the West."   eFilmCritic.com   Brian Orndorf B- "For all of its hermetic dramatic license, "The Great Debators" hits its emotional marks with help from Forest Whitaker and a talented ensemble cast that includes Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, and newcomer Denzel Whitaker."   ColeSmithey.com   Cole Smithey "It's the sort of tradeoff Oprah makes daily, finding ways to represent those histories and experiences that are otherwise unrepresented%u2014ways that will appeal to a broad base and so, somehow, make differences."   PopMatters   Cynthia Fuchs 2/4 "When The Great Debaters ends, expect to be uplifted despite the inherent schmaltz. Think about the film for any length of time afterwards, and the wheels of its storytelling undeniably begin to deflate."   TheMovieBoy.com   Dustin Putman B "A perfectly respectable drama, made from the Inspiring Sports Movie template."   EricDSnider.com   Eric D. Snider B- "It goes down easy, has some great scenes, and knows how to tug on the heartstrings. But unlike its characters, it settles for less."   Film Blather   Eugene Novikov B "Though highly calculating and predictable, and pretty far from documentary status, it's still a remarkably entertaining example of the underdog-wins-against-the-odds genre."   One Guy's Opinion   Frank Swietek 5/5 "An inspiring and well-acted film about an extraordinary African-American debating team in the 1930s with the talent and determination to excel."   Spirituality and Practice   Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat 3.5/4 "This is one of the better movies in recent years to address issues of racial inequality and the way in which individuals overcome them."   ReelViews   James Berardinelli 3.5/4 "Turns out Denzel Washington makes magic on both sides of the camera."   Palo Alto Weekly   Jeanne Aufmuth 7/10 "A predictable but sturdy genre offering."   ReelTalk Movie Reviews   Jeffrey Chen 7/10 "A highly engaging, entertaining, occasionally thought-provoking, and even sometimes emotionally moving and touching offering that proves following a recipe isn't a bad thing, especially if it's handled just right"   Screen It!   Jim Judy 2.5/4 "A movie about ideas that's a bit too timid to actually be about them."   Mark Reviews Movies   Mark Dujsik "It's like the smartest kid in the class being content to slide by with a B instead of putting in just a little bit of effort for an A."   Flick Filosopher   MaryAnn Johanson B+ "Ultimately, as it should be, what carries the day is the power of the arguments and our recognition that it is forming these positions that will lead to the foundation of the civil rights era."   Beliefnet   Nell Minow 2/4 "Without unpredictability or the possibility of an unhappy ending, how can a film truly inspire?"   Slant Magazine   Nick Schager 2.5/5 "Washington punches every emotional and thematic point in Eisele's script, which undermines the raw power of the story."   Shadows on the Wall   Rich Cline C "As is typical of such fare, the primary goals are commendable for their well-intentioned earnestness, but zero points for such gluttonous condescension."   Projection Booth   Rob Humanick B+ "The acting is great and care is taken to develop these characters into people we can root for."   Laramie Movie Scope   Robert Roten B "...it should find a solid audience with its inspired story and attractive cast that will do well with younger auds, too."   Reeling Reviews   Robin Clifford 3.5/5 "It's as if Mr. Washington wanted to deliver a important story, but felt he had to stay firmly within the proven formula to get his message out."   Cinematical   Scott Weinberg 2.5/5 "The phrase "inspired by" may buy a filmmaker creative leeway, but it's at the cost of credibility with an audience."   Filmcritic.com   Sean O'Connell "Click here to see review"   Wolf Entertainment Guide   William Wolf 3/4 "Not only is this a feel good story, but it's moving and inspirational for all."   BlackFilm.com   Wilson Morales  (1 - 25) of 25 OFCS Rating: 76% Fresh Page   1