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Movies / On DVD / Jim Brown: All American
Jim Brown: All American

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Jim Brown: All American (2002)

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Reviews Counted: 15

Fresh: 9

Rotten:6

Average Rating: 6/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 2 hrs 20 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Mar 22, 2002 Limited

Synopsis: Self-professed sports fanatic Spike Lee steps back into the documentary arena (4 LITTLE GIRLS) with this reverent tribute to one of Black America's most notorious cultural icons. At New York's... Self-professed sports fanatic Spike Lee steps back into the documentary arena (4 LITTLE GIRLS) with this reverent tribute to one of Black America's most notorious cultural icons. At New York's exclusive Manhasset High School, Jim Brown shattered school records as a triple-threat athlete, where he excelled in lacrosse, basketball, and football. After a successful four-year reign at Syracuse University, Brown embarked on one of professional football's most celebrated careers. A devastatingly imposing physical specimen, Brown's strength, quickness, and mental toughness enabled him to intimidate opponents before he even stepped onto the field. Stepping off the gridiron nine years later, Brown used his overflowing masculinity and sexuality to establish his name in Hollywood, starring in films such as THE DIRTY DOZEN and THREE THE HARD WAY. Throughout all of this, Brown remained a staunch activist in the black community, dedicating himself to foundations such as the Negro Economic Union and the Amer-I-Can program, where he continues to devote his time. Leaving no stone unturned, Lee's film blends archival footage with interviews conducted with major players in Brown's life--including former coaches (Ed Walsh), teammates (Paul Warfield), and co-stars (Raquel Welch)--to paint a comprehensive, revealing portrait of the controversial, misunderstood legend. [More]

Starring: Jim Brown, Melvin Van Peebles, Raquel Welch, Paul Warfield

Starring: Jim Brown, Melvin Van Peebles, Raquel Welch, Paul Warfield, Hank Aaron

Director: Spike Lee

Director: Spike Lee
Producer: Spike Lee
Composer: Terence Blanchard

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Aug 24, 2004

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Jim Brown: All American

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1 - 17 (sorted by date)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/26/09
Ronnie Scheib
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
07/23/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
05/13/05
Apollo Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Treating the [controversial] incidents with kid gloves allows Jim Brown: All-American to fit into the encomium template, but a more forthright approach is demanded.

Full Review Source: Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema | comment Comment
04/14/05
Mark Pfeiffer
Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Movie Eye | comment Comment
01/15/03
Frank Ochieng
Movie Eye

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Journal News (Westchester, NY) | comment Comment
07/15/02
Marshall Fine
Journal News (Westchester, NY)

What Lee does so marvelously compelling is present Brown as a catalyst for the struggle of black manhood in restrictive and chaotic America...sketchy but nevertheless gripping portrait of Jim Brown, a celebrated wonder in the spotlight

Full Review Source: TheWorldJournal.com | comment Comment
04/03/02
Frank Ochieng
TheWorldJournal.com

Once the sports and film clips run out, Lee doesn't have much more to work with than talking heads, and they aren't enough to keep anyone but diehard sports fans interested.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/26/02
Daniel Eagan
Film Journal International
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
03/23/02
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Though overall an overwhelmingly positive portrayal, the film doesn't ignore the more problematic aspects of Brown's life.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
03/22/02
Maitland McDonagh
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Only an epic documentary could get it all down, and Spike Lee's Jim Brown: All American at long last gives its subject a movie worthy of his talents.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
03/22/02
Gene Seymour
Newsday
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

[Lee] treats his audience the same way that Jim Brown treats his women -- as dumb, credulous, unassuming, subordinate subjects. And Lee seems just as expectant of an adoring, wide-smiling reception.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
03/22/02
Jon Lap
Apollo Guide

A well-rounded tribute to a man whose achievements -- and complexities -- reached far beyond the end zone.

Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
03/22/02
Justin Hartung
Citysearch

Overly long and worshipful bio-doc.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
03/22/02
Megan Turner
New York Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As the movie traces Mr. Brown's athletic exploits, it is impossible not to be awed by the power and grace of one of the greatest natural sportsmen of modern times.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
03/22/02
Stephen Holden
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Lee's achievement extends to his supple understanding of the role that Brown played in American culture as an athlete, a movie star, and an image of black indomitability.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
03/21/02
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Since Lee is a sentimentalist, the film is more worshipful than your random E! True Hollywood Story.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
03/19/02
Michael Atkinson
Village Voice
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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