Don't Be Nice

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1:41

Don't Be Nice

Released Sep 20, 2019

1h 36m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

The upstart Bowery Slam Poetry Team, made up of five African-American, Afro-Hispanic and queer poets in their 20s, prepares for the national championships.

Katie Walsh

Los Angeles Times

A finely observed documentary about a national slam poetry competition that rises above its traditional format to find the personal profundity in the art form.

Sep 27, 2019

Full Review

Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

The art of the spoken word, at its most powerful.

Sep 19, 2019

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Candice Frederick

TheWrap

Captures the revitalization of the artist in a world filled with doom.

Sep 18, 2019

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Hagan Osborne

FILMINK (Australia)

...offers a fascinating yet unfocused glimpse into the world of competitive slam poetry.

Rated: 12/20

Apr 1, 2021

Full Review

Sean Clancy

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

It's a fascinating combination of reality show, coming-of-age story, social critique, and literary boot camp.

Rated: 86/100

Jul 17, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Slam poetry makes the spoken word an emotional sport for a young generation of aspiring poets.

Rated: B-

Oct 23, 2019

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Audience Member

Bad poetry and cringeworthy performances. If that's what you like, this is your movie!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

What an honor and a privilege. I saw the last screening of this film tonight at the Berkshire International Film Festival in the Shakespeare & Co. parking lot drive-in cinema with the filmmaker present. As a Manhattanite who fled to the hills during the pandemic, this movie was a salve for our troubled times. So on point--so pertinent because it bears witness to our times and what it's like to live in a troubled nation where Black Lives are all often cit too short--like one of the poems that capture the bougie-ness of white girls wearing Black Live Matter t-shirts cut off--too short to matter. There was a moment when a young poet told a story about his childhood abuse as seen through his eyes in 8 parts. It was so raw and so real. Somewhere in between forgetting to breathe and crying, the transference of this young mans struggle felt so close, as if he was next to me. And he was because that's the power of a great filmmaker who connects his characters to your heart in a way that's as organic as seamless. What an amazing film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Absolutely riveting. This beautiful film is constantly exciting and fast-paced. Amazingly talented new voices are showcased----conveying deep emotions, powerfully revealing messages that yield insights that are a gift. The film is highly relevant for 2020 and beyond. Wonderful story-telling. You will be glad you saw this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Don't Be Nice is Amazing!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A beautiful story about poetry and the human spirit. Poetry coach Lauren Whitehead and Jon Sands are tasked with coaching a Slam poetry group and getting them to the Nationals. Soon it becomes clear that Lauren's more interested in getting her group to look inward than win the Nationals.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

Amazing commentary on issues of human rights and expression

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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Max Powers

Director

Lauren Whitehead

Actor

Ashley August

Actor

Sean DesVignes

Actor

Timothy DuWhite

Actor

Joël François

Actor

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Don't Be Nice: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The upstart Bowery Slam Poetry Team, made up of five African-American, Afro-Hispanic and queer poets in their 20s, prepares for the national championships.

Director: Max Powers
Producer: Cora Atkinson, Nikhil Melnechuk
Distributor: Self Distributed
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 20, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 19, 2020
Runtime: 1h 36m

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