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Don't Be Nice

Play trailer 1:41 Poster for Don't Be Nice Released Sep 20, 2019 1h 36m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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.

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Don't Be Nice

Critics Reviews

View All (11) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review Candice Frederick TheWrap Captures the revitalization of the artist in a world filled with doom. Sep 18, 2019 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (6) audience reviews
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 Full Review Audience Member Amazing commentary on issues of human rights and expression Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Don't Be Nice

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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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