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Movies / Upcoming / Get on the Bus
Get on the Bus

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Get on the Bus (1996)

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Reviews Counted:37

Fresh:32

Rotten:5

Average Rating:7.5/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 1 min

Genre: Dramas

US Box Office: $0

Synopsis: Released on the one-year anniversary of the Million Man March, GET ON THE BUS follows nearly 20 African Americans as they ride a bus cross-country to attend the historic event in Washington, DC.... Released on the one-year anniversary of the Million Man March, GET ON THE BUS follows nearly 20 African Americans as they ride a bus cross-country to attend the historic event in Washington, DC. The passengers--a diverse group of Los Angeles-based men--include a bickering gay couple, a pompous (and disliked) Republican, a Spike Lee-esque film student, a vain actor, and a quarrelsome father and son who are literally shackled to each other by court order. The fascinating and enlightening discussions between the men shed light on numerous issues concerning the African American community and enrich their lives in the process. Lee chose to shoot his film on super-16mm stock, giving it a grainier, more documentary-like feel--which, when combined with the naturalistic performances from the ensemble cast, makes an impact that is all the more immediate. Lee's camera and the actors breathe fervor into Reggie Rock Blythewood's screenplay. Standout performances include Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher, De'Aundre Bonds, Roger Guenveur Smith, and Richard Belzer (as the white bus driver). Once again Spike Lee delivers a poignant commentary on the state of African American affairs at the end of the 20th century. [More]

Starring: Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher, De'Aundre Bonds

Starring: Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher, De'Aundre Bonds, Roger Guenveur Smith, Isaiah Washington, Harry J. Lennix, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Richard Belzer

Director: Spike Lee

Director: Spike Lee
Screenwriter: Reggie Rock Bythewood

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Get on the Bus

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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Spike Lee has returned to his cinematic roots here, his cinematic flair not disguised by his own sense of self-righteousness.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
01/01/00
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
10/18/08
Houston Chronicle
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
10/18/08
Washington Post
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Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
10/18/08
Susan Stark
Susan Stark
Detroit News

It all has an artless, ephemeral feel, and 20 years from now people will marvel at the fashions, the landscapes and the attitudes it captures like fragile bugs in amber.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
09/24/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
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A vital regeneration of a filmmaker's talent as well as a bracing and often very funny dramatization of urgent sociopolitical themes...

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
09/24/08
Todd McCarthy
Todd McCarthy
Variety
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Bythewood's script offers sharp insights into the male psyche, and the fine actors play off one another with real assurance.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/24/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Though Lee's deft expertise keeps things pacy and (mostly) plausible, the material can't avoid a certain predictability and, in the end, a preachy sentimentality.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

No review available.

comment Comment
09/20/05
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

A stirring, heartfelt entertainment from the first frame to the last.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
09/11/05
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

No review available.

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

Get on the Bus may well be the best film Spike Lee's made since Do the Right Thing.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
04/09/05
Laura Clifford
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
02/07/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
06/04/04
Sarah Chauncey
Sarah Chauncey
Reel.com

No review available.

comment Comment
03/19/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
11/14/03
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

comment Comment
09/04/03
Mike McGranaghan
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

While the film assembles a full array of black male stereotypes and conines them to what is essentially a talky one-set play, Mr. Lee stylistically jump-starts this small, earnest film in every way he can.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Enough lively banter and music, good humor and serious issues are aboard...to make the 3,000-mile journey worth joining.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/20/03
Susan Tavernetti
Susan Tavernetti
Palo Alto Weekly

One of Lee's best -- save for the didactic opening credits, he's rarely been less preachy and more insightful

comment Comment
05/07/03
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
New Times
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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