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100
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Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Commentary from shockingly outspoken Watts residents on topics ranging from revolution to infidelity are a vital part of the documentary.
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90
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Washington Post Desson Thomson
The result is a time capsule par excellence...This is the best of times and the worst of times, African American style.
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90
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Washington Post Ann Hornaday
A candid, colorful and deeply meaningful sociocultural time capsule, one that captured the black community at the height of its political energy and optimism.
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80
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The A.V. Club Keith Phipps
Now an invaluable time capsule, the film has to transcend its own conceptual messiness.
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75
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Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
I wish I could say that Wattstax was an ecstatic soul celebration, but most of the performances, while enjoyable, fall short of memorable.
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75
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Boston Globe Wesley Morris
Wattstax is a disorienting and ironic moviegoing experience. It's a film about the curative powers of rhythm-and-blues music that sets out to frustrate your sense of rhythm in its insistence on the blues.
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70
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TV Guide
The film is saved by the raw power of the performances, and especially, Richard Pryor's bitterly funny observations.
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70
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Village Voice Laura Sinagra
Not only documents the soul-titan concert held at L.A. Coliseum seven years after Watts burned, but illuminates the rue and kinesis of a city in full Black Power flower.
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