Hotel Rwanda (DVD)

Director Terry George brings the horrific story about the Rwandan massacre to life on the big screen. The story is told through the eyes of one special man, Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), a savvy, clever and cunning manager of a swank, four-star Belgian hotel in the capital, Kigali. When the massacres began, Paul (a Hutu) shelters more than 1200 people in the hotel and saved them from the wrath of the bloodthirsty killers.

The message rang loud and clear when Paul asks the U.S. reporter (Joaquin Phoenix) how the world powers could not intervene after seeing scenes of Tutsi men, women and children being hacked to death with machetes by Hutu militia. Democratic Leaders could have easily stopped this from happening but didn't care enough to do so since there was no interest in doing so. After all, poor countries have little clout.

Clinton finally apologized to Rwandans for not intervening during the 100-day massacre that saw over a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus slaughtered in a barbaric way. Apologies don't go along way with the families of those that were slaughtered. The Rwandan genocide is a black mark on western nations, which simply got their citizens out of Rwanda and then remained indifferent to the senseless killings.

Working from a smart script by Keir Pearson and George, "Hotel Rwanda" contains gut-wrenching and emotionally trying moments not seen on the big screen since Schindler's List (1993). Although Steven Spielberg spent more time working on cinematography and artistic angles, George seems to capture the urgency and tenseness of the situation. Maybe it's because we now see a similar slaughter of poor, downtrodden people in the Darfur region of Sudan. Again, western nations aren't doing much other than threatening to rap the knuckles of the bad guys like angry teachers.

We briefly see the horror firsthand with tidbits of footage taped by the reporter of people being killed and again in one particularly searing scene when Paul and his bellhop Gregoire (Tony Kgoroge) find themselves on a bumpy road littered with bodies, but not much of on-screen killing. The moment's were made more horrifying because George unveils it in a quite eerie manner.

Making a PG-13 film about genocide requires numerous compromises. Putting most, if not all, of the violence off-camera is one such bargain George made. Truth is a closer look at the massacre would have rightly tortured us. The film, nevertheless, works without gruesome moments. Pearson and George were completely successful in capturing this true story of heroism, survival, love and compassion amid the madness.

Cheadle's coolness and savvy carries the entire film throughout. There isn't a single slip in his performance. He always seems to turn in one superb performance after another. Here, he's in equal measure the smooth manager, man with a conscience, and frightened husband and father. You can sense Paul's frustration, though Cheadle rarely displays any vulnerability. He gets great support from Sophie Okonedo as Paul's Tutsi wife, Tatiana. Nick Nolte does a fantastic job as a hard nosed U.N. a Canadian United Nations officer, Colonel Oliver, although this character seems to be quite blunt and prejudiced at times. Perhaps George wished to drive home a point that some people really have humanity issues.

I'm going to give this film 5/5 for its important message it strive to drive home.

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In my opinion Hotel Rwanda should have won the Best of everything at the Academy's Adward but slid past it as fast as they could. Lets not show how a 1,000,000(million) fellow human beings were slaughtered & the good USA did nothing. I am not African American, I am if you have to classify, Caucasian. To my advantage I grew up in the burbs where at that time, in the 60's & 70's allowed, Colored, what a name, to live on one street. I lived on the connecting street so as a small child never understood the difference, we were all friends. This was one of God's blessings for me & my children. I do not see color or religion of any kind & nor due my very well educated son's. I hadn't seen the beginning of the movie & this is but a few I've ever purchased.

The world has been at war before BC. This should have never been allowed to happen. Let's send our son's & daughter's to be killed over OIL!

This is a very strong & powerful movie they should show at High School level & let our future generation see the wrongs that have been committed. They are our future. I am most grateful to be a USA citizen. You don't realize that until you go to other countries & 3rd world countries. It changes you. I kissed the ground on one return visit. As a whole, we should not allow these conditions to continue & they still due.

"Hotel Rwanda" is a true story of the atrocities of genocide, or ethnic cleansing, that occurred in the African country of Rwanda. Many dismiss such accounts, believing it could never happen to them, or only happens in far away places. It is only by the grace of God that such things aren't so in my country. Hatred of others is an ugly thing, and one that yields only horror and brutality. "Hotel Rwanda" reminds us, through its accurate accounting of events of the time, that all anyone wants is a peaceful life - something that, unfortunately, those who have too often take for granted. I bought this movie as a reminder of how much I have to be thankful for, as well as how much I need to pray God's deliverance for us all. I consider this movie a must see, although not for its entertainment value, but for the lessons it will hopefully bring to light. Lessons that many need desperately to learn. God bless.

This movie is awesome. One of the best I have watched so far. It really focuses on the genocide in Rwanda. This is a true story about a genocide and a man who saved many people. Also, the story includes a man part of the united nations that tried to help, but was limited. This is all true. His name is Dallaire.

This movie is interesting, catchy, thrilling and the suspense will keep you awake and fully concentrated on this movie. You will always be wanting to know more. This move is also sad and has a big impact on many viewers. You will realise that how a such thing could happen. One of the best movies for it's realism.

Mainly, the movie is about a genocide in Rwanda. The Hutus against the Tootsies. A huge massacre began when the Hutus believed the Tootsies shot down their presidents airplane. The hutus then massacred and tortured hundreds of thousands of people. You will catch the drift once you watch the movie. A must own movie immediately!

You will love this movie. Thankfully the focus of the movie was on the man and not on the genocide happening right outside his hotel. There is enough to place you firmly into the happening of the civil war.

You will find yourself riding along with Paul as he does the most amazing things, opens his heart and saves his fellow man. You will be on the edge of your seat with the suspense and tension as your heart is filled with emotion and your soul tested.

Every bit of this movie is a reward to you as you watch. You will learn more about yourself and be inspired to hopefully greater things. This is a movie to purchase and hold onto. When your kids are old enough, it is something they should as well see. A history lesson, a civics lesson, a humanities lesson and worth the hype. Get it, watch it, learn from it, and be inspired.