Halifax

Difficult to follow, Had no meaning to me, wouldn't watch if I was you.

Not really a 6. Hard to follow, somewhat depressing. Not sure why it was nominated for Best Picture. Didn't make a lot of sense.

I can't recall the last time that I saw a film quite like this one. So different from mainstream filmmaking; it's almost like we've almost forgotten simple storytelling. Don't be put off by the "shaky camera comments" because it's not that bad or distracting. It's about the relationship of the little girl with her difficult environment full of hardships and her sick father. I didn't completely appreciate the prehistoric animal reference but it was ultimately an interesting substory.

Regarding Oscar contention, this movie is extremely original and well acted by a strong group of unknowns. Dwight Henry, who played the father, was particularly outstanding and I felt it was he who should have been nominated for a best supporting Oscar. The child did not do enough acting to merit a nomination, in my opinion, but I'm glad the film got the recognition. It had so many layers and so much to consider I will think of it for a long time after seeing it. I found the characters hard to relate to with their backwoods, undereducated, ways, which says more about me and my (no longer) hidden ethnocentrism than it does about the movie. It definitely made me think. It made me think about education, economics, folk lore, home remedies, health care, the pride one takes in their place of origin, respect for the land and animals, disciplining children and maintaining mutual respect with them, local/organic foods, death and dying, explaining the life cycle to children and how much is too much to share or too little, just so many issues it touched upon. Of the films nominated, it is by far the most thought provoking, and that is what I believe a great film is supposed to accomplish.

Beautiful movie but very sad, stays with you after, you keep thinking about it which always means it was a good movie.

A not so simple story that has outstanding acting. The Dad is so believable, and his love for his daughter is so important to the story. The little girl certainly deserves her nomination. I am not sure if she was acting, or was she just going on instinct. Her body language, and in particular her facial expressions are worth going to see this very different movie. I truly enjoyed it.

A rare view into a child's mind who survives using your wit and imagination to make sense of the aftermath of Katrina flood waters.

I absolutely loved it. The moment I watched it, I knew Quvenzhane would receive an Oscar nomination for her role. The directing and imagery were magnificent.

One of the best movies I've ever seen. In spite of everything, it's totally realistic. The detail teaches us a great deal. The acting is superb all round. I will see it again.

Don't know why a bunch of rubbish is nominated for some great prices cause the movie was a catastrophe.

Just saw this film. Lovely little folktale from the viewpoint of a child. Actually liked how the camera was used... loved the music... the lead actress is quite the find... I hope she is able to continue. But all the acting was well done. See it or rent it... only a few will be sorry.

Pure originality. An entire world is created and you see it all through this extraordinary child's eyes. It's magic from beginning to end like no other film I've ever seen. What a gift.

An incredible, powerful and heavy film. One of the best of the year.

I saw it in September 2012. I want to see it again. It was just that good.

Although it is a low or no budget film, it ranks with the best. Everyone should see this movie.

If you can suspend belief that everyone is motivated by things that you feel are important, this movie is for you. I saw the movie a few weeks ago and I don't remember and we did not comment on the camera work that so many have criticized here. I did see an uplifting story about human spirit prevailing over great obstacles. My 14 year old daughter loved the movie and the environmental message.

An absolutely amazing movie. I was actually shocked at how great it was. All the actors are not actually actors and they did an amazing job. Emotional, insightful and excellently done. Highly recommend.

This film was like nothing I have seen before... It was at the same time one of the most beautiful and disturbing stories. The acting was so brilliant it played like a documentary, and the visual story, profoundly gripping. I loved it and could barely watch it from moment to moment... Well done.

About the power of stories, imagination, survival. Fascinating cinematography and editing; a film which is complex, raw and it doesn't hold the viewer's hand, we have to jump into the flow of the story and ride along. Disturbing, yet deeply human and beautiful.

The cinematography ruined the entire movie. Relentlessly fast, jerky close ups, somewhat out of focus, were so annoying that I almost left as they made me feel left out of the action. It was difficult to tell what was going on and what the odd island life was really like when you were only allowed fast, incomplete glimpses.

A visually stunning parable set against the Katrina tragedy. The performance by the young girl alone worth the price of admission.

The little girl was so cute! I thought the whole cast played their part well. I got caught up in it and felt as if I was visiting there with them.

A beautiful fantasy that is so real. A poetic journey.

Major disappointment! Set to the extreme to solicit reaction.

This movie is so refreshing. Go see it.

Very good movie, had me in tears at some parts, it's great.

It's unlike any film you've seen. Unforgettable, an award winner and all around fantastic! Incredible that this was a directorial debut (Benh Zeitlin)

This is an excellent movie about people who survive on the social (and geographical) margin who nevertheless form a community where others are respected and cared for according to their culture. They do not want to be managed by the more central and dominant culture. How the children will survive is not clear.

This movie was an amazing refreshing alternative to Hollywood drivel. Regardless if the prehistoric beasts were not slick CGI. Who cares they were not meant to seem real. It made you challenge everything you think about what traditional parenting really is all about. This child knew she was loved.

Outstanding movie. It is a must see due to a very young actress who does an outstanding role.

Hushpuppy was fantastic. Shows the gritty Bayou life. Makes you think as to what vagaries of nature can do.

Heart wrenching, beautiful movie shot from a child's eyes & imagination. So many amazing moments. Beautifully acted.

An inventive and fascinating piece of filmmaking, but at times the theme gets a little on-the-nose, and it almost fetishizes extreme poverty, which is somewhat off-putting.

Quite the movie. The camera work made me nauseous which made sticking with the film difficult. Some very interesting interactions between the actors. There are so many ways to get thru a day, a life. This was a slice I was glad to see.

A gem of a movie. Unknown actors are excellent. Quvenzhané Wallis, the little child was amazing and I am sure we will be seeing lots of her as the yrs go by. This was an excellent look into people's lives, who wouldn't leave their home in the bayou, during the upcoming floods caused by global warming.

This movie is a must see and should be in wide release. It is not perfect but it is a work of genius, not just of the director, but the cast and collaborators at Court 13 as well. Many more movies should be made this way instead of the hundred million dollar cookie cutter garbage that mostly gets made.

This child was so stunning I could not take my eyes off her as the world around her collapsed. It was a unique film and I will see it again. Tru.

This movie is profoundly optimistic. The young lead is a tour de force, her strength paramount. You must see this movie, regardless of what you're generally in to. I'm an action buff and I enjoyed it more than The Dark Knight Rises!

As an adoptive daughter of Louisiana, I found this movie compelling on so many fronts. The sheer fear of rising water, the cinenmatography, the passion of the people. A must see. The child star is amazing!

Excellent haunting but uplifting movie - the fierce courage and spirit of the poor in New Orleans - from the Bayou in particular - is evident in the film and the cinematography. The actress who plays HushPuppy is amazing and could carry the film on her own - but she doesn't need to as the rich supporting characters add to the telling of the complex relationships between the Bayou people and the rest of New Orleans and the world. I would definitely recommend it for 14 and up - the film speaks of a people, place and storm that is an important lesson for adolescents and adults living in a privileged world to learn - all in a beautiful and heart warming film.

Just a very, very interesting setting and story. The little star, Quvenzhané Wallis was fantastic and very believable. Dwight Henry gives a very solid performance as the complex and tormented daddy making sure his little girl will be strong enough to survive him. He certainly lacks charm, but makes for a very interesting character. Best, genuinely worth watching movie in a long time.

I liked the movie very much... very real... the main little actress was excellent.

You had to actually tolerate this movie. The story line was at best, vague and the it "wondered"! You might have a better time, sitting at home listening to your hair grow! I had to talk myself into giving this even, a 5 rating! This was definitely, a "filler" movie for the Summer line-up list!

Loved it all. Storytelling was fresh. The character of Hushpuppy was delightful and occasionally intense that captivated me from beginning to end."FEED UP TIME!"

Hand held camera so very hard to focus as it jumped around and half the time was fuzzy. Very hard on the eyes. Hushpuppy and her father were brilliantly acted but otherwise the 1 hour and 33 minutes were horribly long. Desperately poor people wallowing around in mud, giant pigs in fake get-ups, minimal story. Couldn't get involved with the characters - came away not caring what happened to any of them.

Brilliant performances all round. Very objective portrayal of life in the bayous and good portrayal also of how the life of the Others appears to the bayou dwellers.

Brilliant! Moving! Deeply engaging.

This is one of those film where you have fans who either like it or hate it, nowhere in between. Myself, I liked the story especially the relationship between the little girl and her father. The lead actress' performance was terrific not just the dialogues but the facial and body movements in the film.