Gene Seymour : Opening weekend success of 'The Butler ' surprising . He says it comes at a time of national reckoning on race , with Zimmerman , Deen . Movie reviews mixed , but hype masterly . Does it mark renaissance of black films ? Gene:
Gene Seymour : Opening weekend success of 'The Butler ' surprising . He says it comes at a time of national reckoning on race , with Zimmerman , Deen . Movie reviews mixed , but hype masterly . Does it mark renaissance of black films ? It 's stunning that a film by and about blacks , civil rights made such a splash .