Gene Seymour : The commercial success of ' The Rebel ' surprising . He says it comes at a time of national debate on race , with me , too . Movie reviews mixed , but hype masterly . And that it would become the talk of the nation as both `` Oscar bait '' and cultural signifier ? Does it mark renaissance of black films ? It 's stunning that a film by and about blacks , civil rights made such a splash .
Gene Seymour : The commercial success of ' The Rebel ' surprising . He says it comes at a time of national debate on race , with me , too . 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 .