X

2014
TV-14
Tribeca Films
1 h 14 m

2014
TV-14
Tribeca Films
1 h 14 m

Summary Twenty years after the release of Nas's groundbreaking debut album Illmatic, Nas: Time is Illmatic takes us into the heart of his creative process. Returning to his childhood home in Queensbridge, Nas shares stories of his upbringing, his influences, and the obstacles he faced before his major label signing at age 19. [Tribeca Film]

Directed By: One9

Written By: Erik Parker

2014
TV-14
Tribeca Films
1 h 14 m

2014
TV-14
Tribeca Films
1 h 14 m

Nas: Time Is Illmatic

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 14 Critic Reviews

72

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 22 User Ratings

7.8

My Score

Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Twenty years after the release of Nas's groundbreaking debut album Illmatic, Nas: Time is Illmatic takes us into the heart of his creative process. Returning to his childhood home in Queensbridge, Nas shares stories of his upbringing, his influences, and the obstacles he faced before his major label signing at age 19. [Tribeca Film]

Directed By: One9

Written By: Erik Parker

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 14 Critic Reviews

86% Positive
12 Reviews

14% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 14 Critic Reviews

86% Positive
12 Reviews

14% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Oct 2, 2014

These documentarians masterfully construct their vision to elevate and serve their subject. The result is more low-key than one might expect from a movie about rap. It is also more powerful, bypassing the expected artist braggadocio to stand on the rarely visited street corner of sociology and hip-hop music.

By Odie Henderson FULL REVIEW

Sep 30, 2014

The final third is a crush of genius, with several Nas tracks (including his lovely, Michael Jackson-sampling “It Ain’t Hard to Tell”) receiving the kind of detailed breakdowns rare in pop-artist conversations.

By Joshua Rothkopf FULL REVIEW

Sep 30, 2014

One9 applies enough emotion and visual flourishes to steer clear of hacky Behind The Music territory.

The New York Times

Sep 30, 2014

Despite some conventional moves here and there and a weakness for the cult of genius, the documentary sustains that uneasy mood cast by Nas’s expression as a child on the “Illmatic” cover, sobered by experience and wisdom before his time.

By Nicolas Rapold FULL REVIEW

Sep 29, 2014

Time Is Illmatic is a documentary worthy of its subject. It’s no masterpiece, but it’s a strong, substantive look at an album whose greatness was apparent immediately, but that’s still grown in stature since its release.

By Nathan Rabin FULL REVIEW

Apr 17, 2014

Time Is Illmatic is comprehensive, even wisely holistic, but still feels as though something is missing; it’s as if in trying to cover the history, the music, the ecosystem, the upbringing and the man itself, each cancels out the other out, leaving only a surface exploration.

By Rodrigo Perez FULL REVIEW

The Hollywood Reporter

Apr 17, 2014

One of the aspects that keeps Time from projecting an advertorial vibe, its indifference to outside voices, may also leave casual fans wanting a bit more.

By John DeFore FULL REVIEW

See All 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 22 User Ratings

73% Positive
16 Ratings

14% Mixed
3 Ratings

14% Negative
3 Ratings

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 22 User Ratings

73% Positive
16 Ratings

14% Mixed
3 Ratings

14% Negative
3 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

Production Company Tribeca Film Institute

Release Date Oct 1, 2014

Duration 1 h 14 m

Rating TV-14

Genres

Tagline The twentieth anniversary of an American classic.

Website http://www.timeisillmatic.com/

View All Details

Awards

Black Reel Awards

• 1 Nomination

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