Brian Tyree Henry – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

MARCH FORTH (Tribeca 2026) – Review by Leslie Combemale

June 11, 2026June 14, 2026 Leslie Combemale A Performance of Felon: An American Washi Tale, award-winning poet, Brian Tyree Henry, Freedom Reads, March Forth, Reginald Dwayne Betts, Robe Imbriano, Tribeca 2026, Valerie Hong, Yale Law School

Emmy Award-winning director Robe Imbriano partnered with Emmy-nominated director Valerie Hong to tell the story of Reginald Dwayne Betts, who was sent to an adult prison at 16 years old for armed carjacking. After serving 8 years, much of it in a maximum security prison, Betts went on to become an award-winning poet, a graduate of Yale Law School, an acclaimed author and activist, and a MacArthur Genius Award winner. There are so many moments when Betts is raw and authentic as he is interviewed, but it’s never hard to watch him. In March Forth, one man’s experience, which has been neither easy nor simple, reveals the power of perception and the value of hard work to become who we want to be.

Reviews

THE FIRE INSIDE – Review by Diane Carson

December 30, 2024December 31, 2024 Diane Carson Barry Jenkins, boxing, Brian Tyree Henry, Claressa Shields, Jason Crutchfield, Jazmin Headley, Olympics gold, rachel morrison, ryan destiny, the fire inside

Some rare, remarkable real-life stories deserve cinematic dramatization. In that esteemed group is first-time director Rachel Morrison’s The Fire Inside. Written and co-produced by the award-winning Barry Jenkins (Moonlight 2016, If Beale Street Could Talk 2018), the inspirational story captures the talent and grit of American boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields as she trains for the 2012 London Olympics.

Movie of the Week

MOVIE OF THE WEEK December 20, 2024: THE FIRE INSIDE

December 15, 2024December 15, 2024 Jennifer Merin Barry Jenkins, betsy bozdech, boxing, Brian Tyree Henry, Cate Marquis, Claressa Shields, Jason Crutchfield, Jazmin Headley, jennifer merin, leslie combemale, liz whittemore, loren king, motw, Movie of the Week, nell minow, Olympics gold, rachel morrison, ryan destiny, sherin nicole, the fire inside

There’s nothing quite like a sports underdog movie to stir the emotions — even if you know where it’s ultimately headed, when it’s done right, there’s something about watching a “triumph against the odds” drama that makes you want to stand up and cheer, especially when it’s based on a true story. And while there are plenty of boxing films on that list, virtually none have told a story like Claressa Shields’. Rachel Morrison more than fills that gap with the stirring The Fire Inside.

Reviews

THE FIRE INSIDE – Review by Loren King

December 10, 2024December 14, 2024 Loren King Barry Jenkins, boxing, Brian Tyree Henry, Claressa Shields, Jason Crutchfield, Jazmin Headley, Olympics gold, rachel morrison, ryan destiny, the fire inside

Bryan Tyree Henry makes everything he is in better. He is the expansive soul of The Fire Inside, the feature directorial debut of notable cinematographer Rachel Morrison, who shot Mudbound and Black Panther. Her film, written by Barry Jenkins, is the true story of American boxing champion Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (played by Ryan Destiny) that will be a revelation for anyone who doesn’t follow the sport. Morrison captures the decay and poverty in Flint, Michigan, home to Henry’s boxer-turned-coach Jason Crutchfield and the surly, determined kid who shows up at his grungy gym.

News

WEEK IN WOMEN: Rachel Morrison’s THE FIRE INSIDE in theaters for Christmas – Brandy McDonnell reports

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Brandy McDonnell biopic, Brian Tyree Henry, clarissa shields, rachel morrison, the week in women, twiw, tyan destiny

Acclaimed and Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison‘s directorial debut, the inspirational fact-based sports drama, The Fire Inside, is scheduled to open in theaters on Christmas. The movie tells the the inspirational true story of Claressa Shields (played by Ryan Destiny), arguably the greatest female boxer of all time. A high school junior from Flint, Michigan, Claressa – aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield (played by Oscar-nominated actor Brian Tyree Henry) – pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing.

Reviews

CAUSEWAY – Review by Susan Granger

November 8, 2022November 12, 2022 Susan Granger Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway, Jayne Houdyshell, jennifer lawrence, Lila Neugebauer, Linda Emond, Stephen McKinley Henderson

A Causeway is defined as ‘a path above the level of a wetland.’ In Jennifer Lawrence’s film about healing – it’s her road to recovery as a wounded soldier returning from Afghanistan.. After her vehicle was hit by an IED while serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lynsey (Lawrence) arrives home in New Orleans suffering from a debilitating brain injury and compromised motor skills.

Reviews

CAUSEWAY – Review by T.J. Callahan

October 24, 2022October 26, 2022 T. J. Callahan Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway, jennifer lawrence, Lila Neugebauer, new orleans

Jennifer Lawrence takes us back to her early screen days by once again evoking subtle sympathy in this subdued psychological drama about a soldier struggling to find her way in society after returning from Afghanistan. Lawrence’s character, Lynsey, was a member of the Army Corps of Engineers traveling in a convoy en route to an assignment when they were hit by a bomb. Lynsey suffers a traumatic brain injury and is sent home to her dysfunctional family to heal. While she physically gets stronger through therapy, Lynsey still suffers mentally.

Reviews

BULLET TRAIN – Review by T. J. Callahan

August 4, 2022August 4, 2022 T. J. Callahan Aaron Taylor-Johnson, antoine fuqua, Bad Bunny, brad pitt, Brian Tyree Henry, Bullet Train, David Leitch, joey king

Bullet Train is all about the action. There’s a storyline in there somewhere, but this rapid transit is long and has so many cars you may need Google Maps. Every single character has their own separate and overlapping narrative, including a bottle of Fiji water. No one and no thing is left out, except for us. It’s our job to bob and weave and stay upright. Directed by David Leitch and prpduced by Antoine Fuqua, , Bullet Train can’t help but be pedigreed for pandemonium.

Reviews

THE OUTSIDE STORY – Review by Maitland McDonagh

May 11, 2021May 19, 2021 Maitland McDonagh Brian Tyree Henry, Casimir Nozkowski, Maria Dizzia, Olivia Edward, Sonequa Martin-Green, Sunita Mani, the outside story

An gentle ensemble comedy-drama, The Outside Story is small movie with, yes, a big heart. And that’s a good thing. Brooklyn-based documentary filmmaker Charles (Brian Tyree Henry) has been in a serious rut since he split up with his girlfriend, lawyer Isha (Sonequa Martin-Green), whose belongings–packed in boxes scattered around the brownstone apartment–serve as constant reminders of her absence.

Reviews

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW – Review by Susan Granger

May 9, 2021January 8, 2026 Susan Granger amy adams, Brian Tyree Henry, gary oldman, jennifer jason leigh, joe wright, netflix, The Woman in the Window

Occasionally, there’s a book-to-film adaptation that is an utter disaster. Netflix’ The Woman in the Window is one. Based on A.J. Finn’s 2018 best-seller, it’s set on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in the huge home of Anna Fox (Amy Adams), a child psychologist who became agoraphobic after a traumatic accident.