American Blackout

Revisiting the 2000 presidential election via cruddy video and an overbearing score is no fun, but this doc admirably spotlights Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney’s willingness to expose—even after a right-wing crucifixion—black-voter disenfranchisement then and now. Fellow politicians and journos like Greg Palast come to McKinney’s defense, and her fierce, erudite dedication will surprise anyone familiar with only her tabloid-maligned public persona. Georgia voters just dumped her (again), so American Blackout’s release seems badly timed. But perhaps this reminder of debacles past will forestall future ones—or at least inspire somebody to catch the cheating bastards red-handed. (Opens Fri; Quad.) — Mark Holcomb