Get On Up
"The Funk Don't Quit"
A chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
"The Funk Don't Quit"
A chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
Chadwick Boseman
James Brown
Nelsan Ellis
Bobby Byrd
Dan Aykroyd
Ben Bart
Viola Davis
Susie Brown
Lennie James
Joe Brown
Fred Melamed
Syd Nathan
Jill Scott
DeeDee Brown
Octavia Spencer
Aunt Honey
Nick Eversman
Mick Jagger
A chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
Chadwick Boseman is terrific, but 'Get on Up' is missing something that would make it a great biopic. I still very much enjoyed it, I always tend to find biographical films interesting - especially when I don't know too much about the person(s) in question, as is the case with James Brown here; I've always known of him and his major songs, but that's about it. Boseman leads strongly, carrying the film really. That's not to say he's alone in terms of the onscreen talent, as there are others who I liked. Dan Aykroyd is solid, while Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis are welcomed cast members. The brilliant Lennie James is also involved, admittedly in a relatively small role. With all that noted, I just felt there was something missing. I can't exactly pinpoint what that is. One of the things I felt from the start was the lack of likeability I had for the lead character, perhaps that was intentional though. The 'breaking the fourth wall' stuff is iffy, too. The 139 run time probably comes into it as well, while the ageing for Boseman & Co. isn't the best I've seen - which isn't good, given the film opens with a scene that requires ageing so it naturally stuck in my memory more. As also mentioned at the top, I didn't come into this knowing all about James Brown and his music/life so that likely plays a part - though I've seen other biopics under similar circumstances and it hasn't affected my enjoyment. There are still other positives, aside from the cast, of course. I actually liked the non-linear structure of how the story is told, while the cinematography is pleasant. The music is also worked in well. All in all, it's a film that I would recommend. It had all the ingredients to be grander though.
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The story of Elton John's life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.
The story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison.
An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing 'Mister' Albert Johnson, things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.
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In the mid-1960s, wealthy debutant Edie Sedgwick meets artist Andy Warhol. She joins Warhol's famous Factory and becomes his muse. Although she seems to have it all, Edie cannot have the love she craves from Andy, and she has an affair with a charismatic musician, who pushes her to seek independence from the artist and the milieu.
A drama set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley.