Get On Up – A New James Brown Movie Coming!
I just learned about this up coming film from my online buddy, CD Burns, an hour ago. After watching the trailer, I figured I’d share the good news as too. Of course, it is virtually impossible to judge the quality of a film based upon the trailer, but if you consider the subject, the cast, the music, it is hard to image it being a bad film.
I saw James Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) perform at the Apollo Theater. “Mr. Dynamite, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business,” was in his 70’s and was still able to jump into a knee drop and seemingly defy gravity by levitating back to a standing position. Read Greg Tate’s article, James Brown Live at the Apollo; it is an excellent retrospective of the amazing career of “Soul Brother Number One.”
The personal life of the “The Godfather of Soul” was far from perfect—all of which makes for a potentially compelling film.
Get On Up (2014)
In Theaters: Aug 1, 2014 Wide
Unrated, Drama, Directed By: Tate Taylor, Universal Pictures, Unrated (as of March 16, 2014)
Get On Up (2014) – Trailer of James Brown Biography
Chadwick Boseman (from the film 42) stars as James Brown in this biopic from Universal Studios and director Tate Taylor (The Help). The film also stars, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Nelsan Ellis, Lennie James, Tika Sumpter, Jill Scott and Dan Aykroyd. Brian Grazer, Mick Jagger, Victoria Pearman, and Erica Huggins produce a film penned by Jez and John Henry Butterworth (Fair Game).
Also check out the documentary, James Brown: Soul Survivor (shown below). The entire film is available for viewing on-line and is also available for purchase on DVD.
James Brown: Soul Survivor (2003)
In Theaters: Dec 31, 2004 Wide
DVD Release Date: March 9, 2004
Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min., Musical & Performing Arts, Documentary, Directed By: Jeremy Marre, PBS
James Brown: Soul Survivor spans more than four decades of the one and only Godfather of Soul, documenting the rise and fall of the “hardest working man in show business.” Through archival footage, excerpts read from his biography, and interviews with the people closest to the man, you get an inside look at the music and political times which helped shape Brown’s career through the ages. Various friends lending thoughts in the program include the Rev. Al Sharpton, rapper Chuck D, Little Richard, and former long-time musical director Fred Wesley. Performances include segments from a House of Blues gig along with rare, behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage of the maestro at work. Originally aired as part of the American Masters television documentary series, this 90-minute special was later released on DVD under the Polydor label. —Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
James Brown: Soul Survivor (2003) – Full Movie
