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Apologies for being late on this one. Anyhow, music has always been one of my favorite things, and while I am not a musical fan per se, I do love movies based on the kinds of music I like. Here are five excellent movies based on music to watch.
5) The Five Heartbeats (starring Leon, Robert Townsend, ) - This movie showcased the lives of the fictional (but loosely based on the singing group "The Dells") recording group "The Five Heartbeats", and their rise - and individual member's falls - in the music industry. Hilarious at moments, and heartbreaking at others, it's a great movie to watch. Standout songs are "A Heart is a House for Love" and "Nothing But Love".
4) Dreamgirls (starring Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, Anika Noni Rose, Jamie Foxx) - One of the few musicals that I like, this movie is another one featuring the rise of a fictional (but, once again, based loosely off "The Supremes") group called "The Dreametts", who eventually become "The Dreams". Stunning performances by the cast (with one exception: Beyonce), with Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy especially standing out, it has a soundtrack that I play on a daily basis. Standout sequences are Jennifer Hudson's renditions of "And I Am Telling You" and "One Night Only", and the cast song "Steppin' to the Bad Side".
3) Ray (starring Jamie Foxx, Regina King, and Terrance Howard) - Another excellent film, this one showcases the life of Ray Charles, and his rise to fame, drug use, and eventual comeback into becoming one of America's most beloved recording artist. Jamie Foxx really digs into his dramatic side and delivers an excellent portrayal of Ray. Standout songs are all of them (LOL, it's Ray Charles, everything about him stands out), but I particularly liked the "Hit the Road Jack" and "That's What I Say" segments.
2) The Jacksons: An American Dream (starring Angela Bassett, Jason Weaver, Wylie Draper, Bumper Robinson, Terrance Howard) - This was actually a made-for-television miniseries, but nevertheless it was still excellent. This movie portrayed the Jackson family from when their parents were young, while the Jackson five were still kids, up to the 80's after MJ went solo. I've always been a fan of the Jackson 5, but not really one of MJ - but this was a likable movie nevertheless. Standout songs/performances in this movie were plentiful, but Wylie Draper's portrayal of MJ during the "Billie Jean" performance wins it, hands down.
Finally, my top pick!
1) What's Love Got To Do With It? (starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburn, Jenifer Lewis, Vanessa Bell Calloway) - I don't even know where to start with this excellent movie - which was a portrayal of the life of Tina Turner and her rise from a young country bumpkin to the star she became in the 80's (and still is to this day). Standout performances from two of the most talented black actors - Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburn - really made this film. I felt Tina's hurt, and mused over how Ike Turner's reputation overshadowed the brilliant musician he was (after all, this is the man that wrote one of the first rock songs - "Rocket 88" - which was sung by "Ike Turner" in the movie) while at the same time condemning him for being an abuser. Standout performance is definitely "Rolling on the River".
Honorable Mention: The Temptations Miniseries; The Wiz; Purple Rain; Lady Sings the Blues.
5) The Five Heartbeats (starring Leon, Robert Townsend, ) - This movie showcased the lives of the fictional (but loosely based on the singing group "The Dells") recording group "The Five Heartbeats", and their rise - and individual member's falls - in the music industry. Hilarious at moments, and heartbreaking at others, it's a great movie to watch. Standout songs are "A Heart is a House for Love" and "Nothing But Love".
4) Dreamgirls (starring Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, Anika Noni Rose, Jamie Foxx) - One of the few musicals that I like, this movie is another one featuring the rise of a fictional (but, once again, based loosely off "The Supremes") group called "The Dreametts", who eventually become "The Dreams". Stunning performances by the cast (with one exception: Beyonce), with Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy especially standing out, it has a soundtrack that I play on a daily basis. Standout sequences are Jennifer Hudson's renditions of "And I Am Telling You" and "One Night Only", and the cast song "Steppin' to the Bad Side".
3) Ray (starring Jamie Foxx, Regina King, and Terrance Howard) - Another excellent film, this one showcases the life of Ray Charles, and his rise to fame, drug use, and eventual comeback into becoming one of America's most beloved recording artist. Jamie Foxx really digs into his dramatic side and delivers an excellent portrayal of Ray. Standout songs are all of them (LOL, it's Ray Charles, everything about him stands out), but I particularly liked the "Hit the Road Jack" and "That's What I Say" segments.
2) The Jacksons: An American Dream (starring Angela Bassett, Jason Weaver, Wylie Draper, Bumper Robinson, Terrance Howard) - This was actually a made-for-television miniseries, but nevertheless it was still excellent. This movie portrayed the Jackson family from when their parents were young, while the Jackson five were still kids, up to the 80's after MJ went solo. I've always been a fan of the Jackson 5, but not really one of MJ - but this was a likable movie nevertheless. Standout songs/performances in this movie were plentiful, but Wylie Draper's portrayal of MJ during the "Billie Jean" performance wins it, hands down.
Finally, my top pick!
1) What's Love Got To Do With It? (starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburn, Jenifer Lewis, Vanessa Bell Calloway) - I don't even know where to start with this excellent movie - which was a portrayal of the life of Tina Turner and her rise from a young country bumpkin to the star she became in the 80's (and still is to this day). Standout performances from two of the most talented black actors - Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburn - really made this film. I felt Tina's hurt, and mused over how Ike Turner's reputation overshadowed the brilliant musician he was (after all, this is the man that wrote one of the first rock songs - "Rocket 88" - which was sung by "Ike Turner" in the movie) while at the same time condemning him for being an abuser. Standout performance is definitely "Rolling on the River".
Honorable Mention: The Temptations Miniseries; The Wiz; Purple Rain; Lady Sings the Blues.
