Ray Charles Movies

This ambient, high definition production features footage of magnificent fireplaces. The soundtrack offers viewers the option to select the sounds of a crackling fire, or traditional holiday music. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

The man they call "The Red-Headed Stranger", Willie Nelson performs his several songs along with an eclectic lineup of musical guests in this concert release from Universal Music. Willie Nelson and Friends: Live and Kickin' features "Homeward Bound" with Paul Simon, "Me and Bobby McGee" with Sheryl Crow and Kris Kristofferson, "I'll Never Smoke Weed with Willie Again" with Toby Keith and Scott Emerick, and many others. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Part of The Blues documentary film series on PBS, Piano Blues is directed by actor, filmmaker, and pianist Clint Eastwood. This installment explores the director's fascination with piano blues and jazz, starting with Fats Waller and the early stride piano sound. The sound evolved into boogie-woogie with expressive players like Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis. Includes the classic "How Long Blues" as interpreted through the generations by Jimmy Yancey, the Count Basie Orchestra, and Dr. John. Features performances by Marcia Ball, Pinetop Perkins, Dave Brubeck, and Jay McShann. Piano Blues was originally broadcast by PBS on October 4, 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

In the early '50s, Ray Charles took the fiery passion of gospel and the hard-hitting sound of the blues, and by putting them together he created a whole new sound in rhythm & blues that helped make him a legend in American music. Nearly half a century later, Charles revisits his gospel roots in this performance video, in which he joins forces with the 120-member vocal group the Jubilation Gospel Choir for a stirring program of Christmas music. Ray Charles Celebrates a Gospel Christmas With the Voices of Jubilation includes the songs "The First Noel," "Silent Night," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The Christmas Song," and many more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Blue the Dog (from the popular children's TV series Blue's Clues) stars in her first full-length musical adventure. Blue (voice of Traci Paige Johnson) and her master Steve (voice of Steve Burns) are putting on a show in their backyard, but suddenly Tickety Tock the Clock (voice of Kelly Nigh) loses his voice, leaving poor Blue without a singing partner. While Blue follows up on the clues to find who wants to duet in Tickety Tock's place, G-Clef the Keyboard (voice of Ray Charles) and his friends the Notes (voices of the Persuasions) show kids how to make a song. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A towering figure in American music, Ray Charles has been blending blues, gospel, country, jazz, and pop sounds into a distinctive and soulful mixture all his own for more than five decades, and this video captures Charles, his band, and the Raelettes on-stage during a stellar performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Ray Charles: Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival features Charles and his band performing 16 songs, including "Georgia on My Mind," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "A Song for You," "Smack Dab in the Middle," and "What'd I Say." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The first of several sight gag and slapstick-rich comedies he produced without the team of Jerry Zucker, David Zucker, and Jim Abrahams, this lowbrow comedy from executive producer and star Leslie Nielsen suffers by comparison to his work with the "ZAZ" team. Nielsen plays Dick Steele, secret agent WD-40, called out of retirement to stop the world-conquering plans of his old nemesis, General Rancor (Andy Griffith), an armless madman determined to avenge himself upon Steele (who is responsible for Rancor's lack of appendages). With the help of Russian agent Veronique Ukrinsky (Nicolette Sheridan), Steele prepares to battle Rancor at his tropical island lair, where the daughter of Steele's long-ago love is being held captive. Along the way, such films as True Lies (1994), Speed (1994), Jurassic Park (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) are spoofed. Director Richard Friedberg had previously directed Nielsen in a series of automobile rental commercials and goofy "how-to" golf videos. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Down in the dumps after Alex (Farrah Forke) has walked out on him, Brian (Steven Weber) receives unexpected romantic advice from singer Ray Charles. Meanwhile, Helen (Crystal Bernard) worries that Davis' (Mark Harelik) uncharacteristic mid-week visit to Nantucket is the prelude to a breakup; and Joe (Tim Daly) anxiously awaits word that a very important bank loan has been approved. A major surprise -- for the audience as well as several of the characters -- caps this final episode of Wings' fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

For his 60th birthday, country legend Willie Nelson decided to throw a party and invite a few of his closest friends to help him celebrate. Among others appearing are Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Neil Young, B.B. King, Paul Simon, and Waylon Jennings -- most joining Nelson on stage for a series of inspired duets. ~ Rob Ferrier, Rovi

The extraordinary life of Quincy Jones -- one of the 20th century's most influential and talented composers, musicians and music producers -- provides the basis of this offbeat, free-form documentary tribute. With little regard for formal timelines and traditional documentary biography methods, the film is an amazing patchwork of personal insights featuring a constellation of music stars including his long-time friend Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie and rappers Big Daddy Kane and Flavor Flav, as well as politicians, filmmakers and other important people. Some of the most moving scenes involve Jones returning to his childhood home in Chicago and recounting honest and painful memories from his childhood. Jones does not shy from discussing everything -- from his mother's mental illness, to his marital problems, to his serious health conditions. He also looks frankly at his career. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi