Ray Charles Movies
One of the father's of contemporary soul, Ray Charles has become an American musical institution. Born Ray Charles Robinson in a small Georgia town, Charles contacted glaucoma at the age of six and lost his sight, but this has not stopped him from launching an active and productive career that has continued through the 1990s and on. He has often appeared in music documentaries and has performed in feature films, where he usually appears as himself. He has also been on television, either hosting his own specials, or acting as a guest artist on those of others. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 2007
- Add The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show, 1969-1971 to QueueAdd The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show, 1969-1971 to top of Queue
The Best of the Johnny Cash Show captures a number of memorable performances from the variety show hosted by the country music legend. This collection includes performances by Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Neil Young, Ray Charles, Pete Seeger, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kris Kristofferson
- 2005
- Add Willie Nelson and Friends: Live and Kickin' to QueueAdd Willie Nelson and Friends: Live and Kickin' to top of Queue
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, All Movie Guide
- 2004
- PG13
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Directed by Taylor Hackford, this biopic profiles the life of legendary musician Ray Charles. Despite humble beginnings and the loss of his eyesight due to glaucoma at the age of six, Charles, depicted by Jamie Foxx, would nonetheless become an icon in both the music industry and the civil rights era. While the film delves into his problems with drugs and women, the bulk of the story details his career; among the highlights of that career are 12 Grammy awards and 11 R&B chart-toppers, such as "Unchain My Heart," "Hit the Road, Jack," "Georgia," "Doin' the Mess Around," and "Hallelujah I Just Love Her So." Also among the cast are Larenz Tate as Quincy Jones, as well as Regina King, Kerry Washington, and Clifton Powell. Charles' son, Ray Charles Jr. helped produce the film. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, (more)
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marcia Ball, Pinetop Perkins, (more)
- 2003
- Add Tom Dowd and the Language of Music to QueueAdd Tom Dowd and the Language of Music to top of Queue
Independent filmmaker Mark Moormann directs the feature-length documentary Tom Dowd and the Language of Music. Shot on color and black-and-white16 mm film stock, the biography is a personal portrait of legendary recording engineer and producer Tom Dowd. The man himself is featured in a series of interviews from 1996 (the year he won a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) until 2002 (the year of his death). Filmed at Criteria Studios in Miami, FL, he is shown both at work behind the soundboards as well as reflecting on his memorable career. Other interview subjects include artists Ray Charles and Eric Clapton; record producers Phil Ramone and Arif Mardin; and surviving members of the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Tom Dowd and the Language of Music premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Dowd, Ray Charles, (more)
- 2003
- Add Ray Charles Celebrates a Gospel Christmas With the Voices of Jubilation to QueueAdd Ray Charles Celebrates a Gospel Christmas With the Voices of Jubilation to top of Queue
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ray Charles
- 2000
- Add Blue's Clues: Blue's Big Musical Movie to QueueAdd Blue's Clues: Blue's Big Musical Movie to top of Queue
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, All Movie Guide
Ray Charles in Concert features the Grammy-winning living legend in a charity concert for the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. Viewers are treated to 16 selections from Charles' works, including a pair of duets with Grammy-winning jazz performer Dianne Schuur. The audience is treated to renditions of "I Got a Woman," "A Song for You," "It Hurts to Be in Love," "Georgia on My Mind," "The Good Life," "Your Cheatin' Heart," "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "It Had to Be You," "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," "Till There Was You," "Say No More," "Blues for Big Scotia," "If You Go Away," "All I Ever Need Is You," "Love in Three Quarter Time," and "America the Beautiful." ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1997
- Add Ray Charles: Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival to QueueAdd Ray Charles: Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival to top of Queue
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, All Movie Guide
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leslie Nielsen, Nicollette Sheridan, (more)
The 1939 Irene Dunne-Charles Boyer romance Love Affair, remade with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in 1957 as An Affair to Remember, became a vehicle for real-life couple Warren Beatty and Annette Bening in this 1994 rendition. The well-worn story remains the same, as a man and a woman, both engaged to other people, fall madly in love while traveling, indulge in a brief but intense affair, then agree to part and sort out their feelings. They are to meet again at the top of the Empire State Building if their feelings persist, but a series of unfortunate circumstances threatens to keep the lovers apart. Despite polished visuals and a time-tested narrative, this variation suffers in comparison to its two predecessors, not to mention the previous year's Sleepless in Seattle, which had drawn on An Affair to Remember for several of its most memorable sequences. It does features Katherine Hepburn's first film appearance in 13 years. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, (more)
- 1994
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, All Movie Guide
- 1993
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, All Movie Guide
- 1991
This is a celebration of the music of a generation's talented songwriter and performer John Lennon. This musical salute mixes footage of Lennon the solo artist with the Lennon as a member of the legendary the Beatles, a man who helped reshaped pop music and changed a culture. Many artists cover 22 of Lennon's songs, like "Power to the People" sung by Al Green; Billy Joel singing "Back in the U.S.S.R."; "Help" performed by U2; Elton John singing "Imagine"; "Come Together" sung by Michael Jackson; "Ticket to Ride" performed by Natalie Cole; Lenny Kravitz singing "Cold Turkey"; and many more. ~ Forrest Spencer, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- PG13
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, (more)
- 1991
- R
- Add Carnegie Hall at 100: A Place of Dreams to QueueAdd Carnegie Hall at 100: A Place of Dreams to top of Queue
Everyone in New York City knows that for over a century the definitive venue for classical and popular music has been Carnegie Hall. The so-called "temple of high art," Carnegie Hall's warm acoustics have drawn some of the most popular acts in music history. Now viewers at home can hear the whole story of this cultural Mecca in a documentary that details the history of a venue that has hosted such luminaries as Ray Charles, Wynton Marsalis, and Leonard Bernstein. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
A music performance video, with Fats Domino joined by Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ron Wood and Paul Schaffer. Recorded at the Storyville Club in New Orleans. Performances include "Blueberry Hill," "Walking to New Orleans," and "The Fat Man." ~ All Movie Guide
