Bobby McFerrin Movies
Following up on his acclaimed Like Grains of Sand, Ryosuke Hashiguchi spins this melodramatic comedy about two gay men, an unbalanced woman, and a baby. Naoya (Kazuya Takahashi) is a soft-spoken, easygoing gay man who runs a pet store with his overbearing mother. After years of one-night stands and failed relationships, Noaya finally meets someone he likes at his favorite gay club, the handsome though closeted Katsuhiro (Seiichi Tanabe), who works as an engineer. Though at first the two seem to be quite happy, Katsuhiro's reluctance to come out to his traditionally minded parents throws a damper on their budding relationship. One of their arguments is overheard in a noodle shop by Asako (Reiko Kataoka), a beautiful though unbalanced lass who spends much of her twenties either on the psychologist's couch or having promiscuous sex. When the doctor recommends to her parents that she be sterilized, she has her own ideas. She decides that smart, kind, and well-dressed Katsuhiro would be the perfect father for her child, and she asks him if he would be her sperm donor. Naoya is initially dead set against the idea, but slowly Asako manages to win him over. Meanwhile, Katsuhiro starts to open up to his family. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Seiichi Tanabe, Kazuya Takahashi, (more)
- 2000
This film documents the brave attempts of an 89-year-old African-American woman in Los Angeles to maintain custody of her grandson against immense odds. Eighteen months of this woman's struggle are captured on film, including the aftermath of her heart attack. Segments reveal how the authorities stepped in more forcefully after the young boy burned down the family home and how the boy reacted to permanent placement in a group home. The film was picked as the Best Documentary Short at the 2000 Oscar ceremonies. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This performance video pays tribute to the genius of Johann Sebastian Bach. Such talented musicians as violinist Yehudi Menuhin and harpsichordist Ton Koopman play some of Bach's most complicated and beautiful masterpieces. The musical contributions of Bobby McFerrin, Viktoria Mullova, and Anner Bylsma also remind viewers why Bach's music continues to be so popular more than 250 years after his death. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
Although Bobby McFerrin is still best known as the performer and writer of the novelty hit Don't Worry Be Happy," he is in fact an accomplished composer, conductor, and musician. This concert film captures him in Leipzig putting a unique spin on some of Johann Sebastian Bach's most well known compositions. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1999
In this inspiring documentary, a companion to Jane Goodall's memoir of the same name, the famed scientist and tireless environmental activist explores the connections between her work and her deep personal faith. From a restless childhood in England to the wilds of Africa and beyond, Goodall's life has taken a fascinating series of twists and turns, and here she draws upon that vast experience, calling people to defend and preserve the natural world in the name of God and humanity. Harrison Ford narrates, while Bobby McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma provide a rich, African-themed soundtrack. ~ Sarah Welsh, All Movie Guide
- 1999
This film is part of an award-winning series that introduces children to the creative process. The filmmakers visit with musicians, painters, photographers, sculptors, actors, and dancers to get inside their creative minds. The featured artist is New Orleans music giant Allen Toussaint. Composer, producer, singer, and piano player in the Professor Longhair tradition, Toussaint is a musical force with 40 years of experience behind him. Honored with a Louisiana Lifetime Achievement Award and as New Orleans Entertainer of the Year, he is a regular performer at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and venues throughout the world. He brings his unique talent to this program in which he and several children work together to compose a tune at the piano. Then, with the help of fellow musicians Bobby McFerrin and Jane Ira Bloom, he leads a swinging improvisation. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Before retiring, recording producer George Martin, famed for his for association with The Beatles, returned to The Beatles songbook, shaping performances by several artists not usually associated with The Beatles, and some not even recognized for their musical abilities. This documentary captures studio sessions for the recording (issued October 1998 by MCA), and also features conversations about the selected songs and concepts, as Martin works closely with his chosen talents, opening with Phil Collins (Golden Slumbers) and then moving on to Robin Williams/Bobby McFerrin (Come Together), Goldie Hawn (A Hard Day's Night), Jim Carrey (I Am the Walrus) and John Williams (Here Comes the Sun). Filmed in England, the hour-long TV documentary first aired in the U.S. November 12, 1998 on Bravo. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Martin, Jim Carrey, (more)
- 1994
An exploration of the revival of Nazi sentiment in Germany is the theme of the five short films gathered together in this anthology. In the first film, titled "Ohne Mich" (Without Me), the lead character, an aspiring documentary filmmaker named Dani Levy, tries to get some attention for his film about skinheads versus Turkish immigrants. However, as a Jewish lad in today's Germany, his fears for the future prompt him to move to the moon.The second film captures the spirit of triumphalism in the celebrations of the reuniting of Germany, and it titled "Short Circuit." It takes the wiring difficulties of Helmut Kohl's Leipzig speech as being prophetic of difficulties to come. The third film is a surrealistic consideration of the captivity of a documentary maker by a Hitler-loving couple, entitled "Sacred Cows." The penultimate film is titled "A Place, A Suicide," and shows the suicidal reaction of a newly crippled man to the taunt by a group of boys that "Hitler would have had you gassed." The final film is a documentary featuring interviews with to punk rockers who were savagely beaten by Nazi-influenced skinheads, entitled "Victims, Witnesses." ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dani Levy, Maria Schrader, (more)
- 1994
The Fat Boys, Kid 'N Play and others are featured in this hip hop-themed music video compilation aimed at pre-teens, hosted by former MTV veejay and Milli Vanilli confidant Downtown Julie Brown. ~ Michael Hastings, 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
Featuring two of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories as narrated by Jack Nicholson, How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin / How the Camel Got His Hump is prime family entertainment. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1990
The popular artist Yo Yo Ma is presented in a live concert performance at the renowned Tanglewood Music Festival. The personable cellist plays a wide range of music, from Bach and Brahms, to Beethoven and Gruber. He manages to entertain, inform, and delight his audience on a warm summer night in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Pixar animator John Lasseter pays special tribute to the genius of Chuck Jones with this computer animated short about a snow-globe snowman that discovers life on the outside isn't all that it's cracked up to be. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
This 1988 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Kevin Kline and features musical guest Bobby McFerrin. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Kline, Bobby McFerrin, (more)
- 1987
In this animated tale the little teddy bear Santabear sees that all the kids in the South Pole are not forgotten on Christmas Day. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1987
- Add Bobby McFerrin: Spontaneous Inventions to QueueAdd Bobby McFerrin: Spontaneous Inventions to top of Queue
Bobby McFerrin brings his unique touch to old favorites in this 1986 performance from Hollywood. Some of the featured numbers are "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Honeysuckle Rose." ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bobby McFerrin
