Luther Vandross Movies

Possessing one of the finest voices in R&B, Luther Vandross' smooth, soulful, and romantic song stylings made him an overnight star with the release of his first album Never Too Much in 1981, and he's gone on to become an enduring influence in contemporary music. Luther Vandross: From Luther With Love - The Videos features music videos for 15 of Vandross' biggest hits; selections include "Always and Forever," "She Won't Talk to Me," "Power of Love/Love Power," "Superstar," "I Can Make It Better," "Endless Love" (with Mariah Carey), and more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This concert video captures Louther Vandross performing a dozen songs including "Evergreen," "Love the One You're With," "The Impossible Dream," and "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now." ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Diana Ross hosts this four-hour TV special tracing the rise of Berry Gordy's Detroit-based Motown record label during the '60s. Clips were compiled from a variety of sources, including such TV shows as Teen Town, Where the Action Is and It's What's Happening Baby. The history covers the label's leading acts (Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye) and explores the talents who created the Motown style -- songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland and Norman Whitfield, choreographer Cholly Atkins, finishing-school director Maxine Powell, arranger Maurice King, and the rhythm section (pianist Earl van Dyke, drummer Ben Benjamin, and bassist James Jamerson). With background on Gordy, the story moves forward into Motown's film/TV production, the solo career of Diana Ross, the Commodores, Teena Marie, Rick James, and many others. Interviews include Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Branford Marsalis, Clive Davis, Jesse Jackson, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, George Schlatter, Julian Bond, Diahann Carroll, RuPaul, and Rod Stewart. The special premiered as a two-parter (February 15th and 19th, 1998) on ABC. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Robert Townsend's superhero action comedy underwent much tinkering during post-production, employing four editors to whip the film into shape. Townsend wrote, directed, and produced this urban fable and also stars as Jefferson Reed, a meek substitute teacher in an inner-city neighborhood dominated by a gang of leather-jacketed, peroxided blonde goons who call themselves the Golden Lords. The residents of the neighborhood feel they can do nothing about the gang. But then a meteor hits Jefferson, who finds that he can fly, has super-strength, and can retain all the information in a book in thirty seconds. As a result, Jefferson, who normally is afraid of heights and runs from danger, becomes a reluctant superhero. The word about the "Meteor Man" gets back to the Golden Lords, who intend to rid the neighborhood of this milquetoast crime-fighter. The Meteor Man contains a cornucopia of cameos appearances, including Bill Cosby, Luther Vandross, Sinbad, Big Daddy Kane and Nancy Wilson. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Since the 1980s, singer and songwriter Luther Vandross has been performing and recording his soft R&B, honing his talent and establishing himself as a talented artist. In 1989, he broke through the international pop charts with the song "Here and Now." This is a live concert performance of this 1988-1989 worldwide tour, recorded at London's Wembley Arena before a sell-out crowd. Many of Vandross' classic songs are featured, including "Never Too Much," "Any Love," "Come Back," "Love Won't Let Me Wait," "Give Me the Reason," "Searching," and more. ~ Forrest Spencer, All Movie Guide

Some of the best-known names in gospel and inspirational music come together for this concert special, recorded live during a performance at Hollywood's First Presbyterian Church. The All Star Gospel Session includes performances by The Edwin Hawkins Singers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Andre Crouch, The Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Luther Vandross, Jennifer Holiday, and special guest Paul Simon. Selections include "A Change Is Gonna Come", "His Eye Is On The Sparrow", "Amazing Grace", "Oh Happy Day", "Slip Slidin' Away", and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The lives of five L.A. natives intertwine in this romantic comedy from independent filmmaker and former Robert Altman protégé Alan Rudolph. Eve (Lesley Ann Warren) is a bar owner who has sworn off permanent commitments, seeking only the temporary sexual satisfaction of men. Her roommate Ann (Genevieve Bujold) is her polar opposite. In reality, Ann is secretly the radio sex therapist Dr. Nancy Love, but she has little romantic experience despite her profession. Into their lives comes Mickey (Keith Carradine), a recent mental patient who might be an enigmatic pathological liar. Though she's powerfully attracted to Mickey, Eve's kept at arm's length by her lover Zack (Patrick Bauchau), a married man whose wife (Rae Dawn Chong) also finds Mickey irresistible. When Nancy sleeps with Mickey, he proposes marriage, but she rejects him, though the assignation does have a positive effect on her radio show. Considered Rudolph's seminal work, Choose Me (1984) was the third in a thematically-linked trilogy from the quirky low-budget director, the first two being Welcome to L.A. (1977) and Remember My Name (1978). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide