Herbie Hancock Movies
Influential jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock has scored a number of feature films beginning with the music for Blow Up (1966). Hancock's best-known score was that for the jazz lover's delight 'Round Midnight, which won him an Oscar for Best Original Score. Hancock also appeared in the film as a piano player. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni's first English-language production was also his only box office hit, widely considered one of the seminal films of the 1960s. Thomas (David Hemmings) is a nihilistic, wealthy fashion photographer in mod "Swinging London." Filled with ennui, bored with his "fab" but oddly-lifeless existence of casual sex and drug use, Thomas comes alive when he wanders through a park, stops to take pictures of a couple embracing, and upon developing the images, believes that he has photographed a murder. Pursued by Jane (Vanessa Redgrave), the woman who is in the photos, Thomas pretends to give her the pictures, but in reality, he passes off a different roll of film to her. Thomas returns to the park and discovers that there is, indeed, a dead body lying in the shrubbery: the gray-haired man who was embracing Jane. Has she murdered him, or does Thomas' photo reveal a man with a gun hiding nearby? Antonioni's thriller is a puzzling, existential, adroitly-assembled masterpiece. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave, (more)
- 1967
This Miles Davis-headlined performance film combines footage from two separate concerts with Davis on trumpet, Herbie Hancock on piano, Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Tony Williams on drums and Ron Carter on bass. One was mounted and filmed at Stathalle, Karlsruhe, Germany, in November of '67, and the other at the Konserthuset in Stockholm, Sweden in October of '67. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Sam Greenlee's cult favorite novel of political unrest was brought to the screen in this drama, which also earned a small but loyal following. A congressman hoping to attract African-American voters during an election year decides to make political hay by pointing out that the Central Intelligence Agency has no black agents. Bowing to subsequent public pressure, the CIA admits a number of black applicants to their training program, but they purposefully make the process difficult and unpleasant enough to winnow out nearly all the African-American students. Dan Freeman (Lawrence Cook), a strong, intelligent but soft-spoken man, somehow makes it through the gauntlet to become the black CIA agent; however, rather than being given important field assignments, Freeman is put in charge of the agency's copying machines and gives tours of their facilities to give the offices a progressive front for visitors. After a few years, Freeman leaves the agency to move back to his hometown of Chicago and do work with the community...at least that's what he tells his superiors. In fact, Freeman has used his time at the CIA collecting information on how to launch a political revolution, and not long after he arrives in the Windy City, he begins recruiting an army of leftist radicals and black nationalists fed up with the system. With their help, Freeman launches the first stage of an armed revolt with the stated goal of bringing the white-dominated power structure to its knees. The Spook Who Sat by the Door was a rare feature directorial assignment for Ivan Dixon, best known as an actor (he played Sgt. "Kinch" Kinchloe on Hogan's Heroes), Dixon has an extensive resume of directorial credits, but primarily in episodic television. Spook is his second theatrical release. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
This drama about a man who takes the law into his own hands was wildly controversial upon first release, sparking much debate about the perceived pro-vigilante stance of the story, and established Charles Bronson as a major box office draw in the United States. Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) is a liberal architect living in New York City. One day, a group of drug-crazed thugs break into his apartment while he's gone, killing his wife Joanna (Hope Lange) and brutally raping his married daughter, leaving her comatose. When the police are unable to find the culprits, Kersey arms himself and begins patrolling the streets, killing muggers and thieves as he encounters them. While his obsessive search for street justice sickens him at first, in time Kersey begins to enjoy it and becomes a hunted man himself, as Police Detective Frank Ochoa (Vincent Gardenia) tries to find the man who is doing the police's job for them, and a bit too well. Jeff Goldblum made his screen debut as one of the lunatics who attacks Joanna. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Bronson, Hope Lange, (more)
- 1983
This documentary is the second volume in a two-part set featuring Blue Note recording artists. The program presents a who's who of musicians who have performed for the legendary jazz music label Blue Note. Known for showcasing jazz artists, the Blue Note enjoys an unparalleled reputation in the jazz world with performers and audiences alike. Excerpts from a tribute for Blue Note held at New York's Town Hall are presented here. This list of artists includes Bobby Timmons, Stanley Jordan, and Bernie Wallace. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1983
This documentary is part one of a two-volume set featuring Blue Note recording artists. The program presents a who's who of musicians who have performed for the legendary jazz music label Blue Note. Known for showcasing jazz artists, the Blue Note enjoys an unparalleled reputation in the jazz world with performers and audiences alike. Excerpts from a tribute for Blue Note held at New York's Town Hall are presented here. This list of artists includes Herbie Hancock, Stanley Jordan, and Bobby Hutcherson. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Music legends Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Billy Cobham team up to form the World of Rhythm in this concert performance captured live at Plazzo dei Congressi, Lugano in January of 1983. Songs include "Toys", "Little Waltz", "Princess", "Walking" and more. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1984
This program presents excerpts from two live performances by Herbie Hancock and the Rockit Band. The shows feature Hancock on the piano backed by his capable band, first at Hammersmith Odeon and then at Camden Hall. The innovative productions offer a wide range of music and dance, including scratch dancing and breakdancing. A spectacular light show, complete with performing robots, adds a futuristic touch to the group's performance. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1984
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In this concert performance captured live in Lugano, Switzerland in 1984, pianist and composer Herbie Hancock teams with bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Billy Cobham to offer an evening of innovative jazz before an appreciative audience. As the talented trio performs, each member's skills are spotlighted with camera angles that emphasize function over flash to provide an up-close look at musical mastery in the making. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Inspired by the Herman Melville novel Billy Budd, writer Charles Fuller created the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Soldier's Play, which he then adapted into this film drama in 1984, for socially conscious, liberal director Norman Jewison. In the racially-divided 1940s, Fort Neal, Louisiana, is a military base where black soldiers are sent not to fight in WWII but to play baseball against other armed forces teams. The murder of a black sergeant, Waters (Adolph Caesar) brings an investigator, Captain Davenport (Howard E. Rollins, Jr.) to the base. Davenport, the first black officer that most of the men have ever met, suspects that a pair of white men were responsible for Waters' death, but his probe reveals that nearly everyone, regardless of skin color, had ample reason to kill the loathsome but pitiable Waters. The cast of A Soldier's Story features early supporting performances from several African-American actors who would go on to greater prominence, including Denzel Washington, David Alan Grier, and Robert Townsend. The film was nominated for three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Caesar) and Best Adapted Screenplay. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Howard E. Rollins, Jr., Adolph Caesar, (more)
- 1984
This 1984 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Ringo Starr and features musical guest Herbie Hancock. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ringo Starr, Herbie Hancock, (more)
- 1986
- R
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Popular African-American comedian Jo Jo Dancer is severely burned while free-basing cocaine. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. While hovering between life and death, Dancer flashes back to his childhood, when he grew up in a brothel. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. Dancer decides to become a comic, but has a great many difficulties rising to stardom until he begins making scatological comments about race relations. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. As he rises to fame, Jo Jo has problems controlling his drug addiction and womanizing. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists.....Well, you've caught on by now. If one were able to excise the excruciatingly boring "introspection" scene, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling would stand as an excellent testimonial to Richard Pryor's cutting-edge comic brilliance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Pryor, Debbie Allen, (more)
This made-for-TV drama was based on the true story of George McKenna (played by Denzel Washington in one of his first leading roles), an educator in Los Angeles who faced the greatest challenge of his career when he was named Principal of George Washington Memorial High School. Located in a run-down inner-city neighborhood, Washington High was being torn apart by gang violence and drug dealing, and much of the student body seemed more interested in surviving the day than in learning. McKenna was determined to make Washington High a safe place where students could get a quality education which would allow them to go to college if they so desired, but he soon realized he was facing an uphill battle, having to deal not only with gangs and delinquent students, but apathetic teachers and parents too busy or unconcerned to help in the education of their kids. The George McKenna Story also stars Lynn Whitfield, Debra Artis, and Richard Masur; after Denzel Washington's later rise to superstar status, the film was rereleased on home video under the title Hard Lessons. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Denzel Washington
A French music lover befriends a once-great American jazz artist and attempts to save him from self-destruction in this moody drama. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon portrays Dale Turner, a fictional musician inspired by a number of famed jazz figures, including Bud Powell and Lester Young. Largely forgotten in his home country, Turner has moved to Paris in search of a more appreciative audience. He finds it in the form of Francis Borler (Francois Cluzet), a bebop aficionado who befriends the expatriate player. Borler soon becomes familiar with Turner's darker side, including his struggles with alcoholism, drug addiction, and depression. Fearing for the musician's life, the fan becomes his caretaker, an arrangement that leads to a brief improvement in Turner's health and fortunes but places great emotional strain upon them both. Director Bertrand Tavernier pays great attention to the visual and aural details of the jazz world, with outstanding musical supervision provided by Herbie Hancock. 'Round Midnight's greatest asset, however, is Gordon's Academy Award-nominated performance, informed by his own life experiences. His naturally fascinating presence combines with the film's obvious love of the music and its milieu to provide what many have hailed as one of the more authentic and affectionate presentations of the jazz world on the silver screen. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dexter Gordon, François Cluzet, (more)
- 1987
George Michael, Elton John, and Bob Geldof are among the musical luminaries performing at a live concert in 1987 for the benefit of AIDS victims. The concert was held at Wembley Arena in London to raise money and awareness about the disease, which has killed millions of people worldwide. Among the songs included in the program are "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues," "Everything She Wants," and "Stand By Me." ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Despite the protestations of early critics, rock music did not cause the fall of Western civilization. Indeed, it has become a lasting musical art form which many aspire to learn and perform. This program, hosted by jazz great Herbie Hancock, offers a guide for the aspiring rock musician on everything from choosing the right equipment to the right songs. This episode examines the basic components of a rock band, from guitar to drums. Musicians and music teachers offer tips and insights for making rock music. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Despite the protestations of early critics, rock music did not cause the fall of Western civilization. Indeed, it has become a lasting musical art form which many aspire to learn and perform. This program, hosted by jazz great Herbie Hancock, offers a guide for the aspiring rock musician on everything from choosing the right equipment to the right songs. This episode deals with developing the emotional tone of the blues, answered perhaps by the harsher language of heavy metal music. Musicians and music teachers offer tips and insights on the two styles. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Despite the protestations of early critics, rock music did not cause the fall of Western civilization. Indeed, it has become a lasting musical art form which many aspire to learn and perform. This program, hosted by jazz great Herbie Hancock, offers a guide for the aspiring rock musician on everything from choosing the right equipment to the right songs. This episode segues into those permutations of the rock idiom known as funk and reggae. Musicians and music teachers offer tips and insights on developing a personal style. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Despite the protestations of early critics, rock music did not cause the fall of Western civilization. Indeed, it has become a lasting musical art form which many aspire to learn and perform. This program, hosted by jazz great Herbie Hancock, offers a guide for the aspiring rock musician on everything from choosing the right equipment to the right songs. The evolution in rock music has seen a corollary development in the technology to express it. Computers and digital recordings are the subject of this episode, with computer experts and musicians commenting on how the digital age has changed music. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Despite the protestations of early critics, rock music did not cause the fall of Western civilization. Indeed, it has become a lasting musical art form which many aspire to learn and perform. This program, hosted by jazz great Herbie Hancock, offers a guide for the aspiring rock musician on everything from choosing the right equipment to the right songs. This episode explores the concepts of rhythm and harmony to maximize the group's potential in the creative arrangement of material. Musicians and songwriters offer their insights on the art of arrangements. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Despite the protestations of early critics, rock music did not cause the fall of Western civilization. Indeed, it has become a lasting musical art form which many aspire to learn and perform. This program, hosted by jazz great Herbie Hancock, offers a guide for the aspiring rock musician on everything from choosing the right equipment to the right songs. This episode focuses on elements of rock music performing, from melody to soloing. Rock musicians and songwriters offer their insights on developing a personal style to express the essence of the lyrics. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Chuck Mangione are the stars in this performance at the historic Storyville club in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Once part of the infamous red-light district of the city, Storyville has hosted many of the great names in music. To the delight of the live audience, Ms. Vaughan sings some of her sultriest tunes, while Mangione and Gillespie perform some bebop classics, including "Take the "A" Train" and "Watermelon Man." ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Cherry, Maynard Ferguson, (more)
