Ray Charles & Friends - Ray Charles

Advantages: Superb performance by Jamie Foxx
Disadvantages: Long and dull at times

...Born Ray Charles Robinson in 1930 in a poor part of Georgia, the singer and pianist we know simply as Ray Charles did not have the easiest of starts in life. Cared for by his single mother, he witnessed the drowning of his brother at a young age, and by seven, was blind in both eyes. Despite this, his mother entreated him to keep working and to never let his disability get the better of him. His drive and enthusiasm for life was soon to pay dividends in the form of a successful music career, with hits in the charts and a lucrative record contract. Yet his life was not all roses - addicted to heroin, Ray was nearly imprisoned more than once and had extra-marital affairs. Would heroin be the end of his family life? And how would it affect his musical career? I am not a big fan of biopics; the problem with the story of someone's life... Read review

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Advantages: read below
Disadvantages: read below

...After his unexpected death, Ray charles left 60 years of his time on his record label, making timeless music, with mixture of jazz, blues, gospel, country, soul, and rock ?n? roll. There was something very memorable about his unforgettable performances, he truely inspired alot of modern artists with his music. This new released album is duet album...every song is a duet with the worlds hottest soul/jazz singers: Nelson, Norah Jones, Natalie Cole, Bonnie Raitt and many more. it has to be said that he does shine the most with his duets, for example of a very heart moving duet is "Here We Go Again" feat the new shining talent Nora Jones, a soul beat ballad, a beautifull romantic recreation. The duet with James Taylor "Sweet Potato" which shifts into neo-soul sounds, with gitar riffs and the very unmissable saxaphone. "You... Read review

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Advantages: Really innovative. One of the best reenactment of a legend
Disadvantages: Some unneccesary Inclusion.

...Ray Charles.... The act...... One of the best reenactment of a legend I have ever watched. It's really touching. When I was watching the advert alone, I was moved. :" The story of a man who fought harder and went farther than anyone thought possible". That's really true. And the man who reenacted this legend? Oh! Jammie Foxx did a really great job, he really transformed himself into Ray Charles. He brought out perfectly the life and career of him,made an incredible performance,and made the movie generally a worthwhile one. Jammie himself went far than anyone thought possible in this partiular movie, having to really go blind by wearing prosthetics for many hours, just to make himself be like the real Ray, he attended classes at the Braille institute to play the role better. Why, he even played the piano in all scenes HIMSELF... Read review

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