Chadwick Boseman--the Next Big Thing?

[MADem]

He's the star of the new James Brown biopic--early reports are that he's nothing short of astounding. He's the newcomer who played Jackie Robinson in 42, BTW.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/29/us-film-get-on-up-idUSKBN0FY1YR20140729?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

(Reuters) - At first Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer thought she was seeing early concert footage of James Brown but then was told it was a screen test by Chadwick Boseman to play the "Godfather of Soul" in the new biopic "Get On Up."

.....
Judging from early reviews, the filmmakers got it right with Boseman.

"It's that rare musician's biography with a deep feel for the music. And in Chadwick Boseman, it has a galvanic core, a performance that transcends impersonation and reverberates long after the screen goes dark," said the Hollywood Reporter.

Trade magazine Variety said whatever the film's shortcomings, "one thing that's faultless is its star, Chadwick Boseman, who plays Brown from age 16 to 60 with a dexterity and invention worthy of his subject."

[handmade34]

1. we are headed

to the first showing we can find… my SO is pretty excited!! (huge james Brown fan!)

[MADem]

2. Us, too--really looking forward to this film.

I am usually one who waits for the film to come out on premium cable, or maybe, if I'm up north with no TV, the Redbox, but I'm paying full price for this one!

[MrScorpio]

3. James Brown was my first musical hero as a child

The first record I bought with my own money was a James Brown record.

James Brown will always be to me the greatest showman who has ever lived.

Musician, composer, singer, dancer, bandleader, there wasn't anything that he couldn't do and everything he did was heads above anyone else.

Hopefully this movie tells his true story, because he's no longer with us.

In spite of the good times and bad, yes he was human too, until the day I day, James Brown will always be a hero to me.

[MADem]

4. Yes, yes, yes! Initial reports suggest that the movie is good and

the lead is manna from heaven. JB was a musical genius--I never tire of him.

[kwassa]

5. Stay on the scene like a sex machine.

great lyric, and I have no idea what it means.

I also love JB, and consider him the all-time father of funk, with some of the most definitive music ever. One of the most important people in the development in modern popular music.

His importance to the development of funk in popular music cannot be overstated. There are no grooves better than James Brown grooves.

[MADem]

6. Ya wanna see something hilarious? Only JB could manage to pull this off!

They'll be back...they forgot their coats, and their "rescue" dogs!!!

[msanthrope]

7. I've seen the movie. If he doesn't sweep the Best Actor categories, it would be a crime. He's that

good.

And the film itself is great.

[MADem]

8. Ah, my envy is palpable!! But I'm glad I have something to look forward to seeing!!! nt

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. I saw the movie ...

this past weekend. I wasn't really impressed by the movie or the acting ... except Boseman's ability to lip-sync (unfortunately, he lacked the about to copy Brown's dance moves).

Oh well ... maybe this will be another "Monsterball/Training Day" Academy Award moment where acting had/has little to do with the selection.

[MADem]

10. Octavia Spencer got it wrong, then?

Damn. I was hoping for a blow-out performance.

Sure you weren't in a bad mood when you went to the film? That can affect perception.

I hope more folks weigh in with a review. I hope to see the picture in the next week or so.

[1StrongBlackMan]

11. I'm not saying that the movie is bad ...

It just didn't live up to the hype.

BTW, I ran into a couple of other Black folks as the movie was letting out. That was their assessment, as well.

[MADem]

12. How was the characterization of Brown--believable or not quite?

You're the first persons (you and msanthrope) I've talked to who has actually SEEN the movie--I am waiting to go with a crew from the family.

[1StrongBlackMan]

13. Well ...

to be quite honest, I can't speak to the characterization of Brown, as I never saw him off stage.

[MADem]

14. I used to watch him every chance we got.

Here is some good footage (some of it I saw when it was first broadcast). He's technically "on stage" but he's engaged in conversation. Some of his interviews are revealing -- he was, from all appearances, a very open guy. I'm sure he's taking care with his public image in these conversations, but I also think they reveal a lot of his depth of character.


This is 1969--the interviews start around the five minute mark (the music is good, too, very fresh)-Mike Douglas and the Susskinds look like Wonder Bread!

1970 -interview starts around two minute, thirty second mark and then again at eight minutes, thirty, again at 13:30 (it was a typical D. Frost extended interview):

Here he is on Letterman in 1992

A and E bio, some good clips:

He always came across to me, despite his occasional troubles, as very real. No airs, no Better Than Thou attitude, honest, open, truthful. If he was faking it he did a good job!

This was one of his greatest performances on a very, very difficult night--we watched this live, and the "rebroadcast" immediately following the live show;

there's also a documentary about this performance up on YT as well.