At the end of director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s film about Amy Winehouse I felt as I did way back in 1979 at the conclusion of the film loosely based on Janis Joplin, The Rose—”Wow, what a mess, a tragedy of so much talent wasted by alcohol and drug addiction!” Unfortunately, the story of Amy Winehouse follows …
A Jazzman’s Blues (2022)
Spanning several decades, this is a doomed love story of a Black jazz singer & a woman able to pass as white in a racist society.
Soul (2020)
The film deals with metaphysical themes in its story of jazz musician Joe and a soul resisting birth learn together on their journey from the Beyond to earth and back what life is about.
New Orleans (1947)
A racist film, typical of its time, wherein Blacks play subservient roles, but redeemed by the music of Louis Armstrong & Billy Holiday (her only feature film!).
Motherless Brooklyn (2019)
Grieving over the murder of his mentor, the dead P.I.’s assistant ,afflicted by Tourette syndrome searches for the killers, eventually confronting the most powerful man in New York City.
Green Book (2018)
Based on a true story, this is a movie you shouldn’t miss this season. Click the title to read my entire review.
Miles Ahead (2015)
Director/writer/star Don Cheadle dwells upon the chaotic period when Miles Davis was seeking to gain control of his tapes and make a comeback in jazz.
Born to Be Blue (2016)
When thugs smash West Coast jazzman Chet Baker’s mouth & teeth, he makes a comeback with the help of his wife, though he still is addicted to heroin.
Low Down (2014)
A jazz musician father’s addiction to heroin keeps him from being the loving father for his daughter that he wants to be, but she keeps loving him.
Whiplash (2014)
A jazz teacher, using cruel methods to push his percussionist student to achieve perfection, raises the question of what happened to kindness & inspiration?