Ray (Widescreen Edition)

Ray (Widescreen Edition)
by Taylor Hackford

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DVD Cover Information

Actor: Clifton Powell, Harry Lennix, Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King
Director: Taylor Hackford
Brand: Universal
Writer: Taylor Hackford
Producer: Alise Benjamin
Producer: Barbara A. Hall
Producer: Howard Baldwin
Producer: Jaime Rucker King
Producer: Karen Elise Baldwin
Writer: James L. White
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 152 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-02-01
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios

Movie Reviews of Ray (Widescreen Edition)

Movie Review: The Memorable Good & Bad Of 'Ray'
Summary: 4 Stars

Jamie Foxx does a fine job of impersonating the famous blues/soul/country singer Ray Charles. To the film's credit, it shows both the good and the bad regarding Charles' character and the choices he made, both personally and professionally.

This is a slick-looking film/DVD that provides you with a rich feel of the periods in which the story takes place. Not only does it look good, it sounds good. I only wish there was more music in here. When it's inserted, it's fabulous but there isn't enough of it.

The only negative I had with the filmmakers was the overemphasis of Charles' problems being blamed on one early childhood event. That tragedy was used as cop-out for all Ray's misdoings as an adult.

Note: There is an extended version with the DVD but word has it that it is so poorly edited that it's not worth watching, so stick with the "theatrical version."

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Summary of Ray (Widescreen Edition)

The triumphant & remarkable story of one of americas true musical geniusus ray charles. From his humble beginnings in the south through his meteoric rise to the top rays inspirational journey is a tale of hpe redemption and the power of the human spirit. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 08/26/2008 Starring: Jamie Foxx Regina King Run time: 153 minutes Rating: Pg13

Jamie Foxx's uncannily accurate performance isn't the only good thing about Ray. Riding high on a wave of Oscar buzz, Foxx proved himself worthy of all the hype by portraying blind R&B legend Ray Charles in a warts-and-all performance that Charles approved shortly before his death in June 2004. Despite a few dramatic embellishments of actual incidents (such as the suggestion that the accidental drowning of Charles's younger brother caused all the inner demons that Charles would battle into adulthood), the film does a remarkable job of summarizing Charles's strengths as a musical innovator and his weaknesses as a philandering heroin addict who recorded some of his best songs while flying high as a kite. Foxx seems to be channeling Charles himself, and as he did with the life of Ritchie Valens in La Bamba, director Taylor Hackford gets most of the period details absolutely right as he chronicles Ray's rise from "chitlin circuit" performer in the early '50s to his much-deserved elevation to legendary status as one of the all-time great musicians. Foxx expertly lip-syncs to Ray Charles' classic recordings, but you could swear he's the real deal in a film that honors Ray Charles without sanitizing his once-messy life. --Jeff Shannon

More on Ray Charles

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (CD)
The Genius of Ray Charles (CD)
Ray Charles and Betty Carter--Dedicated to You (CD)

Genius & Soul--The 50th Anniversary Collection (CD)
Ray: A Tribute to the Movie, the Music, and the Man (book)
More Albums by Ray Charles

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