History of Motown
Added 10/21/2009
Great movie and I learned so much about Motown that I was not familiar with. I wasn't a huge Motown fan but, after watching this movie, I have a whole new appreciation for the artists of that era.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I was highly disappointed in this "film." I was totally expecting an in-depth look into the lives of the Funk Brothers, especially Jamerson...I thought there would be actors playing each of them, telling about their rise and struggle at Motown, what their relationship was like with the artists, Berry Gordy and each other (although I guess that's one thing that was made clear, those guys would take a bullet for each other)....but also, I wanted to see a depiction of Funk Brother's recording sessions, and hear some songs that I love that never get played (i.e. J5's darling dear and the Tempts' You're my everything)...I was expecting another Ray dang-it!!!!! I mean, after Ray, I felt like I knew Ray Charles, as a person and an artist; the same thing goes for how I felt after watching the Tempts' and J5 mini series. I still love their sound, but I still have very little idea WHO the funk brothers were/are as people. As many talented musicians and actors there are out there, surely they could've casted people to bring the Funk Brothers story to life. Instead, it was a bunch of interviews with some of the surviving members and some other random people...as well as some boring covers of Motown/Funk brothers hits...honestly, the frequent amateur-like covers really annoyed me...I dozed off a few times while watching it. Furthermore, the "film" looked very low budget. Good thing I only paid $7 for it! I would've been better off just buying the Funk brothers "best of" cd and using my imagination.
P.S- and this thing had the nerve to come as a dual dvd package! Why not have an actual motion picture on one dvd, and exerpts/mini documentary on another?? Why waste 2 dvds on...well, nothingness?
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Great Movie/Documentary
Added 9/22/2009
What a great movie/documentary. I've shared and watched this multiple times. It's just so much fun. It's especially cool if you're a musician but great if you just happen to like Motown. What they went through over years, the special relationships and just how much fun they have is really great to watch. Nice ending!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Best of the Best
Added 8/17/2009
This is an unbelievable movie, both in terms of the music and as a behind-the-scenes documentary...we got to see the Funk Brothers live in Providence a couple of years ago and it was an amazing show! A must-see for any soul music fan...
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I would give it six if I could
Added 6/16/2009
On the recommendationof my boss I DL'd this on itunes and watched it on a plane. I have since watched it over 10 times. I was born i 62 so Motown was a part of my gowing up and even when hearing a song by a rock act if it had a Motown groove I pretty much was guaranteed to dig it.
Motown bass, Motown Beat. . . . . .dug it all.
I had no idea that the Funk Bros played on more #1 hits than Stones, Beatles, Beach Boys and Elvis. . . .combined.
When the movie opens and they are discussing where the 'motown sound" came from. . . and then they launch into the first song. . . . the hairs on the back of my neck stood up! THAT was the MOTOWN SOUND. . . . I think doing the songs with different singers hammers this home. Sure it is touch to do Marvin and the Temps etc. . . .. but the singers did a great job. .. . .BUT the stars of this show are the musicians.
I am determined to remember ALL of their names. These guys were not given credit for so long and I am very Grateful that Allan Slutsky went out and found these guys and got them recognition they deserved. I just wish that Bongo Eddy, Benny Benjamin, Earl Van Dykes, Robert White and James Jamerson were alive to be there!
It is particularly sad for Robert White and James Jamerson. Robert because it appears a conversation he had with Allan sparked at least in part the idea for this movie. James Jamerson because he was the GREATEST bass player to ever play. He more than anyone defined the Motown sound.
At the end of the movie when they show James having to scalp tix to the Motown 25 show and that he died a few months later. . . . .I had tears welled up. he should have been on that stage on a throne with Berry Gordy worshiping him. . . .
The finale with the musicians and departed members being announced and grinning ear to ear was priceless. . . . . .I may watch again this week.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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History of Motown
Added 10/21/2009
Great movie and I learned so much about Motown that I was not familiar with. I wasn't a huge Motown fan but, after watching this movie, I have a whole new appreciation for the artists of that era.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I was highly disappointed in this "film." I was totally expecting an in-depth look into the lives of the Funk Brothers, especially Jamerson...I thought there would be actors playing each of them, telling about their rise and struggle at Motown, what their relationship was like with the artists, Berry Gordy and each other (although I guess that's one thing that was made clear, those guys would take a bullet for each other)....but also, I wanted to see a depiction of Funk Brother's recording sessions, and hear some songs that I love that never get played (i.e. J5's darling dear and the Tempts' You're my everything)...I was expecting another Ray dang-it!!!!! I mean, after Ray, I felt like I knew Ray Charles, as a person and an artist; the same thing goes for how I felt after watching the Tempts' and J5 mini series. I still love their sound, but I still have very little idea WHO the funk brothers were/are as people. As many talented musicians and actors there are out there, surely they could've casted people to bring the Funk Brothers story to life. Instead, it was a bunch of interviews with some of the surviving members and some other random people...as well as some boring covers of Motown/Funk brothers hits...honestly, the frequent amateur-like covers really annoyed me...I dozed off a few times while watching it. Furthermore, the "film" looked very low budget. Good thing I only paid $7 for it! I would've been better off just buying the Funk brothers "best of" cd and using my imagination.
P.S- and this thing had the nerve to come as a dual dvd package! Why not have an actual motion picture on one dvd, and exerpts/mini documentary on another?? Why waste 2 dvds on...well, nothingness?
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Great Movie/Documentary
Added 9/22/2009
What a great movie/documentary. I've shared and watched this multiple times. It's just so much fun. It's especially cool if you're a musician but great if you just happen to like Motown. What they went through over years, the special relationships and just how much fun they have is really great to watch. Nice ending!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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