The Best Soul Music Movies to Watch
Looking for some good soul music movies to watch? Check out our list of the best ones out there!
The Blues Brothers
Released in 1980, The Blues Brothers is a comedy classic starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as “Joliet” Jake and Elwood Blues, two brothers on a mission from God to save the Catholic orphanage where they were raised. Accompanied by an all-star cast of musicians including James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, and Aretha Franklin, the Blues Brothers bring their brand of blues/soul/funk to the big screen in one of the most memorable musical performances ever captured on film.
Ray
Ray is a 2004 American musical biographical drama film focusing on 30 years in the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. The independently produced film was written, directed, and produced by Taylor Hackford, and starred Jamie Foxx in the title role.
Charles was blind from the age of seven. The film follows his impoverished upbringing in rural Georgia, where he went to school for the first time at age 10; his teenage years working in clubs in Tampa, Florida; the forming of his first band in 1947; his first hit record, “I Got a Woman”, recorded in 1954; drug addiction and reformation; and his performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1960.
The film grossed $124 million worldwide and won an Academy Award for Best Actor (Foxx) at the 77th Academy Awards in 2005.
Cadillac Records
Cadillac Records is a 2008 American biographical drama film written and directed by Darnell Martin. The film chronicles the rise of rhythm and blues at the legendary Chicago club, Chess Records, and its subsequent fall. Cadillac Records stars Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Beyoncé Knowles, Columbus Short, and Eamonn Walker. The film was released in North America on December 5, 2008.
The film received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 47% rating, based on 153 reviews with an average score of 5.8 out of 10. The site’s consensus reads: “Though it sanitizes some of its real-life subjects, Cadillac Records offers enough solid performances and tunes to please music fans.” On Metacritic, the film has a 55 out of 100 rating based on 29 critics, indicating “mixed or average reviews”.
standing in the shadows of Motown
Standing in the Shadows of Motown is a 2002 documentary film directed by Paul Justman. The film chronicles the career of the Funk Brothers, a group of Detroit-based session musicians who were the backing band for many Motown Records recordings.
The film features interviews with the surviving members of the Funk Brothers, as well as footage of them recording new material with contemporary musicians. Standing in the Shadows of Motown was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Get on Up
This 2014 biopic about the life of legendary soul singer James Brown is a must-watch for fans of the genre. Chronicling Brown’s early years as a musician through to his later years as a social activist, the film features an outstanding performance by Chadwick Boseman in the title role.
