Tag Archives: charles bradley

Charles Bradley film in Madison? Let’s make it happen

charlesbradley

One of the most electrifying of today’s soul performers is Charles Bradley, who I saw open for Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings at the Barrymore Theatre a few years ago. Originally a James Brown impersonator, the 64-year-old Bradley has gone beyond impersonation and become an authentic and exciting soul singer.

And, as Andy Downing’s great interview for 77 Square last February showed, that road to the spotlight has been long and hard for Bradley, and he has a lot of heartache to draw from when he performs. All of which is to say that Bradley would make a great subject for a movie, and he did — the documentary “Charles Bradley: Soul of America.”

Some Madison folks are using Tugg (like Kickstarter for movies) to set up a screening of “Soul of America” on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Star Cinema, and they need your help. The way Tugg works is that a certain number of people have to pledge to see the film. If enough pledge, then it happens. Right now, with nine days to go until the deadline, the organizers need another 47 people to reserve tickets via the website.

To sweeten the deal, True Endeavors will be raffling off four tickets to Bradley’s December 4 show at the High Noon Saloon, and Strictly Discs will also be giving away a prize package to a lucky audience member. Even without that’, it’s a worthy chance to support a great artist and a local grassroots effort to bring something different to the big screen.

 

 

Instant Gratification: “Charles Bradley: Soul of America” and four other good movies to watch on Netflix Instant

charlesbradley

Pick of the week: “Charles Bradley: Soul of America” — A former James Brown impersonator, Bradley has grown into a soul music force of nature in the twilight of his life, and this affecting documentary looks at both his recent success and the long, hard road that led up to it.

Action film of the week: “Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame” — My full review is here. Legendary Hong Kong director Tsui Hark mixes martial arts and Sherlock Holmes-style mystery in this lavish tale, as a 7th-century gumshoe looks into a conspiracy to assassinate the Empress.

Sci-fi film of the week: “The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra” — This film is a deliberately bad parody of cheesy ’50s sci-fi movies, as scientists compete with each other for control of a valuable alien substance.

Comedy of the week: “Heaven Can Wait” — Warren Beatty plays an easygoing quarterback who gets zapped into the after life before his time in this witty 1978 comedy, which also includes the invaluable Charles Grodin and Dyan Cannon.

TV show of the week: “Orange is the New Black” — I don’t normally do TV shows on Instant Gratification, but I have to sing the praises of this great Netflix Original series, starring Taylor Schilling as a privileged woman who goes to a federal women’s prison for a year. It’s absolutely nothing like you would think of “women’s prison drama” would be — it’s funny, insightful and often very moving.