Ray

[LilWonderWoman]

For those of you who don't know what i'm talking about, by the title of the thread i am talking about the new Jamie Foxx movie/biography about the life and times of the late R&B singer and musician Ray Charles.

Judging by the trailer it looks really good and is getting a lot of oscar buzz. Is anyone going to see it? If you did what'd you think about it? and just in case if you haven't seen the trailer here's the link to the official movie website:

ray charles movie website (http://www.raymovie.com/index.php)

[KJK]

Yep, I'm definitely going to see it... hopefully. I have a tendency to wait until movies come out on DVD. It looks really well done, and everyone's saying Jamie Foxx did an awesome job.

[i luv tom welling]

I really want to see that. I remember seeing the trailer a while ago, and it looks awesome.

[the panther]

I wanna see it soo bad. It looks to be a really good flick. :)

[vyperman7]

Taylor Hackford is a great director. He was responsible for Devil's Advocate and Blood In Blood Out. Jamie Foxx looks like his portrayal of Ray Charles is dead on as well. I really want to see this film.

[applecrash]

I would really like to see the movie (although, I don't know if I'll have time to while it will be in the theaters.) The previews look great. I also saw a show with an interview with Jamie Foxx and clips of Foxx working with Ray Charles before Charles' death to work on really capturing his character. Ray Charles seemed to have been happy with Foxx being the one who would be portraying him in the film.

[LilWonderWoman]

I mean i was a little surprised that Jamie Foxx was going to take on the role of Ray Charles, i had only known him for his comedic work and i didn't think he'd had enough experience tackling dramatic roles but going by the preview and what the critics are saying it seems like he did an amazing job and i can't wait to see it. That sound track looks awesome too

[Farmboy]

I think he will be nominated for the big one. It's amazing how a few years ago he had an obsure movie career and in a matter of a couple years he has Ali, Collateral and now Ray. But yeah I'm going to see it, they filmed here in my state about a hour away and girlfriend is an extra in it so we are probably going next weekend.

[LilWonderWoman]

post the reviews and thoughts here when you see it! I will

[LilWonderWoman]

I’m a little disappointed at the box office even though it did better than expect I thought it should have brought in more money

From the NY daily News:
“The Ray Charles film biography "Ray," with Jamie Foxx as the late, great soul man, earned $20.1 million, finishing a strong second to "The Grudge" on a weekend traditionally dominated by fright flicks”


ok so here is MY review:

OK so I saw ray on Saturday.

First off let me say that it's long (almost 2 and 1/2 hours) but it's worth it. When I heard Jamie Foxx was playing ray Charles I thought it was a slap in the face to the man. The only Jamie Foxx movie I have seen was booty call, and his in living color and Jamie Foxx show acting. Previous to his role in Ray he plays in one other drama, which I had not seen. Shame on me for writing him off. In these types of biography movies the actors have a tendency to do impressions of whomever they are supposed to be playing. Yet Foxx actually has us believe that he is Ray Charles, from his walk, talk, even down to his speech patterns and mannerisms Foxx is dead on. Make no mistake if Foxx does not get nominated for this role not only I, but a lot of critics and people in Hollywood will be surprised.

The film takes us through Charles life starting sometimes in the 1940's and about 30 years of his career. The film frequently flashes back to his tragic childhood. (I thought he was blind at birth but he became blind as a child.) It takes us through the up's and down's of his life. Ray Charles might have not been a great man in the early stages of his life, including his drug habits and philandering, although he made great strides overcoming not only his blindness but also racism.

Let us not forget that the women in Ray’s life play a pivotal role. Sharon Warren who plays Aretha Robinson (ray Charles mother) did a phenomenal job playing a mother struggling through life but teaching her sons that they don’t and should not have to. Kerry Washington plays Della Bea Robinson (Ray’s life long wife) who has to deal with loving a man and believing in him even though he does so many things to damage their relationship. Times were different back then so even if he was cheating on her she could not leave, but I think the bigger reason as to why she didn’t leave was because she knew he needed help and loved him but didn’t know how to help him. Regina King also does a great job portraying Margie Hendricks one of the Raylets whom he has an affair with and she provides a lot of vocals on ray’s famous songs such as Hit the Road Jack
This brings me to wonderful sound track, which includes Georgia on My Mind, Unchain My Heart, What I Say and so much more.

The only problem I had with the film was with its anti climatic ending. Over all it was worth the $10 I paid to see it, I cried and laughed and really enjoyed this film, which I don't usually say often. Everyone should go see Ray.
:D

[Hartski]

I guess that Ray Charles cast Jamie Foxx himself. He wanted the right person to portray him.

[LilWonderWoman]

Im not sure about that

but did anyone else see the movie

[LilWonderWoman]

Six Oscar Nods

including
best actor
best director
Best picture


congrats to jamie foxx for winning a golden globe
i hope he wins the oscar

[M.D.]

Me too! It was a Great movie (with a capital G).

[kia]

Best Actor? Absolutely! Foxx WAS Ray Charles!

Best director or story? No way.

I was impressed with Foxx, but IMO everything else was meh.

or maybe I just don't like biopics. I see them expecting something great and I'm alwasy disapointed.

[LilWonderWoman]

kia i agree the whole movie was carried by Foxx's performance

[DarkseidX]

No doubt at all that the movie was driven by Jamie's great talent as an actor. I've been he4aring the DVD commentary, and to my surprise, he actually had hi eyes closed when he was playing these songs. He really was blind while playing these extremely difficult songs.

Jamie absolutely deserved the Oscar. And as the Die-Hard Ray Charles fan I am, I couldn't have picked a better person to play the genius himself.