Jamie Foxx - Straight From The Foxxhole DVD

Advantages: A deserved Oscar
Disadvantages: A little stagnant in some places

...If you know anything about Ray Charles Robinson this film may come as little surprise. For people who knew very little about the man it is an eye opener. I guess you could call it another Titanic, you know how it ends, but the story is great just the same. Jamie Foxx's portrayal was nothing short of astounding, if the Academy Award had gone to someone else, I would have been truly shocked. The way he moved and held himself was spellbinding. It can't have been easy. The music is fantastic, I found myself closing my eyes and just rocking - or R'n'Bing - to the soundtrack. It got me out and buying some Ray Charles cd's. I suggest you watch, and enjoy. If not for the story, then merely for Jamie Foxx's finest work to date.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great biopic of the great man Ray Charles
Disadvantages: a litlle long, could have been trimmed down a little

...This film is a biography about the life and times of Ray Charles. The film holds nothing back and I believe it to be a very accurate portrayal of the man himself, Ray Charles. The film begins with Ray waiting at a bus stop in the middle of nowhere, it is right here that you start to feel the overtones of the film, Ray was a blind man and he was black. Jamie Foxx is an absolute genius never once in the film did I think that "oh that is Jamie Foxx look at the way he does that...etc". It was as if I was watching Ray Charles himself in person. I was riveted to my seat for the entire length of the film. The film holds nothing back telling the real truths about Ray Charles. His struggle with heroin addiction. The film portrays, in the form of flashbacks, his early childhood and the death of his brother from which he feels a profound sense... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Stunning music score and an unmatchable performance from Jamie Foxx
Disadvantages: Lacks substance, heart and brevity.

...bullet point’s on a resume and lack the spontaneity, reflection and heart. Even a long bio-pic can encompass only so many aspects of alife, but ‘Ray’ weighing in at a mighty 150 minutes manages to be lacking in feeling despite the multitude of information it imparts, this said Hackford's direction is strong, and in a slight nod to the aforementioned ‘The Doors’ movie, deftly plays with time, using flashbacks showing how past events affect the present. Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles, is the closest as you'd ever see of an true modern day Oscar winning performance, his talent already burgeoning in ‘Collateral’, has Charles' distinctive mannerisms minutely accurate, no comic head swinging but a precise and confident performance. A side note on Jamie Foxx. Long tipped take the part of Zane in a movie adaptation of Anthony Piers’ ‘On a Pale Horse... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful