I went to see Get On Up over the weekend, and it was SO GOOD. And now I’m sort of obsessed with James Brown as a person, and with Chadwick Boseman as an actor. I’m including some photos from the NYC premiere of Get On Up, which happened a few weeks ago. Mick Jagger is in the photos because he produced the film, because he’d always wanted to tell the story of James Brown. Mick and James knew each other for a long time. They met in the 1960s, before the Rolling Stones were even super-famous, and from the way Mick talks about him, you can tell that he just adored James Brown (even though the feeling wasn’t always mutual).
At first, I couldn’t get into the story because they were jumping around in the chronology too much, but once you get the hang of it (it takes about fifteen minutes), you can really get into it. James Brown was born into severe rural poverty in Georgia, he was raised in a whorehouse, he was in jail at an early age, but he overcame a lot to be “the godfather of soul” and “the hardest working man in show business.” The movie focuses more on his career and his relationship with Bobby Byrd, his long-time friend, back-up singer and band leader (sort of?). There are mentions of some of the bad stuff, like the tax evasion and his drug use, and they show parts of his abusive relationship with his second (?) wife. It’s not sugar-coated and you can see that James Brown was a bastard to a lot of the people in his life. But he was also crazy-talented.
But really, let’s talk about Chadwick Boseman. For much of the movie, it wasn’t about prosthetics or makeup. Chadwick transformed himself into James Brown just by the way he moved, the way he spoke, the way he danced. Chadwick worked his ass off and you could tell. It was crazy. And now I’m kind of wondering if this is going to be the latest bio-pic to earn a Best Actor Oscar. I think these are still early days and the only think I can say for sure is that Chadwick is going to get a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical. I’m saying that with certainty.
Other notables: Viola Davis played James Brown’s mom and Octavia Spencer played his aunt (she operated the brothel). Nelsan Ellis played Bobby Byrd and Ellis stole a lot of scenes away from Chadwick, which was hard to do. Dan Ackroyd played Brown’s long-time manager and friend as well. It was a really good movie, and if I’m comparing it to other musical bio-pics, I have to say… I liked this better than Ray. Last thing: Chadwick Boseman has a really great body. He’s sexy as hell too.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
He’s hot and has some amazing talent. I loved him in 42. He’s my Black Panther
He would be lots of fun as Black Panther.
Nelsan Ellis’s quiet, dignified performance as Bobby was outstanding.
He’s sexy and gorgeous and if Hollywood can get their heads out of their rears, Chadwick Boseman will be nominated for a leading man Oscar, and the rest of the cast will be nominated as well. Amazing people in an incredible film.
I just it yesterday. The movie was solid but his performance was flawless. He made the movie. The Academy loves bio pics and a “transformation” (i.e. Ray, Dallas Buyers Club) so even though it’s early in the Oscar race, there’s still a strong chance he could get a nomination and a possible win.
It’s early but Cate Blanchette’s Blue Jasmine was a summer movie too.
So was Crash and it won for best pic in 2006
That was a Woody Allen movie. Hollywood practically salivates over him. He even got an honorary award at the Globes with all of the allegations flying around (I believe Dylan 100%).
Ha! It’s about a black man so I seriously doubt it. It would be amazing, though!
That Nelson Ellis, though. Love him, he is outstanding!
It’s so upsetting that this comment can still be true in this day and age. Depressing, too. Hollywood is disgusting. Then again, people like Julia Roberts have Oscars, so talent may not be the true measure.
Didn’t Jamie Foxx get an Oscar for playing Ray Charles?
Kind of rare, though.
@Beth
Telling that the first example that comes to people’s minds came out exactly ten years ago.
Oscars for POC’s only happen once in a blue moon and then only when there’s enough hype and the actor is already really famous in his/her own right.
Nope. This will be the year of Old White Men. If they wanted Boseman to stand a real chance, they needed to open this in November.
Every year is the year of Old White Men.
This is the exact same thing that happened to Fruitvale Station. Opened in summer and was (mostly) forgotten by September when the “real” would-be Oscar nominated films started trickling out.
Fruitvale Station was not Oscar material. I read on here about how great it was, and it was good, but not great. Michael B Jordan was/is a great actor though.
Well, I didn’t think Silver Linings Playbook was Oscar-material but it sure sweeped the awards season… Oh right, it was backed by a rich, old white man with a mostly white cast.
He should get an Oscar for that suit alone. Damn, he knows how to dress like a man.
I doubt it. The movie was good, but nothing very memorable. No one is really talking about it.
Um people are talking about it.
LOVE LOVE LOVE him, in the Jackie Robinson movie..what a Guy!
Im so gonna go watch this next weekend, I also love that it’s a Black Experience Movie that isnt a Terrible sad super emotionally charged hard thing to watch (Like Tons of my friends wanted to and even bought tickets for fruitvale station or 12YaS and had to bail/go see something lighter Just cause it was so hard to watch) …Or Tyler Perryish!
I saw it yesterday. Outstanding in every way. One caveat: getting the rights to all of JB’s music fell short: No “I Feel Good.” No “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” or “Living in America.” That said, Chadwick KILLED IT! Nelsan Ellis (and his eyes) stole the show.
One more thing: the audience in my town was age 50+.
I agree with everything said. Loved it. Am obsessed. Want Boseman to win an Oscar.
Critics have complained about the jumping around it time. So what? What your brain is too slow to process that? It was fine. It worked. Viola Davis deserves n Oscar. If Judi Dench can win one for two minutes of work, then Davis must win too.
As for the release date, Cate Blanchett, who won Best Actress last year won for a movie released in the summer as well. The voters remembered come Oscar time.
Am so happy to hear you guys loved it! I read some meh interviews and wasn’t sure if I should bother…it’s decided then, I’m going! And I’m not at all surprised that Nelsan is stealing scenes, he pretty much does that in all of his scenes in True Blood.
+1
I saw this Saturday night. I was sad to see how small the audience was for an opening weekend. That being said I LOVED it! I agree about the time jumping in the first 15 minutes or so but otherwise it was just great.
It was INCREDIBLE! It does take a minute to get used to breaking the fourth wall, but it is used so poetically throughout the rest of the film. Chadwick kills it, and it’s lovely to see Jill Scott as his second wife. I would have loved it if the film had covered more of his later career, but it was an excellent film, nonetheless, and Chadwick absolutely deserves a nomination, and will probably get one.
After the so-so box office numbers (Only 12 millions), the potential male candidates at the end of the year -Including the own Universal’s Jack O’Connell in Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken- and the reviews of the film (70 in Metacritic) Boseman’s Oscar prospects are dime.
People here put the excuses of Blanchett and Crash in line, but also people forget another elements.
In Blanchett case:
-Best Actress category is normally weaker than the male counterpart
-This was a Woody Allen film
-The role is pitch perfect at the Oscar -Dennis, Taylor-
-She’s Cate f*cking Blanchett (Due for a Lead Oscar)
-Blue Jasmine became the most succesful recent film in domestic box office, surpassing expectations.
In Crash we have a weak year in Hollywood films and Brokeback Mountain controversy.
Another point in consideration, in a decade only two actors were nominated for films in low 72% at Metacritic. Historically the film acclaim and actor was related.
OT but Blue Jasmine is a well done movie. And Blanchett was really good in it. No wonder it made b.o. money. She deserved the Oscar win!
If not, he’ll poke his head out for ‘Prestige Black Man Hagiography Icon Biopic’ films once a year until he does (because come on, if this thing isn’t a hard R, it’s a hagiography). That’s where the work is, that’s where the awards are for a guy like him. I’m not criticising him for that at all, I realise it may sound as though I am. Which ‘Prestige Black Man Hagiography Icon Biopic’ will he star in next year? He’s a man, so I guess he could get away with being darker than the historical Thurgood Marshall.
You KNOW that the only reason they got this director is because ‘Well, he did a Black People last time, (The Help) so…?’ Still, he probably gave this thing more dignity than Lee Daniels would have in that position. I’m talking about that faux-prestigious, exploitation junk he so frequently peddles. Only thoughts, these are only thoughts.
@Pepsi Presents…Coke
How about a coherent thought.
Bait is for fishing.
This movie is by far the best bio pic I’ve ever seen. James Brown should be in the Guiness book for most sampled artist of all time. He has influenced over 40+ years of music and Chadwick captured every price of that and showed it in this movie. He is my new Idris Elba!!!