Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown

Apr 27, 2014

1h 55m

★ 6.9

Overview

James Brown changed the face of American music forever. Abandoned by his parents at an early age, James Brown was a self-made man who became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, not just through his music, but also as a social activist. Charting his journey from rhythm and blues to funk, MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN features rare and previously unseen footage, photographs and interviews, chronicling the musical ascension of “the hardest working man in show business,” from his first hit, “Please, Please, Please,” in 1956, to his iconic performances at the Apollo Theater, the T.A.M.I. Show, the Paris Olympia and more.

Genres

Music

Documentary

Production Companies

Jigsaw Productions

Jagged Films

Inaudible Films

Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown Trailers

Cast

Self (archive footage)

James Brown

Self

Bootsy Collins

Self

Chuck D

Self

Mick Jagger

Self

Questlove

Self

Bobby Byrd

Self

Melvin Parker

Self

Maceo Parker

Self

Clyde Stubblefield

Self

Martha High

Self

Alan Leeds

Self

Pee Wee Ellis

Showman Jerry Travers is working for producer Horace Hardwick in London. Jerry demonstrates his new dance steps late one night in Horace's hotel room, much to the annoyance of sleeping Dale Tremont below. She goes upstairs to complain and the two are immediately attracted to each other. Complications arise when Dale mistakes Jerry for Horace.

0.0

Ballroom King

Feb 18, 2021

The film tells the stories of three protagonists, which are intertwined in one story about the Master: a rural school pupil who dreams of ballroom dancing – Makar, world champion in ballroom dancing – Alex Ivanets, and his first teacher – Petro Horhol, who lives in a small Ukrainian town of Poltava.

No Image

0.0

Dance for All

Sep 22, 2007

No overview available.

6.9

Step Up

Aug 11, 2006

Delinquent Tyler Gage receives the opportunity of a lifetime after vandalizing a performing arts school, gaining him the chance to earn a scholarship and dance with up-and-coming dancer Nora.

7.7

The Blues Brothers

Jun 16, 1980

Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.

6.0

Disco Fever

Dec 1, 1978

Jaded night club owner stages the comeback of an ex-teen idol for revenge.

6.7

Back to Black

Apr 11, 2024

The extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame from her early days in Camden through the making of her groundbreaking album, Back to Black that catapulted Winehouse to global fame. Told through Amy’s eyes and inspired by her deeply personal lyrics, the film explores and embraces the many layers of the iconic artist and the tumultuous love story at the center of one of the most legendary albums of all time.

7.5

Ray

Oct 29, 2004

Born on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles went blind at seven. Inspired by a fiercely independent mom who insisted he make his own way, He found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered coupling gospel and country together.

0.0

Stepping

Jan 1, 1998

Stepping is a dance form that can be found across the country at virtually every college with a substantial African American enrollment. Stepping is performed informally during parties as well as more formally during organized step shows. This film explores this tradition, its historical roots as well as its contemporary forms, styles and uses, to understand how students construct various levels of identity through this dance form…African American identity, fraternity or sorority identity, gendered identity and personal identity. The film goes behind the scenes with the Alpha Phi Alphas as they prepare for a step show that is only a few hours away. Cutting between this show and interviews with current and past steppers as well as footage from previous shows, the film provides a broad picture of this vibrant and dynamic dance form.

6.2

Viva Las Vegas

Feb 8, 1964

Lucky Jackson arrives in Las Vegas with his car literally in tow ready for the first Grand Prix — once he has the money for an engine. He gets the cash easily enough but mislays it when the pretty pool manageress takes his mind off things. It seems he'll lose both race and girl, problems complicated by rivalry from womanizing fellow racer Elmo Mancini.

7.3

Dirty Dancing

Aug 21, 1987

Expecting the usual tedium that accompanies a summer in the Catskills with her family, 17-year-old Frances 'Baby' Houseman is surprised to find herself stepping into the shoes of a professional hoofer—and unexpectedly falling in love.

7.6

Billy Elliot

Sep 28, 2000

County Durham, England, 1984. The miners' strike has started and the police have started coming up from Bethnal Green, starting a class war with the lower classes suffering. Caught in the middle of the conflict is 11-year old Billy Elliot, who, after leaving his boxing club for the day, stumbles upon a ballet class and finds out that he's naturally talented. He practices with his teacher Mrs. Wilkinson for an upcoming audition in Newcastle-upon Tyne for the royal Ballet school in London.

5.5

Cirque du Soleil - Volta

Dec 12, 2018

Cirque du Soleil presents VOLTA – an inspiring story about the freedom to choose and the thrill of blazing your own trail.

5.5

MC Daleste Por Todas as Quebradas

Sep 7, 2023

In the year that marks 10 years since MC Daleste's murder, Sobre Funk produced an exclusive documentary about the artist's history and impact on the Brazilian music scene.

4.2

Earth, Wind & Fire

Jan 1, 2004

One of the hottest R&B groups of all time, the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire in concert define excitement. Captured live on their remarkable 1994 sell-out tour of Japan, this performance showcases the band's distinctive style and raw energy and marks Maurice White's last taped appearance with the group in concert. Always dynamite on stage with their unmistakable sound and electrifying showmanship, Earth, Wind & Fire combine all the greatest elements of rock and soul! 1. September 2. Let Your Feelings Show 3. Let's Groove 4. Runnin' 5. Boogie Wonderland 6. Can't Hide Love 7. Fantasy 8. Kalimba Interlude 9. Evil 10. Shining Star 11. Keep Your Head To The Sky 12. Reasons 13. Sing A Song 14. That's The Way Of The World 15. Wouldn't Change A Thing About You 16. After The Love Is Gone 17. System Of Survival

6.6

Burlesque: Heart of the Glitter Tribe

Mar 3, 2017

A look into the hard working heart of neo-burlesque.

6.3

Honey

Dec 5, 2003

Honey Daniels dreams of making a name for herself as a hip-hop choreographer. When she's not busy hitting downtown clubs with her friends, she teaches dance classes at a nearby community center in Harlem, N.Y., as a way to keep kids off the streets. Honey thinks she's hit the jackpot when she meets a hotshot director casts her in one of his music videos. But, when he starts demanding sexual favors from her, Honey makes a decision that will change her life.

0.0

Swimming, Dancing

Sep 30, 2023

Swimming, Dancing examines audiovisual representations of the Yangtze (1934–present), from silent film to video art to the contemporary vlog. Inspired by the city symphonies of the 1920s, Swimming, Dancing pieces together a “river symphony”, evoking the images, sounds and contradictions that make up the river’s turbulent history.