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

Suzuki Shizuka is an office lady at a conglomerate who is hypnotized at a local amusement park and left under the spell. Now she is compelled to sing and dance whenever she hears any melody whatsoever. She heads back to the hypnotist for relief, but he is nowhere to be found. So Shizuka sets off on a journey around Japan to find him and break the spell.

8.0

James Brown Soul Brother No. 1

Jan 23, 1978

The James Brown Story

0.0

The Cheryl Ladd Special

Apr 9, 1979

A TV musical special starring Cheryl Ladd and her guest stars in various musical numbers and vignettes.

0.0

Let Me Have It All

Jan 23, 1993

In the summer of 1992 two filmmakers, Jeroen Berkvens and Walter Stokman, travelled through the United States of America. They were searching for tracks of the famous soulsinger Sly Stone.

0.0

Stevie Wonder Live Musikladen

Jan 23, 1974

1974 concert on German TV show Musikladen/Beat Club. 1. Jam 2. Contusion 3. Higher Ground 4. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing 5. I Can See The Sun In Late December 6. He's Misstra Know-It-All 7. Living For The City 8. Superstition. Stevie Wonder vocals, keyboards / Reggie McBride bass / Mike Sembello lead guitar, keyboards / Ollie E. Brown drums / Marlo Henderson rhythm guitar / Denice Williams, Shirley Brewer & Lani Groves background vocals

0.0

Coming Back for More

Jan 23, 2009

Funk legend Sly Stone disappeared from the limelight for more than 20 years. Musicians and the media tried to find the recluse but failed. In 2005 Willem Alkema started searching for Sly. Sly didn't want to be found or filmed, but Willem didn't give up and finally followed Sly in his first steps on stage in decades.

0.0

A Tale of James Brown

Jan 23, 2016

Comedian/filmmaker Camille Solari spends the last year interviewing the legendary musical icon James Brown before his untimely death on Christmas 2006. The documentary includes interviews with his band members and many celebrity musicians who have been influenced by James Brown, including Patti Labelle, Chuck D (Public Enemy), Doug E Fresh, Emcee Lyte, Bobby Brown, Fergie, Wil.I.Am.

0.0

The Singer: A Montford Point Marine

Jul 1, 2023

“The Singer: A Montford Point Marine” tells the story of Henry Charles Johnson, one of the first African Americans in the U.S. Marine Corps and a professional crooner. Lured by the dignified Marine uniform and the allure of the G.I. Bill, he's abruptly thrown into the bare, segregated world of Camp Montford Point, a far cry from the lush expansiveness of Camp Lejeune he'd imagined. The harsh realities of Southern segregation strike a jarring contrast to his accustomed diversity of Manhattan, escalating further with hostility from drill instructors. Undeterred, his resolve is galvanized by the dream of donning the Marine uniform and the prospects following discharge. Post-discharge, Johnson immerses himself in New York's music scene, enchanting audiences with his soulful, Sinatra-esque timbre. This riveting narrative portrays the unmatched fortitude of the Montford Point Marines, representing a crucial African-American, American, and globally relevant human experience.

7.0

Moonwalker

Oct 29, 1988

This fantastical movie inspired by the music of Michael Jackson features imaginative interpretations of hit tracks from the iconic 1987 album “Bad”.

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.

2.8

Girl in Gold Boots

Apr 25, 1968

A girl tries to become the top star in the glamorous world of Go-Go Dancing.

7.0

Roberta

Mar 7, 1935

Football player John Kent tags along as Huck Haines and the Wabash Indianians travel to an engagement in Paris, only to lose it immediately. John and company visit his aunt, owner of a posh fashion house run by her assistant, Stephanie. There they meet the singer Scharwenka (alias Huck's old friend Lizzie), who gets the band a job. Meanwhile, Madame Roberta passes away and leaves the business to John and he goes into partnership with Stephanie.

5.6

The Hollywood Revue of 1929

Nov 23, 1929

An all-star revue featuring MGM contract players.

No Image Available

0.0

Untitled Earth, Wind & Fire Documentary

Invalid Date

Examines the legacy, cultural impact, and body of work of American R&B/punk/jazz/soul/disco band Earth, Wind & Fire, and will feature exclusive access to the band’s archives of visual, audio, and written material, as well as the support of the estate of Maurice White and the band.

7.4

Dancing with Maria

Aug 31, 2014

María Fux spends her life training dancers, particularly those with disabilities. But now, at 90, she finds her toughest student may be herself.

3.0

Orgy of the Dead

Jun 1, 1965

Horror novelist John and his girlfriend Shirley are taking a night drive, in search of an eerie graveyard that will hopefully inspire John to come up with his next story, but instead stumble into the wild rituals conducted by The Dark Master and his faithful servants.

4.9

Jesus Is King

Oct 25, 2019

Filmed during summer 2019, Jesus Is King brings Kanye West’s famed Sunday Service to life in the Roden Crater, visionary artist James Turrell’s never-before-seen installation in Arizona’s Painted Desert. This one-of-a-kind experience features songs arranged by West in the gospel tradition along with new music from his forthcoming album.

7.0

Trottie True

Sep 29, 1949

Tottie True is a gay-90s British music-hall performer who has her sights set on moving from rags to riches, who loses her heart to the pure-and-true blue balloonist, Sid Skinner, but continues her upward search on improving her social status. She finally settles for Lord Landon Digby who has lots of assets and a very-stiff upper lip. She gets a lot of the latter and very little of the former, and decides Sid might have been a better choice.

5.1

The Way She Moves

Aug 29, 2001

In Houston, the aspirant to photographer Amie receives a complete Salsa and Mambo dancing course from her close colleagues and friends as her wedding gift. Her wedding with the wealthy and arrogant Jason is close and she intends to dance...