Movie #2039 "Get On Up" I rented from netflix when I was reminded that Chaz Boseman was in it, and I had never seen it, so I put it in my queue. Wow, his acting is phenomenal, and to think he learned all that dancing and did some singing to get across this caricature of a man, in my opinion. James Brown always seemed so over the top to me, so pretentious, so narcissistic and over-confident, as if he was the only one who knew how to dress and move and dance and sing. Well, I liked the music, and of course Chaz, and all the scenes with Viola Davis, who plays his momma, who leaves him with his abusive daddy. The opening put me off, so I guess I am saying, don't let that happen, and make sure you go farther into the film after that first scene, before you decide the film isn't for you because there are so poignant moments that the film hits. The director is the one who did "The Help" so I knew he had it in him to do a good job here, but I thought the storyline for this film could have been much clearer. And oh my, the editing. Who said editing could make or break a film, well, that person is correct, and it is shown here. It is too bad because it had some scenes that were really good, and it had potential. But the end result here was a 3.5, and probably the reason the movie wasn't mentioned for any academy award nominations. (it received SAG nomination for the ensemble, but no win) Shout out to his wives, esp. Julie Scott, whom I became a fan of when she played Precious in the t.v. series "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." and an Alison Janney scene was superb, too!
"GET ON UP" 2014 PG-13 (but should be rated R - abuse to women shown, 2 hr & 19 mins
A chronicle of
James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
