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James Brown

James Brown

James Brown (May 3, 1933 - December 25, 2006) was an American singer and songwriter, eventually referred to as "The Godfather of Soul"(GFOS). Brown started singing in gospel groups and worked his way on up. He has been recognized as one of the most iconic figures in the 20th century popular music and was renowned for his vocals and feverish dancing. He was also called "the hardest-working man in show business".

Brown began his professional music career in 1956 and rose to fame during the late 1950s and early 1960s on the strength of his thrilling live performances and string of smash hits. In spite of various personal problems and setbacks he continued to score hits in every decade through the 1980s. In addition to his acclaim in music, Brown was also a presence in American political affairs during the 1960s and 1970s.

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Movies Starring James Brown (65)

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues (2022)

An intimate and revealing look at the world-changing musician, presented through a lens of archival footage and never-before-heard home recordings and personal conversations. This definitive documentary honors Armstrong's legacy as a founding father of jaz ...

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Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York (2021)

When the film West Side Story was released in 1961, New York's reviled Puerto Rican community gained some visibility and, over time, both in Spanish Harlem and the Bronx, neighborhoods plagued by poverty, drugs and crime, Hispanic identity was reborn and s ...

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The Making of 'Rocky vs. Drago' (2021)

Fight alongside Sylvester Stallone as he creates a brand-new director's cut of Rocky IV: ROCKY VS. DRAGO. This feature-length documentary offers a personal and uncompromising look into the editing process, captured by Sly's longtime friend and fellow filmm ...

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Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage (2021)

Explore Woodstock 99, a three-day music festival promoted to echo unity and counterculture idealism of the original 1969 concert but instead devolved into riots, looting and sexual assaults. ...

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The Sparks Brothers (2021)

Take a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers Ron & Russell Mael, celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your favorite band's favorite band. ...

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Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go! (2021)

Best of the 60s is a documentary and a compilation from across the years of the iconic music series. More More. Best of the 60s is a compilation from across the years of the iconic music series and features performances by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, ...

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Africa Rising (2019)

How African artists have spread African culture all over the world, especially music, since the harsh years of decolonization, trying to offer a nicer portrait of this amazing continent, historically known for tragic subjects, such as slavery, famine, war ...

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The Apollo (2019)

The history of New York City's Apollo Theater in Harlem is given the full treatment. ...

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Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast (2019)

In the late 1990s, iconic photographer Bruce Weber barely managed to convince legendary actor Robert Mitchum (1917-97) to let himself be filmed simply hanging out with friends, telling anecdotes from his life and recording jazz standards. ...

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1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond (2018)

The Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, the May events in France, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy, the Prague Spring, the Chicago riots, the Mexico Summer Olympics, the presidential election of Ri ...

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A Tale of James Brown (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 inf ...

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The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove (2014)

A documentary on funk and P-funk and the bands and artists that made it all happen: James Brown, Sly Stone, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Maurice White and his Earth Wind & Fire, Average White Band, Kool & The Gang and lots more. It tells the story of bl ...

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James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message (2014)

The Godfather of Soul tells his life story and features his greatest live performances. ...

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Mr. Dynamite - The Rise of James Brown (2014)

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 ...

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Finding the Funk (2014)

Finding the Funk is a road trip in search of the past, present and future of Funk music. Starting with Funk's roots in Jazz and the James Brown bands of the '60s we travel to the Bay Area to celebrate Sly & the Family Stone, then to Dayton the birthpla ...

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Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day (2013)

Fatherhood has proved a great subject for a variety of artists - some celebratory, some conflicted, but all inspired by what dad does and doesn't do. Here's a mixture of songs that celebrate and probe the emotional complexities generated by the sometime he ...

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Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ (2012)

A provocative look into the seven-year history of the series that gave hip hop a voice and broke color barriers, integrating MTV with rap. "Yo! MTV Raps" premiered on August 6, 1988 with hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Doctor Dré, and shaped the careers ...

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The Real Rocky (2011)

Chuck Wepner is a liquor salesman from Bayonne, N.J., who drives a Cadillac with "Champ" vanity plates. A former New Jersey State Heavyweight Boxing Champion, he took abuse from Sonny Liston, got his nose broken by Muhammad Ali, and inspired Sylvester Sta ...

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Soul Power (2009)

Soul Power is a 2008 documentary film about the Zaire 74 music festival in Kinshasa which accompanied the Rumble in the Jungle heavyweight boxing championship match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in October 1974. The film was made from archival fo ...

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Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America (2009)

Documentary on the sexual revolution in America. ...

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James Brown Live At The Apollo '68 (2008)

This was one of a series of concerts James Brown gave at the Apollo in Harlem in March 1968. This performance was broadcast on television as James Brown: Man To Man. In addition to 16 vintage color performances from the concert, this special also includes ...

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James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968 (2008)

Live at the Boston Garden: April 5, 1968 is a concert film starring James Brown. Recorded at the Boston Garden by WGBH-TV the night after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., it was broadcast live in an effort to quell potential riots in the city. ...

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Pavarotti The Duets (2008)

LUCIANO PAVAROTTI was the rare artist who could easily bridge the divide between classical and popular music. Together with an impressive roster of the best-known names in rock, pop and jazz, Pavarotti entertained millions of people around the world with h ...

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James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston (2008)

On April 5, 1968, soul legend James Brown performed a concert in Boston that many say shielded that city from the kinds of devastating riots that ripped other cities apart after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. ...

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The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977 (2007)

These are live performances from a television music show that aired late night on the NBC-TV network the U.S., from 1973-1981. ...

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George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein (2006)

Don Letts's hilarious and colourful profile of the godfather of funk, whose 50-year career has defined the genre. From his 1950s days running a doo-wop group out of the back of his barber store, through the madness of the monster Parliament/Funkadelic mach ...

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Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer (2006)

"Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer" is a feature-length documentary. In this entertaining look at the legendary singer's life, hosted by two-time Grammy award singer Lou Rawls, Frankie tells his own story. Classic archive footage of the great performances ...

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Live 8 (2005)

On 2 July 2005 an estimated 3 billion people came together in the fight against extreme poverty. LIVE 8 - 10 concerts featuring over 1000 musicians from across the globe - asked people not for their money, but for their voice. ...

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Robots (2005)

Rodney Copperbottom is a young robot inventor who dreams of making the world a better place, until the evil Ratchet takes over Bigweld Industries. Now, Rodney's dreams – and those of his friends – are in danger of becoming obsolete. ...

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James Brown: Live (2004)

For one special night back in the mid '80s, the air in Atlanta, Georgia heated up a few degrees. With over 100 hits under his belt by the time this stellar concert was captured, the godfather is in rare form as he rips through this blistering set. The band ...

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James Brown: Body Heat (2004)

In 1969 at a concert in Monterey James Brown announced his intention to retire from touring but it wasn't until 1975 that he finally stopped. Then in 1979 three young television producers convinced him to make a comeback performance. This outstanding conce ...

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Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years (2004)

Radio disc jockey legend Casey Kasem presents this collection featuring momentous occasions in music history. This installment delves into the mid-1960s emergence of R&B, as soul became a mainstay in American music. Performances include "I Feel Good" by Ja ...

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TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (2004)

Discover how television has reflected the African American experience in this retrospective of the medium's first half-century. Actors, writers and historians discuss the image of black America on television from Amos and Andy to the present day. The inter ...

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James Brown: Soul Survivor (2003)

James Brown's legacy has influenced rap, soul, funk and R&B. But along with his huge talent, there's a dark side to Brown's success that includes stints in prison and unceasing tabloid speculation. This in-depth documentary takes a look at the meteoric hig ...

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Paper Chasers (2003)

Paper Chasers is a feature length documentary about the impact of hip hop entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses in music, film, fashion, TV, print media, and now the Internet. Filmmaker/entrepreneur Maxie Collier (aka Son #1) and his productio ...

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The Giants of Black Music (2003)

Mother Popcorn - James Brown What's The Use Of Breaking Up - Jerry Butler MacArthur Park - Della Reese Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday - Stevie Wonder Nowhere To Run - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Nothing But Heartaches - The Supremes Ain't That Pe ...

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Beat the Devil (2002)

The Driver drag-races the Devil, in order to earn James Brown his soul. ...

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The Tuxedo (2002)

Cabbie-turned-chauffeur Jimmy Tong learns there is really only one rule when you work for playboy millionaire Clark Devlin : Never touch Devlin's prized tuxedo. But when Devlin is temporarily put out of commission in an explosive accident, Jimmy puts on th ...

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Undercover Brother (2002)

An Afro-American organization, the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D., is in permanent fight against a white organization "The Man" defending the values of the black people in North America. When the Afro-American candidate Gen. Warren Boutwell behaves strangely in hi ...

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It's Black Entertainment (2002)

A star-studded tribute (from the creators of That's Entertainment) to the contributions of Afro-Americans in film over the last century. Vanessa Williams traces the struggles and triumphs of the superstars of music and film. Among the many artists featured ...

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Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular (2001)

This show brings together legendary artists of the 1960s and 1970s for a once-in-a-lifetime event: Ben E. King and The Drifters, Jerry Butler reuniting with The Impressions for the first time since 1958, as well as The Isley Brothers, Percy Sledge, Eddie H ...

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James Brown: Live From The House Of Blues (1999)

The hardest working man in show business brings down the House of Blues with a live concert event in Las Vegas. Recorded with high definition equipment, James Brown's influential music, uninhibited style and energetic stage presence are captured like never ...

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Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)

Finally released from prison, Elwood Blues is once again enlisted by Sister Mary Stigmata in her latest crusade to raise funds for a children's hospital. Hitting the road to re-unite the band and win the big prize at the New Orleans Battle of the Bands, El ...

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When We Were Kings (1996)

It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece t ...

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The History of Rock 'n' Roll (1995)

The history of rock n' roll and pop music are explored are explored via interviews and footage of well-known music stars. ...

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Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends (1995)

An excellent comprehensive look at all the music that came out of Cincinnati, Ohio. ...

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RapLine (1993)

Between 1990 and 1993, at a time when rap was not yet on the radio in France, Olivier Cachin hosted a musical TV show on M6 called "RapLine". The show exclusively devoted to rap and other alternative music. This cult show presented all the facets of these ...

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James Brown Live in Berlin (1991)

The great James Brown and his band in concert, with a young Maceo Parker on saxophone. A live recording in Berlin, Germany 1988 features performances of ""Living in America,"" ""Gonna Have a Funky Good Time,"" ""Try Me,"" ""I Got You (I Feel Good)"" and ma ...

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The Lost James Brown Tapes (1991)

In 1979, James Brown flew to Santa Cruz, California to make a comeback performance. The filmed tapes of that show were locked away for 12 years, until now. In one of his greatest shows, Brown performs "Sex Machine," "Get Up Offa That Thing," "Georgia on My ...

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Legends of Rock 'n' Roll (1989)

Are you ready for some old-time rock and roll?! Then you are ready for the masters, the originators, the men who made the music, the "Legends of Rock 'n' Roll Live." Join the "Godfather of Soul" James Brown, "The Killer" Jerry Lee Lewis, "Mr. Blueberry Hil ...

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James Brown & Friends: A Night of Super Soul (1987)

Godfather of soul James Brown performs with Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Billy Vera, Joe Cocker and Robert Palmer in this live concert. Lively interviews with all the stars kick off the evening, and then it's time for the artists to hit the stage with ...

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Rocky IV (1985)

After Apollo Creed is killed by Ivan Drago in a match, Rocky Balboa becomes depressed and becomes determined to get revenge. ...

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James Brown - Live At Chastain Park (1985)

The hardest working man in show business is back--and some say better than ever--in this live concert filmed in 1985 at Georgia's famed Chastain Park. Performances include 1. Give It Up Or Turn It Loose 2. It's Too Funky In Here 3. Try Me 4. Get On The Goo ...

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When the Music's Over (1983)

Rare clips of performance and interviews by a multiple of stars, all prematurely lost. ...

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Doctor Detroit (1983)

A shy but gentle man named Clifford Skridlow is a professor of comparative literature at the financially-strapped fictional Monroe College in Chicago. A chance encounter with four beautiful women at a restaurant changes his life forever. ...

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James Brown: Live at Montreux (1981)

"Soul Brother No.1", "The Godfather Of Soul", "Mr Dynamite" are all titles that have been applied to James Brown over the years. A hugely influential figure in black American music, he was a driving force in the development of soul music in the early sixti ...

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The Blues Brothers (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. ...

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The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974 (1974)

The Midnight Special is an American late-night musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on Februar ...

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James Brown: Soul Train 1973-1974 (1974)

All of James Brown's performances on Soul Train from 1973 to 1974. ...

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James Brown: Love Power Peace (1971)

Live at the Olympia, Paris, 1971 is the only recording that documents one of his live performances with the original J.B.'s lineup featuring Bootsy and Catfish Collins. Love Power Peace was originally intended for a 1972 release as a vinyl triple album, bu ...

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The Phynx (1970)

A rock band is invented by the government as a cover to find hostages in a remote castle in Albania held by communist enemies of the USA. ...

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Ski Party (1965)

Two college boys from SoCal attend a spring break vacation at a ski lodge in Idaho to get insider tips on how the president of the ski club manages to attract so many girls as a way to make amends to their girlfriends. Alongside this relatively simple ende ...

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The T.A.M.I. Show (1964)

Hailed by one music reviewer as "the grooviest, wildest, slickest hit ever to pound the screen," "The T.A.M.I. Show" is an unrelenting rock spectacular starring some of the greatest pop performers of the 60s. These top recording idols – representing the ...

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Movies Made By James Brown (4)

Black Women, Sexual Politics and the Revolution (1992)

Focuses on sexual equality in the Black community. ...

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Jacob's Ladder (1990)

After returning home from the Vietnam War, veteran Jacob Singer struggles to maintain his sanity. Plagued by hallucinations and flashbacks, Singer rapidly falls apart as the world and people around him morph and twist into disturbing images. His girlfriend ...

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Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973)

Vigilante Slaughter comes under attack from Duncan, a local money launderer whose hit-man traps Slaughter in a car at a cliff, but Slaughter escapes, arms himself, and goes after Duncan's hideout. ...

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Black Caesar (1973)

Tommy Gibbs is a tough kid, raised in the ghetto, who aspires to be a kingpin criminal. As a young boy, his leg is broken by a bad cop on the take, during a pay-off gone bad. Nursing his vengeance, he rises to power in Harlem, New York. Angry at the racist ...

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