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In this tale of sex, violence, race, and rock and roll in 1950s Chicago, "Cadillac Records" follows the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America's musical legends, including Muddy Waters, Leonard Chess, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James and Chuck Berry.
Themes: | police brutalitydrug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Locations: | gas stationchicago illinoisbathtub |
Characters: | police violencejewinterracial relationshipmusiciansingerafrican americanpolice |
Period: | 1950s |
Story: | racial segregationracist copjazz musicafrican american musicrecording industrypayolapolish americanharpistrhythm and bluesmusic businesssex with a minorblues musicburning buildinglynchingmusic industry β¦segregationbankruptcyhomagesouthern accentrecording studiobigotrysongwriterracistbribecivil rightsinterracial friendshiptold in flashbackdrug abuseguitaristrace relationswhat happened to epilogueheart attackjazzarsonrock 'n' rollpop musicmicrophoneracial slurimmigrantmontagebandguitarprostitutiondrinktitle directed by femalesongvoice over narrationbased on true storysingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingf ratedsexflashback (See All) |
The story of Ray Charles, music legend. Told in his adult live with flashbacks to his youth we see his humble origins in Florida, his turbulent childhood which included losing his brother and then his sight, his rise as pianist in a touring band, his writing his own songs and running his own band an β¦d then stardom. Also includes his addiction to drugs and its affect on his working life and family life. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | musiciansingerafrican american |
Period: | 1950s |
Story: | jazz musicafrican american musicpayolarhythm and bluesmusic businessblues musicsegregationrecording studiosongwriterracistcivil rightsguitaristrace relationsmicrophonemontage β¦bandguitardrinksongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingsexflashback (See All) |
Detroit, the early 1960s. Curtis Taylor, Jr., a car salesman, breaks into the music business with big dreams. He signs a trio of young women, the Dreamettes, gets them a job backing an R&B performer, James "Thunder" Early, establishes his own record label and starts wheeling and dealing. When Early β¦flames out, Curtis makes the Dreamettes into headliners as the Dreams, but not before demoting their hefty big-voiced lead singer, Effie White, and putting the softer-voiced looker, Deena Jones, in front. Soon after, he fires Effie, sends her into a life of proud poverty, and takes Deena and the Dreams to the top. How long can Curtis stay there, and will Effie ever get her due? (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrinking |
Characters: | musiciansingerafrican american |
Story: | jazz musicpayolarhythm and bluesmusic businessblues musicrecording studiosongwriterguitaristrace relationsmicrophonemontagebandguitardrinksong β¦singingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingsex (See All) |
The story of John Lennon's childhood and teenage years from 1944 to 1960, his relationship with his aunt Mimi and his mother Julia -the two dominant women in the first part of his life-, his first meeting with Paul McCartney and George Harrison, their friendship, their love for music and the birth o β¦f The Beatles. (Read More)
Themes: | drunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Period: | 1950s |
Story: | jazz musicrecording studiosongwriterguitaristwhat happened to epiloguerock 'n' rollmicrophonemontagebandguitardrinktitle directed by femalesongbased on true storysinging β¦cigarette smokingf ratedflashbacksex (See All) |
In 1975, San Fernando Valley teen Joan Larkin reinvents herself as Joan Jett, a guitarist who wants to form an all-girl punk band. She pitches the idea to a sleazy manager, Kim Fowley, who pairs her with a drummer and then searches for a face: he finds Cherie Currie, at age 15, the perfect jailbait β¦image for his purpose; by luck, she can sing. Two others round out the band, The Runaways. Fowley books a tour, signs them to Mercury Records, and packs them off to crowds in Japan. Seeds of conflict sprout early: Fowley puts Cherie front and center in the publicity, she's soon strung out on drugs and vodka, and jealousies arise. Without adult supervision, where can Joan and Cherie end up? (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrinking |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | music businessmusic industryrecording studioguitaristwhat happened to epiloguerock 'n' rollmicrophonebandguitardrinktitle directed by femalesongsingingtitle spoken by characterf rated |
A documentary on the life of 'Amy Winehouse' (qv), the immensely talented yet doomed songstress. We see her from her teen years, where she already showed her singing abilities, to her finding success and then her downward spiral into alcoholism and drugs.
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | jewmusiciansinger |
Story: | jazz musicrecording studiosongwriterguitaristrock 'n' rollmicrophonemontagebandguitardrinksongvoice over narrationsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smoking |
Six incarnations of Bob Dylan: an actor, a folk singer, an electrified troubadour, Rimbaud, Billy the Kid, and Woody Guthrie. Put Dylan's music behind their adventures, soliloquies, interviews, marriage, and infidelity. Recreate 1960s documentaries in black and white. Put each at a crossroads, the a β¦rtist becoming someone else. Jack, the son of Ramblin' Jack Elliott, finds Jesus; handsome Robbie falls in love then abandons Claire. Woody, a lad escaped from foster care, hobos the U.S. singing; Billy awakes in a valley threatened by a six-lane highway; Rimbaud talks. Jude, booed at Newport when he goes electric, fences with reporters, pundits, and fans. He won't be classified. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Locations: | bathtub |
Characters: | musiciansingerafrican american |
Period: | 1950s |
Story: | blues musiclynchingsongwritercivil rightsguitaristrock 'n' rollmicrophonemontagebandguitardrinksongvoice over narrationbased on true storysinging β¦cigarette smokingsex (See All) |
Manchester 1976: Cambridge educated Tony Wilson, Granada TV presenter, is at a Sex Pistols gig. Totally inspired by this pivotal moment in music history, he and his friends set up a record label, Factory Records, signing first Joy Division (who go on to become New Order) then James and the Happy Mon β¦days, who all become seminal artists of their time. What ensues is a tale of music, sex, drugs, larger-than-life characters, and the birth of one of the most famous dance clubs in the world, The Hacienda - a mecca for clubbers as famous as the likes of Studio 54. Graphically depicting the music and dance heritage of Manchester from the late 70's to the early 90's, this comedy documents the vibrancy that made Mad-chester the place in the world that you would most like to be. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | music businessrecording studiodrug abuseguitaristheart attackrock 'n' rollmicrophonemontagebandguitardrinksongbased on true storysingingcigarette smoking β¦sex (See All) |
In rural Tennessee, Lazarus, a former blues musician who survives by truck farming, finds a young girl nearly beaten to death near his home. She's the white-trash town tramp, molded by a life of sexual abuse at the hands of her father and verbal abuse from her mother, who seems to delight in remindi β¦ng Rae of her mistake in not aborting her. Lazarus, who is also facing personal crisis at the dissolution of his marriage, nurses Rae back to health, providing her with gentle, fatherly advice as well as an education in blues music. Rae's boyfriend, Ronnie, goaded by the man who nearly beat Rae to death, misunderstands the relationship between Lazarus and Rae, and vows to kill him. Lazarus, exhibiting a street-smart understanding of violence and its motives, calls Ronnie's bluff, senses that he is as troubled as Rae, and becomes a guiding force in the young couple's resurrection. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Locations: | bathtub |
Characters: | musiciansingerafrican american |
Story: | blues musicsouthern accentguitaristrace relationsracial slurmontagebandguitardrinksongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingflashback |
Bad Blake is a broken-down, hard-living country music singer who's had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road and one too many drinks way too many times. And yet, Bad can't help but reach for salvation with the help of Jean, a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician β¦. (Read More)
Themes: | drunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | music businesssongwriterguitaristmicrophonebandguitardrinksongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingsex |
An unnamed guy is a Dublin guitarist/singer/songwriter who makes a living by fixing vacuum cleaners in his Dad's Hoover repair shop by day, and singing and playing for money on the Dublin streets by night. An unnamed girl is a Czech who plays piano when she gets a chance, and does odd jobs by day an β¦d takes care of her Mom and her daughter by night. Guy meets girl and they get to know each other as the girl helps the guy put together a demo disc that he can take to London in hope of landing a music contract. During the same several day period, the guy and the girl work through their past loves, and reveal their budding love for one another, through their songs. (Read More)
Themes: | drinking |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | recording studiosongwriterguitaristimmigrantbandguitarsongsingingcigarette smoking |
Two FBI agents investigating the murder of civil rights workers during the 60s seek to breach the conspiracy of silence in a small Southern town where segregation divides black and white. The younger agent trained in FBI school runs up against the small town ways of his former Sheriff partner.
Themes: | police brutality |
Characters: | african americanpolice |
Story: | racial segregationlynchingsegregationbigotrycivil rightsrace relationsarsonracial slurbased on true story |
The story of a charismatic young Irish guitarist and a sheltered young cellist who have a chance encounter one magical night above New York's Washington Square, but are soon torn apart, leaving in their wake an infant, August Rush, orphaned by circumstance. Now performing on the streets of New York β¦and cared for by a mysterious stranger, August uses his remarkable musical talent to seek the parents from whom he was separated at birth. (Read More)
Themes: | drinking |
Characters: | musiciansingerafrican americanpolice |
Story: | guitaristrock 'n' rollmicrophonebandguitardrinktitle directed by femalesongvoice over narrationsingingtitle spoken by characterflashback |
William Miller is a 15-year-old kid hired by Rolling Stone magazine to tour with and write about Stillwater, an up and coming rock band. This wonderfully witty coming-of-age film follows William as he falls face first to confront life, love, and lingo.
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | music businessmusic industryguitaristrock 'n' rollmicrophonebandguitardrinksongbased on true storysingingcigarette smokingsex |
Biograpical epic of Malcolm X, the legendary African American leader. Born Malcolm Little, his father (a Garveyite Baptist minister) was killed by the Ku Klux Klan. Malcolm became a gangster, and while in jail discovered the Nation of Islam writings of Elijah Muhammad. He preaches the teachings when β¦ let out of jail, but later on goes on a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, there he converts to the original Islamic religion and becomes a Sunni Muslim and changes his name to El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz. He is assassinated on February 21, 1965 and dies a Muslim martyr. (Read More)
Themes: | police brutalitydrug use |
Characters: | interracial relationshipafrican americanpolice |
Period: | 1950s |
Story: | racial segregationracistcivil rightsrace relationsmicrophoneracial slurvoice over narrationtitle spoken by characterflashback |
In the early 1970s, Sixto Rodriguez was a Detroit folksinger who had a short-lived recording career with only two well received but non-selling albums. Unknown to Rodriguez, his musical story continued in South Africa where he became a pop music icon and inspiration for generations. Long rumored the β¦re to be dead by suicide, a few fans in the 1990s decided to seek out the truth of their hero's fate. What follows is a bizarrely heartening story in which they found far more in their quest than they ever hoped, while a Detroit construction laborer discovered that his lost artistic dreams came true after all. (Read More)
Themes: | drug use |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | music businessmusic industrysongwriterguitaristwhat happened to epiloguerock 'n' rollpop musicmicrophonebandguitarsongsinging |
Follow a week in the life of a young folk singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. Guitar in tow, huddled against the unforgiving New York winter, he is struggling to make it as a musician against seemingly insurmountable obstacles -- some of them of his own making.
Themes: | drinking |
Locations: | gas stationchicago illinois |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | recording studioguitaristmicrophoneguitardrinksongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingflashback |
Oliver Stone's homage to 1960s rock group The Doors also doubles as a biography of the group's late singer, the "Electric Poet" Jim Morrison. The movie follows Morrison from his days as a film student in Los Angeles to his death in Paris, France at age 27 in 1971. The movie features a tour-de-force β¦performance by Val Kilmer, who not only looks like Jim Morrison's long-lost twin brother, but also sounds so much like him that he did much of his own singing. It has been written that even the surviving Doors had trouble distinguishing Kilmer's vocals from Morrison's originals. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkenness |
Locations: | bathtub |
Characters: | musiciansingerpolice |
Story: | music industryhomagerecording studiosongwriterdrug abuseguitaristheart attackrock 'n' rollmicrophonesingingflashbacksex |
Down and out rock star Dewey Finn gets fired from his band, and he faces a mountain of debts and depression. He takes a job as a 4th grade substitute teacher at an uptight private school where his attitude and hijinx have a powerful effect on his students. He also meets Zack, a 10-year-old guitar pr β¦odigy, who could help Dewey win a "battle of the bands" competition, which would solve his financial problems and put him back in the spotlight. (Read More)
Themes: | drunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | musiciansingerpolice |
Story: | guitaristrock 'n' rollmontagebandguitardrinksongsingingtitle spoken by character |
Poland, 1962. Anna, an orphan brought up by nuns in the convent, is a novice. She has to see Wanda, the only living relative, before she takes her vows. Wanda tells Anna about her Jewish roots. Both women start a journey not only to find their family's tragic story, but to see who they really are an β¦d where they belong. They question what they used to believe in. (Read More)
Themes: | drunkennessdrinking |
Locations: | gas stationbathtub |
Characters: | jewmusiciansinger |
Story: | jazz musicmicrophonebanddrinksongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingf ratedsex |
Brian Wilson is the creative soul of the Beach Boys, but he paid a heavy price for his talent. That especially shows during his peak artistic years in the 1960s, as his inner demons and obsessions trying to please his abusive father drive him to a mental breakdown that would plague him for years. In β¦ the 1980s, with Brian barely functional under the domination of the unscrupulous Dr. Landy, Brian meets and falls in love with Melinda Ledbetter. As their relationship grows, she observes Brian's crippling subservience to the abusive psychotherapist with growing alarm. Ultimately, she must take action with a love willing to stand up to oppression she cannot ignore. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrinking |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | recording studiosongwriterdrug abuseguitaristwhat happened to epiloguerock 'n' rollpop musicmicrophonemontageguitardrinksongsingingcigarette smokingflashback |
The unforgettable true story chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rig β¦hts Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay's "Selma" tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history. (Read More)
Characters: | singerafrican americanpolice |
Story: | racial segregationracistcivil rightsrace relationstitle directed by femalesongbased on true storysingingtitle spoken by characterf rated |
We like Florence: she's considerate, sweet, pretty, and terrific with kids and dogs. She's twenty-five, personal assistant to an L.A. family that's off on vacation. Her boss's brother comes in from New York City, fresh from a stay at an asylum, to take care of the house. He's Roger, a forty-year-old β¦ carpenter, gone from L.A. for fifteen years. He arrives, doesn't drive, and needs Florence's help, especially with the family's dog. He's also connecting with former band-mates - two men and one woman with whom he has a history. He over-analyzes, has a short fuse, and doesn't laugh at himself easily. As he navigates past and present, he's his own saboteur. And what of Florence? is Roger one more responsibility for her or something else? (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | jewmusiciansinger |
Story: | songwriterguitaristmicrophonemontagebandguitardrinksongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingsex |
This rock opera tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in modern day East Village New York. The story centers around Mark and Roger, two roommates. While a former tragedy has made Roger numb to life, Mark tries to capture it through his attempts to make a film. In β¦ the year that follows, the group deals with love, loss, AIDS, and modern day life in one truly powerful story. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | jewinterracial relationshipmusiciansingerafrican americanpolice |
Story: | songwriterdrug abusemicrophonemontageguitardrinksongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingf rated |
Across The Universe is a fictional love story set in the 1960s amid the turbulent years of anti-war protest, the struggle for free speech and civil rights, mind exploration and rock and roll. At once gritty, whimsical and highly theatrical, the story moves from high schools and universities in Massa β¦chusetts, Princeton and Ohio to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Detroit riots, Vietnam and the dockyards of Liverpool. A combination of live action and animation, the film is paired with many songs by 'The Beatles' (qv) that defined the time. (Read More)
Themes: | police brutalitydrug usedrunkenness |
Characters: | interracial relationshipsingerafrican americanpolice |
Story: | songwritercivil rightsguitaristrock 'n' rollmicrophoneimmigrantmontagebandguitartitle directed by femalesongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingf rated |
Aspiring emcee DJay works the angles to get his first record made with help from assorted people in his Memphis 'hood. And when he hears that hip-hop superstar Skinny Black is heading to his area, he throws together a supreme hustle to grab Skinny's attention.
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | interracial relationshipmusiciansingerafrican americanpolice |
Story: | songwritermicrophonedrinksongsingingcigarette smokingsex |
Pre-teen Jeliza-Rose's parents are hopeless drug addicts. When pa, rocker Noah, finds ma's OD'd, he fears to be charged with homicide and takes Jeliza along to his ma's place, in a desolate country region. With Noah passed out, the girl mentally transfers to a fantasy world she and her doll heads en β¦ter magically. Jeliza's adventures also star the crazy locals, notably Dell, and Dell's grown but intellectually disabled brother Dickens. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrinking |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | southern accentdrug abuseguitaristheart attackrock 'n' rollbandguitardrinksongsingingcigarette smokingflashbacksex |
In the early 1940s, Allen Ginsberg is an English major at Columbia University, only to learn more than he bargained for. Dissatisfied by the orthodox attitudes of the school, Allen finds himself drawn to iconoclastic colleagues like Lucien Carr, William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac. Together, this β¦gang would explore bold new literary ideas that would challenge the sensibilities of their time as the future Beat Generation. However, for all their creativity, their very appetites and choices lead to more serious transgressions that would mark their lives forever. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Locations: | chicago illinois |
Characters: | jewsingerafrican americanpolice |
Story: | jazz musicwhat happened to epiloguebanddrinksongvoice over narrationsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingflashbacksex |
This is England: Mods, New Romantics, and Skinheads are the major youth sub-cultures of this very English summer of 1983 and young 12-year-old Shaun is left wandering aimlessly alone and lost during the start of his school holidays, until his chance meeting with Woody and his fun and friendly Skinhe β¦ad pack. Finding a new lease of life; girls, parties, Ben Sherman shirts, Doc Martin boots and shaven hairstyles young Shaun is welcomed, life during this summer holiday has got a whole lot better. That is until Combo arrives on the scene bitter, dangerous, racist, militant and psychotic life for young Shaun has just approached his first major crossroads. This is England is a look back at the early eighties of British working-class life through the eyes of young Shaun and his new gang, and dealing with the bitterness of outside influences such as racism and xenophobia, of mass unemployment and the fall out of the Falkland's War; Thatcher's Britain: Did we ever have it so good? When you see Shaun, ask Him. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | musiciansingerpolice |
Story: | racistrace relationsracial slurimmigrantmontagedrinksongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smoking |
Adam ('Tom Hiddleston' (qv)), an underground musician, reunites with his lover for centuries ('Tilda Swinton' (qv)) after he becomes depressed and tired with the direction human society has taken. Their love is interrupted and tested by his wild and uncontrollable little sister ('Mia Wasikowska' (qv β¦)). (Read More)
Themes: | drinking |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | guitaristrock 'n' rollmicrophonemontagebandguitardrinksongsingingcigarette smoking |
While growing up in the Great Depression era, Johnny Cash takes an interest in music and eventually moves out of his Arkansas town to join the air force in Germany. While there, he buys his first guitar and writes his own music, and proposes to Vivian. When they got married, they settled in Tennesse β¦e and with a daughter, he supported the family by being a salesman. He discovers a man who can pursue his dreams and ends up getting a record with the boys. Shortly after that, he was on a short tour, promoting his songs, and meets the already famous and beautiful June Carter. Then as they get on the long-term tours with June, the boys, and Jerry Lee Lewis, they have this unspoken relationship that grows. But when June leaves the tour because of his behavior, he was a drug addict. His marriage was also falling apart, and when he sees June years later at an awards show, he forces June to tour with them again, promising June to support her two kids and herself. While the tour goes on, the relationship between June and John grow more,and his marriage to his first wife ends. June finds out about the drugs, and help him overcome it. True love and care helped John eventually stop the drug usage, and finally proposes to her in front of an audience at a show. (Read More)
Themes: | drunkenness |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Period: | 1950s |
Story: | songwriterdrug abusewhat happened to epiloguerock 'n' rollmicrophoneracial slurguitartitle spoken by charactercigarette smoking |
This is the beginning of the eighties and everybody is moving to the beat of Pop music, as the brand-new concept of the music video appears on television for the first time. However, in Dublin, Conor, a teenager with a sensitive heart, is trying to deal with a tense family relationship, reconnect wi β¦th his older brother while dealing with the hostile environment in his new public school. And then one day, he sees her. Tall, with long chestnut hair, a buttery complexion and big, dark eyes; an enigmatically beautiful girl standing in front of his school's gate, indolently observing people passing by. But who is she and how could a boy ever get noticed by such a distant girl? That's easy. He would form a band. Surprisingly, with every lyric Conor writes, the gap narrows and with every song he plays, her heart fills with affection. In the end, before a sea of opportunities lying ahead of them, what will the future hold for a brave love like this? (Read More)
Themes: | drinking |
Characters: | singer |
Story: | songwriterguitaristrock 'n' rollmicrophoneracial slurmontagebanddrinksongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingflashbacksex |
An un-chronological look at the life of the Little Sparrow, Edith Piaf (1915-1963). Her mother is an alcoholic street singer, her father a circus performer, her paternal grandmother a madam. During childhood she lives with each of them. At 20, she's a street singer discovered by a club owner who's s β¦oon murdered, coached by a musician who brings her to concert halls, and then quickly famous. Constant companions are alcohol and heartache. The tragedies of her love affair with Marcel Cerdan and the death of her only child belie the words of one of her signature songs, "Non, je ne regrette rien." The back and forth nature of the narrative suggests the patterns of memory and association. (Read More)
Themes: | drunkenness |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Period: | 1950s |
Story: | recording studiosongwriterdrug abusemicrophonesongbased on true storysingingf ratedflashback |
East Germany, the year 1989: A young man protests against the regime. His mother watches the police arresting him and suffers a heart attack and falls into a coma. Some months later, the GDR does not exist anymore and the mother awakes. Since she has to avoid every excitement, the son tries to set u β¦p the GDR again for her in their flat. But the world has changed a lot. (Read More)
Themes: | drunkennessdrinking |
Locations: | bathtub |
Characters: | singerpolice |
Story: | heart attackimmigrantmontagebanddrinksongvoice over narrationsingingflashback |
An anthology film retelling the story of the famous Studio 54, a hot disco hangout for the social elite of New York. The movie follows several characters at once, some of whom are in desperate straits and on the verge of crashing.
Themes: | drug usedrinking |
Locations: | gas station |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | drug abusemicrophonedrinksongvoice over narrationsingingsex |
Themes: | drunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | police |
Story: | jazz musicbigotryrace relationsjazzracial slurdrinkbased on true storycigarette smoking |
Themes: | drinking |
Locations: | bathtub |
Characters: | singerpolice |
Story: | what happened to epiloguemicrophonebandprostitutiondrinksongbased on true storysingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingflashbacksex |
A successful mod photographer in London whose world is bounded by fashion, pop music, marijuana, and easy sex, feels his life is boring and despairing. Then he meets a mysterious beauty, and also notices something frightfully suspicious on one of his photographs of her taken in a park. The fact that β¦ he may have photographed a murder does not occur to him until he studies and then blows up his negatives, uncovering details, blowing up smaller and smaller elements, and finally putting the puzzle together. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrinking |
Story: | jazz musicguitaristrock 'n' rollpop musicbandguitardrinkcigarette smokingsex |
Marshall, Texas, described by James Farmer, Jr. as "the last city to surrender after the Civil War," is home to Wiley College, where, in 1935-36, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and his clandestine work as a union organizer, Professor Melvin Tolson coaches the debate team to a nearly-undefeated s β¦eason that sees the first debate between U.S. students from white and Negro colleges and ends with an invitation to face Harvard University's national champions. The team of four, which includes a female student and a very young James Farmer, is tested in a crucible heated by Jim Crow, sexism, a lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience. (Read More)
Themes: | drinking |
Characters: | singerafrican american |
Story: | lynchingbigotrycivil rightsrace relationsmontagebanddrinksongbased on true storysingingsex |
Inspired by a true story, Al Pacino stars as aging 1970s rocker Danny Collins, who can't give up his hard-living ways. But when his manager (Christopher Plummer) uncovers a 40 year-old undelivered letter written to him by John Lennon, he decides to change course and embarks on a heartfelt journey to β¦ rediscover his family, find true love and begin a second act. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkenness |
Characters: | musiciansinger |
Story: | what happened to epiloguemicrophonebandsongbased on true storysingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smoking |
A comedic biopic focused on the life of fictional jazz guitarist Emmett Ray. Ray was an irresponsible, free-spending, arrogant, obnoxious, alcohol-abusing, miserable human being, who was also arguably the best guitarist in the world. We follow Ray's life: bouts of getting drunk, his bizzare hobbies β¦of shooting rats and watching passing trains, his dreams of fame and fortune, his strange obsession with the better-known guitarist Django Reinhardt, and of course, playing his beautiful music. (Read More)
Themes: | drunkenness |
Characters: | musician |
Story: | jazz musicguitaristjazzguitarprostitution |
An elderly Jewish widow living in Atlanta can no longer drive. Her son insists she allow him to hire a driver, which in the 1950s meant a black man. She resists any change in her life but, Hoke, the driver is hired by her son. She refuses to allow him to drive her anywhere at first, but Hoke slowly β¦wins her over with his native good graces. The movie is directly taken from a stage play and does show it. It covers over twenty years of the pair's life together as they slowly build a relationship that transcends their differences. (Read More)
Locations: | gas station |
Characters: | african americanpolice |
Period: | 1950s |
Story: | segregationcivil rightsinterracial friendshiprace relationsracial slur |
Recounts a fable of a pop rock band formed a year after the Beatles took America by storm in early 1964. Jazz aficionado Guy Patterson, unhappily toiling in the family appliance store, is recruited into the band the Oneders (later renamed the Wonders) after regular drummer Chad breaks his arm. After β¦ Guy injects a four/four rock beat into lead singer Jimmy's ballad, the song's undeniable pop power flings the Wonders into a brief whirlwind of success, telling the tale of many American bands who attempted to grab the brass ring of rock and roll in the wake of the British Invasion. (Read More)
Characters: | singer |
Story: | music businessmusic industryrecording studiowhat happened to epiloguejazzbandsong |
While helicopters overhead spray against a Medfly infestation a group of Los Angeles lives intersect, some casually, some to more lasting effect. Whilst they go out to concerts and jazz clubs and even have their pools cleaned, they also lie, drink, and cheat. Death itself seems never to be far away, β¦ even on a fishing trip. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | musiciansingerpolice |
Story: | songwriterjazzbanddrinkcigarette smokingsex |
Harry Sanborn is an aged music industry exec with a fondness for younger women like Marin, his latest trophy girlfriend. Things get a little awkward when Harry suffers a heart attack at the home of Marin's mother Erica. Left in the care of Erica and his doctor, a love triangle starts to take shape.
Themes: | drunkennessdrinking |
Story: | music industrytold in flashbackheart attackmontagedrinktitle directed by femalevoice over narrationcigarette smokingflashbacksex |
Morbid biographical story of Sid Vicious, bassist with British punk group the Sex Pistols, and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. When the Sex Pistols break up after their fateful US tour, Vicious attempts a solo career while in the grip of heroin addiction. One morning, Nancy is found stabbed to death a β¦nd Sid is arrested for her murder. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | musiciansingerpolice |
Story: | recording studiorock 'n' rollguitarsongsingingcigarette smokingsex |
In 1945, the Marines attack twelve thousand Japaneses protecting the twenty square kilometers of the sacred Iwo Jima island in a very violent battle. When they reach the Mount Suribachi and six Marines raise their flag on the top, the picture becomes a symbol in a post Great Depression America. The β¦government brings the three survivors to America to raise funds for war, bringing hope to desolate people, and making the three men heroes of the war. However, the traumatized trio has difficulty dealing with the image built by their superiors, sharing the heroism with their mates. (Read More)
Themes: | drunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | singerpolice |
Story: | bigotryrace relationsheart attackbandguitardrinksongvoice over narrationsingingcigarette smokingflashback |
Four members of a high school band called Mystery do everything they can to attend a KISS concert in Detroit. In order to make it to the show they must steal, cheat, strip, deal with an anti-rock mom and generally do whatever it takes to see the band that has inspired them to be musicians.
Themes: | drug usedrinking |
Characters: | singerpolice |
Story: | rock 'n' rollmicrophonebandguitardrinksongsingingtitle spoken by charactercigarette smokingsex |
Camden College. Sean Bateman is the younger brother of depraved Wall Street broker Patrick Bateman. He's also a drug dealer who owes a lot of money to "fellow" dealer Rupert Guest, as well as a well-known womanizer, for he sleeps with nearly half of the female population on campus. Lauren Hynde is, β¦technically, a virgin. She's saving herself for her shallow boyfriend, Victor Johnson, who's left the States to backpack across Europe. Her slutty roommate, Lara, has the hots for Victor as well. Paul Denton, who used to date Lauren, is openly bisexual and attracted to Mitchell Allen, who's dating Candice to prove to Paul that he's not gay. Sean loves Lauren. Paul loves Sean. And Lauren may love Sean. (Read More)
Themes: | drug usedrunkennessdrinking |
Locations: | bathtub |
Characters: | singer |
Story: | drug abuserock 'n' rollmontageguitardrinksongvoice over narrationsingingcigarette smokingsexflashback |
Struggling private investigator Louis Simo treats his work more as a means to make a living than a want to do right by what few clients he has. Through connections with the investigation firm for which he used to work, Simo is hired by Helen Bessolo to investigate the death of her son, actor 'George β¦ Reeves (I)' (qv). Reeves was best known for his title role in _"Adventures of Superman" (1952)_ (qv), a role which he always despised, in part since it typecast him as a "cartoon", despite it bringing him a certain fame. His June 16, 1959 death by a single gunshot wound while in his bedroom in his Los Angeles home was ruled a suicide by the police, the death which occurred when the house was filled with people. Reeves' story is told in part in flashback as Simo, who is trying to make a name for himself with this case, talks to or tries to talk to some of the players involved, most specifically the wife of MGM General Manager 'E.J. Mannix' (qv), Toni Mannix, with whom Reeves was having a relatively open and gift-lucrative affair (she bought him that house), and Reeves' fiancee at the time of his death, Lenore Lemmon, an aspiring actress who some felt didn't love Reeves (or vice versa). As Simo proceeds with his high-profile investigation, he learns that someone doesn't want him snooping around. Through the process, Simo evaluates his own professional and personal life, the latter of which includes a somewhat strained relationship with his wife and son. (Read More)
Themes: | drunkennessdrinking |
Characters: | singerpolice |
Period: | 1950s |
Story: | racial segregationbigotrybriberacial slurguitardrinksongbased on true storysingingcigarette smokingflashback |