Spot on. Couldn't agree more with you that these movies do more harm than good. I would like to see another documentary similar to straight no chaser made about someone today.
@SatchmoSings Thankfully we have access to wide variety of music on the web. LIve365, Pandora and Streaming radio have picked up where broadcast radio left off.
@JazzVideoGuy Wouldnt be interesting to hear stories/opinions from Wayne Shorter? Robert Glasper? Ravi Coltrane? Terence Blanchard? Jeff Tain Watts ? Too many to mention ..
Fakin it never works, not in bed nor stage. I used to think movies derived from Comic books had the worst percentage of bad movies from quality source material, but Jazz movies are worse. I remember being sooo disappointed in Bird, what a waste of an opportunity, just continuing the stereotype of jazz on drugs. Sure Bird had those issues, but he was the center of the universe and the story could have been so much more open. Clint should have know and done the music better.
Maybe the studio wouldn't make the movie without Clint changing the focus. I'm executive producing a film now about the life of Vivien Leigh, and we had to part ways with the first production company because they wanted to change the storyline focus to make it more marketable to a mainstream audience. We're hoping the next studio interested stays true to our vision, Brett. Just wondering if the same thing happened with "Bird." ~ Val Oliver
Really liked this video and I generally agree with your analysis. I thought Mo' Better Blues had the most realistic music scenes, but still this was not a great movie nor even a good one. I tend to stick to documentaries when dealing with jazz movies.
I was really looking forward to seeing Clint's "Bird" movie when it was released. I couldn't have been more disappointed in the film portrayal of Charlie Parker.
well my personal favorite is the miles davis one, certain videos you uploaded which are not "films" but yet i enjoy them, seeing a concert dvd and seeing back stage fotage, to be honest if i sit down to any movie i usually find my self grabbing the guitar and not really noticing the movie but i sat down to the life of miles davis a few times and found it fascinating each time, i can't see myself sitting through "byrd" mostly because i don't enjoy hes playing on levels on which i enjoy miles's,,,
I doubt it. Most of the films on jazz are either old (and thus unlikely to be watched by today's adults and teenagers) or documentaries watched by jazz fans. At the very least, Ray is a biography, and the Blues Brothers isn't meant to be taken seriously.
yeah, there nothin' like the real thing, baby!! i did spy Hoagy Carmichael though playing along with Kirk Douglas! LOL! i'm keeping my fingers crossed re the Miles Davis film.
Round Midnight is one of my favorite films period. The story touches me on a lot of different levels, and of course, the music was great. I think Hollywood is always going to lean toward the sensational, and focus on the negative to sell. That's probably why I like most French films more than most of the crap coming out of Hollywood. Thanks for your take on this issue!
Randomly flicked past ‘the hills’ the other day on TV… and wondered why there wasn’t a watermarked disclaimer… “warning: beware this isn’t real life… or it is to them”… biographical movies are almost a genre in themselves… the great life the person lead is the backbone to the story line. Suspense and the time it takes to develop the plot make ‘Donnie Brasco’, ‘Cobb’ or even ‘In the Name of the Father’ all good movies.
@tristanhallsvids Except… the musician has recorded the score or at least a body of material to choose from already. It’s interesting that when you go and see a biographical movie chances are it will end in a tear jerker like ‘Hillary and Jackie’... instead of miles getting up and playing in ‘dingo’… Jeff Goldblum on tenor is probably my favorite…
I forgot, it's also a saddening thing to see that the official movie about the life of Miles Davis never made it to the big screen yet, they were concidering Don Cheadle to play the role of Miles. That and the movie "Bolden!" a movie in production about the legendary trumpeter Buddy Bolden...
I really, really hope these two will make it to the movie screen one day. I think they will make worthy additions to the collection of jazz movies.
I think Round Midnight was and still is one of the most beautiful movies i have ever seen in my life. It may be slow paced, but for once, give it a chance. It will touch you in some way.
The thing that striked me about Round Midnight were the camera angles, for some reason it just made the movie. For me it will always be a celebration of Dexter himself, and nobody else could represent jazz in cinema better than the man himself. It truly is a masterpiece by Tavernier.
It's good to hear that the Miles davis film is still in production. Last thing i heard (a year ago) was that the script was ready, but the slow economy was holding the progress back a notch.
I actually liked the Bird. Whitaker's playing seems believable and it's pretty dramatic plot. Although I'd appreciate more jazz and less talks... I'm still waiting for ultimate jazz movie dedicated and focused on actual music!
Also Altman's Kansas City is quite good though not primary about jazz musicians... Thanks for great vid btw!
@JazzvideoGuy - Great video on Jazz films in Hollywood. I'd like to recommend a very good Jazz movie from Japan called "Swing Girls". It's a nice little comedy about Japanese high school female students who learn to play big band Jazz. Although it's big bad Jazz rather than Bebop, I think it's a nice entry into Jazz-film category. Plus it gives some insight into Japanese high school culture
I have to disagree with you. I like "Bird" from Eastwood a lot, I think it's a very good movie with great acting and quite a lot of music when you compare it to other of the films ou talked about. Okay, it doesn't tell the story of bebop but who would be interested in that (except us), the life issues of Parker are more interesting to show to a moviegoer audience. Eastwood did a lot for jazz, without him there wouldn't be any "Straight No Chaser" documentary for example.
@TimyCovert It all depends on how you tell the story. The birth of Bebop, with Monk and Bird and Dizzy, is a fascinating story. For me, drama depends on the stakes. The higher the stakes, the more the drama, the better the story. Developing a new musical form, against all odds, and being black men who were willing to be quite different, would certainly speak to a larger audience, if told correctly. That's much harder than portraying someone's troubles.
@JazzVideoGuy Well, I'm not sure about was is more difficult in terms of filmaking but I think you're too optimistic about people being interested in the story.
@JazzVideoGuy Thanks to you for all your vids. By the way 'Round Midnight is a great movie, it's based on the friendship of Paudras and Powell but Lester Young was also a big inspiration.
Spot on. Couldn't agree more with you that these movies do more harm than good. I would like to see another documentary similar to straight no chaser made about someone today.
oCoLoAoRoko 4 months ago
@oCoLoAoRoko Me, too. But who? Is there anyone like Monk?
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@JazzVideoGuy Who the hell names their kid "Thelonious?"
SatchmoSings 4 months ago
@JazzVideoGuy, Try to remember that "Rap" outsells Jazz and Classical music put together.
At one time, Classical Music was 30% of all record sales; now it's like 2%.
I live in New York City; we used to have three classical music stations; we now have ONE.
SatchmoSings 4 months ago
@SatchmoSings Thankfully we have access to wide variety of music on the web. LIve365, Pandora and Streaming radio have picked up where broadcast radio left off.
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
why not have jazz musicians, young and old, as special guest on the (insert host's name) Tonight Show ? ? ? o_0
lionelroach 4 months ago
@lionelroach Good idea. Who would you suggest?
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@JazzVideoGuy Wouldnt be interesting to hear stories/opinions from Wayne Shorter? Robert Glasper? Ravi Coltrane? Terence Blanchard? Jeff Tain Watts ? Too many to mention ..
lionelroach 4 months ago
Thank YOU!
;°)
jplenor 4 months ago
@jplenor Thank you!
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
Wonderful!!!!! I love this!!! Thanks!!!
maisqpoesia9999lcg 4 months ago
Anchorman. Yazz flute.
jazzbuckeye 4 months ago
Fakin it never works, not in bed nor stage. I used to think movies derived from Comic books had the worst percentage of bad movies from quality source material, but Jazz movies are worse. I remember being sooo disappointed in Bird, what a waste of an opportunity, just continuing the stereotype of jazz on drugs. Sure Bird had those issues, but he was the center of the universe and the story could have been so much more open. Clint should have know and done the music better.
speakeasynyc 4 months ago
@speakeasynyc Check out my Monday post (10/10/11) on "The Other Side of Charlie Parker"
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
Maybe the studio wouldn't make the movie without Clint changing the focus. I'm executive producing a film now about the life of Vivien Leigh, and we had to part ways with the first production company because they wanted to change the storyline focus to make it more marketable to a mainstream audience. We're hoping the next studio interested stays true to our vision, Brett. Just wondering if the same thing happened with "Bird." ~ Val Oliver
creatorsparrot 4 months ago
@creatorsparrot Producing a feature film, and raising the necessary funds to do that, invariably requires some compromise.
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
well lets put it this way, though the real musicians may not be playing in the movie, its still a good way to give musicians work.
rvbcaboose777 4 months ago
@4:55, what's the name of that movie? looks interesting.
marcdaddy33 4 months ago
@marcdaddy33 Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
Really liked this video and I generally agree with your analysis. I thought Mo' Better Blues had the most realistic music scenes, but still this was not a great movie nor even a good one. I tend to stick to documentaries when dealing with jazz movies.
Sakhara256 4 months ago
@Sakhara256 Yes, Mo' Better's music was better, but the story, didn't move me. What docs do you like?
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
Selling tickets is what it is all about. You are "Spot On" Bret. Thank you for doing this video.
bob4247 4 months ago
@bob4247 Good point, Bob. The Bottom Line for any Hollywood production is money.
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
I was really looking forward to seeing Clint's "Bird" movie when it was released. I couldn't have been more disappointed in the film portrayal of Charlie Parker.
jazzytrb 4 months ago
great episode bret! i defiantly prefer documentary films when it comes to jazz movies
LaPoPay 4 months ago
@LaPoPay Which docs?
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
well my personal favorite is the miles davis one, certain videos you uploaded which are not "films" but yet i enjoy them, seeing a concert dvd and seeing back stage fotage, to be honest if i sit down to any movie i usually find my self grabbing the guitar and not really noticing the movie but i sat down to the life of miles davis a few times and found it fascinating each time, i can't see myself sitting through "byrd" mostly because i don't enjoy hes playing on levels on which i enjoy miles's,,,
LaPoPay 4 months ago
I doubt it. Most of the films on jazz are either old (and thus unlikely to be watched by today's adults and teenagers) or documentaries watched by jazz fans. At the very least, Ray is a biography, and the Blues Brothers isn't meant to be taken seriously.
RomZomCom 4 months ago
yeah, there nothin' like the real thing, baby!! i did spy Hoagy Carmichael though playing along with Kirk Douglas! LOL! i'm keeping my fingers crossed re the Miles Davis film.
ValB222 4 months ago
Round Midnight is one of my favorite films period. The story touches me on a lot of different levels, and of course, the music was great. I think Hollywood is always going to lean toward the sensational, and focus on the negative to sell. That's probably why I like most French films more than most of the crap coming out of Hollywood. Thanks for your take on this issue!
GMak79051 4 months ago
@GMak79051 Thanks for your take.
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
Randomly flicked past ‘the hills’ the other day on TV… and wondered why there wasn’t a watermarked disclaimer… “warning: beware this isn’t real life… or it is to them”… biographical movies are almost a genre in themselves… the great life the person lead is the backbone to the story line. Suspense and the time it takes to develop the plot make ‘Donnie Brasco’, ‘Cobb’ or even ‘In the Name of the Father’ all good movies.
tristanhallsvids 4 months ago
@tristanhallsvids Except… the musician has recorded the score or at least a body of material to choose from already. It’s interesting that when you go and see a biographical movie chances are it will end in a tear jerker like ‘Hillary and Jackie’... instead of miles getting up and playing in ‘dingo’… Jeff Goldblum on tenor is probably my favorite…
tristanhallsvids 4 months ago
@tristanhallsvids ..You mean, Lush Life?..Jeff Goldblum. That scene with Kathy Baker doin' "I'm old Fashioned" is one of my favorites.
wtesoro 4 months ago
@wtesoro Lush Life. I gotta check that out.
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@wtesoro just watched the trailer on IMDB. Looks interesting. Is it on Netflix?
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
Wonderful Vid...as usual...BRET!
BebopsHouse 4 months ago
I forgot, it's also a saddening thing to see that the official movie about the life of Miles Davis never made it to the big screen yet, they were concidering Don Cheadle to play the role of Miles. That and the movie "Bolden!" a movie in production about the legendary trumpeter Buddy Bolden...
I really, really hope these two will make it to the movie screen one day. I think they will make worthy additions to the collection of jazz movies.
ViperEye 4 months ago
@ViperEye The Miles film is still development and might make it. Would LOVE to see "Bolden."
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
I think Round Midnight was and still is one of the most beautiful movies i have ever seen in my life. It may be slow paced, but for once, give it a chance. It will touch you in some way.
ViperEye 4 months ago
@ViperEye The pacing isn't that of a Hollywood film, but of a European sensibility.
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@JazzVideoGuy
The thing that striked me about Round Midnight were the camera angles, for some reason it just made the movie. For me it will always be a celebration of Dexter himself, and nobody else could represent jazz in cinema better than the man himself. It truly is a masterpiece by Tavernier.
It's good to hear that the Miles davis film is still in production. Last thing i heard (a year ago) was that the script was ready, but the slow economy was holding the progress back a notch.
ViperEye 4 months ago
I liked Round Midnight. The actor is great and he transmits those troubles inside of men heads. and the music is great
StromboliKicks 4 months ago
I actually liked the Bird. Whitaker's playing seems believable and it's pretty dramatic plot. Although I'd appreciate more jazz and less talks... I'm still waiting for ultimate jazz movie dedicated and focused on actual music!
Also Altman's Kansas City is quite good though not primary about jazz musicians... Thanks for great vid btw!
Siska0Robert 4 months ago
@Siska0Robert I liked Kansas City from a musical perspective, but the story was kinda sad.
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@Siska0Robert I'm waiting, too.
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@JazzvideoGuy - Great video on Jazz films in Hollywood. I'd like to recommend a very good Jazz movie from Japan called "Swing Girls". It's a nice little comedy about Japanese high school female students who learn to play big band Jazz. Although it's big bad Jazz rather than Bebop, I think it's a nice entry into Jazz-film category. Plus it gives some insight into Japanese high school culture
JazzyZenBrotha 4 months ago
@JazzyZenBrotha Swing Girls. Is that on Netflix?
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@JazzyZenBrotha - Unfortunately it's only available on Region 2 DVD as far as I know. But it's a very entertaining film.
JazzyZenBrotha 4 months ago
i'm hungry of jazz
djeasy813 4 months ago in playlist Altri video di JazzVideoGuy
I have to disagree with you. I like "Bird" from Eastwood a lot, I think it's a very good movie with great acting and quite a lot of music when you compare it to other of the films ou talked about. Okay, it doesn't tell the story of bebop but who would be interested in that (except us), the life issues of Parker are more interesting to show to a moviegoer audience. Eastwood did a lot for jazz, without him there wouldn't be any "Straight No Chaser" documentary for example.
TimyCovert 4 months ago
@TimyCovert It all depends on how you tell the story. The birth of Bebop, with Monk and Bird and Dizzy, is a fascinating story. For me, drama depends on the stakes. The higher the stakes, the more the drama, the better the story. Developing a new musical form, against all odds, and being black men who were willing to be quite different, would certainly speak to a larger audience, if told correctly. That's much harder than portraying someone's troubles.
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@JazzVideoGuy Well, I'm not sure about was is more difficult in terms of filmaking but I think you're too optimistic about people being interested in the story.
TimyCovert 4 months ago
@TimyCovert Well, hopefully someone will make that movie and we'll find out. Thanks so much for the dialog!
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@JazzVideoGuy Thanks to you for all your vids. By the way 'Round Midnight is a great movie, it's based on the friendship of Paudras and Powell but Lester Young was also a big inspiration.
TimyCovert 4 months ago
Please upload some Maxine Sullavin or Hazel Scot. I get fed up of hearing about Billie Holiday lol. I am a 24 yr old Jazz fan :)
closetome 4 months ago
@closetome Wish I had some video by Maxine and Hazel. They were great!
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@JazzVideoGuy Maxine's version of Skylark is to die for and Hazel has a few really classic albums out with songs like Body and Soul :)
closetome 4 months ago
@closetome Will check that out!
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
@JazzVideoGuy It's called "Relaxed Piano Moods" Bless.
closetome 4 months ago
@closetome Thanks.
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago
great vids man. maybe make fewer but longer ones so we can really get into your commentary or the ppl u r featuring.
bemaniac2 4 months ago
@bemaniac2 Good suggestion. Thanks!
JazzVideoGuy 4 months ago