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Ray - HD DVD Version (2004)

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Average rating: 72%
111239142059
3.5
from 321 members
 
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Michael Arata, Curtis Armstrong
Director: Taylor Hackford
Studio: UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Run time: 146 mins
Certificate: 15
Collections: HD DVD
Genres: Drama
Languages: English
Released: 04/06/2007
Also Available on:  Also Available on: DVD

Brief synopsis of Ray - HD DVD Version

Jamie Foxx stars in this biopic of legendary soul and R&B singer Ray Charles. Skilfully edited and with a keen eye for period detail, the narrative weaves in and out of the past in an interlocking tapestry of the man's rise to fame in the 1950s and '60s. Growing up poor, black, and blind in the rural south, Charles learns--under the tutelage of his tough-love mother (Sharon Warren)--to turn these handicaps into assets. With this training, Ray eventually plays his way into a major deal with Atlantic records and earns icon status as an American legend. Along the way, the high cost of fame leads him to engage in abusive relationships, manipulative behaviour, and struggles with drug and alcohol problems. This is a dynamite film for the music alone (Charles's actual recordings are used in the film), but Foxx's career-benchmark performance transcends RAY's biopic roots, turning this into a piercing, full-on character study: unflinching, sometimes harrowing, and ultimately deeply moving. The sheer joy of Charles's music comes alive in Foxx's movements, and his character matures convincingly and powerfully. A stellar supporting cast is on hand to back him up every step of the way, including Larenz Tate as producer Quincy Jones, and Kerry Washington as Ray's long-suffering wife, Regina.

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Rated - 3 starsDoes what it says on the tin

Mike Wright from Hampshire , 10/07/2007

Not being a Jazz anorak, I found 'Ray' a very straightforward and entertaining account of how the man overcame disability and racism to reach the top of his profession.

Not everything in the film is 100% historically correct, but the director's commentary provides a good review of this, explaining what is real and what they made up (for example, the circumstances of Ray's meeting with Quincy Jones was largely fabricated for the film, though they did meet in real life).

If you have seen Walk the Line about Johnny Cash you'll find the stories stangely similar.

Recommended for light-hearted viewing, but don't expect miracles (and it doesn't really contain much material for HD to 'wow' you with).

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 1 starsGood ol' HD discs go wrong again!

MikePrice from Wantage [Highly rated reviewer] , 30/04/2008

For about the fifth HD title in a row, this disc would only play for about half the film, then 'stuck' on (no doubt) a miniscule imperfection on the disc. I have tried cleaning them, polishing with a micro-firbre cloth, but it happens time after time! Anyone want to buy a HD player (cheap)?

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsRay

A customer from Carmarthen , 29/01/2008

Ray is a brilliant film looking at the life of Ray Charles. Jamie Foxx does an excellent job of portraying the man and you get a real feeling for the times he performed in and what shaped his music. You get to see what motivated Ray Charles and most aspects of his character, both good and bad. Of course the soundtrack is amazing. I found myself completely engrossed throughout and the direction style reminded me of Ali in places, which is no bad thing as that film is superb also! Overall a great film, which should both entertain and move. Well worth a viewing.

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Rated - 4 starsWorth watching

A customer from Scotland , 27/08/2008

I really enjoyed this film. Loved the music and felt it captured the atmosphere of the time.

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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 3 starsDoes what it says on the tin

Mike Wright from Hampshire , 10/07/2007

Not being a Jazz anorak, I found 'Ray' a very straightforward and entertaining account of how the man overcame disability and racism to reach the top of his profession.

Not everything in the film is 100% historically correct, but the director's commentary provides a good review of this, explaining what is real and what they made up (for example, the circumstances of Ray's meeting with Quincy Jones was largely fabricated for the film, though they did meet in real life).

If you have seen Walk the Line about Johnny Cash you'll find the stories stangely similar.

Recommended for light-hearted viewing, but don't expect miracles (and it doesn't really contain much material for HD to 'wow' you with).

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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