There's Nothing Wrong With "Craig Ferguson: Just Being Honest"

Craig Ferguson: Just Being Honest (2015)

Unrated (R)

Starring Craig Ferguson

Directed by Jay Chapman

The Story:

Craig Ferguson, the former host of the Late Late Show brings his stand up comedy to Epix for a special.

Remember those times when he would be censored on the talk show?

No worries here, there's not a censor to be found.

Craig's routine doesn't consist of jokes as much as they do funny anecdotes and stories.

But, as I've always found Ferguson to be a joy to listen to, both for his humor and his accent, this is a good thing.

The storytellers can often weave an hour concert into basically a long running story that builds into each segment and at the end of the night, you've laughed a lot yet only heard 5-10 "jokes". It's the buildup and the telling of the story that provides each payoff.

So while you won't be repeating Craig's stuff at work the next day, you'll think of the stories, and his telling of them, and you will smile and laugh again.

Don't believe me?

Watch this one, and then get back to me about his stories on Kenny G and Mick Jagger.

:)

Streaming on Amazon Prime as of this writing.

Final Grade:  B

An Acting Tour De Force... "Get On Up"

Get On Up (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Chadwick Boseman

Directed by Tate Taylor

The Story:

The biography of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown (Boseman) unfolds across the screen.

Brace yourselves!

First, are there other people in this movie besides Boseman? Yes.

Why don't I list them in the starring section of this review?

Because it doesn't matter.

This is Boseman's movie, from start to finish.

He inhabits the skin of James Brown and takes you on a journey from poor, troubled beginnings to superstar, and everywhere in between.

It's a warts and all biography that highlights the passion and drive of James Brown. The same things that made him a success also helped to destroy him.

Coupled with his performance in 42, and Boseman is simply an amazing actor who has graced two fine movies.

However, the pacing and narrative of Get On Up left me a little...troubled...bothered...annoyed...

I'm not sure what it was, but between trying to be an honest portrait, the breaking of the 4th Wall and jumping around to decades as the film saw fit left a bit to be desired.

Still, Boseman keeps you watching, and it's a story worth telling.

Thanks to Mick Jagger for making sure it made it to the screen. 

While it won't be in the running for best of the year, it certainly was worth a viewing.

Final Grade: B-

You Know Their Music...Now Learn Their Names. "20 Feet From Stardom"

20 Feet From Stardom (2013)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Bruce Springsteen, Sting

The Story:

As the title states, 20 feet from the lead singer, these backup singers are what provided much of the hook for the music of the 60s and 70s.  Odds are, you already know the songs, and like Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer Darlene Love, you know the voices.  You just don't know the names to the ladies in question.  Or, as we'll learn, many times their vocals were sent out under different names entirely.

It's a fascinating  look at the ladies who became stars in their own right, even if the public never knew who they were.

Darlene Love, whose biggest solo hit, Christmas(Baby Please Come Home) is revisited every year on The Late Show with David Letterman is indeed the most famous of all the singers, but by no means is she the only talented backup singer profiled in this documentary.

Again, while the majority of this documentary looks back at the powerful vocalists who helped define the sounds of the 60s and 70s, there are still background singers today, backing some of the biggest acts.

They just aren't as prolific as they once were.

Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen and Sting, among others, extol the virtues of these ladies and how important to the work and sound they truly are.

Sheryl Crow, herself a former backup singer offers some insight as well, as possibly one of the most famous backups to make the long 20 foot walk to the center of the stage.

An amazing soundtrack to a really good movie.

Now streaming on Netflix if you're interested.

Final Grade: Solid B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I don't think I would need to own it, but would have no problem watching this very well made documentary again.