| Cadillac Records | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
|
| Directed by | Darnell Martin |
| Produced by | Petra Hoebel Beyoncé Knowles Andrew Lack Sofia Sondervan |
| Written by | Darnell Martin |
| Starring | Adrien Brody Jeffrey Wright Beyoncé Knowles Columbus Short Mos Def |
| Music by | Terence Blanchard |
| Cinematography | Anastas Michos |
| Editing by | Peter C. Frank |
| Distributed by | TriStar Pictures |
| Release date(s) | December 5, 2008 |
| Running time | 109 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $12,000,000 |
| Gross revenue | $7,928,000[1] |
Cadillac Records is a 2008 musical biopic written and directed by Darnell Martin. The film explores the musical era from the early 1940s to the late 1960s, chronicling the life of the influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess, and the singers who recorded for Chess Records.
The film stars Adrien Brody as Chess, Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon, Mos Def as Chuck Berry, Columbus Short as Little Walter, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, and Beyoncé Knowles as Etta James. The film has been rated R by the MPAA for "pervasive language and some sexuality". The film was released in North America on December 5, 2008.
Contents |
Background
Leonard Chess was a record-company executive from Chicago, Illinois, the co-founder of the 1950 American record label Chess Records. He ran the legendary company with his brother, Phil, through the 1950s and '60s.[2] The label started selling albums from the back of Chess' Cadillac,[3] and launched the careers of legendary musical personalities such as blues singers and harmonica and guitar players Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf, blues musician Muddy Waters, soul legend Etta James[4] and guitarist singer-songwriters Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley.[5]
Cast
- Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess
- Beyoncé Knowles as Etta James
- Emmanuelle Chriqui as Revetta Chess
- Mos Def as Chuck Berry
- Gabrielle Union as Geneva Waters
- Columbus Short as Little Walter
- Norman Reedus as Chess
- Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters
- Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon
- Tammy Blanchard as Isabelle Allen
- Eamonn Walker as Howlin' Wolf
- Eric Bogosian as Alan Freed
- Shiloh Fernandez as Phil Chess
- Jay O. Sanders as Mr. Feder
Production
Writing
The screenplay was written by film director Darnell Martin.[3]
Casting
Originally, Matt Dillon was slated to play the role of Chess,[5] but the role was ultimately given to Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody due to scheduling conflicts with Dillon.[6] Early announcements of the cast also included Columbus Short as Little Walter , Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters,[2] and Grammy Award winning singer and Golden Globe nominated actress Beyoncé Knowles as Etta James. According to director Martin, the role of James was written with Knowles in mind.[7]
As production increased the roster had grown to include Canadian actress Emmanuelle Chriqui as Revetta Chess, Tammy Blanchard as Isabelle Allen, and comedian Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon.[8][9][3] Final line ups of the cast also grew to include rapper Mos Def as Chuck Berry, and Gabrielle Union in the role of Geneva Wade, Muddy Waters' girlfriend.[10]
Filming
The filming of Cadillac Records started in February 2008, in Newark, New Jersey and Mississippi, United States.[8] Martin directed the film,[2][4] and shot for Sony BMG Film.[5]
Cadillac Records was produced by Andrew Lack and Sofia Sondervan,[9] and co-executive produced by Beyoncé Knowles.[2]
Music
American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music producer Steve Jordan produced the soundtrack to the film.[11] Knowles recorded five songs for the soundtrack, including a cover version of Etta James' "At Last" which was released on December 2, 2008 as its lead single.[12] Mos Def, Jeffrey Wright, Columbus Short, and Eamonn Walker recorded songs for the soundtrack, and Raphael Saadiq, Knowles' sister Solange, Mary Mary, Nas, Buddy Guy, and Elvis Presley also appear on the album. The soundtrack will be released in single- and double-disc editions.[12]
Beyoncé, along with co-writers Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarmon, Ian Dench, James Dring and Jody Street, recieved a Golden Globe nomination for writing a song from the film, "Once in a Lifetime", which Beyoncé performed. [13]
Release
The film had its world premiere on November 24, 2008 at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles.[14] On December 5, 2008, it was released nationally.
Reception
The film has garnered positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes reported that 66% of critics gave positive reviews based on 87 reviews. Its consensus state that "What Cadillac Records may lack in originality, it more than makes up for in strong performances and soul-stirring music." [15] Another review aggretator, Metacritic, gave the film a 64/100 approval rating based on 26 reviews classifying that the film has "generally favorable reviews". [16]
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times gave the film 3 stars and stated in his review that "The film is a fascinating record of the evolution of a black musical style, and the tangled motives of the white men who had an instinct for it." [17] Elizbeth Weitzman of the Daily News awarded the film with 3 stars and wrote in her review, "Writer-director Darnell Martin clearly respects the fact that the history of Chess Records is a worthy subject." [18] Most critics praised the film for its music, but complain about its script. Jim Harrington of the Mercury News praised Knowles' vocal performance and wrote in his review that Beyoncé Knowles captivating voice and the film's other pluses can't outweigh the glaring omissions from the story line for this critic" and "Chess Records deserves, and will hopefully someday get, a better spin than the one delivered by "Cadillac Records." [19]
On its opening weekend, the film opened #9 grossing $3.4 million in 686 theaters with an $5,023 average.[20] Beyoncé Knowles received a Satellite Award nomination for her portrayal of Etta James.[21]
References
- ^ Template:Http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=cadillacrecords.htm
- ^ a b c d Rodriguez, Jayson (2008-02-20). "Beyonce To Portray Legendary Blues Singer Etta James In 'Cadillac Records'", MTV News. Retrieved on 28 March 2008.
- ^ a b c Hollywood reporter (2008-02-20). "Beyonce Producing, Starring in 'Cadillac Records'", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 28 March 2008.
- ^ a b Tilly, Chris (2008-02-20). "Beyonce Signs to Cadillac Records", IGN. Retrieved on 28 March 2008.
- ^ a b c Simmons, Leslie (2007-10-15). "Matt Dillon playing Chess in music movie", Reuters. Retrieved on 28 March 2008.
- ^ Hollywood reporter (2008-01-22). "Brody, Wright Starring in 'Cadillac'", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 28 March 2008.
- ^ Light, Allan (2008-11-14). "Pop Music’s Dreamgirl Awakens Her Earthy Side". The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-11-21.
- ^ a b IGN staff (2008-01-22). "Cadillac Cast", IGN. Retrieved on 28 March 2008.
- ^ a b Haves, Dade (2008-01-21). "Brody, Wright set to drive 'Cadillac'", Variety. Retrieved on 28 March 2008.
- ^ Winter Miller (2008-03-30). "Duo drives 'Cadillac'", Variety Magazine. Retrieved on 6 August 2008.
- ^ Simmons, Leslie (2008-02-20). "Beyonce Starring In Chess Records Film", Billboard, Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved on 30 March 2008.
- ^ a b Cohen, Jonathan (2008-11-11). "Beyonce Belts It Out On 'Cadillac' Soundtrack", Billboard, Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved on 12 November 2008.
- ^ http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/index.html
- ^ Adler, Shawn (2004-11-24). "Beyonce, Etta James And 'Cadillac Records' Stars Come Out For Movie's Premiere". MTV. Retrieved on 2008-11-26.
- ^ "Cadillac Records Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2008-12-07.
- ^ "Cadillac Records (2008):Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved on 2008-12-07.
- ^ "Cadillac Records - Roger Ebert Review". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved on 2008-12-07.
- ^ "'Cadillac Records' takes a greatest-hits approach". New York Daily News. Retrieved on 2008-12-07.
- ^ "'Cadillac Records': Good music, shaky history". Mercury News (2008-12-05). Retrieved on 2008-12-07.
- ^ "Weekend Box Office Results from December 5-7, 2008". Box Office Mojo (2008-12-07). Retrieved on 2008-12-09.
- ^ http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2008.shtml
External links
- Official site
- Cadillac Records at the Internet Movie Database
- Cadillac Records at Allmovie
- Cadillac Records at Box Office Mojo
- Cadillac Records at Rotten Tomatoes
"Once In A Lifetime" - Cadillac Records - MUSIC OFFICIAL
Música e letra por: Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarmon, Ian Dench, James Dring e Jody Street. INDICADO A MELHOR CANÇÃO AO GLOBO DE OURO Quer saber mais, entre no blog http://blig.ig.com.br/cinemaetudoissoblog/
Author: cinemaetudoissoBRPT
Keywords: once in lifetime cadillac records music official beyoncé knowles amanda ghost scott mcfarmon ian dench james dring jody street
Added: January 5, 2009
The Death Of Little Walter
From the film 'Cadillac Records'
Author: pekoe67
Keywords: little walter marion jacobs mckinley morganfield geneva muddy waters jeffrey wright columbus short gabrielle union
Added: January 5, 2009
Cadillac Records - TRAILER OFFICIAL LEGENDADO
Uma reunião de grandes personalidades musicais no Cadillac Records, traz a música mais conhecida do blues. Com Adrien Brody, Beyoncé Knowles e Mos Def. Quer saber mais, entre no meu blog http://blig.ig.com.br/cinemaetudoissoblog/
Author: cinemaetudoissoBRPT
Keywords: cadillac records trailer official oficial legendado adrien brody beyoncé knowles mos def
Added: January 5, 2009
Quickflicksnow com-cadillac records dvdscr xvid noscr clip0
Author: BE090481
Keywords: Quickflicksnow com-cadillac records dvdscr xvid noscr clip0
Added: January 5, 2009
Quickflicksnow com-cadillac records dvdscr xvid noscr clip1
Author: BE090481
Keywords: Quickflicksnow com-cadillac records dvdscr xvid noscr clip1
Added: January 5, 2009