Sly Stone IMO. Musical genius who not only played multiple instruments at a high level, he also wrote, composed and produced Sly and the Family Stone’s entire discography by himself.
Who do you think is the most talented front man?
Was hearing reports that he’s not in it as much but after watching it, I couldn’t agree more. He pretty much steals the 3rd act and has a lot of showy scenes throughout (with him as the clever opportunist, him with the fake bravado yelling at his troops, and him as the sniveling coward).
I could definitely see him at least be in contention for a nom but Universal might campaign Leguizamo as the long-time industry veteran who’s never been nominated.
Do you think Pattinson has a shot at a nom?
Have a pair of free tickets if anyone wants, just DM!
It randomly logged me out on my Macbook and when I tried logging on, it said my password is incorrect. When I tried the “forget password”, it keeps saying “something went wrong, please try again” every time I enter my email.
It’s strange, the app works completely fine on my phone
Some obvious picks to start off:
David Bowie
Jimi Hendrix
James Brown
Otis Redding was only 26 when he passed and Duane Allman was 24 which blows my mind considering how much they sounded like seasoned professionals with decades of experience
While biopics can often be soulless cash grabs/awards bait (especially music biopics), many in the genre are among the greatest films ever made.
Lawrence of Arabia is a prime example. Maybe the most influential epic in Hollywood and a timeless classic that still resonates on the big screen. Malcolm X is similarly sweeping and feels like Spike Lee's attempt at a David Lean film (he obviously succeeds and it's one of the most well-paced films, as well as Spike's masterpiece IMO).
Other biopics aren't afraid to be experimental in form such as Mishima. The colours, the music, and the episodic nature add to a singular experience. Andrei Rublev is also episodic and is some of the most profound spirituality ever captured on film.
What are some of your favourites?
Been on a ballad binge lately and there’s nothing like a good croon. Some of the best IMO include:
Luther Vandross
Ella Fitzgerald
Roy Orbison
Sam Cooke
Cass Elliot
Barry White
David Gilmour is an obvious pick (numerous great solos and so influential)
Guthrie Govan (might be the best technical player on the planet)
Derek Trucks (no one is better at mixing technique with emotional, soulful playing IMO)
Isaiah Sharkey (best of the new generation, a genuine prodigy)
John McLaughlin (legendary jazz-fusion guitarists who has an unparalleled blend of western and eastern influences)
Vernon Reid (his style is totally unique, free jazz mixed with hard rock, soul and metal)
Malcolm X IMO might be the best paced film ever. It just moves at such a confident rhythm that I’m shocked to find out it’s 3 and a half hours long. The structure of the film certainly helps and you’re always there for Malcolm’s continuing intellectual development.
Barry Lyndon’s another one, which I finally saw in a theatre in Toronto last year. The luxurious first half allows for the viewer to take into account every gorgeous visual but the movie also understands dry and subtle humour. The second half is much more fast paced and is the ideal pacing after the intermission.
I put off Andrei Rublev for years due to the intimidating length but I caught it at a theatre last year and was blown away. The episodic structure really aids and it’s meant to be seen in a cinema. As strange as it sounds, it might actually be Tarkovsky’s most accessible film.
A Brighter Summer Day is the quintessential novelistic film and I actually find it to feel shorter than Yi Yi. The latter is more patient and has a lot of sequences of characters mulling over and taking their time with things. ABSD certainly has more of a story to it and is more epic in nature which ends up leading to a film that feels quicker in pacing, despite the 4 hour runtime.
What are some of your favourites?
Can be from any genre, but this infamous Mack Maine verse from Young Money’s Every Girl is hard to beat
Gotta be Thelonious Monk for me
Forget live albums, this is among the best records ever made. It's such a tactile listening experience and you can almost hear the sweat-drenched atmosphere and Sam is in full command of the crowd and band.
Sam was the best singer ever IMO but what I love about this album is the rasp and grittiness you hear in his voice that you don't really get from his studio recordings. It feels like his version of the more raw soul sound that Southern singers like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett based their careers off. The reasoning behind it is Sam performed at a small club for a predominantly Black audience and was able to tap into his gospel roots so at times, it almost feels like he took influence from James Brown with how energetic he sounds. For white audiences for mainstream performances he would transition into his smooth crooning (both brilliant, but I'm glad he did both as it showed his artistry and vocal genius).
Sadly, the record label felt the gritty sound would alienate him to white audiences and the album was hidden for two decades until it was finally released in 1985. Would be a travesty if this record never saw the light.
Favourite track from the album is tough as the energy never lets up from the beginning but this performance of Bring It n Home to Me is just special. The buildup, the crowd, and of course Sam's voice and rasp just ascends the listener.
Everyone should listen to this album at least once in order to see the best singer ever completely in his element