In this fascinating Oscar-nominated documentary, American guitarist Ry Cooder brings together a group of legendary Cuban folk musicians (some in their 90s) to record a Grammy-winning CD in their native city of Havana. The result is a spectacular compilation of concert footage from the group's gigs in Amsterdam and New York City's famed Carnegie Hall, with director Wim Wenders capturing not only the music -- but also the musicians' life stories.
Houston, TX, hip-hop crew Wreckshop Family are the subject of this documentary about the uphill struggle to succeed in the cutthroat world of the music industry. Dirty 3rd: The Movie follows Wreckshop Family as they struggle to leave the street life behind and make a name for themselves, releasing their own material on their own label.
The band Fugazi is documented over a period of more than ten years (1987-1998) through performance footage and interviews with the band and their fans. Director Jem Cohen's relationship with band member Ian MacKaye extends back to the 1970s when the two met in high school in Washington, D.C.. The film takes its title from the Fugazi song of the same name, from their 1993 album, In on the Kill Taker. Editing of the film was done by both Cohen and the members of the band over the course of five years. It was shot from 1987 through 1998 on super 8, 16mm and video and is composed mainly of footage of concerts, interviews with the band members, practices, tours and time spent in the studio recording their 1995 album, Red Medicine. The film also includes portraits of fans as well as interviews with them at various Fugazi shows around the United States throughout the years.
This real-life documentary explores the passionate & energetic presence of renowned Italian violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg (she moved to the Unites States at the age of eight to study at The Curtis Institute of Music and later studied with Dorothy DeLay at The Julliard School.) The film focuses on her professional life, starting in 1981, when she burst onto the classical music scene as the youngest (at 17) recipient ever of the Walter W. Naumburg International Violin Competition.
This brutally honest comedy depicts the Jewish-Italian wedding reception of Lisa Weinstein (Deborah Gibson), as guests can't help but notice the romantic sparks among Lisa, the groom (Joey Scherr), the maid of honor (Mo Gaffney) and the bride's ex-boyfriend, the reception band leader (Martin Guigui). Meanwhile, various guests on both sides of the aisle pursue their own love interests at the event. Dom DeLuise co-stars.
In 1945, the new Polish government asked for the heart of Chopin previously buried in Paris. A woman called Paulina Czernika approached the government claiming to have some love letters from the composer to her great-grandmother, the Countess Delfina Potocka.
Biographical story of rock idol and TV star, Ricky Nelson is recalled from the view of Ricky in a discussion with a fan just hours before his death in a plane crash in 1985 -
A musical study of Los Angeles in the late 90s, where homeless teens roam the streets and profess to live a punk lifestyle of music, drugs, and flouting authority.
300 years of a remarkable musical instrument. Crafted by the Italian master Bussotti (Cecchi) in 1681, the red violin has traveled through Austria, England, China, and Canada, leaving both beauty and tragedy in its wake. In Montreal, Samuel L Jackson plays an appraiser going over its complex history.
Andrea Marr is a bright, straight-A, mature, 18-year-old high school senior on the verge of womanhood who decides to abandon her sheltered, boring lifestyle and her bookish friend Darcy for a look into the local rock and roll scene as a groupie to local rock singer Tod Sparrow and learn more about the life of one who follows a touring band along with her new friends aspiring rock star wannabee Cybil, outgoing fellow groupie Rebecca, and music critic Kevin.
A con artist escapes a deal gone wrong in New York and winds up in the Aussie outback in a strange town whose inhabitants are an oddball collection of misfits.
The story follows the adventures of Rita Page, an aspiring showgirl in Las Vegas and his daughter Franchesca completely talentless, in their relentless pursuit of Broadway fame.
James Taylor: Live At The Beacon Theater is the documentation of an incredible live performance by soft rock singer-songwriter James Taylor. This live concert features many of Taylor’s greatest hits performed in front of an intense audience. These hits include, but are not limited to the songs Fire and Rain and Sweet Baby James from the many multiplatinum albums by this enduring artist. As a bonus in this film, Taylor also shares the stories behind his many songs and how he came to write them. He also talks candidly about his career in this fabulous performance, which is a testament to his great talent and creative abilities.
A Far Eastern fairy tale classic springs to life in this tale of handsome Prince Chen, the peasant girl he is forbidden to love and the tiny nightingale who holds the key to their happiness!
Lyrical Assassins, Wu Tang Clan, reveal da mystery of Kung Fu in this ass kickin' dub plate presentation. The GZA, Chef Raekwon, Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and the rest of the Wu Tang posse take a hard ride thru their world of lyrics and the Kung-Fu Movies that they have sampled on their albums. The Wu Tang posse also talk about the close association that the Movies have had on their music and lifestyle. "Da Mystery of Chess Boxing", "Shaolin V. Wu-Tang", and "The 36 Chambers" are just some of the many classic Kung-Fu Movies in this living show...
After rocker Kurt Cobain's death, ruled a suicide, a film crew arrives in Seattle to make a documentary. Director Nick Broomfield talks to lots of people. Portraits emerge: a shy, slight Kurt, weary of touring, embarrassed by fame, hooked on heroin; an out-going Courtney, dramatic, controlling, moving from groupie to star.
Venture back through the mists of time to the glorious lost age of the fabled King Arthur, the sorcerer Merlin and the valiant Knights of the Round Table, as you enter into the magical and timeless realm of Camelot!
Tenor saxophone master Sonny Rollins has long been hailed as one of the most important artists in jazz history, and still, today, he is viewed as the greatest living jazz improviser. In 1986, filmmaker Robert Mugge produced Saxophone Colossus, a feature-length portrait of Rollins, named after one of his most celebrated albums.
Heroic characters, memorable songs and thrilling deeds weave an unforgettable story of faith and courage amid the splendors of ancient Egypt in this brilliantly animated Enchanted Tale!