Cadillac Records

With loose ends and unfinished numbers Cadillac Records leaves you feeling cheated like many of the artist that called the label home. With an ensemble cast featuring Adrien Brody, Cedric the Entertainer, Mos Def, Beyonce Knowles, and Gabrielle Union there were moments of individual genius but no coherency. Beyond the fact that the movie had no central theme and gave little explanation or insight into what motivated label founder Leonard Chess, it also took great historic liberties. Cofounder Phil Chess, Leonard’s brother, isn’t even mentioned in the film. Leonard’s previous failure with Aristocrat Records was also omitted from the script. Mos Def is captivating and charming as Chuck Berry. Jeffrey Wright also gives a strong performance as the late Muddy Waters. Beyonce gives a fantastic although brief performance of At Last but isn’t a great fit for the Etta James, Mary J Blige would have been a better fit. Adrien Brody does well with the material he was given but his character lacked motivation and depth. Despite the fact that the movie jumped from character to character without any logical structure the cinematography brought you right into this exciting era and the musical performances were outstanding. All in all, Director/writer Darnell Martin seemed overwhelmed with content so he tried to cram in as many interesting scenes as possible. He succeeded in creating many captivating moments but failed in creating a memorable movie.

In some ways, CADILLAC RECORDS is like a behind the scenes documentary that lets us hear from lots of musicians, who are all intriguing and massively talented individuals, but the parts feel greater than the sum of the whole. Brody is likewise excellent as Chess, but the film is structurally not as sound as it might be where he's concerned. ... Full Review

In Cadillac Records , he comes across more as a slick exploiter than anything else-you see him in the studio, brainstorming with his artists, but it all lacks the blood, sweat, tears and fever of true, exciting musical creativity. There are a myriad of tales here, enough for one of those PBS 30-part series, and Darnell Martin's film, although often highly entertaining, never really gets a chance to "sing," so overstuffed and cursory is the treatment here. ... Full Review

But "Cadillac Records" is such an exhilarating, spirited piece of work that its embellishments and omissions cease to matter. Cadillac Records" operates from that generous view: In the movie's first hour or so, I was frustrated by its structure; it seemed shapeless, meandering. ... Full Review

When it comes to "Cadillac Records," the music is great, but the movie's not. That poor gal is never seen or heard from again, and the next thing you know, he's opening up a club and, in 1950, a recording studio. ... Full Review

Adrien Brody plays Leonard Chess, who started the company in the 1950s with his brother Phil (we hardly see him) to record great blues artists and pay them with Caddys. There's Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, Eamonn Walker's as Howlin' Wolf, and a lively Mos Def as Chuck Berry. ... Full Review

London, Jan 4 (ANI): Beyonce Knowles has donated her entire salary from her new movie 'Cadillac Records' to a string of drug rehabilitation centres across U.S. ... Full Article

Adrien Brody earned more than a gold statuette and the opportunity to kiss Halle Berry on Oscar Night 2003.His newfound status as an Academy Award winner allowed him to tackle projects that otherwise might not have come his way. ... Full Article

LOS ANGELES - Movie crowds kept up their holiday spirit as Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn's comedy "Four Christmases" rang up $18.2 million to lead the box office for a second-straight weekend. ... Full Article

Chicago blues, by telling the story of the rise of Chess Records and the artists that recorded with the label. Based in Chicago, Illinois , Chess Records specialized in blues, R&B, gospel music, early rock and roll and occasionally, jazz... ... Full Article

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 12/07/08 - The Ghost of Thanksgiving hung over the box-office this weekend with Four Christmases tucking in at no 1 with an estimated $18.1 million, Twilight sobering up on $13.1 million, and Bolt getting leaner with... ... Full Article