Lightning in a Bottle (2004)

Antoine Fuqua's documentary on the blues, shot at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Director:

Antoine Fuqua

Stars:

Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown, Solomon Burke, Buddy Guy

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Aerosmith	...	Themselves
Gregg Allman	...	Himself
James Blood Ulmer	...	Himself
Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown	...	Himself
Ruth Brown	...	Herself
Solomon Burke	...	Himself
Natalie Cole	...	Herself
Shemekia Copeland	...	Herself
Bill Cosby	...	Himself
Robert Cray	...	Himself
Chuck D.	...	Himself
Dr. John	...	Himself
Honeyboy Edwards	...	Himself
John Fogerty	...	Himself
Macy Gray	...	Herself

Storyline

Beginning with a stirring African folk song (Zélié performed by Angélique Kidjo) the roots are established and rapidly swell into a trunk thickened by the hardships of the Great Depression (Gamblin' Man performed by David 'Honeyboy' Edwards) and the oppression of segregation (Jim Crow Blues performed by Odetta). Finally, this Blues family tree shows off vibrant new growth as it reveals the Blues' influence on our modern wealth of talented musicians (Midnight Special performed by John Fogerty and Hound Dog done by Macy Gray). Ruth Brown gives Blll Cosby a full-throttle serenade (and a playful smoldering gaze), along with Mavis Staples and Natalie Cole. Angélique Kidjo persuades Buddy Guy to an unforgettable rendition of 'Voodoo Child,' shortly before Bonnie Raitt and Robert Cray accompany B.B. King and Lucille for the final number, 'Paying the Cost to be the Boss.' This documentary presents to the audience, with authority and candor, an authentic history of this musical form. The ...

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Plot Keywords:

new york city | blues music | historical event | manhattan new york city | radio city music hall manhattan new york city

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Taglines:

A one night history of the blues

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 August 2004 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Blues ekrixi

Filming Locations:

Radio City Music Hall - 1260 6th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$5,300 (USA) (22 October 2004)

Gross:

$201,574 (USA) (4 March 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vulcan Productions, Jigsaw Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 108 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente) 110 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Hubert Sumlin: We gotta do what we gotta do.

User Reviews

Better Heard than Seen.

Brother, the director totally blows. There's way too much close facial camera work and not enough actual musician work, as this brand of music demands. Every chance to show guitar wizardry, magical band interplay, or joyous group activity is squandered with MTV style ADHD spastic fast-cuts and illogical camera movements. Shame, damn shame. It's a fine DVD to put on to cook, read, or dance to, but way too frustrating to watch.

Also, don't expect to learn everything there is to know about the blues in one 2 hour DVD, even if they seem to suggest it's what they're attempting. As a record of ONE particular blues STUNT, it's OK. A TRUE blues event is a dive bar, a buzzing PA system, a dancing drunk grandmother, and unbelievably honest music.