Cadillac RecordsMovie Reviews

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• So-so
  Written December 7, 2008

  Magnificent performances, but not for everyone.

  by Nacho Baggo

  Beyonce, Brody, Wright, Mos Def and every one else are great. The cast is almost perfect and the music selections are solid, but this falls well short of RAY or WALK THE LINE. It is also unexpectedly nasty, too.
  The dubbing cheapened this brilliant package that attempts to put together this story and capture the magic. This could have been a longer movie, too. I'll be searching the web to research these events and fill in the blanks as it goes rather quickly.
  Jeffery Wright has added a great performance to his port folio. He is a very versatile actor.
  Beyonce nails her bigger scenes with deep emotion, but they should have let her perform the songs with a live mike.
  If you like Beyonce or the blues or Muddy Waters, see it.
  If you are looking for another RAY or WALK LINE, you'll be disappointed.

  • 8 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 5, 2008

  WELL DONE!!!!!!! Must see for all music lovers!

  by WCinLV

  If you love music, this movie is perfect. You get the history along with great performances from some of the best actors of our time. Adrian Brody and Jeffrey Wright are wonderful actors no matter what movies they are in, but this shows how sexy Adrian is and showcases Jeffery's MANY talents. Columbus Short, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Gabrielle Union and Beyoncé Knowles support this movie with pitch perfect performances; and Mos Def has proved he is here to stay. Eamonn Walker plays Howling Wolf, and if you didn't know his name before from HBO's OZ you will remember it now. He is not only a beautiful man, but what a great actor. This movie has everything a great "based on a true story" movie should have. Go to see this and learn the true history of some great music and have a good time in the process.

  • 12 out of 17 found this review helpful.
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  Written January 4, 2009

  Cadillac Records

  by dpinesmedia

  Whoa! I spent the late 60's and early 70's in Chicago just after the Chess label ruled. I still have a collection of LPs-- original pressings of Muddy, Etta, the Wolf and Little Walter. We used to have a Chicago Blues Legends weekly session on campus. This film more than captures the time, the mood and the remarkable music that was THE Chicago Blues. The covers are fantastic-- these guys are channeling the spirit of the music and do a pretty believable job.
  
  If you are interested in Blues historiography-- take the time to see the movie-- then go out to buy the originals. Support the Blues.

  • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 22, 2008

  Cadillac Records

  by chaburgess

  My daughter and I went to see it today. I am a real blues fan and she loves Etta James. We both thought it was great-awesome music and excellent performances! I think if you love the blues, this is a "don't miss it" movie!

  • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 11, 2008

  Cadillac records is a great movie...particularly for a Blues fan

  by ernier7

  Excellent docudrama about the founding life and times of Chess Records.
  
  The music makes the movie....for my money, Beyonce was superb, but the one who stole the show was Eamonn Walker who played Howlin' Wolf...
  
  Wow....electrifying.

  • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  Written December 7, 2008

  Anybody who reads this review is guaranteed a free cadillac

  by

  This is not a guarantee but a great offer for anyone desperately seeking a good movie. If you enjoy movie's like Ray or Walk the lIne, you will definitely enjoy this movie. It involes the story of four music artists comin up in Chess records in Chicago. Although the story is not different those movies previously mentioned, the characters generate a very interesting cast. From Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Etta James, and Chuck Berry; you will be amused and impressed by the great acting. Especially Colunbus Short's role as Little Walter, he was the standout actor among Jeffry Wright and Mos Def. Beyonce was great as well with her 20 minutes, her and Mos Def did a great job for having such short parts. The rest was good too but not standout enough to mention in this review. In my honest opinion i don't think the movie will recieve an award but its definitely worth seeing.

  • 9 out of 14 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 13, 2008

  excellent movie

  by destani214

  Everyone that knows me knows i love Beyonce however she kills her own projects when she puts herself in the spotlight...this was an excellent movie and it would have gotten the play it deserves if she just didnt have to make it seem like it was the Etta James story starring B...this is a movie that should have and could have made number 1 opening weekend...a movie that people should have seen but it wont get the viewing it deserves cause Beyonce was too selfish to make commercials about what the movie was truly about

  • 7 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 13, 2008

  Great music and acting

  by rand_smith

  This film is not perfect. It has has some notable omissions (notably Leonard Chess's brother and business partner, Phil) and flits quickly through twenty years of complex history. But these weaknesses are overshadowed by the energy supplied by a fantastic cast who make the characters of Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howling Wolf and Etta Baker come alive. I would not be surprised to see some Oscar nominations come out of this group. And they even sing most of the music! Among the various music industry biopics, this one is among the best.
  

  • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  Written December 19, 2008

  A Coupe De Ville, but not an Eldorado

  by snackbar

  This movie's rather choppy story telling of the lives of these important blues legends was saved by the great soundtrack and visual performance of their rousing music. Such an undertold (untold?) (and unfamiliar to anyone under 60) musical time period, I longed for more of a documentary approach, without the forced drama, particularily the scenes involving Etta James.
  
  Performances were all very credible, with the exception of Beyonce, who, even under a short blonde wig, is a just too recognizable as the product she is. An unfamiliar face would have been much more effective story telling.
  
  The what-became-of-them credits shown at the end of the movie were welcome, but you'd better first revisit your Evelyn Wood Speed-Reading course, cause they aren't shown long enough to be completely read, much less reflected upon. An accompanying in-the-era picture of each of these important ledgends was a missing touch as well. A welcome musical acknowledgment, and very worthy entertainment

  • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 21, 2008

  Cadillac Records

  by rmadigan

  This movie was of interest to anyone interested in the Blues. Also some great vintage automobiles. Lots of sex, drugs, violence. My son and I were able to discuss afterwards a common interest in music, and the pitfalls that people living that life should avoid. Thumbs up on this one.

  • 4 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written January 2, 2009

  Very Enjoyable

  by harmarster

  This is a really good movie espeicially for the older generation. The only song I really knew was At Last by Etta James. I enjoyed all the songs and the characters. I think this was Beyonce's best movie. This is a must see, it should have been advertised more...

  • 4 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 24, 2008

  If you like the blues.....

  by Rickless

  If you like the blues this movie is a definite MUST SEE.
  There were only 6 people in the theatre, including me and my two friends, which was kind of a shame, as I'd like the actors to get some recognition for their fine effort.
  I guess because it didn't have lots of explosions and high tech special effects, most folks don't want to see it,
  Anyhow, great movie, and the singing, both the original Little Walter, Muddy Waters, tunes are of course out of this world, but Beyonce's was incredible as well.
  I'll be seeing it again, for sure.
  

  • 5 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  Written December 11, 2008

  Very Entertaining

  by yvey

  I liked Cadillac Records, one because of the cast and two because of the story. I enjoyed the music, the messages and the acting. I think everyone portrayed their character very well. Jeffrey Wright did a great job portraying Muddy Waters. Columbus Short did a good job portraying Lil Walter although his character or acting was a little over the top but was funny. I give big props to Beyonce for portraying a character totally out of her element like Etta James. It was fun to see her in an aggressive, raunchy, diva type role for a change. She played it very well and her singing was wonderful. I give props to Mos Def, he was a funny Chuck Berry. All in all, I would definitely recommend this movie to people who like this genre. It will absolutely be in my movie collection. It wasn't big on the history of the characters, but more so told the story of the creation of Chess Records and it's clients.

  • 5 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 10, 2008

  Enjoyed Every Minute

  by agnyc

  Terrific movie that won't bore for a minute. If you are interested in learning about the origins of R&B/Soul, rock, rap, etc. you must see this film. Very good performances all round, but Jeffrey Wright really stands out as Muddy Waters. One of the best films I've seen this year.

  • 4 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  Written December 10, 2008

  Cadilac Records

  by pattgei

  loved, loved, loved, Beyonce's portrayol of Etta James.

  • 4 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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