Just when you think the Musical biopic is dead… it comes back and revives itself. Audiences still have a powerful pull to these films, see the recent smash success of Michael. Though it was Ray that proved the enduring nature of the tried-and-true genre. Walk the Line showed an appetite for this genre, but it was Ray’s success both at the box office, awards, and in music that sealed the genre’s fate. One that even Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (and a lot of inferior musical biopics) couldn’t kill. For Ray, it’s Jamie Foxx’s masterful performance as Ray Charles that elevates the film to the rarified air of truly great biopics. No mere imitation or mimicry, Foxx’s award-winning performance sets the bar for every cast member in the film, some of whom do career-best work.
The film is standard in its ascension of Charles from juke joint piano player to multi-platinum artist with a troubled drug addiction and coming to terms with the demons in his past along the way. It isn’t that it isn’t true, the film is based in large part on Charles’ own autobiography, it is that it is a well-worn path. Albeit done from the perspective of a Blind African American man during the 1960s.
What separates the film is Foxx’s performance. Beyond the fact that Foxx was a classically trained pianist who is actually playing Charles’s music, it’s the actual personal moments that shine. It isn’t just mimicry but a performance that balances both the physical, which Foxx’s adept nature as a comic performance and action star aids in, but it’s the way he plays the inner life and moments of grace that make it such a devastating performance. The moments where Charles’s smile cracks if only for a second as he’s beaten down but refusing to allow people or life to try to push him into their control.
Ray, though suffering from some of the ticks and issues of the musical biopics, does rise above the doldrums of the genre because of the singular performance of Jamie Foxx.
The Transfer
The all-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative (Approved by Director Taylor Hackford) is a true upgrade from Universal’s original 2011 Blu-ray edition. This 4K edition has kept the grain structure and deep contrast levels within the image shot by cinematographer Paweł Edelman without sacrificing the sharpness of the dynamic range of the colors of the image. One can see the variance of image and saturation, and how consistency and quality are held, watching the shift in color between Ray’s dreams of his mother and brother in the past to the present day. Bravo to Kino Lorber for such a considerate upgrade.
The Extras
They include the following;
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian and Author Dwayne Epstein
Audio Commentary by Director Taylor Hackford
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian and Author Dwayne Epstein
Note: all special features are presented in Standard Definition.
The first of two Audio Commentaries is an all-new track by Film Historian and Author Dwayne Epstein. Epstein opens with his credentials and admits that Ray is “one of his favorite movies of one of his favorite performers” and his connection to the legendary musical performer. Some of the details include the significance of bottle trees in African American culture; Hackford’s purchasing of Ray Charles’ life rights and the development and preproduction of the project, which took fifteen years; the casting of Jamie Foxx and his ability to play classical piano; a discussion throughout of Ray Charles autobiography which the film is based in part on; a larger discussion of the career, personal history, and work here of Taylor Hackford; the work of Jamie Foxx throughout; a larger discussion of the historical figures (musical or otherwise) that appear in the film; throughout the film Epstein uses interview quotes by Hackford to discuss the film and larger topics concerning the director’s interests, themes, and work throughout the film; a discussion of the various actors that appear in this film; and much more.
The second Audio Commentary is an archival track by Director Taylor Hackford. Some of the details include designing the title sequence with his storyboard artist/second unit director, Ray Prado – including the visual effects used to accomplish it; the work that Jamie Foxx and the other actors did throughout the film; a larger conversation of the work and collaboration with screenwriter James L. White; a larger discussion of fact and fiction and why they chose to adapt and fictionalize characters, settings, and scenes; some of the cost cutting methods they used to cut costs as the film was an independent production; and much more. Hackford provides a vital commentary track discussing all aspects of the production, Ray Charles, American culture and history, and the cast and crew that brought the film to life.
Director’s Introduction (1:35) – The brief introduction discusses his fifteen-year odyssey of making the film and a discussion of the bonus features.
Ray: An American Story: Featurette (28:48) – This longer featurette focuses on the life and times of Ray Charles and the task of getting his story on screen from the people who made the film. Features behind-the-scenes footage, video footage of Ray Charles, and scenes from the film. Featuring interviews with director Taylor Hackford, stars Jamie Foxx, Regina King, music critic Ben Fong-Torres, producers Stuart Benjamin and Ray Charles Jr., screenwriter James L. White, and more.
Stepping Into the Part: Featurette (10:41) – this featurette focuses on Jamie Foxx playing Ray Charles, including some great behind-the-scenes footage from Foxx and Charles meeting one another and playing piano together. Featuring interviews with actor Jamie Foxx and director Taylor Hackford.
The Women of Ray: Featurette (9:56) – this featurette focuses on the actors who portray the women in Ray Charles’ life and the real-life women themselves. Featuring interviews with actor Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Aujanue Ellis, Sharon Warren, and director Taylor Hackford.
The Filmmakers’ Journey: Featurette (9:22) – this featurette focuses on the hard work and struggle it took to bring this film to the big screen. Featuring interviews with director Taylor Hackford, producers Stuart Benjamin and Ray Charles Jr., and screenwriter James L. White.
Ray Remembered: Featurette (4:03) – this featurette focuses on the musical legend that was Ray Charles and the legacy he left behind. Featuring interviews with actor Jamie Foxx, music producer Quincy Jones, singer Al Green, director Taylor Hackford, and others.
A Look Inside Ray: Featurette (3:20) – an EPK-style look at the film.
Deleted Scenes (with Optional Director’s Commentary) (27:37) – through a submenu, one can play all 14 deleted scenes at once or individually. One has the ability to turn on or off the commentary by director Taylor Hackford in that submenu as well. The director’s commentary discusses the reasons why he cut these scenes and gives context as to the scenes themselves.
Ray Tames the Marines (1:57)
Dancin’ Al Warmes ‘Em Up (1:15)
How ‘Bout a Little Charles Brown? (1:11)
Ray and Oberon Share a Joint (0:58)
Ray Takes Control (2:17)
Ray Holds Hands and Much More (1:55)
Ray’s Gonna Burn in Hell (2:36)
Ray Stops Show, Fires Trumpeter, and Lies to Ahmet and Jerry (4:13)
You’re High, Aren’t You? (1:54)
Ray Ad-libs About Jack Lauderdale (1:01)
Ray Breaks His Promise to Bea (1:19)
Ray Shines on Governor Jimmie Davies (3:15)
Ruth Brown Bows Out (2:37)
Ray Has a Vision (1:17)
9 Uncut Music Performances (25:34) – through a submenu, one can play all of the performances at once or an individual song/performance.
What Kind of Man Are You? (3:28) – introduction by Jamie Foxx
Hit the Road Jack (1:17)
Hallelujah, I Love Her So (3:20) – introduction by Jamie Foxx
Leave My Woman Alone (2:40) – introduction by Jamie Foxx
Night Time is the Right Time (2L45) – introduction by Jamie Foxx
Unchain My Heart (2:45) – introduction by Jamie Foxx
Marry Ann (2:56) – introduction by Jamie Foxx
I Can’t Stop Loving You (3:58) – introduction by Jamie Foxx
Hard Times (2:29)
Theatrical Trailer (2:52)
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber has provided collectors with another winning 4K UHD upgrade. Highest Possible Recommendations!!
Jamie Foxx stars as Ray Charles in the Academy Award-winning musical biopic Ray. New to 4K UHD loaded with special features from Kino Lorber.
The Film
Just when you think the Musical biopic is dead… it comes back and revives itself. Audiences still have a powerful pull to these films, see the recent smash success of Michael. Though it was Ray that proved the enduring nature of the tried-and-true genre. Walk the Line showed an appetite for this genre, but it was Ray’s success both at the box office, awards, and in music that sealed the genre’s fate. One that even Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (and a lot of inferior musical biopics) couldn’t kill. For Ray, it’s Jamie Foxx’s masterful performance as Ray Charles that elevates the film to the rarified air of truly great biopics. No mere imitation or mimicry, Foxx’s award-winning performance sets the bar for every cast member in the film, some of whom do career-best work.
The film is standard in its ascension of Charles from juke joint piano player to multi-platinum artist with a troubled drug addiction and coming to terms with the demons in his past along the way. It isn’t that it isn’t true, the film is based in large part on Charles’ own autobiography, it is that it is a well-worn path. Albeit done from the perspective of a Blind African American man during the 1960s.
What separates the film is Foxx’s performance. Beyond the fact that Foxx was a classically trained pianist who is actually playing Charles’s music, it’s the actual personal moments that shine. It isn’t just mimicry but a performance that balances both the physical, which Foxx’s adept nature as a comic performance and action star aids in, but it’s the way he plays the inner life and moments of grace that make it such a devastating performance. The moments where Charles’s smile cracks if only for a second as he’s beaten down but refusing to allow people or life to try to push him into their control.
Ray, though suffering from some of the ticks and issues of the musical biopics, does rise above the doldrums of the genre because of the singular performance of Jamie Foxx.
The Transfer
The all-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative (Approved by Director Taylor Hackford) is a true upgrade from Universal’s original 2011 Blu-ray edition. This 4K edition has kept the grain structure and deep contrast levels within the image shot by cinematographer Paweł Edelman without sacrificing the sharpness of the dynamic range of the colors of the image. One can see the variance of image and saturation, and how consistency and quality are held, watching the shift in color between Ray’s dreams of his mother and brother in the past to the present day. Bravo to Kino Lorber for such a considerate upgrade.
The Extras
They include the following;
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
Note: all special features are presented in Standard Definition.
The first of two Audio Commentaries is an all-new track by Film Historian and Author Dwayne Epstein. Epstein opens with his credentials and admits that Ray is “one of his favorite movies of one of his favorite performers” and his connection to the legendary musical performer. Some of the details include the significance of bottle trees in African American culture; Hackford’s purchasing of Ray Charles’ life rights and the development and preproduction of the project, which took fifteen years; the casting of Jamie Foxx and his ability to play classical piano; a discussion throughout of Ray Charles autobiography which the film is based in part on; a larger discussion of the career, personal history, and work here of Taylor Hackford; the work of Jamie Foxx throughout; a larger discussion of the historical figures (musical or otherwise) that appear in the film; throughout the film Epstein uses interview quotes by Hackford to discuss the film and larger topics concerning the director’s interests, themes, and work throughout the film; a discussion of the various actors that appear in this film; and much more.
The second Audio Commentary is an archival track by Director Taylor Hackford. Some of the details include designing the title sequence with his storyboard artist/second unit director, Ray Prado – including the visual effects used to accomplish it; the work that Jamie Foxx and the other actors did throughout the film; a larger conversation of the work and collaboration with screenwriter James L. White; a larger discussion of fact and fiction and why they chose to adapt and fictionalize characters, settings, and scenes; some of the cost cutting methods they used to cut costs as the film was an independent production; and much more. Hackford provides a vital commentary track discussing all aspects of the production, Ray Charles, American culture and history, and the cast and crew that brought the film to life.
Director’s Introduction (1:35) – The brief introduction discusses his fifteen-year odyssey of making the film and a discussion of the bonus features.
Ray: An American Story: Featurette (28:48) – This longer featurette focuses on the life and times of Ray Charles and the task of getting his story on screen from the people who made the film. Features behind-the-scenes footage, video footage of Ray Charles, and scenes from the film. Featuring interviews with director Taylor Hackford, stars Jamie Foxx, Regina King, music critic Ben Fong-Torres, producers Stuart Benjamin and Ray Charles Jr., screenwriter James L. White, and more.
Stepping Into the Part: Featurette (10:41) – this featurette focuses on Jamie Foxx playing Ray Charles, including some great behind-the-scenes footage from Foxx and Charles meeting one another and playing piano together. Featuring interviews with actor Jamie Foxx and director Taylor Hackford.
The Women of Ray: Featurette (9:56) – this featurette focuses on the actors who portray the women in Ray Charles’ life and the real-life women themselves. Featuring interviews with actor Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Aujanue Ellis, Sharon Warren, and director Taylor Hackford.
The Filmmakers’ Journey: Featurette (9:22) – this featurette focuses on the hard work and struggle it took to bring this film to the big screen. Featuring interviews with director Taylor Hackford, producers Stuart Benjamin and Ray Charles Jr., and screenwriter James L. White.
Ray Remembered: Featurette (4:03) – this featurette focuses on the musical legend that was Ray Charles and the legacy he left behind. Featuring interviews with actor Jamie Foxx, music producer Quincy Jones, singer Al Green, director Taylor Hackford, and others.
A Look Inside Ray: Featurette (3:20) – an EPK-style look at the film.
Deleted Scenes (with Optional Director’s Commentary) (27:37) – through a submenu, one can play all 14 deleted scenes at once or individually. One has the ability to turn on or off the commentary by director Taylor Hackford in that submenu as well. The director’s commentary discusses the reasons why he cut these scenes and gives context as to the scenes themselves.
9 Uncut Music Performances (25:34) – through a submenu, one can play all of the performances at once or an individual song/performance.
Theatrical Trailer (2:52)
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber has provided collectors with another winning 4K UHD upgrade. Highest Possible Recommendations!!
Kino Lorber’s 4K UHD Edition of Ray is out now.
Share this:
Like this:
Discover more from The Movie Isle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.