Jazz, rock 'n' roll, and street rap. Top 7 movies about musicians

7. "Get on Up"  

• 2014
• UK, USA
• Drama, biography, music
• Director: Tate Taylor
• Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Dan Aykroyd
• IMDb Rating: 6.9

James Brown (Chadwick Boseman) was born into poverty, lost his family and started making a living by stealing and other crimes. While in prison, the lad discovered he had musical abilities. After his release, Brown gets into the collective The Famous Flames, he will have a difficult path to fame and success.

Interesting fact: Chadwick Boseman, who played James Brown, spent two months before filming on vocal training and dance moves: in the movie the actor sings and dances himself.

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6. "8 Mile"

• 2002
• USA
• Drama, music
• Director: Curtis Hanson
• Starring: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Eugene Beard, Ewen Jones
• IMDb Rating: 7.2

A simple guy from a poor suburb nicknamed B-Rabbit (Eminem) tries to survive by working at a local factory. He dreams of becoming a rapper and longs to compete in freestyle championships. Rabbit's lover Alex (Brittany Murphy) cheats on him with a friend (Eugene Beard). In a rage, B-Rabbit beats up his buddy, after which he receives a harsh response from his friends. Unwilling to let this go, B-Rabbit challenges them to a rap battle to see who's right.

Contrary to popular misconception, the picture is not a biography of Eminem. For the famous composition "Lose Yourself", recorded especially for the movie, the musician received an Oscar. However, Eminem was not present at the ceremony, as he did not even expect to win and decided not to waste time.

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5. "The Boat That Rocked"

• 2009
• UK, France, Germany, USA
• Music, comedy, drama
• Director: Richard Curtis
• Starring: Tom Sturridge, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nye, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost
• IMDb Rating: 7.3

The 60s. Young people are crazy for rock music, but radio stations are spinning pops and classics around the clock. A company of desperate DJs, led by Quentin (Bill Nye), set sail on a ship out to sea to delight Britain with an endless stream of rock music while remaining elusive to those who would try to stop them.

"And I'll tell you - beautiful! It was unexpected to see so many famous actors..... and somewhat similar in style to Radio Day, which may even have been the inspiration. But anyway - the music is great! And the story", — MarkRaffer.

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4. "A Star Is Born"

• 2018
• Melodrama, music, drama
• USA
• Director: Bradley Cooper
• Starring: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay
• IMDb Rating: 7.6

Rock musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) falls in love with talented bar singer Ally (Lady Gaga). He invites the girl to a concert, where he offers her to perform a song of her own composition under a professional arrangement. After success with the public, Jackson is convinced that Ellie has a great future ahead of her and decides to help his beloved become famous. However, as Ellie's star rises, Jackson's career fades. He sinks into alcoholism and depression.

"A Star Is Born" was Bradley Cooper's directorial debut and one of the top movie events of 2018. After the premiere, the picture made a lot of noise: thanks to the media, rumors about the romance between the actor and Lady Gaga spread, but the singer quickly dispelled them. The movie won the Oscar for Best Song ("Shallow").

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3. "Bohemian Rhapsody" 

• 2018
• UK, USA
• Biography, music, drama
• Director: Bryan Singer
• Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello
• IMDb Rating: 7.9

A movie about the legendary leader of Queen Freddie Mercury and the creative path of the greatest rock band of all time. The fate of the band was not easy, and sometimes Queen went through difficult times, but at the right moment the musicians could come together to demonstrate their genius. The movie replayed a live performance at Live Aid in 1985, when Queen drew nearly 2 billion viewers to their TV screens.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" was loved by critics and audiences, the film won four Oscars, including Best Actor (Rami Malek), and two Golden Globes for Best Film and Best Actor (Rami Malek).

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2. "The Legend of the Pianist" / La Leggenda del pianista sull'oceano

• 1998
• Italy
• Drama, melodrama, music
• Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
• Starring: Tim Roth, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Melanie Thierry, Bill Nunn, Clarence Williams III
• IMDb Rating: 8.0

On the first day of 1900, sailors aboard a liner find a baby boy aboard the ship, who is named Danny Budman T. D. Lemon 1900. Short for 1900, Italian for Novecento (Tim Roth). The boy grew up on an endless sea voyage by ship, he never set foot on land. As a teenager, Novecento discovered his gift as a brilliant pianist and began entertaining audiences by playing in the liner's restaurant.

The music for the movie was written by Oscar winner Ennio Morricone. The film won the Golden Globe for Best Soundtrack and Best Cinematography (Lajos Koltai) at the European Film Academy Awards.

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1. "Whiplash"

• 2014
• USA
• Drama, music
• Director: Damien Chazelle
• Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell
• IMDb Rating: 8.5

Nineteen-year-old Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) is a talented drummer who dreams of becoming an outstanding musician. One day, he gets a chance to join a famous orchestra led by Dr. Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). However, talent and diligence alone are not enough: the strict teacher demands unrealistic results from the young musician. Music lessons turn into a real obsession for Andrew.

The film received three Oscar statuettes: for editing and sound mixing, and J.K. Simmons was recognized as the best actor. Also in the piggy bank of awards, the picture has a Golden Globe and three BAFTA prizes. "Whiplash" was included in the book "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" by Steven Schneider.

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