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May 27, 2020
8:30:14pm
Michael McQuain Truly Addicted User
Three under-the-radar music themed films well worth seeing
If you're running out of things to watch after all this time...AND...if movies about singers/bands/the recording industry are your thing...here are three of my absolute favorites I would recommend to you - if you can track them down.

"Eddie & The Cruisers" is about the meteoric rise of a 60's era rock band from the Jersey Shores. The music is great and the acting of Michael Pare as the lead singer Eddie is solid. His character is molded to be almost an homage to Jim Morrison - a dark, troubled lyrical/poetic genius who can't survive his own success. Props to Tom Berringer in a supporting role as a keyboardist/music writer who joins the band on their way up the charts on their one and only album. Ellen Barkin is also solid as the music magazine journalist who tries to solve the mystery of Eddie's untimely disappearance. Right now about the only way to see this is buy it on VHS or DVD on Amazon.
 
"American Hot Wax" is supremely unknown/underrated IMO. It is the biopic of legendary NYC DJ Alan Freed - the man credited with coining the term "rock n' roll." It follows his brief but dominant career helping usher in the rock n roll era on AM radio...his deep involvement in the payola scandals of the day for DJs and his ultimate Waterloo at the 1st Anniversary Rock N Roll concert he produced which was shut down by the cops and all assets seized. Tim McIntire stars as Freed. He really didn't do much after this role but is convincing in his portrayal of Freed's genuine passion for the music...the artists and his fans. Lorraine Newman...Jay Leno and Fran Drescher are terrific as his entourage. And the classic hits of that era and scenes of it being recorded are great. This one will also...unfortunately...be hard to track down.

"The Temptations" is the made-for-television biopic of the Temps. Terrific film...historically accurate about the group's birth and rise along with that of the careers of Barry Gordy...Smoky Robinson...Diana Ross and all of Motown. It will have you laughing...singing along...dancing and maybe even crying at the end. Not sure if you can stream it anywhere but you can find it on YouTube.
This message has been modified
Originally posted on May 27, 2020 at 8:30:14pm
Message modified by Michael McQuain on May 27, 2020 at 8:32:08pm
Message modified by Michael McQuain on May 27, 2020 at 8:39:45pm
Michael McQuain
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Michael McQuain
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Dec 13, 2000
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Jul 31, 2023
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