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January 2005

by Wilson Morales

Ray DVD Review

Nominated for 6 Academy Award, including Best Picture, RAY is now out on DVD with an amazing display of extended scenes and deleted scenes. What's amazing about the DVD is that it features numerous scenes with Jamie Foxx and Ray Charles going through the early steps of the film, when Jamie was just getting into groove in playing the legend. Foxx introduces each scene with passion and in "The Women of Ray" section, each of the women (Kerry Washington, Regina King, Aunjanue Ellis, and Sharon Warren) give their opinion on what this film has meant to them. In the interview with Kerry Washington, Mrs. Ray Charles (Della Bea) appears on camera and shares with us what Ray meant to her.

   
€ Director: Taylor Hackford
€ Cast: Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Larenz Tate, Sharon Warren, Aunjanue Ellis, Clifton Powell, Terrence Dashon Howard
€ Format: Color, Widescreen, Dolby
€ Rated:
€ Studio: Universal Studios
€ DVD Release Date: February 1, 2005
€ Run Time: 153 min
€ Summary:  Ray is the musical biographical drama of American legend Ray Charles. Born in a poor town in Georgia, Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother's accidental death. Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own way in the world, Charles found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered incorporating gospel, country, jazz and orchestral influences into his inimitable style. As he revolutionized the way people appreciated music, he simultaneously fought segregation in the very clubs that launched him and championed artists' rights within the corporate music business. "Ray" provides an portrait of Charles' musical genius as he overcomes drug addiction while transforming into one of this country's most beloved performers.

€ DVD Features:
- Available subtitles: Spanish, French
- Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- Original theatrical version and extended version of film with 14 deleted scenes not shown in theaters
- 2 complete and uncut musical performances
- Stepping into the Part featurette
- Ray Remembered featurette
- The Women of Ray
- Theatrical Trailer


Interviews:

Jamie Foxx  talks about his acting, what it took to play this incredible role, and learning a lot from the legend himself, Ray Charles. View the Interview

Kerry Washington talks about playing Mrs. Ray Charles, discussing the role with Della Bea Robinson, and working with Jamie Foxx. talked playing Mrs. Ray Charles, discussing the role with Della Bea Robinson, and working with Jamie Foxx. View the Interview

Regina King talks about her character and playing the role of a vixen. View the Interview

Sharon Warren described the way she got the role and working on such an amazing project. View the Interview

Aunjanue Ellis talks about her role and working with Jamie Foxx, as well as giving her opinion on the quality of roles for black women. View the Interview

Film Review by Wilson Morales: Click here