FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT: "ROUND MIDNIGHT"!

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The story of two men torn by the conflicts in their lives and united by their love for the greatest sound the world has ever heard. A film Dedicated to Bud Powell and Lester Young by the original Producers, and by Michael Manning, it is herein also dedicated to the memory of the late Dexter Gordon, brought to my attention in 7th grade Music Class.

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By my very nature, I am a hopeless romantic and I am therefore unashamed to reveal to you that this film brought me to tears of Joy. But you must stick with it. Particularly if you love music as much as I do. In this picture, the Director and Writer convinced real-life Jazz sax legend, Dexter Gordon to play lead in his first-ever film. Dexter portrays an aging, alcoholic black American jazz saxophonist whose life is so self-destructive in the United States, that he travels to France to literally save himself from eminent demise in the late 1950's. A financially despondent, young French fan who has been studying Jazz to maintain his sanity, and out of pure love for the history and appreciation of the idiom and Dale Turner (Gordon) manages to network his way to actually meet him. In a heart-rendering effort, he reaches out to the Jazz great to spur him on to one last burst of creative brilliance. The film, as noted, was created as a deeply moving homage to bebop musicians Bud Powell and Lester Young. I don't want to say anything more to spoil the film, but by the time Herbie Hancock appears, that opening scene will predictably move many of you to tears of Joy as well. Let me mention this now, so I don't get complaints. This is a film in subtitles with English and French. It is also available in a Spanish-subtitled version. In summary, put aside your worries for just one evening, please, and let the power of this movie and it's music literally lift your heart and spirits to all things that are possible. Outside of the original motion picture "Woodstock", I have never seen such a tremendous assembly of musicians. If you live in New York City, you will be particularly proud and well represented; I'll allow that much! Let's do it: The Cast: Dexter Gordon is Dale Turner, Lonette McKee is Darcey Leigh, Francois Cluzet is Francis Borler, Martin Scorsese is Goodley, Herbie Hancock is Eddie Wayne, and Sandra Reaves-Phillips is Buttercup; New York-based Musicians include: Billy Higgins, Drums; Eric LeLann, Trumpet; Mahavishnu John McLaughlin: Guitar; Ron Carter, Bass; Tony Williams, Drums; Freddie Hubbard, Trumpet; Cedar Walton, Piano; Lyon France-based Musicians include: Palle Mikkelborg, Trumpet; Mads Vinding, Bass; Cheikh Fall, Percussion, Michel Perez, Guitar and Pierre Michelot, Bass. DIRECTED AND WRITTEN BY: Bertrand Tavernier and David Rayfiel; CINEMATOGRAPHY BY: Bruno de Keyzer; PRODUCED BY: Irwin Winkler. Man, are you guys in for a treat!

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ENJOY!