Sweet Inspirations "This Time" DVD now out

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Sweet Inspirations "This Time" DVD now out

#912819

Post by elvis4life »

http://www.examiner.com/indie-movie-in-national/documentary-on-dvd-review-this-time-a-musical-documentary-review

Documentary on DVD review: 'This Time' A Musical Documentary
May 26th, 2011 4:40 pm ET

Terra King

The Sweet Inspirations
Credits: Inspiration 101

The DVD This Time, A musical Documentary, hits shelves on May 31, 2011. The film is not only a trip down memory lane, but a close-up story of the women who lived those memories.

To those of a certain age The Sweet Inspirations (SI) should bring to mind such iconic performers as Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley.

The film also features popular New York cabaret performer Bobby Belfry. Bobby and The Sweet Inspirations are in a juxtaposition that works well for this documentary.

Pat Hodges is also featured in This Time. Her story is incredible as she had a hit record on the Billboard charts while being homeless in Los Angeles.

With Bobby in New York City and the Sweet Inspirations and Hodges in Los Angeles, the film goes between the three stories with ease.

The SI had enormous success in all their incarnations over the years. Members have come and members have gone, but the group stayed in the public's eye making their music. They often sang back-up as stated above, but they also have their own voice. The song Sweet Inspirations is one of their hits proving they do more than backing up other performers.

This Time delves deeply into the group, into both the happy times and the sad times.

The women of the SI are introduced while working on their new material. They are in the studio with their producer Peitor Angell working on their first album in 23 years. Estelle Brown, Portia Griffin and Mryna Smith work hard, laugh hard and in the past fought hard. This doc does not blink it shows the nitty-gritty and dynamics of the women's relationships. Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother, is the founding member of the SIs and makes a pivotal appearance in the film.

In New York City, we find Bobby Belfry working as a singing bartender, a job he has had for the last 15 years. Belfry has talent, with a voice that would lend itself well to musical theater. Twenty years prior Bobby had minimal success in a rock band. Since then he has worked hard to achieve the music career that has evaded him. Life seems bitter sweet for Bobby. He is not where he wanted to be at this stage of life, but he is still singing. Bobby still works hard at his job and his craft. He has not given up in all these years. At times in the film he expresses sadness but not defeat.

All of the players in the film are working on new albums. For the SI, it is their first album in 23-years. For Bobby Belfry, it is his second effort.

Pat Hodges does a few live performances during the course of the doc and seems delighted to be in front of an audience. Attendees at her show also seemed pleased. Pat has talented and appreciative of a second chance. Pat is also shown walking around her South Central LA neighborhood. This is not the setting one would expect to see a woman with a Billboard charted hit song. However, due to life circumstances, South Central is her home.

Peitor Angell works hard on both the SI's album and with Pat. It is during these scenes one gets a glimpse into the nuts and bolts of making an album. The scenes of the women recording a remake of Sweet Inspirations were particularly enjoyable.

Peitor has put not only his labor, but a lot of his own money into the new SI album. It is vital to Peitor and the women that the CD hits shelves and becomes successful. Peitor Angell is bright, knowledgeable and passionate about his work. He proudly shows off his record collection at one point, many of which feature the Sweet Inspirations in one way or another.

Every film needs conflict This Time is no different. That conflict comes in the form of early injuries for the SI. As it turns out a new conflict strikes both the women of the world famous group and even Angell. Unfortunately, the conflict (a betrayal) comes from the same place as it did in the past, proving that show business can be brutal.

The documentary is a must-have for fans of The Sweet Inspirations and their work. It is also an introduction to Bobby Belfry and his charming musical style. Pat Hodges proves she is still a strong performer.

There is a quote by one of the SI in the film that sums up the spirit of this film quite well:

It's not the song you sing, it's the life you lead.

Life has left scars on each of the SI, making their lives challenging. There's been drug abuse, betrayal, illnesses and suicidal thoughts among the SI. This Time shows the viewer glimpses of all of the above with compassion.

The story portrayed in this doc is one of immense triumph and the long fall from grace on the part of the lovely women of The Sweet Inspirations. It shows the similar story of Pat Hodges. On the other hand, viewers see the inspiring story of the cabaret singer Bobby Belfry. Bobby is struggling up the entertainment ladder. There are steps forward and steps away from his goal. This talented singer keeps going in this business that can be both cruel and rewarding to the same people during the same career.

Polished, informative and entertaining, This Time, will leave the viewer hoping the best for this colorful cast of entertainers.

You can get the DVD from here: http://transitmedia.net/shop/index.lasso?fsid=This_Time

A film by Victor Mignatti

Every dream has a soundtrack. THIS TIME follows six diverse recording artists on the verge of their next moment in the spotlight. They’ve sung back-up up for Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Jimi Hendrix, been homeless while their songs were on the charts, struggled to fill tiny cabarets and fight against the odds of the music industry -- all while holding tight to their dignity and dreams. With a soaring soundtrack of extraordinary music, THIS TIME takes you from the streets of South Central Los Angeles to New York’s Park Avenue on a unique musical journey in this uplifting story of the transformative power of creativity.

The musicians are legendary recording artists The Sweet Inspirations (best known as back-up singers for Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield), New York cabaret sensation Bobby Belfry, soul diva Pat Hodges (Hodges, James & Smith) and composer-producer Peitor Angell. As they battle self-sabotage and the brutality of the music industry, THIS TIME celebrates their widely ranging gifts and experiences in this inspiring story of hope, persistence and faith.

Also featuring original Sweet Inspiration and gospel music star Cissy Houston.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURE

"Sweet Secrets & Stories"

The Sweet Inspirations tell remarkable never-before-heard stories about Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Dusty Springfield and Burt Bacharach. Over 30 minutes of additional material.

111 Minutes 16:9 Dual-Layer 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround English Color

USA 2011



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promiseland
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Re: Sweet Inspirations "This Time" DVD now out

#912937

Post by promiseland »

This is a must have for me.




Ty@TheFilmFrontier

Re: Sweet Inspirations "This Time" DVD now out

#912947

Post by Ty@TheFilmFrontier »

Thanks for the tip on what looks like a great documentary, elvis4life.

Here is a link to the official site: http://www.thistimemovie.com/

Here is a link to the trailer on youtube:



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Re: Sweet Inspirations "This Time" DVD now out

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Post by keninlincs »

Looks interesting


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