Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James

I watched the documentary this evening on the Tribeca website. I also read Rick's autobiog a few years ago, cowritten by David Ritz. And the documentary follows the book. He wasn't one of my favorite artists, I wasn't into funk, but I could appreciate his craftsmanship and creativity. I much better liked his artists like Teena Marie and the Mary Jane Girls.

He was a tortured man at the end of his life, and he couldn't escape the persona he created: Rick James (not his birth name). And as usual, in the end the drugs consumed him. I liked that half of the documentary was Rick talking and explaining in his own words, that gave the movie more authenticity.

This documentary is worth seeing and understanding what drove him and how he helped others in their career.

Rick James assaulted, kidnapped, raped and tortured a number of women we know of. And as young as 16 or 17 years old when he was near 50 years old.

THAT is his legacy. He wasn't "troubled" he was a lifelong predator. We are not talking about someone who patted a woman's behind in an elevator or at a party without permission -- but giving date rape drugs to minors, beating women, raping them. In fact he was convicted of TORTURING at least two of his victims.

This was a well put together documentary of a talented yet flawed human being, and the recorded audio from the Punk-Funkster himself was truly an ear-opener. I'm glad they were very honest with Rick's unfortunate sexually deviant actions due to heavy drug use, and possible childhood trauma--and he PAID FOR HIS CRIMES, unlike countless celebrated so-called rock icons of yesteryear whose also deviant actions have been white-washed and excused. As a longtime funk music fan, I did however, wish they had touched on his "Fire It Up/"Garden Of Love" period, which was part of the blueprint that birthed the iconic "Street Songs". Furthermore, I'm glad this is available for those who may only know him from "Superfreak", and a certain catch-phrase that in my opinion, turned him into somewhat of a caricature. I already see some "squares"belittling his musical contributions, and incorrectly posting here about his crimes; it's obvious they didn't watch this. Clearly, seeing their previous posts and critiques speak volumes, and I'll leave it that.

No Doco Is Perfect, Especially for an Icon. It started a bit slow but then warmed up real nice. I, of course, knew Rick James's famous music, but was really not aware of his "story."

I gave it a ten because it was interesting all the way through. It brought in his story, which was not a straightforward rise to fame. It was pretty crazy that he played with Neil Young in a band in Toronto. How many people knew that? He grew up in Buffalo, of all places.

There's a variety of viewpoints, many from his band members and former girlfriends/spouses, etc. He put Teena Maria on the map, the Mary Jane Girls, in my house. Loved their video back when.

It was just a really good exploration of the man and his music. Well worth viewing. It's a sad tale at the end, evocative of the rock stars demise.

Glad I watched this up until the end.

The first half is the uphill = isn't he wonderful part.

The big accusations come about three-quarters in.

The Stone City Band playing 'live' with a Rick James look-a-likey was were it all came falling down.

IF they could have edited that out...

Up until then it was a somewhat enjoyable story.

Told me nothing new.

A lot of CV flashing towards the end too.

It does talk about his music a lot.

Which is a nice change.

Teena Marie got her diary back after his death.

He 'wrote' Deja Vu.

It says so on her record She'd forgot that she wrote it.

"That was just Rick."