The Superfreak Takes Over the Big Screen in the New Documentary 'I'm Rick James' by HiddenDoor Documedia
James' Daughter, Ty James, Helps Reveal Intimate Details on the Music Legend's Life as Film's Co-Producer
HOLLYWOOD, June 19, 2006 -- HiddenDoor Documedia today announced that it will release the feature-length documentary "I'm Rick James" in October of 2006 to give the public a real glimpse into the life and career of one of music's greatest personalities and most widely recognized names.

Singer and songwriter Rick James indelibly shaped the face of American music, creating the funk punk music genre and producing some of the most popular songs in the industry, including "Superfreak," "Give it to Me Baby," "Mary Jane," and "Party All the Time." With the death of James in 2004, the music world lost one of its most captivating personalities. Now, HiddenDoor, with the help of Ty James, will bring the King of Funk Punk - still one of the industry's most sampled artists - back to the stage for one final encore.

The film chronicles James' entire life and begins with his birth in a Buffalo, N.Y., ghetto in 1948. A young Rick, or James Ambrose Johnson, Jr., begins learning different instruments while he accompanies his mafia-connected mom to different nightclubs. Music becomes a central part of Rick's life, and the budding artist travels to Toronto and forms a band with Neil Young and Bruce Palmer. He learns to play the sitar during his stint as a drug runner and pimp in South America and Asia, and he later returns to the streets of Buffalo to craft his famous song "Superfreak."

After Rick's music launches him into stardom, he becomes a well-known figure at the legendary Studio 54, an energetic rival of Prince and a close buddy of Eddie Murphy. Throughout the documentary, HiddenDoor relies on existing camera footage of James to give the artist an active presence in the film and includes extensive interviews with many of his closest friends, colleagues and contemporaries.

"We're trying to give people an accurate glimpse into the energy, charisma and magnetism that Rick James possessed throughout his life and used to become a superstar," said Perry Santos, producer and co-director of the documentary. "Through his own words and many interviews with everyone from club owners to Hollywood's biggest celebrities, you really get a good look at Rick in all his glory."

Filled with the same unstoppable energy and outrageous humor as the artist himself, "I'm Rick James" is an unapologetic celebration of the man and his music. His powerful songs drive the documentary, featuring both never-before-heard tracks and signature hits. Tales of James' encounters with the U.S. Navy, Rod Stewart, parking attendants, and his personal crack cook, Chef Boy R Dee, keep the documentary moving at a brisk pace.

James' candid comments and thoughts are heard throughout the documentary, including "I abuse drugs, not women," "Cocaine is a hell of a drug," and the famous line, "I'm Rick James, bitch."

http://www.ereleases.com/...19005.html

More news.....

Hollywood Is Freakin' Out Over Documentary 'I'm Rick James'

Filmmaker Perry Santos of HiddenDoor Documedia, a production company working on a biography of singer Rick James says his film is a 'snapshot of history.' But buzz that some big name celebrities will be depicted in the film has some Hollywood insiders worried.


"The eighties were a party era. Everyone was living large. It just happens to be the era of Rick James. You can't tell the story of Rick without conveying the historical context," says Santos.


The film is expected to detail moments in the life of the music legend famous for over-the-top parties.


According to Janice Dickinson, whose interview has already been recorded for the flick, James' private parties with other celebrities in Studio 54's VIP room are 'notorious.' She says James' was a rabid womanizer and his exploits with Tatum O'Neal, Elisabeth Shue, Linda Blair, Prince, Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart and Eddie Murphy are just some of the incidents mentioned in the film.

Among other racy stories is the one about a high-speed drive through New York City that ended in a car crash. James driver allegedly took the blame for it. Co-produced by the star's daughter, Ty James, there will also be commentary from popular contemporary artists like Dave Chappelle, Charlie Murphy, Busta Rhymes, and Snoop Dogg. The soundtrack will also feature James' music.


The film also explores other facets of James' life like the begininigs of his career, his battles with music industry execs and what producers are calling "his overwhelming generosity.'


Before James died in 2004, he showed interest in an autobiography of his life.


"My life has not been a total comedy, I'm sorry. But there's been some tragedy here too, you know. It's got a lot of stuff in it. It's basically drugs, sex, funk'n'roll."

http://blackvoices.aol.co...4109990001
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[Edited 7/24/06 13:21pm]

Sounds interesting. Just wish it had a different name.

RipHer2Shreds said:

The title is for the people who don't know about Rick James.

You, Rip, don't need to be sold on this movie by the title.

I HOPE they have accounts from the Stone City Band, Teena Marie, JoJo of the Mary Jane Girls, and ALL the folks who were there FROM THE BEGINNING. And not a lot of "come latelies". THAT would give it MORE POWER than it already has.....
RICK JAMES $-EVER, BITCHES!!!!!
:lol

woogiebear said:

RICK JAMES 4 EVER BITCHES!!!!!

That phrase has definately been worn out. I enjoyed the Dave Chapelle skit myself but people can definately wear something in the ground.

[quote]

CinisterCee said:

That's exactly what it's for. There are lots of people that only know about Rick James for The Dave Chapelle skit (which is a shame). The title will draw lots of non-Rick James fans because the man definateley lived an interesting life whether a person is a fan of his music or not. For example, I love the movie "Coal Miner's Daughter" but I hate the music. I'd even like to see a movie about the life of Shitney Houston.
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[Edited 7/24/06 14:02pm]

Keepin' the fingers crossed for this. If Motown doesn't have any music clearance issues then this movie should be hot.

bring it on !!!!!

Yeah, come see my movie, bitches!!!!

vainandy said:

I agree and I still haven't even seen the damn skit yet. I'm just tired of people syaing it already.

I'm definitely looking forward to it being released.

RickJ said:

hahaha oh gawd

vainandy said:

James Brown did Prince, Jagger, Stewart and Murphy?

sosgemini said:

sosgemini said:

[Edited 7/25/06 18:14pm]

PurpleCharm said:

what the hell am i on?

sosgemini said:

As a PUNK FUNK ADDICT!! all I got to say is ABOUT TIME! Now if they could just put out more of Rock's conert tour footage that would be cool!

woogiebear said:

Could you just shut up, please

vainandy said:

Blackfunk69 said:

Oh I almost forgot... I'm really lookin' forward to this one <-- funksign

That would explain Rick's bitterness with Prince over the years. Hell has no fury like a scorned ex-lover.