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Lightning in a Bottle

Play trailer Poster for Lightning in a Bottle PG-13,  2004,  1h 49m,  Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 88% 60 Reviews Tomatometer 89% 1,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 60 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
B.B. King and his trusty guitar, Lucille, headline a one-night-only celebration of the blues' 100th birthday at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Through careful song selection, the concert crafts a musical narrative beginning with the form's earliest blues guitar beginnings, then branches out to encompass the myriad styles it subsequently gave rise to. Old-school practitioners Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples and Dr. John mix it up with the likes of Macy Gray, Chuck D and Aerosmith.
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Critics Consensus

Lightning in a Bottle pays dazzling tribute to the blues by capturing its power and excitement through backstage interviews and performance footage.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Harrington Washington Post Dec 17, 2004
The event's musical director, Steve Jordan, marvels at one point: 'Looks like y'all hired the phone book . . . just looked up "Blues" in the Yellow Pages.' Go to Full Review
Sean Daly Washington Post Dec 17, 2004
Features a who's who of world-wise bluesmen (and women) and newbie practitioners. Go to Full Review
Bob Townsend Atlanta Journal-Constitution Dec 2, 2004
B+
Gets its great groove from the humor and dignity of the true blues musicians it documents. Go to Full Review
Jason Gorber Film Scouts Jun 21, 2007
A-
The filmmakers really have captured something quite spectacular with this one. Go to Full Review
Film Threat Dec 6, 2005
2.5/5
Eric D. Snider EricDSnider.com Mar 28, 2005
A-
It is as much a lesson in musical appreciation as it is a thrilling concert. Go to Full Review
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Lightning in a Bottle

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Cast & Crew

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Antoine Fuqua

Director

Buddy Guy

Actor

Solomon Burke

Actor

Philip Shane

Film Editing

Steve Jordan

Original Music

Margaret Bodde

Producer

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Lightning in a Bottle

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Movie Info

Synopsis B.B. King and his trusty guitar, Lucille, headline a one-night-only celebration of the blues' 100th birthday at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Through careful song selection, the concert crafts a musical narrative beginning with the form's earliest blues guitar beginnings, then branches out to encompass the myriad styles it subsequently gave rise to. Old-school practitioners Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples and Dr. John mix it up with the likes of Macy Gray, Chuck D and Aerosmith.
Director
Antoine Fuqua
Producer
Margaret Bodde, Alex Gibney, Jack Gulick
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Vulcan Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 22, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 27, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$201.6K
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, Surround
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