This was just an electric film from start to finish. Truly a work of art. It definitely had some dark moments and there are some battles that were tough to witness Ricky go through but I just found it so inspiring to watch this story.
Ricky Powell: The Individualist
2020
Biography / Documentary
Ricky Powell: The Individualist
2020
Biography / Documentary
Plot summary
Famed street photographer Ricky Powell made a name for himself taking wild portraits of New York City's who's who in the 80s and 90s. From the Beastie Boys to Basquiat, Powell's lens captured the grit and glamour of the city's downtown scene like never before. Powell and some of his notable subjects reflect on his fascinating life and work - as well as the demons that shaped him.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
One of the best films
Beastie Boys and Ricky Powell
We really enjoyed this heartfelt documentary. It is a true New York story. Ricky had that charmer personality and the talent to portray in photos an exact time in NYC history. The documentarian really captured his struggle and his magic connection to people. So sorry Ricky is not here to enjoy it.
Terrific 10 out of 10.
So rare that I can watch an entire movie at one sitting. This one clocks in at an hour and 50 mins. How good is it? No trouble watching start to finish.
You've read what the story is about. So, no need to go there. Some takeaways.
1. More than once it was mentioned Rickey's photos captured seminal moments in the beginnings of the hip hop scene. For those in attendance it is their collective '60's. Just different music and clothes. Thinking that 60's era types like me look at that scene much like 50's era folks look at the post Elvis rock/folk/psych/garage music. Not favorably.
2. Rickey is a good photographer, for sure. And a super likeable, charming, unique character. Fun to be around. But, something tells me his main role for the bands he toured with was procuring the drugs. They were able to eventually move on. He wasn't.
3. Fantastic on location filming of lower Manhattan.
4. He's a party guy. Everybody loves him. I get it. (except his Mom) To me, he's just a loser drug addict with a camera. Not going out on a limb to say he was likely high from one thing or another every waking second of his life from a young age till the heart attack. Makes an interesting story. But, not worth glorifying.
5. Rickey grew up pretty much unsupervised on lower 5th Ave - if we can take him at his word about his Mom's indifference. He says he had the run of the city. That is a flat out insane upbringing.
6. I've got to give Rickey way more slack and credit for becoming who he became and move past the drug thing.