DVD News
Ray Tops DVD Sales Chart
By James Wray Feb 10, 2005, 12:53 GMT
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The movie made around $74 million at the box office, yet DVD sales on the first day of release were circa $40 million, with the week's total coming close to $80 million, including rentals.
"Ray" is a musical biographical drama of American legend Ray Charles. Born in a poor town in Georgia, Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother's accidental death. Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own in the world, Charles found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard.
Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered incorporating gospel, country, jazz and orchestral influences into his inimitable style.
As he revolutionized the way people appreciated music, he simultaneously fought segregation in the very clubs that launched him and championed artist’s rights within the corporate music business. "Ray" provides an unflinching portrait of Charles' musical genius as he overcomes drug addiction while transforming into one of this country's most-beloved performers.
The second and third DVD sale chart positions were taken by Sarah Michelle Gellar horror "The Grudge" and romantic comedy "Shall We Dance?" respectively.
