If you love the rock'n'roll of the 60s, 70s, and early 80s, and if you can laugh at your own absurdities, you'll get a kick out of Get Crazy. Never heard of it? This wildly absurd 1983 comedy came and went far too fast. The music is good too. Get Crazy takes place on New … Continue reading Finally! Wild rock comedy Get Crazy comes to Blu-ray
Category: Music
Mill Valley Film Fest: Preview 1
Here's my first set of capsule movie reviews of films playing at this year's Mill Valley Film Festival. Some of these capsules are unusually short; the festival requires many of the films to be reviewed in 50 words or less. You'll probably guess which ones. A- Like a Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Fest: Preview 1
Jazz on a Summer’s Day on Blu-ray
The concert documentary didn't start with Woodstock, Gimme Shelter, or even Monterey Pop. In fact, it didn't even start with rock 'n' roll. But it just may have started with Jazz on a Summer's Day. Shot in and around the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, and released a year later, it's one of the best of its kind. First, there's the … Continue reading Jazz on a Summer’s Day on Blu-ray
Rolling Thunder Revue on Blu-ray
With a title like Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese, you know this movie isn't going to be entirely serious. Yes, it's a documentary by one of our most brilliant and generally serious auteurs. But it's also a rockumentary. And since it's tongue-in-cheek and isn't totally real, it's also a mockumentary. … Continue reading Rolling Thunder Revue on Blu-ray
Crock of Gold: When punk went Irish
B+ Music documentary Directed by Julien Temple If you're not familiar with The Pogues, you have a treat to discover. For some 27 years (not including five inactive ones), this Irish band melded punk rock, traditional music, and deeply-felt left-wing politics. But film director Julien Temple doesn't seem to really care about the Pogues. His … Continue reading Crock of Gold: When punk went Irish
More Mill Valley Movies: New Orleans, Laurel Canyon, & the Chicago 7
Since the drive-in experience, I've been watching Mill Valley Film Festival movies from the comfort of my couch. So far, I've seen two musical documentaries and two films about the 1960s - and I only saw three movies. A Take Me to the River New Orleans Here's one documentary that will make you tap your … Continue reading More Mill Valley Movies: New Orleans, Laurel Canyon, & the Chicago 7
How Jimmy Carter Rocked the White House
B Political & musical documentaryDirected by Mary Wharton Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President. It's a ridiculous title for a political documentary, and yet it's appropriate. This extremely flattering portrait of the 39th President spends most of its time covering Carter's love of music. But melody isn't what we think of when we consider Carter. We … Continue reading How Jimmy Carter Rocked the White House
It’s as cool, & as hot, as Jazz on a Summer’s Day
A Music Documentary Directed by Bert Stern The concert documentary didn't start with Woodstock, Gimme Shelter, or even Monterey Pop. In fact, it didn't even start with rock 'n' roll. But it just may have started with Jazz on a Summer's Day. Shot in and around the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, and released a year … Continue reading It’s as cool, & as hot, as Jazz on a Summer’s Day
Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things
A- entertainment documentary Directed by Leslie Woodhead About halfway through this documentary about the great singer, it occurred to me that it has very little performance footage. Seldom do you actually see her moving while she sings. Far more often, especially in the first half of the film, director Leslie Woodhead shows photos of Fitzgerald … Continue reading Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things
Where music comes Up From the Streets
A Music documentary Directed by Michael Murphy Most musical documentaries get the balance off. They tell you why these musicians are so great, how they became who they are, and what they're doing now (if they're alive). But they rarely give you a chance to enjoy the music. At best, you'll get a few bars … Continue reading Where music comes Up From the Streets
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