Let's Get Lost
The other night I went to our local arthouse theater to catch Let's Get Lost, the 1988 Oscar nominated documentary on Chet Baker. Even having read Jim Ridley's review in the Scene beforehand, the film was not at all what I expected. Directed by noted fashion photographer Bruce Weber, it's more of an ultra-stylized personality profile than the typical kind of life story you'd see on PBS or the History Channel.
Although the film stars Chet himself, his story is mostly told by associates, ex-lovers, and his family. The interview portions that do feature Baker are captivating, although for dramatically different reasons from session to session. In some he's fairly lucid, and he displays a passion for music that is obvious in both his playing and singing. In others, he is so out of it that he practically nods off in front of the camera. He was in his late fifties at the time of filming, but he looks about 80, the result of a smack habit that was monumental even by jazz musician standards. But even though his matinee idol looks had been ravaged by the effects of junk and hard living, his performances are absolutely mesmerizing. There are several throughout the film, but the highlight is undoubtably his take on Elvis Costello's "Almost Blue" at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. Shot just a year before his death, his voice still has the intimacy of his golden years in the 1950s, coupled with the gravity of life experience that few have ever known. As good as the movie is, if you compare this performance with his recordings from the early stages of his career, it tells you all you need to know about the life of Chet Baker.
Chet Baker - "But Not For Me" (mp3) from Chet Baker Sings
The movie was originally scheduled at the Belcourt for a week long engagement, but it's been held over, so you've still got a chance to see it. Check their website for showtimes, as they vary daily. It has never been released on DVD, but if you have money to burn, you can find a VHS copy.
Labels: movies
Neon Heart, Dayglow Eyes
If we're honest with ourselves, no matter how much we like an artist, straight concert films are generally kind of boring. Unless there is some compelling backstage or tour footage to spice things up, it's hard to sit through an hour and a half of just a band performing on stage. I've bought a lot of concert videos of my favorites artists, but when it's pure concert footage, it usually takes me at least two viewings to get through it.
That said, U23D is an absolutely amazing film, and I'd be saying that even if U2 weren't one of my favorite bands. I've seen them four times, so I'm not going to try to sell you on the ridiculous "Even Better Than The Real Thing" angle, because it's simply not. But it is really effing good, and worth seeing even if you're not a fan of the band. Billed as the first all digital live action 3D movie, it's visually stunning. The shots put you above, behind, in front of and on the stage. You pretty quickly get over the gimmicky aspects of it being a 3D film, and just lose yourself in the experience. Add in the incredible sound in an IMAX theater and it's truly something to behold (the film is also showing in non-IMAX digital theaters, but it's definitely worth an extra four bucks to see it on the giant screen if you have the opportunity).
Apparently the footage was shot at seven concerts in South America during February and March of 2006, but it's edited to make it look like it took place at their stadium show in Bueno Aries, Argentina. They do a pretty good job of it, because it's pretty seemless. U2 fans will also appreciate the pacing of the songs, especially the way the politically minded songs flow together in the middle of the set. The biggest surprise of the movie comes during "Miss Sarajevo," when Bono sings the opera solo that was performed by Luciano Pavoratti on the original recording. Nobody is ever going to mistake Bono for one of the great tenors of our time, but it's impressive nonetheless (a snippet can be heard on the multimedia page of the movie's website).
U2 - "Beautiful Day (Live at Slane Castle)" (mp3) from U2 Go Home
Labels: movies
The Beatles Walk Hard
I almost never go see movies on opening weeked, but I think I'm going to have to make an exception when Walk Hard comes out next week. I've been looking forward to seeing it ever since a friend showed me one of the first trailers a few months ago. After seeing this clip of the Beatles scene from the movie, it's jumped to number two on the list of things I'm looking forward to in the few weeks... above Christmas, but below meeting my new nephew. It is absolutely hilarious.
And since I'm now in a Beatles spoofing kind of mood...
The Rutles - "Love Life" (mp3) from The Rutles
Labels: movies
Holiday Inn
For the last of my seasonal posts, I thought I'd feature one of my favorite old movies, Holiday Inn. Although it's often thought of as a Christmas movie (probably because it was the debut of "White Christmas"), it is actually a holiday movie in the truest sense of the word, with an Irving Berlin tune for almost every occasion. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire have a great chemistry, and the object of their affections, Marjorie Reynolds, is one of the most gorgeous Hollywood starlets you've probably never heard of (unless you're a movie buff). I could describe the plot to you, but der Bingle does a pretty good job of that himself in this medley of songs from the film.
Bing Crosby - "Holiday Inn Medley (Let's Start The New Year Right/Abraham/Be Careful, It's My Heart/Easter Parade/White Christmas)" (mp3)
It was recorded on December 14, 1944 for the Kraft Music Hall program, and is available on the awkwardly titled WWII Radio Christmas Show CD.
Labels: movies
Gimme Shelter
Last weekend I saw The Departed. It's an absolutely fantastic movie, probably Martin Scorsese's best since Goodfellas. My only beef with it regards the soundtrack. There is no doubt that Scorsese is a big Rolling Stones fan. He's used their music a lot over the years. But The Departed makes the third time that he has used "Gimme Shelter" in a mob flick (the first two being Goodfellas and Casino). Sure, the opening guitar riff suggests a kind of menace that is perfectly suited for overall atmosphere of the film. But it's been done. Repeatedly. By Scorsese himself. He even admits that he's repeating himself. At a certain point, you've gotta stop going to the same well. Imagine if Quentin Tarantino used "Stuck In The Middle With You" in every movie he ever did. It would kind of ruin the impact of its use in Resevoir Dogs. So I propose that "Gimme Shelter" should be forever off limits to any further use in films, especially films by Martin Scorsese. It's not like Mick and Keith need the royalty checks.
I guess I'm kind of nitpicking, but that's what music geeks are supposed to do. And it did inspire today's monday morning b-side...
The Sisters Of Mercy - "Gimme Shelter" (mp3)
The Sisters released their cover of the Stones classic on their 1983 "Temple Of Love" single. It was the final single on their own Merciful Release label before they signed with Warner Brothers, and its probably the best cover they've ever done. The song is perfectly suited for Andrew Eldritch's booming baritone. It's currently available on the import singles collection Some Girls Wander By Mistake.
Labels: movies
I've Got A Miniature Secret Camera
Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out
Fans of The Police have been excited about Stewart Copeland's new documentary every since word got out about it's premiere at Sundance in January. Complied from Super 8 footage shot by Copeland during the band's rise to fame, it chronicles The Police from its first American tour promoting Outlandos D'Amour in 1978 through their appearance at the 1982 US Festival.
The film begins a little slowly, with Copeland narrating still shots from the bands days on the London punk scene, and finally takes off once Stewart buys his camera on the eve of their American tour. Live footage of the band alternates with various antics shot at in store appearances, backstage dressing rooms, press conferences, hotel rooms, and wherever else the band's travels brought them. The soundtrack is a mix of live and studio tracks, and what Copeland calls "derangements," clever reconstructions of Police songs that fall somewhere between a remix and a mashup.
It's interesting to see the live footage of the band shot from the side and back of the stage by roadies, and for what it was the audio quality is often surprisingly good. The bonus commentary track featuring Copeland and Andy Summers is enlighting, and on it Stewart explains some of the movies shortcomings. The film does suffer from having most of the performances focusing on songs from the band's first album, so there isnt a whole lot of variety. While hardcore fans will no doubt enjoy this DVD, it pales in comparison to The Police: Around The World, an excellent 1982 film with a similar vibe shot on the band's 1980-1981 world tours.
The Police - "Fall Out" (mp3)
"Fall Out" was The Police's first single, predating the arrival of Andy Summers. Released in 1977, when they were still pretending to be part of the punk scene, it features Henri Padovani on guitar. It, along with almost every other recording the Police ever released, is available on Message In A Box: The Complete Recordings (there are a couple of live b-sides and a remix of "Don't Stand So Close To Me '86" that were not included).
post title by Peter Murphy
Labels: movies
