| Overall Grade: |
B |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
C |
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| Visuals: |
C |
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GREAT BUT NOT EXCELLENT
by Jeff A (movies profile)
May 8, 2008
7
of
12 people found this review helpful
Scorsese's documentary details The Rolling Stone's 2nd night performance at the Beacon Theatre shot in 06. I elected to see the film at a local IMAX theatre and was not disappointed. I'd often heard rumors of managers of standard cineplex theaters dimming the projector bulbs in order to lengthen their usable life. After seeing this film in IMAX,I can see how that could be true, as the brightness level was astonishingly better than any standard theater projection.....
The film is a straightforward, high energy performance by the Stones, interlaced with some archive footage providing some comic relief and ironic moments. Guests include Christina Aguilera, who's performance of "Live With Me" with Mick was nothing short of electrifying (when he wasn't groping her-slightly creepy considering the age difference)....Aguilera has some set of pipes, and ably shows them off. Buddy Guy showed up to do his Buddy Guy thing...great blues number on his polka dotted Strat.However, the star of guest stars was the always great, always influential Mr Jack White . He performs "Loving Cup" with Jagger.Watching them together,I couldnt help seeing just how old Jagger seems compared to Jack White....and I dont mean that in a chronological, wrinkles on the face kind of way - with Jagger and White on stage together, I'm focused on White, as he is IMO a far more charismatic performer.Thus, I'm somewhat surprised Jagger (and his ego) would choose White to perform with.
My 2 biggest criticisms of this film were 1)Scorsese seemed just a tad bit enamored with Jagger vs the rest of the band. There were way too many closeups of Jagger performing. I would have preferred more medium length sustained shots showing the entire band. This problem is even more evident and annoying on the IMAX screen. I dont know if it was a logistical limitation of the venue to film the entire band in a fixed or tracking medium shot, but it would have made this performance film better for the viewer. 2)Scorsese perpetuated this "nervous nelly" persona throughout the film that was quite cloying. Here you have the director of "The Last Waltz", "Raging Bull", and
Goodfellas" angst ridden and worried about what songs the Stones were going to play, the lighting effects, and a dozen other little details that ordinarily would not spook a director of Scorsese's caliber.
All in all, Shine a Light is a special moment captured on film from an iconic band, directed by a master....go see it, preferably on IMAX if possible....you won't be disappointed |
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