Change Your Image
franklinlongley
Reviews
A Good Band Is Easy to Kill (2005)
This movie is pure genius
The movie starts off fast with a beautiful rant by Miles, the controversial "F--- Bob Dylan" moment. I played this back ten times at least. I'm certain that he's not so much talking about Bob Dylan the man, but Bob Dylan the icon.
To believe that Dylan can do no wrong is maddening. To believe that Radiohead can do no wrong is maddening. To believe that John Lennon can do no wrong is maddening.
Star worship is maddening. So maddening, in fact, f--- 'em all. Get it?
There's so much to love about Beulah and about this movie. The songs that are in the movie sound amazing for a documentary about an indie band. And while Miles does steal the show with his pontificating, everybody shines.
Case in point: when the t-shirt guy lists all the things he does on tour I was laughing so hard I nearly choked. Later, when he shows off everything he owns I again nearly died. But when their roadie poses the question of which member of the Vanderslice band they'd all like to sleep with, that is the funniest thing I've ever seen.
Miles' melancholic statement that closes the movie seals the deal. These bands that we love so much do leave us much too quickly. It's up to us to seize the day and make sure that we appreciate them--and all beautiful, fleeting things--while they are still here.
Pavement: Slow Century (2002)
I am so torn over this movie...
I love Pavement. They are absolutely one of my favorite bands. This DVD, though, is just simply awful. The videos are good to have, and for that I'm grateful. But the documentary is so boring and shot so poorly. The live concert sound is terrible and doesn't do Pavement justice at all.
I'm also not a big fan of back-in-the-day documentaries, I guess. I like seeing things as they unfold, not watch people reminisce about the past. This band, more than any other, deserves better.
Rate this TEN for Pavement, and MINUS ONE for the documentary. Hence, a four.
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (2002)
A great documentary, not just for fans
This is one of my favorite movies. Excellent camera work, excellent sound (which, if you're going to do a movie about a band, please get the sound right--and they do).
I do wish it would have followed up a little more on Jay Bennett, however. While he's not the most likable guy in the world, I feel like he got a bit short-shrifted in the end. Which is a shame, because he obviously at one time meant a lot to the band on a personal level.
The scenes of Wilco in the studio are fantastic, however. The shows suffer a little bit from limited camera angles, but the songs totally rock.
Great movie, even better on DVD (lots and lots of extras).
The Osbournes (2002)
Now I see what the hype was all about
OK, so I missed this series when it played on TV. But I just received the DVD as a birthday gift and I am in love. Ozzy is crazy, yeah, but he's also a sweet, funny guy who doesn't seem to know who he is or where he's at.
The whole family is the picture of dysfunction, but there is still something about the dynamic that rings true, if not healthy. Mama Osbourne especially seems like a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is woman.
I'm totally glad that I can say I have seen this show finally. Now my friends can shut up with the you-missed-the-boat whining.
I must get my hands on the next two sets.