Now this is what I'm talking about...
Watched this again on Blu Ray and it's the same as it ever was.
I almost agree with the hyperbole on the box that refers to it as "the best concert film ever made." It's certainly one of the most seductive and engaging. Regardless of whether or not it's your cup of tea musically. (It is mine) You kind of marvel at the way the performance is put together like an abstract narrative. And I don't know if any other concert film captures the sensation of being there as intimately as this does.
In some ways, it may not seem as revolutionary now. It's focus on the band and general style of capturing the show was subsequently adopted by other concert films. And, ultimately, most concert DVDs of bands are shot in a standard way now that is not all that unlike what was done here by Jonathan Demme and his team.
But even if, say, Heart - Dreamboat Annie Live is similar in the way the performance is shot, it is nowhere near as cinematic an experience.
Going back to what I was saying earlier about it being a seductive film... I screened it for a couple of musician buddies of mine. A drummer and bass player. Both of them Dream Theater fans and both only familiar with Talking Heads based on reputation and Psycho Killer (which they didn't particularly like).
The show kicked them in the balls. I won't go as far as to say it made them fans for life. But definitely a newfound respect was there... The bass player drooled for Tina Weymouth and they were just astonished at how something so simple could be so spectacular at the same time.
There is an exhuberance and energy on display here that is contagious. It is this film that made me a Talking Heads fan. Watching it again rekindled the flame.
Watched this again on Blu Ray and it's the same as it ever was.
I almost agree with the hyperbole on the box that refers to it as "the best concert film ever made." It's certainly one of the most seductive and engaging. Regardless of whether or not it's your cup of tea musically. (It is mine) You kind of marvel at the way the performance is put together like an abstract narrative. And I don't know if any other concert film captures the sensation of being there as intimately as this does.
In some ways, it may not seem as revolutionary now. It's focus on the band and general style of capturing the show was subsequently adopted by other concert films. And, ultimately, most concert DVDs of bands are shot in a standard way now that is not all that unlike what was done here by Jonathan Demme and his team.
But even if, say, Heart - Dreamboat Annie Live is similar in the way the performance is shot, it is nowhere near as cinematic an experience.
Going back to what I was saying earlier about it being a seductive film... I screened it for a couple of musician buddies of mine. A drummer and bass player. Both of them Dream Theater fans and both only familiar with Talking Heads based on reputation and Psycho Killer (which they didn't particularly like).
The show kicked them in the balls. I won't go as far as to say it made them fans for life. But definitely a newfound respect was there... The bass player drooled for Tina Weymouth and they were just astonished at how something so simple could be so spectacular at the same time.
There is an exhuberance and energy on display here that is contagious. It is this film that made me a Talking Heads fan. Watching it again rekindled the flame.
