Re: Shine A Light - The Movie - Reviews
Date: April 9, 2008 12:05
Got back about two hours ago from seeing the film at he only place its playing on Oahu, not an Imax. I went with a non-fan, and not hoping for too much. I will always rembember going to see "Let's Spend the Night Together," and walking out thinking , "good God, that sounded horrible! How did I enjoy so many shows?" And of course time and finaces allowed many more shows at this point in life, and I was at Beacon 1, so I went in expecting to come out happy that I had seen the film, but disappointed. Also, going with a non-fan, I was prepared to have to defend the band, like I have to with so many passions in my life, like the ex wife, LOL or (forgive me Beast) the latest Russian thing.
Instead I walked out with a friend saying, "wow, can I go with you and your freinds next time.?" I felt like I had heard the best live recording of the Stones since Ya Ya's. Gone was Hal Asby's muddy mix, and at least at the theater I could hear every guitar that was on stage, with the exception of Mick durng Just My Imagination. OK lets deal with the naysayers, no this is not the band that you hear on the unreleased "Ladies and Gentlemen," and thankfully I am not the same man that I was then, though I sadly miss my 28 inch waste and full head of hair.But anyone that cannot appreciate what is documented here is trapped in time and wants the band to be also. I was totally unpreared for the sonic onslaught after the snippets I had heard on line, and I do worry that the poor sound sytem I have will only lead to disappointment when I get the CD. What I saw was a band comfortable with who they are, not ashamed of every wrinkle, every scar, but proud to be who they are, proud of what they are doing and how they are doing it. It was obvious that yes the money is good, but they are doing what they do because they really do enjoy it! The close ups of Charlie as he ended songs and looked so satisfied were amazing betraying emotion I have seldom seen in Charlie. When Mick looked for Keith to share the mike for Far Away Eyes, it was obvious he knew the reaction that would bring, and for all the reported animosity, Keith took it a step further and pulled Mick in for a hug that was so sincere it was really touching. Keith giving Buddy Guy his guitar at the end of Champagne and Reefer, admitting that both he and Ron were probably lousy gutarists, but together being better than any 10, the hilarious faces Mick makes at times ( which I really noted up close on this tour and had not noted before), just gave me a feeling that while quite aware of their superstar status, their undeniable legacy (that we as fans seem to worry about more then they do), that these guys are willing to be self-deprecating, and realize in the end, It's Only Rock and Roll.
They are at this age finally able to live what Mick, Keit, Charlie all tried to say in clips from early years, they did not ask to be cultural figureheads. They never wanted to be pro-drug, or anti-religion, or political leaders, they just wanted to play music, and it was unasked for interest in their personal life that made them the anti-heroes of a generation. I think part of the disappointment some might feel with this movie is the same some felt when the Stones brought out their families at the O2 to sing during SFTD, they refuse to be avatars for the cuases of our youth, that most of us have grown beyond, but somehow want these men to continue to champion for us.
In the end, all they promised us was a damn good show. For over 40 years, they have given us many such, as well as a few stinkers. This, in my opinion, is one of the best.