Rockin' Movies
I love rock and roll movies of any kind. These are the movies l would like to add to my DVD collection.
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The Beatles travel the world avoiding religious fanatics chasing Ringo. A minor classic, with a great soundtrack and several funny scenes. Filmed on location in London, Amesbury, the Bahamas and the Austrian Alps, the group originally loathed the film but later grew into it. [Original title was Eight Arms to Hold You. Title was changed when neither John nor Paul could come up appropriate lyrics so John went home and wrote his ode to exhaustion (endless touring) and depression (his mother's death)
Magical Mystery Tour The idea was to load up a bus with several characters and travel around the countryside to see what would happen. Nothing much did. Easily the worst Beatles film but still has some good songs. BBC1-TV film first seen December 26 but critics attacked the show the very next day keeping the film from U.S. television. It later had six screenings in L.A. and one in San Francisco then premiered in Boston. The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band also appears backing stripper Jan Carson. [The actual filming took just four days in September 1967 in Cornwall, England. Additional footage was filmed in southern Spain.] Times called it "the most stupendous animation feat in decades" and "gloriously conceived" while the New York Times proclaimed it "of no great importance" and "informed by marijuana."
Alice's Restaurant Arlo Guthrie, Pat Quinn, James Broderick, Pete Seeger, Michael McClanathan, Geoff Outlaw, Tina Chen. Commune life is portrayed based on Guthrie's epic song of the same name. Director Arthur Penn manages to combine sociological and political opinions with humor and satire in a sort of home movie without losing viewer interest. Most of the actors used had little or no experience. Songs include the title tune and three (Car Song, Pastures of Plenty and Songs to Aging Children) made famous by Arlo's father, folksinger Woody Guthrie. [Filmed on location in Van Deusenville MA and originally rated X ... Quinn was also in Rocky Horror… Alice Brock (the real Alice who was paid $8,000 for her story) plays Suzy … Outlaw was a boyhood friend of Guthrie’s … the judge and the arresting officer play themselves … Lee Hayes of the Weavers also appears.] *
Easy Rider Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Robert Walker, Phil Spector, Toni Basil, Karen Black. Dated but now classic film about two bikers looking for America. Nicholson's too short performance finally made him a star. Fonda co-wrote it, Hopper directed it and the hard rock soundtrack drove it. Spector is the drug dealer shown at the beginning of the picture. Dan Haggerty and Carrie Snodgress appear uncredited as a couple in the commune.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Meatloaf, Richard O'Brien, Jonathon Adams, Little Nell, Charles Gray. The ultimate midnight movie spices up the tired plot of young couple stranded in a Transylvania castle with outrageous characters and lots of rock music. Film has huge cult following but the sequel, Shock Treatment, was a disappointment. Let's do the time warp again instead. [Sarandon refused to appear nude in the picture.]
Tommy Roger Daltry, Ann-Margaret, Oliver Reed, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Robert Powell, Tina Turner, Jack Nicholson, Pete Townshend, John Entwhistle, Paul Nicholas, Arthur Brown. The Who's rock opera about a blind deaf-mute who becomes a pinball star. Quadraphonic soundtrack loses impact on TV but most of the clips paved the way for MTV videos of the future. Not for all tastes. Directed by Ken Russell.
Quadrophenia Phil Daniels, Mark Wingett, Phillip Davis, Leslie Ash, Garry Cooper, Sting. Solid drama of British teenage gangs inspired by the Who's record album of the same title. Sting's acting debut is very good. Taglines: Hell On Wheels! and… The Year Was 1964, and The Battle Was Just Beginning!
The Blues Brothers John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, John Candy, Cab Calloway, Henry Gibson, Carrie Fisher, Charles Nappier, Jeff Morris, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Kathleen Freeman. The crazy story of Elwood and Jake Blues who get their band back together in order to raise money for their orphanage -- their "mission from God." Entertaining throughout and featuring several cameos including Steven Spielberg, Steve Lawrence, Twiggy, John Lee Hooker and Pee-Wee Herman
The Wall -- The Wall (1982)… Bob Geldof, Christine Hargreaves, James Laurenson, Eleanor David, Bob Hoskins. The film version of the album basically deals with a rock star (known simply as Pink) and his depressing life. The music and animation are outstanding but the negative mood of the movie wears on you. Plus there's very little dialog. Based on the real life band member's experiences. Floyd fans will love it. Roger Waters has a cameo in the wedding scene.
This is Spinal Tap Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner, June Chadwick. Reiner's parody of a rock documentary is well done but a tad clichéd. The story revolves around the two leaders of an aging British heavy metal band on a last-gasp tour of the US. Some very funny bits and the solid acting make this film worth seeing but not a “must-see,” as some would lead you to believe.
Give My Regards to Broad Street …Paul McCartney, Bryan Brown, Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach, Linda McCartney, Tracey Ullman, Ralph Richardson, George Martin. Lots of musical performances (including five Beatles songs) connected by a plot about some missing tapes. Highlights include the Eleanor Rigby and Ballroom Dancing segments as well as renditions of No More Lonely Nights and Here, There, and Everywhere
Sid and Nancy Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, Drew Schofield, David Hayman, Debby Bishop, Tony London. The true-life relationship between punk rocker Sid Vicious and groupie Nancy Spungeon is told in depressing but fascinating documentary-type fashion.
La Bamba… Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Rosano De Soto, Elizabeth Pena, Danielle von Zerneck, Joe Pantoliano, Rick Dees, Marshall Crenshaw, Brian Setzer. Exciting story of Ritchie Valens who rose from poverty to rock and roll fame before his premature death. Well casted with strong performances all around including the soundtrack by Los Lobos and Carlos Santana. Crenshaw plays Buddy Holly
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