2008 Woodie Awards
The Stones, Scorsese rock in 'Shine a Light'
Alex Plimack
Arts | 4/3/08
Sure, the Rolling Stones may be pushing 70 and they've been playing in the shadow of their former selves for quite some time. But if anything, their Martin Scorsese-directed concert film "Shine A Light" is a reminder that even if you receive a social security check, you can still rock.
The films opens with a 15 minute black and white prologue that feature the Stones and Scorsese figuring out the logistics of the show to be filmed at the historic Beacon Theatre in New York City. There's a running gag about Scorsese not knowing what the band will play and Mick Jagger knowingly withholding the information (and who knew he organized songs by how well known they are).
When the music starts, it's a marvel to watch Jagger and the boys tear through their hits. As he shakes and writhes across the stage with his seizure-like dancing, Jagger oozes rock and roll in his skintight jeans. Keith Richards is coked out of his mind. ("It's good to see you," he says to the audience. "It's good to see anyone!") Ronnie Wood unleashes his imperfectly perfect solos and Charlie Watts quietly keeps the beat in the background.
Scorsese has made the old chaps look good on film, as the colors jump off the screen as if the lights on stage are in the theater. A technical wonder, he gets the necessary angle at the perfect time. So when the doors open revealing Jagger and he struts his way through the audience to the opening of "Sympathy for the Devil," it's really a question of what can't the director of "Taxi Driver" pull off. It's great to see him catch little things such as Wood mouthing to Jagger "I forgot the notes!" during one song.
Throughout are humorous clips from their younger days, juxtaposing their youthful attitudes with their current undeniable staying power.
"Shine A Light" isn't a documentary about The Rolling Stones. It is the Rolling Stones. How can you not like that?
The films opens with a 15 minute black and white prologue that feature the Stones and Scorsese figuring out the logistics of the show to be filmed at the historic Beacon Theatre in New York City. There's a running gag about Scorsese not knowing what the band will play and Mick Jagger knowingly withholding the information (and who knew he organized songs by how well known they are).
When the music starts, it's a marvel to watch Jagger and the boys tear through their hits. As he shakes and writhes across the stage with his seizure-like dancing, Jagger oozes rock and roll in his skintight jeans. Keith Richards is coked out of his mind. ("It's good to see you," he says to the audience. "It's good to see anyone!") Ronnie Wood unleashes his imperfectly perfect solos and Charlie Watts quietly keeps the beat in the background.
Scorsese has made the old chaps look good on film, as the colors jump off the screen as if the lights on stage are in the theater. A technical wonder, he gets the necessary angle at the perfect time. So when the doors open revealing Jagger and he struts his way through the audience to the opening of "Sympathy for the Devil," it's really a question of what can't the director of "Taxi Driver" pull off. It's great to see him catch little things such as Wood mouthing to Jagger "I forgot the notes!" during one song.
Throughout are humorous clips from their younger days, juxtaposing their youthful attitudes with their current undeniable staying power.
"Shine A Light" isn't a documentary about The Rolling Stones. It is the Rolling Stones. How can you not like that?
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