Scorsese + The Stones = WIN (Shine A Light (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Shine A Light (DVD)
Date:	05/11/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything

Disadvantages: Not much to it

Martin Scorsese has proven himself not only as arguably the greatest director of all time, with masterpieces like Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and The Departed, but he directed a little known documentary called The Last Waltz about the final gig of The Band, to huge acclaim back in the 1970s.

It's no secret that Scorsese is a huge fan of the Rolling Stones, for the majority of his films include at least one song from them in, and Jagger himself even jokes in this part-concert film, part-archive look at the band that this is one of the few times where you won't see a Scorsese film with "Gimme Shelter" in.

The format is as a shell a 20-song rundown from the band, intercut with archive footage and interviews with the band members and those associated with them. It is an intimate look at the immensely popular rock band, who have virtually the greatest longevity in the entire business, having now been together for getting close to fifty years. Scorsese gets behind the scenes and gives us a rare look at the band, and somehow, despite the rockumentary genre being well-trodden by now, manages to make the form rather fresh.

As a sheer musical spectacle, the film succeeds, for the Stones deliver a spirited performance that is clearly them firing on all cylinders. When you combine this with Scorsese's superlative direction; that is to say, his editing and his sweeping shots are truly awe-inspiring, it makes for a unique experience that's immensely well crafted and extremely enjoyable.

It doesn't have a huge amount of depth to it, and doesn't give a prodding look into the Stones, but there are a few clever insights when the band are spoken to; as an unpretentious concert film, though, there are few better.

Summary: Not deep, but it rocks!