Still Crazy (DVD)

When thinking of movies that are about fictional rock bands, it is likely that iconic spoof 'This Is Spinal Tap' comes to mind. However, for those viewers seeking a bit of seriousness n a music motion picture, look no further than 'Still Crazy'. Centred around Strange Fruit, a rock band from the 1970's who reunite in the late 1990's to much hilarity, the film offers a great storyline with a really good soundtrack. The movie opens with the band at their last gig together in the 70's- the Wisbech Rock Festival. After a short and disastrous appearance, which ended with lightning hitting the stage, the band members go their separate ways. Cut to twenty ...  Read the complete review

There have been a few notable films in the spoof rockumentary category. Spinal Tap obviously, which gives you the Hollywood take on the subject, The Rutles a pythonesque thinly veiled Beatles tribute and the anarchic Bad News to name a few. They all seem to be aimed at an already established audience or in the case of Spinal Tap at those with a working knowledge of the machinations of the heavy rock world. In the way that British cinema has of taking an idea and treating it with a certain delicacy and affection, Still Crazy has a charm and humour all of its own. Where as the films mentioned above are based on pure parody of an existing idea, Still Crazy relies ...  Read the complete review

My apologies to anyone who is looking for ideas on what to eat. Strange fruit salad consists of many things, none of them edible and all very easy on the waist line! I knew I would like this film from the start. Scripted by the kings of British comedy writing, Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement who were responsible for such classics as The Likely Lads (1976), Porridge (1979) and of course three fantastic series of Auf weidersehen Pet. This was a good, basic ingredient, But what else makes a good Strange fruit salad? Throw in a few actors of worthy note, Timothy Spall, Stephen Rea and Bill Nighy. Add a dash of comical genius in the form of Billy Connolly and add just a hint ...  Read the complete review

The story is about a British classic fictional rock band called Strange Fruit who were once very successful in the '70s. There is a scene where they are playing at a festival when lightening strikes and blows up their equipment, leading to them packing their wild life in as musicians and leading a normal, but uninteresting life. 20 years on, their former manager, who is a woman (opportunity for a love-interest), seeks them all out and persuades the middle-aged men to reform. The story follows them on a tour of europe where old grudges emerge, leading to some emotional scenes. The music is better than expected, with one song staying in my mind ...  Read the complete review

Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais wrote Still Crazy produced in 1998, directed by Brian Gibson. They explore 70's Rock band Strange Fruit, who are trying to reform and go on the road after splitting 21 years ago. This film set in the 1990's is a mix of comedy, romance and drama with the best of British talent. They could have been a major success, they had everything a 70's rock band needed, money, groupies, fame, success, and a lead singer who dies of a drugs overdose. The divine ending was at Wisbech Open Air Rock Festival where lightening struck down their blossoming rock careers. Tony, the former keyboard player sets out to reform the fruits and find a ...  Read the complete review