Essential rock
List activity
84 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
66 titles
- DirectorRichard LesterStarsJohn LennonPaul McCartneyGeorge HarrisonOver two "typical" days in the life of The Beatles, the boys struggle to keep themselves and Sir Paul McCartney's mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live TV performance.
- DirectorTodd HaynesStarsChristian BaleCate BlanchettHeath LedgerRuminations on the life of Bob Dylan, where six characters embody a different aspect of the musician's life and work.
- DirectorRichard ThorpeStarsElvis PresleyJudy TylerMickey ShaughnessyAfter serving time for manslaughter, young Vince Everett becomes a teenage rock star.
- DirectorBrett MorgenStarsMick JaggerCharlie WattsBill WymanLegendary British rock band The Rolling Stones mark their 50th year together.
- DirectorDarnell MartinStarsAdrien BrodyJeffrey WrightBeyoncéChronicles the rise of Chess Records and its recording artists.
- DirectorJoe BoydJohn HeadGary WeisStarsArthur AllenAlbert AllenStella BenabonMade shortly after his death, this documentary explores the brief life and remarkable legacy of guitarist Jimi Hendrix.
- DirectorTate TaylorStarsChadwick BosemanNelsan EllisDan AykroydA chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
- DirectorRobert TownsendStarsLeonJenifer LewisCarl LumblyThe story of Little Richard Penniman, from his poor Southern upbringing to dealing with the trials and tribulations of being a black singer in the 1950s, to his born-again phase and brief "retirement" from rock and roll.
- DirectorLiesl TommyStarsJennifer HudsonForest WhitakerMarlon WayansFollowing the rise of Aretha Franklin's career from a child singing in her father's church's choir to her international superstardom, RESPECT is the remarkable true story of the music icon's journey to find her voice.
- DirectorTaylor HackfordStarsJamie FoxxRegina KingKerry WashingtonThe story of the life and career of the legendary rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles, from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom during the 1950s and 1960s.
- DirectorKevin MacdonaldStarsBob MarleyZiggy MarleyRita MarleyA documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley.
- DirectorBill PohladStarsJohn CusackPaul DanoElizabeth BanksIn the 60s, Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson struggles with emerging psychosis as he attempts to craft his avant-garde pop masterpiece. In the 80s, he's a broken, confused man under the 24-hour watch of shady therapist, Dr. Eugene Landy.
- DirectorSteve RashStarsGary BuseyDon StroudCharles Martin SmithThe story of the life and career of the early rock and roll singer, from his meteoric rise to stardom, to his marriage and untimely death.
- DirectorMark McLaughlinStarsCarmine AppiceFrank BarsalonaJeff BeckA to Zeppelin: The Led Zeppelin Story documents the colorful and outrageous history of rock's heaviest band. This unique DVD features candid interviews with long-time tour manager Richard Cole, members of The Yardbirds, Bad Company, The Ramones, Foreigner, Vanilla Fudge, engineer Andy Johns, ex-girlfriends, Lori Mattix and Pamela Des Barres and more. Rare archival interview footage with John Bonham, 'Jimmy Page', Robert Plant and manager Peter Grant, along with rare photos spanning the "New Yardbirds" era through the breakup of Led Zeppelin illustrates their fascinating story.
- 1997– 1h 15m7.6 (105)TV EpisodeDirectorDavid HeffernanStarsDorothy AshbyShirley BrewerBen BridgesMusicians, producers, family, colleagues and the artist himself look back on the making of Stevie Wonders's classic album "Song In the Key of Life".
- DirectorMary WhartonStarsLou AdlerJ.W. AlexanderDick ClarkThis film documents the rise of legendary singer Sam Cooke, from his beginnings as a gospel singer to his crossover to the pop and R&B charts. Includes interviews with Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls and more.
- StarsMuddy WatersPinetop PerkinsLegendary blues performer Muddy Waters is showcased in this collection of his performances from 1966-1978.
- StarsSmokey RobinsonNick AshfordAlberta GayThis classic performance was recorded on Marvin Gaye's first European Tour in 1976, and captures the legendary soul singer at his unparalleled best.
- DirectorAndy WarholStarsJohn CaleGerard MalangaSterling MorrisonThe film depicts the first band practice of The Velvet Underground and Nico at the Factory in New York in January 1966, and is essentially one long loose improvisation.
- DirectorJeremy MarreStarsAl BellSteve CropperBryan FerryFirst ever TV documentary about the legendary soul singer Otis Redding.
- DirectorCatherine OwensMark PellingtonStarsBonoAdam ClaytonThe EdgeA 3-D presentation of U2's global "Vertigo" tour. Shot at seven different shows, this production employs the greatest number of 3-D cameras ever used for a single project.
- DirectorBaillie WalshStarsBruce SpringsteenMitchell A.S. HallockDyan McBrideFor 40 years Bruce Springsteen has influenced fans from all over. His songs defined more than a generation. This film gives the fans just as much time as The Boss himself, with never shown footage and live performances from his last tour.
- DirectorJim McBrideStarsDennis QuaidWinona RyderJohn DoeThe life and career of wildly controversial rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis.
- DirectorSean P. O'MalleyStarsJohn GoodmanFATS DOMINO: WALKIN' BACK TO NEW ORLEANS chronicles music legend Fats Domino's triumphant return to the stage after Hurricane Katrina's devastated his New Orleans hometown. Two years after a harrowing rescue from the storm, Domino headlined a 2007 benefit concert for the city, performing hits including "Blueberry Hill," "Ain't That a Shame," "My Girl Josephine" and "Blue Monday" to an adoring audience. The special, narrated by actor John Goodman, captures the concert and provides an up-close, biographical look at Domino's storied career. The special also includes rare interviews with Domino as well as singers Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Robert Plant and Randy Newman, who discuss how this legendary performer has inspired their careers.
- DirectorAllan ArkushJoe DanteStarsP.J. SolesVincent Van PattenClint HowardRamones fanatic and delinquent Riff Randell battles it out with the strict new principal of Vince Lombardi High School, Miss Togar, with help from the Ramones.
- DirectorAlbert MagnoliStarsPrinceApollonia KoteroMorris DayA young musician, tormented by an abusive situation at home, must contend with a rival singer, a burgeoning romance, and his own dissatisfied band, as his star begins to rise.
- DirectorJack HazanDavid MingayStarsRay GangeJoe StrummerMick JonesA young British punk and roadie for The Clash navigates life in socially torn 1970s England.
- DirectorKen RussellStarsRoger DaltreyAnn-MargretOliver ReedA psychosomatically blind, deaf, and mute boy becomes a master pinball player and, subsequently, the figurehead of a cult.
- DirectorBrett MorgenStarsKurt CobainWendy O'ConnorDon CobainAn authorized documentary on the late musician Kurt Cobain, from his early days in Aberdeen, Washington to his success and downfall with the grunge band Nirvana.
- DirectorJames MangoldStarsJoaquin PhoenixReese WitherspoonGinnifer GoodwinA chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.
- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsNeil YoungEmmylou HarrisPegi YoungA film shot over during a two-night performance by Neil Young at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
- DirectorKenny OrtegaStarsMichael JacksonAlex AlAlexandra ApjarovaA compilation of interviews, rehearsals, and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.
- DirectorMark HallStarsRoy OrbisonPete AndersonChet AtkinsThis feature documentary chronicles the incredible career of the late artist with classic performance footage, home movies, and photographs. Featuring interviews with Bruce Springsteen, k.d. lang, Chet Atkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Bee Gees, Bernie Taupin, David Lynch, Martin Sheen, Robert Plant and Bono. The soundtrack showcases Roy's greatest hits including Only The Lonely, Crying, Pretty Woman, In Dreams, Running Scared and You Got It.
- DirectorSam Taylor-JohnsonStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonKristin Scott ThomasAnne-Marie DuffA chronicle of John Lennon's first years, focused mainly in his adolescence and his relationship with his stern aunt Mimi, who raised him, and his absentee mother Julia, who re-entered his life at a crucial moment in his young life.
- DirectorFrancis WhatelyStarsDavid BowieRick WakemanJohn HarrisA documentary covering five of the most important years of the influential rock star David Bowie's career.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsDustin HoffmanAnne BancroftKatharine RossA disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsVal KilmerMeg RyanKyle MacLachlanThe story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band The Doors and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison, from his days as a UCLA film student in Los Angeles, to his untimely death in Paris, France at age 27 in 1971.
- DirectorDick CarruthersStarsVan MorrisonVan Morrison's long and illustrious career has included many appearances at the Montreux Festival. This sumptuous performance from 1980 includes many of his best loved tracks 'Wavelength', 'Moondance', 'Angeliou', 'Kingdom Hall' and 'Tupelo Honey' amongst other classics.
- DirectorRolf EmylStarsTekla AndersonStanley H. BrassloffSam StewartA beautiful young girl in New York City's Greenwich Villege gets mixed up with hippies, drug dealers, Eurotrash models and Mafia assassins when her boyfriend upsets a Mafia hood by giving away free marijuana, cutting into the gangster's drug sales.
- DirectorJames HaleStarsBill AdlerChuck DFlavor FlavFascinating documentary about the history and legacy of the rap group "Public Enemy".
- DirectorJack KendallPaul KendallStarsGene ClarkDavid CrosbyRoger McGuinnA documentary on the life and work of Gene Clark, co-founder of The Byrds, whose subsequent career was a rollercoaster of pioneering music and personal disaster.
- DirectorHoward AlkStarsJanis JoplinPeter AlbinSam AndrewThe life and music of Janis Joplin.
- DirectorSteven SebringStarsPatti SmithLenny KayeOliver RayAn intimate portrait of poet, painter, musician and singer Patti Smith that mirrors the essence of the artist herself.
- DirectorBram van SplunterenStarsBill AdlerDennis BellVito BrunoIn 1986 a dutch television network, VPRO, aired this raw documentary about New York and its young and fresh HipHop scene. Interviewer Marcel Vanthilt went to the big apple to meet the pioneers of hip hop.
- DirectorDavid FurnishStarsElton JohnDavid FurnishBob HalleyUnprecedented access into one of the world's greatest musical talents and his larger than life lifestyle: Elton John. With frank, funny, and touching filmmaking, this documentary is a fascinating and honest look at the complex character of a modern day composer and performing artist.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobbie RobertsonMuddy WatersNeil YoungA film account and presentation of the final concert of The Band.
- DirectorAlan ParkerStarsBob GeldofChristine HargreavesJames LaurensonA confined but troubled rock star descends into madness in the midst of his physical and social isolation from everyone.
- DirectorRhys ThomasStarsBrian MayRoger TaylorPaul GambacciniDocumentary looking at the relationships and solo career of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.
- DirectorLen Dell'AmicoStarsGregg AllmanDickey BettsButch Trucks
- DirectorDon McGlynnStarsHowlin' WolfHubert SumlinBarbra MarksMusic documentary about giant blues legend Chester 'Howlin' Wolf' Burnett, including rare performances, his influence on the Rolling Stones, and more.
- DirectorRex PykeStarsEric ClaptonGeorge HarrisonElton JohnEric Clapton and his band toured Europe by train in 1978, and a documentary called "Eric Clapton and his Rolling Hotel" was filmed, but never released. Clapton put his band in a three-carriage train, originally at the disposal of Hermann Goering during the Nazi years in Germany, and traveled from town to town on the continent, from one concert to the next. It was an easy way to transport and house the band and equipment, and it offered ample opportunity for interviews, groups interactions, and filming. Clapton talks about his music and his works and peaks the viewers interest with stories about musicians like Hendrix and George Harrison. The interviews are supplemented with performances by Muddy waters, Elton John and George Harrison, as well as Clapton and his band. Tracks featured are Cocaine, Further On Up The Road, Lay Down Sally, Tulsa Time, Worried Life Blues, Early in the Morning, Badge, Wonderful Tonight, Key to the Highway, Double Trouble, Crossroads and Layla.
- DirectorJerry GarciaStarsJerry GarciaDonna GodchauxKeith GodchauxThe Grateful Dead performs live at Winterland in San Francisco in October 1974.
- 1999–7.3 (16)TV EpisodeDirectorYvonne SmithStarsCholly BassolinePedro BellArmen Boladian
- DirectorMartin TorgoffStarsAerosmithCatherine EppsBruce FairbairnA behind-the-scenes look at the making of Pump, the album that carried Boston band Aerosmith into the nineties. While this video doesn't include album versions of any of the songs from Pump (Columbia did not have control of the rights), it does include extensive footage of the band members perfecting their craft in the studios, as well as interviews with all those involved.
- DirectorJulien TempleStarsPaul CookSteve JonesJohn LydonA film about the career of the notorious punk rock band, the Sex Pistols.
- DirectorNimród AntalStarsDane DeHaanJames HetfieldLars UlrichTrip, a young roadie for Metallica, is sent on an urgent mission during the band's show. But what seems like a simple assignment turns into a surreal adventure.
- 1985– 1h 32mTV-147.9 (271)TV EpisodeDirectorSusan LacyStarsJoni MitchellBill FlanaganDavid CrosbyA profile of Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, and how her music evolved from personal folk into pop, jazz and avant-garde.
- DirectorBrian GibsonStarsAngela BassettLaurence FishburneRaéVen KellyThe story of singer Tina Turner's rise to stardom and how she gained the courage to break free from her abusive husband, Ike Turner.
- DirectorVikram JayantiStarsLana ClarksonBobby HatfieldBill MedleyPhil Spector is a pioneer of American music, a legendary producer to John Lennon and Tina Turner, and, as of April 13th 2009, a convicted murderer. Yet the Spector who appears in Vikram Jayanti's documentary is not the severe, outlandishly coiffed defendant seen in sensationalistic accounts of his trial, but a charming, savvy music executive with a generous, but arguably accurate, estimation of his place in the history of popular music.
- DirectorRobert Patton-SpruillStarsStingZooey DeschanelRobyn HitchcockChronicles Boston Globe reporter Geoff Edgers on his irrational quest to reunite The Kinks.
- DirectorRobert MuggeStarsAl GreenWillie MitchellKen TuckerThe story of R&B singer Al Green, who gave up a successful singing career to become a gospel minister.
- DirectorPaul JustmanStarsGinger BakerJack BruceEric Clapton
- StarsCharles Malik WhitfieldD.B. WoodsideTerron BrooksBiography of the singers who formed the hit Motown musical act, The Temptations.