Shine a Light (2008)

A career-spanning documentary on the Rolling Stones, with concert footage from their "A Bigger Bang" tour.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Stars:

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mick Jagger	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: vocals / guitar / harmonica
Keith Richards	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: guitar / vocals
Charlie Watts	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: drums
Ronnie Wood	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: guitar
Darryl Jones	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: bass guitar
Chuck Leavell	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: keyboards
Bobby Keys	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: saxophone
Bernard Fowler	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: vocals
Lisa Fischer	...	Herself - The Rolling Stones: vocals
Blondie Chaplin	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: vocals
Tim Ries	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: saxophone / keyboards
Kent Smith	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: trumpet
Michael Davis	...	Himself - The Rolling Stones: trombone
Albert Maysles	...	Himself - Camera in Hand
Christina Aguilera	...	Herself

Storyline

Martin Scorsese and the Rolling Stones unite in "Shine A Light," a look at The Rolling Stones." Scorcese filmed the Stones over a two-day period at the intimate Beacon Theater in New York City in fall 2006. Cinematographers capture the raw energy of the legendary band.

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Plot Keywords:

rolling stones | new york city | band | concert footage | three word title | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, drug references and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Kinowelt [Germany] Paramount Classics [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shine a Light: The IMAX Experience

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$1,488,081 (USA) (4 April 2008)

Gross:

$5,355,376 (USA) (13 June 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Classics, Concert Productions International, Shangri-La Entertainment

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS Dolby Digital Sonics-DDP (IMAX version)

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The two Rolling Stones concerts filmed for "Shine a Light" took place at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan. It is their second film to be shown in the IMAX format. Because of a lack of appropriate IMAX cinemas in Manhattan upon the release of the IMAX film "At The Max" in 1991, the film had to be shown at a non-conventional venue: the Beacon Theatre.

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Quotes

Mick Jagger: Well we've been doing this music thing for two years now and we never thought we would last this long, but I can see us doing it for maybe another year.

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Crazy Credits

From end credits: Every day the Clinton Foundation works to make a difference by finding real and tangible solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, including HIV/AIDS, climate change, global poverty, child obesity and many more. For more information visit www.clintonfoundation.org

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Connections

Referenced in Best Worst Movie (2009)

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Soundtracks

Live With Me
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Performed by The Rolling Stones and Christina Aguilera
Courtesy of ABKCO Music, Inc.

User Reviews

Extraordinary To Witness Them At The Top Of Their Game

Regrets - I've never seen the Stones live. Now I can live with that because no matter when or where, I'd have never seen them with the extraordinary advantage of mega-cameras inches away. This is the Stones revealed, every wrinkle and ropey-veined arm, taut-muscled Mick and melting-faced Keith, and there you are right in the midst of an incredible jam when Buddy Guy joins them and they huddle in an exhilarating moment of pure bliss.

Mick is the King, the energizer bunny of rock, at the pinnacle of his love/sex affair game with his audience. OMG. Thrilling to watch this consummate performer build himself up with each song, letting himself go further and further to the edge of union with the energy of the music and his fans.

Lyrics so clear and clever, ironic and insightful. The humor rounds every nuance. The playlist is wonderful.

Keith's dreamy smile as he plays, exuding pure joy with his slow, sexy gentleness is such a counterpoint to Mick's sharp, clever, edgy energy.

I'd only seen the Stones on videos, where Mick seemed to be a caricature of himself. Now I realize without the adoration and energy of an audience, he is not inspired to receive and give that energy which is not unlike Janis Joplin's - totally out there and free - just diggin' in and groovin'. Yet you know he is in complete control.

Shine A Light will probably be nominated for an academy award for film editing. It is genius. Hundreds of intimate shots that define "a picture is worth a thousand words" - Keith's caressing smile as he plays or tosses a cigarette - Mick's lips and nose in silhouette - Ron Woods looking like he's still in Faces, the list is endless and meaningful to each individual fan. Scorceses' use of the cameras is inspired - absolutely the best.

If you love the Stones, you will writhe with energy and joy and want to jump up and shout - Start Me Up!