wwe3 Reviews

Syd Barrett's First Trip (1966)

Rare piece of Pink Floyd history

[6 June 2001]

This is one of those films that people claim to have seen, but usually can't recall where, or what it was about. People who follow Pink Floyd will enjoy this rare short. Non fans should stay away because it will have no meaning.

The band members of Pink Floyd don't usually stand out. Unless they bring each other to court (Waters/Gilmore), most people don't know who is in the band. But Syd was different. You can read many false stories about Syd, his leaving the band, and strange tales of madness and wrongly reported deaths. He was Floyd's first front man, and the genius behind "Piper at the Gates of Dawn". The subject of "Wish You Were Here", and combined with Waters into Pink for "The Wall".

"Syd's First Trip" is made up of two parts. You get to see Syd Barrett trip on mushrooms while being filmed, and then Pink Floyd after they signed their first contract at Abbey Roads Studios. It is a very short strange film, and was silent. However, the DVD added a sound track (by another artist).

The Song Remains the Same (1976)

For most of us, the song has remained the same.

[6 June 2001]

I was very surprised to read so many bad reviews of this concert film.

Today people want songs that last 3 minutes (or less), and they want the artist to lip synch songs in concert so that they sound exactly like the CD. One review even stated that punk rock was born out of peoples distaste for 30 minute versions of songs in concert. This can't be true, I'm sure it had more to do with the commercialization of music with disco, which interestingly is happening now in music with the current bands.

Well people, you are in luck. You can find many boy bands, girl pop, and go to big 4 floor music stores, that carry poorly produced, manufactured music in pretty CDs. You can go to concerts where dancing and costumes are more important than the songs. You can even download mp3s so that you don't have to buy the whole CD, just the one hit wonder songs you crave, without the rest. You'll love it, they don't make silly concept albums anymore or jam with drum/guitar solos to bridge songs, they just throw filler material between tracks that are tested before it is released, to pad the hits. And at all costs avoid this film, stick to "flavor of the month" concerts on network TV, because you will be left very confused and most likely upset.

However, for the rest of us. We can go to little out of the way music stores, find gems like "Song Remains the Same", go home and enjoy rock and roll the way it should be done. No costume changes or dancers, just pure music with heart. We will never see rock like this again.

Many of us long for the days of concerts where people sat in awe while the rocks gods played for 3 hours plus. We would see a band in 3 cities, just to hear the different sets, and versions of their songs. We trade bootlegs, because you already own every thing they ever recorded. Three to four hour concerts, concept albums, touring . . . enough said. This is what some of us miss today. But people rather jump around and hit each other, or swoon over pretty faces, while enjoying their music. To each his own.

"Song Remains the Same" isn't for everyone, but for those of us who do enjoy it, the film remains a great concert film of one of the truly great bands, who understood how to perform for the fans.

The Trip (II) (1967)

if you're going to watch an acid flick, why not the best

[6/10 · 14 March 2001]

This is an interesting film that will entertain. 'The Trip' has a 'Reefer Madness' quality to it, with a strange message about acid and it's effects.

Sets for this film have an expressionist imagery to them. The art direction is an explosion of patterns and colors. You get a psychedelic fun house feel all through the film. The use of lighting/shadows and old film techniques give a dreamy quality to the scenes that you will not forget.

Although dated by today's standards, the film is easy to watch and quite creative. And 'The Trip' does have a message: "I'll deal with it tomorrow."

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)

"Let me put it in the old computer, the computer don't lie"

[9 March 2001]

"It say's your a dead ****"

'The Final Chapter' is full of great lines like these. No other Friday the 13th movie is as funny or well written as this installment. These films are 'guilty pleasures'; Part 4 is no exception. Each one has it's own charm; it seems as if critics take the films more seriously than the people making them.

Rent 'The Final Chapter' just to hear the quote above. The banter between those two characters is priceless.

Pink Floyd: P. U. L. S. E. Live at Earls Court (1994 TV Special)

ALMOST as good as being there,

[10/10 · 4 March 2001]

Anyone familiar with Pink Floyd concerts would agree; this band has the best traveling shows ever. I saw P.U.L.S.E. live in New Orleans, at the Superdome and have never seen a better concert.

The show is visually fantastic; choreographed laser light show, huge circular video screen, and the Pigs. With all this going on the band seems hidden, you barely see them on-stage. Which makes the video perfect. P.U.L.S.E. captures both elements of the show, you don't miss any of the performance while getting to see the band perform.

It's not as good as being at the concert. However, you will never miss another Pink Floyd tour, after you see it.

If you like it try: "Live at Pompeii", "La Carrera Panamericana", "Pink Floyd London '66-'67"

Tonite Let's All Make Love in London (1967)

A good find for Pink Floyd fans

[10/10 · 2 March 2001]

If you in no way enjoy Pink Floyd music, then do not buy/rent/steal this video. You will not like it.

However, if you really like Pink Floyd and really get into their early stuff, this video is a real find. Peter Whithead directed this as a dedication to Syd Barrett and to capture the mood of swinging London. It includes the greatest version of 'Interstellar Overdrive' ever recorded. And a song called 'Nick's Boggie' which is a very hard to find Pink Floyd track. See this film for no other reason than to hear the music and enjoy the scenery.

If you like the film, another good video to get is the Pink Floyd London '66-'67 video. It is 30 minutes long and was used as a Promotional trailer for 'Tonite, Let's all Make Love in London'. The film 'More' is also an interesting film with a soundtrack by Pink Floyd, that features their earlier work.

Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)

Pink Floyd's music lends itself to the art of film perfectly.

[10/10 · 27 February 2001]

Pink Floyd's music lends itself to the art of film perfectly. Visually stunning, this film captures you from the moment it starts and keeps you drawn in. "The Wall" can be enjoyed on many levels. For those who haven't seen it, you will be impressed by how well the film was made.

All who had a hand in this production did a great job. Director Alan Parker is a director who has ahead of his time. "The Wall" rivals many films today that try to blend animation and live action, this film flows in and out of animation gracefully. One of the best things about this film is it's design; designer Gerald Scarfe really puts you into the music. The sets, props, and scenes are well crafted. Every scene has an artistic feel. The story comes from Roger Water, he took his idea and made it an album, a film, and one of the best traveling arena/theater shows, enough said.

This film is best viewed in a theater and not that hard to find (usually a midnight showing, or at an on-campus theater). If you are renting/buying do yourself a favor and see it in letterbox. The film is too claustrophobic in pan and scan; and you miss the presentation. Plus Gerald Scarfe's brilliant designs, were meant to be seen as a whole.

If you like Pink Floyd, or just enjoyed the film. Try these other films that Pink Floyd did the soundtrack:

"More", "The Final Cut", "Zabriskie Point", and "Tonight Let's All Make Love In London".

Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)

Pink Floyd's music lends itself to the art of film perfectly.

[10/10 · 27 February 2001]

Pink Floyd's music lends itself to the art of film perfectly. Visually stunning, this film captures you from the moment it starts and keeps you drawn in. "The Wall" can be enjoyed on many levels. For those who haven't seen it, you will be impressed by how well the film was made.

All who had a hand in this production did a great job. Director Alan Parker is a director who has ahead of his time. "The Wall" rivals many films today that try to blend animation and live action, this film flows in and out of animation gracefully. One of the best things about this film is it's design; designer Gerald Scarfe really puts you into the music. The sets, props, and scenes are well crafted. Every scene has an artistic feel. The story comes from Roger Water, he took his idea and made it an album, a film, and one of the best traveling arena/theater shows, enough said.

This film is best viewed in a theater and not that hard to find (usually a midnight showing, or at an on-campus theater). If you are renting/buying do yourself a favor and see it in letterbox. The film is too claustrophobic in pan and scan; and you miss the presentation. Plus Gerald Scarfe's brilliant designs, were meant to be seen as a whole.

If you like Pink Floyd, or just enjoyed the film. Try these other films that Pink Floyd did the soundtrack:

"More", "The Final Cut", "Zabriskie Point", and "Tonight Let's All Make Love In London".