Change Your Image
BillyWhitehurst
Reviews
Heftig og begeistret (2001)
Great movie
"Heftig og Begeistret" is a truly wonderful movie. Within the limits of a documentary, it says everything that could be said about life generally and life in the North of Norway especially. The singers in Berlevåg Mens-choir are the subject of the film, and we follow them for about a year, both when they sing, and when they are at home.
The beauty of having men standing next to the great ocean, singing songs unaffected of the weather (they are singing in rain, snow, storm and midnight sun), cannot be explained, it must be viewed. Further, there's the great amount of funny one-liner's these old guys present to us. (As the 96 years old man says about his bedroom: "This used to be a working room, now it's a museum.")
Then again, the movie shows how politics have separated the world, even at a small place like Berlevåg. During their tour to Murmansk, communists among the singers clash with the others, as the destroyed nature of the former Soviet Union comes to view. And it's a strong scene when one of the old communists burst into crying when he comes to a memorial place from WWII.
Perhaps the genius of the movie is the fact that anyone can recognize the people in the movie with someone you already know.
Elvis on Tour (1972)
The King Holds Court
This is a great rock-u-mentary! Following The King for 15 days, you see him climb out and in of limousines, rushing on and off scenes, see him waiting backstage thrilled with scene-nerves - and of course - you'll see him perform on stage.
The Elvis Presley show from 1972 included old rockers like "Johnny B. Goode" and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", show-stoppers like "An American Trilogy" and "You Gave Me A Mountain" and the frantic version of "Polk Salad Annie".
What REALLY thrills you 'bout this one, is the almost scaring look you get into Elvis' life; always surrounded by his Memphis Mafia, always on tour, always lookin' to please someone else...and then again you see him as he perhaps was deep inside; when he and his guys are singing gospel afterwards the shows.
Perhaps this is mostly for fans like myself, but I believe also others could have a thrill out of watching this one!