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bcrox5
Reviews
Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me (2012)
OK, but only OK.
As a voracious consumer of "Rock Docs," this one left me flat. The story is told in such a way that it is nearly impossible to follow (unless you are a Memphis super fan, I guess). It ambled along following every little thread until I just didn't care anymore.
As with "Mr. Blue Sky" (the Geoff Lynne doc), the superlatives flow like water. After a while, they just become meaningless.
And most important of all, I didn't leave this film and rush straight to ITUNES to download their work. If the music is as good as the interviewees bleated on about; they were not able to convey it within the film itself.
Mr Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO (2012)
Just too much. Something was off.
The superlatives never stop. The stories are all just a little to perfect be believable. Several of the interviewees appeared to be reciting from a script. For several, it didn't feel like it came from the heart.
There is absolutely no insight into his life outside of playing an instrument and singing (he seems to live like some kind of immortal musical hermit in his mansion above the city).
I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just one gigantic narcissism project by the subject himself. Which by the way culminates in a digitally created jam session with the subject playing all the parts (not very subtle).
All that aside, the music is excellent and was a joy to hear. I would have preferred fewer awkward interviews and simply more of the tunes. If you are a music geek; you will certainly envy his home and lifestyle.