Film Reviews by PM

Fascinating overview of the history of Krautrock not only a biography of Kraftwerk.I was interested the learn about the early years of Kraftwerk and learn the history of German modern music which explains why it was so unique and a huge influence on music all over the world - from rap to Bowie.

Jim Marshall is an iconic photographer who took pictures of Icons when there were actual icons in the music industry.

He was at Woodstock, good friends with Duane Allman, Janis Joplin,Jimi Hendrix,John Coltrane, he snorted, drank and shot his way through  the Rolling Stones most legendary US tours.

When it happened, he was there.

Get the picture?

You certainly will if you watch this enlightening documentary about Marshall ; whose life was as colourful as his subjects. 

Sadly its obvious that  greedy music industry corporations wouldn't allow the doc to feature some of the artists Marshall mingled with even though his snaps probably sold truckloads of product for them.

A legend,a true star......we'll never see the likes of again 

There's a big difference between Trash and Rubbish.

Showgirls was the product of two egotistical misogynists high on power, drugs and self importance.

Now here comes this pathetic attempt to redeem this car crash that does very little convince.

The proof is in the pudding as in the director, scriptwriter and star did nothing of any value after the release of this travesty.

If you hated Showgirls avoid this pathetic attempt at a retrospective puff piece at all costs. 

This is the second full length silent movie I've seen in my life (The Artist being the first).

What drew me to this gem was the Chinese/American sensation Anna Mae Wong.

Sadly marginalised by the American film industry (at the time it was prohibited for a white American to go out with a Chinese person) Wongs roles were limited to racial stereotypes. Fustrated she left for more open minded backdrop of Europe and produced this classic in London.

Wong totally owns this piece of celluloid joy, playing Shosho - a Bette Noire -who seduces slimy club owner -Valentine Wilmott - who discovered her  dancing in his club kitchen and in true Harvey Weinstein style offers her a gig in the club overshadowing his mistress and star turn- Mabel.

It all,ofcourse, ends in tears but in a glorious,melodramatic manner that will have you hooked right up until the grand dame finale.

Made in 1929-  at the cusp of silent movies crossing over to sound and there was a version made with effects and a voice over prologue which I would love to see.

This is a beautifully restored version with new soundtrack written and performed by Neil Brand that I found a bit intrusive and solved the problem by pressing mute and playing my own selection of music over the top.

If like me you were wary of watching silent movies, try this gem out.I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed.

Laurel Canyon is a location steeped in Mythology.It was a Hippie enclave of Los Angeles that is now a rich celebs playground.

In many ways this is less a story of Laurel Canyon and more about the musical phenomenon that occurred on Sunset Strip ; location that reflected a seismic musical and cultural change in America and ultimately the whole world.

Suddenly traditional elitist folk clubs had their doors kicked in by the pointed cuban heels of a new generation fired up the by the conscious lyricism of Bobby Zimmerman,the explosive arrival of The Beatles and the musical hooliganism of The Rolling Stones.

A treasure trove of a documentary featuring  Icons of Sunset Strip including The Doors,The Byrds, Love, Mamas & Papas, The Monkees, Joni Mitchell etc.

The documentary is supposedly is a testament to wannabe folkie, iconic photographer Henry Diltz,who happened to be at the right place at the right time.But the centre piece is some great music  and crazy times.

The second part of this series should have been titled 'How Cocaine and Corporations ruined the Music Business'.

It's basically the story of a bunch of faux drug fuelled cowboys known as The Eagles who decimated the heritage of the West Coast music scene with a suffocating slickness and superficiality.

Like Haight Ashbury and other culturally inspiring locations - Laurel Canyon attracted a transient caravan of artistic nomads because the rent was cheap.

By part two Charlie Manson literally killed the Hippie Squat vibe and eventually property prices went up and the place became populated by

people who could afford to live there.

This doc entertaining, informative  and filled with great names that will leave you yearning to hear some magnificent music.