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Title : Shine A Light: Simply Electrifying!
By :
Date : 10 June 2008 1229 hrs (SST)
URL : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/moviesreviews/view/353111/1/.html

SINGAPORE : Three of the four members of the Rolling Stones were in their 60s - guitarist Ronnie Wood was 59 - when "Shine A Light" was shot in 2006. But Mick Jagger (lead vocalist), Keith Richards (guitarist), Charlie Watts (drummer) and Woods rocked the house down with their amazing energy - more than most rockers in their 20s and 30s – and showed why they are one of the world’s greatest bands.

There was no stopping frontman Jagger who danced and ran around like an Energizer bunny, astonishing audiences with his unrivalled stage presence.

However, there's more to "Shine A Light" than the band's incredible stamina.

Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese, a Stones fan, turned the camera on the legendary band and showed the world the Stones like they have never been seen before.

Filmed over two nights at New York's Beacon Theatre in 2006, with a team of cinematographers, Scorsese showed what great performers the Stones are and also captured the chemistry and intimacy of the group. He also gave us a glimpse of another side of the members - Jagger is the professional one as well as the band’s driving force; Richards and Woods are the playful ones in the group while Watts is the introvert.

Along with populars tunes like "Just My Imagination," the band also rocked out on less familiar songs and covers, with special guests like Jack White, Christina Aguilera and Buddy Guy. My favourite performance in the movie was when Jagger did "Sympathy for the Devil," making his grand entrance in true rock star fashion.

I am not a Stones fan but I know a tune or two, and even then I got so caught up in the music that I was shaking away in my seat and tapping my foot to the beat. I longed to get on my feet and wave my hands in the air like the thousands of fans at Beacon Theatre. I was also introduced to their less popular tunes which I enjoyed so much that I went searching for the soundtrack after the movie.

At just over two hours long, the film felt a bit draggy at times. Thankfully Scorsese mixed in old some footage which broke the monotony and offered some laughs.

But at the end of the day, this is a concert movie and it is the enthusiasm and energy that propel the film, and Scorcese definitely captured the spirit and electricity of the performances. This is the closest you’ll get to watching the Stones live.

If you’re a Stones fan or just fancy all the excitement of a rock concert but from the comforts of a cinema seat, then you’ve got to catch this rockumentary.

And if, like me, you like to sing along during concerts, go familiarise yourself with some of the songs so you can do so during the show, albeit only in your head. Now where is my CD...




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