BuzzSugar

Shine a Light: Long Live the Rock Doc

BuzzSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:30:51 -0700

When I realized that Martin Scorsese's new rock doc Shine a Light chronicles two Stones concerts from 2006, I was slightly disappointed. Don't get me wrong: I devour rock documentaries (Scorsese's The Last Waltz is one of my faves), and I love me some Rolling Stones. But I've never had much interest in seeing the band live in its modern incarnation (or in paying the high-ticket price for a stadium show). But Shine a Light makes me realize I was sorely mistaken. The modern-day Stones are well worth seeing live, and after screening this movie in its full IMAX glory, I feel like I have.

With camera work conducted by a team of Oscar winners, Shine a Light covers two nights of benefit shows at New York's Beacon Theatre. Like its concert-film forebears (Woodstock, Rattle and Hum), Scorsese's two-plus-hour odyssey is comprised mostly of performance footage. There are, however, archival clips sprinkled in, as artfully chosen as the intimate moments captured by Scorsese's crowd of cameras. For the details, read more

The concert, like the Stones' career, careens through different phases, from flashy hip-shaking numbers to pedal-steel-infused country tunes. The set list is mostly stellar, though oddly, there is no footage of the Stones performing the namesake tune. Seeing the legends up close, you realize how much the Stones truly love what they do, and the archival footage suggests a common theme: From the beginning, the most commonly asked question of the band was, how long do you think you'll do this? The impossibly spry Mick Jagger, who somehow still has the figure of a 25-year-old hipster, continues to prove his doubters foolhardy.

Unlike The Last Waltz, which is a movie about a concert and a band, Shine a Light is merely a film of a concert. Aside from some bland footage of Scorsese and the Stones setting up, there's very little behind-the-scenes access. And while The Last Waltz stood out for its cameos - a parade of legendary performers who influenced The Band - this documentary tepidly imitates that trope. Buddy Guy adds to the entertainment, but Christina Aguilera and Jack White don't even look like they think they deserve to be there.

But as a chronicle of a concert, the movie succeeds, particularly when capturing quiet moments you'd miss as an audience member: a flirtation between Jagger and his backup singer, a lingering, pensive shot of Guy resting between beats, and the Pirates of the Caribbean brooch on Keith Richards' lapel. Honestly, seeing this movie on an IMAX screen with a stellar sound system was so much like the real thing that I occasionally had to glance around to make sure it wasn't the movie audience roaring with applause. Shine a Light is the closest I'll ever come to seeing an intimate Stones concert, and thankfully, it's all I'll need.

Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Buzz News Roundup, 2/7

BuzzSugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:13:03 -0800

20th Century Fox snatches up distribution rights to Martin Scorsese’s Rolling Stones documentary, says Reuters.
Shakira and Wyclef Jean will perform together at the Grammys on Sunday, reports Billboard.
Snickers has pulled its kissing mechanics ad after complaints that it was homophobic, the AP reports.
Norah Jones's new album moves to No. 1 on the Billboard charts.
Tired of all those dance competition movies? Weinstein Company has signed on to produce a spoof called Dirty Step Stomp, according to Variety.

To see the rest of the news, read more

TLC is planning a "grittier" take on a modeling reality show, Variety reports.
NME gives us the details on the new Smashing Pumpkins album, Zeitgeist.

Women rule the movies featured at the Berlin Film Festival, which kicks off tomorrow, Reuters reports.
If you're curious about how Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl gets made, check out this transcript of a Washington Post chat with the show's producer.
ABC will broadcast a special about Oprah's school for girls in South Africa later this month, says Zap2it.

Buzz News Roundup, 12/15

BuzzSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:37:03 -0800

Former Phish frontman Trey Anastasio is arrested for DWI-Drugs in New York - Albany Times Union
Expanding her media empire, Oprah sells two primetime reality shows to ABC - Variety
Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun dies at age 83 - Los Angles Times
Mark Burnett's new Fox show wants to know: "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" - Variety
Famed The Good, the Bad and the Ugly composer Ennio Morricone will receive an honorary Oscar - Variety
Katie Couric's last "Today" tops a TiVo poll of the top 10 most memorable TV moments of the year - New York Daily News
The Rolling Stones' Bigger Bang turns out to be the top-grossing tour of 2006 - Billboard
Warner Brothers and Guillermo del Toro want Tarzan to return to the big screen - Zap2It
Axl Rose swears that Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy is finally going to come out on March 6 - Billboard

Buzz Gift Guide: Mommy Dearest

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:30:44 -0800

What to get the woman who raised you? She may not be as hard to shop for as grandma or dad, but I still have a few ideas. Mine is a Dancing With the Stars fanatic, so I'm snatching up their new workout DVD. Also on the list: Valerie Bertinelli's memoir and a cute Liz Lemon tote to take to the grocery store. I'm considering a TiVo, too - that way, she doesn't have to decide between The Amazing Race and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday nights anymore. (Really, it's like Sophie's Choice.)

But if my suggestions don't strike your fancy, check out all of the gift guides across the Sugar network. You're sure to find something!

Link Time! Janet Jackson to Open Up on TV About Michael

BuzzSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:30:09 -0800

Janet Jackson will be talking about her brother in a new primetime special - TV Squad
The Real Housewives of New Jersey are invading NBC's Mercy. Seriously. - The Ausiello Files
Ryan Seacrest is letting regular people grab money from celebs for his new show Bank of Hollywood - Vulture
Here's a guide to all of the guest stars during November sweeps - TV.com
George Clooney's top 10 movies - Rotten Tomatoes
CBS picks up five more episodes of Accidentally on Purpose - HitFix
Michael Jackson's This Is It takes No. 1 on Billboard - Rolling Stone
Listen to a preview of Adam Lambert's new album - Best Week Ever
Colin Hanks to play "Jack" to Bradley Whitford's "Dan" - Collider
Twilight's Rob and Kristen finally talk about each other. Check out snippets from the interview - PopSugar
Sigourney Weaver and Alia Shawkat sign on for Cedar Rapids - Zap2it
Prepare for the onslaught of skinny jeans: Kings of Leon are creating their own limited-edition clothing line - Spinner

Link Time! Heroes Is Killing Off a Major Character

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:30:36 -0800

Want to know who's getting the ax on Heroes? Click here for the spoiler - Watch With Kristin
Commemorate Election Day '09 with five of the best election campaigns in movies - MTV Movies Blog
Director/writer Richard Kelly talks about The Box and whether he would push the button - Collider
Weezer continues their run of head-scratching collaborations. Check them out with Chamillionaire, Sara Bareilles, and . . . Kenny G?! - Stereogum
Hey Muse fans, here's their new video for Undisclosed Desires! - Rolling Stone
Your childhood Berenstain Bears are coming to the big screen - Moviefone
Critics are just not liking the new Chris Brown album cover, and I have to agree - Vulture
Gordon Ramsay is taking on another cooking show for Fox - YumSugar
Now here's a holiday cover I can get behind: Strokes singer Julian Casablancas is taking on the SNL ditty, "I Wish It Was Christmas Today." Genius. - Pitchfork

Photo courtesy of NBC

Buzz In: Who Should Get Their Own Rock Band Game Next?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:11 -0700

Following in the footsteps of this Fall's release of The Beatles Rock Band, similarly seminal band The Who may also get their own version of the game. Roger Daltrey has been quoted as saying that it's planned for next year, but the news is still unconfirmed by reps for the game. More certain is the fact that you probably won't be able to smash the peripherals when you're done playing.

Honestly, though, the thing I'm most excited about is the road ahead for more acts to get Rock Band games. I'm a fan of The Beatles Rock Band and would love the chance to play another band's catalog. Rock Band has already hit up Metallica, Guitar Hero's already gotten Aerosmith; I think it makes sense to have a Rolling Stones game, or perhaps Led Zeppelin or U2. Maybe they could even use a younger band like Green Day or Pearl Jam? Which band would you like to see get their own Rock Band game?

Do You Care About Post-American Idol Albums?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:30:48 -0700

The music industry has been in a tizzy ever since Adam Lambert left the American Idol stage - remember that Rolling Stone cover? Well, Lambert is releasing his debut album next month, along with fellow AI alum Kris Allen, and just today his newest song, "Time For Miracles," leaked online. (Listen here.)

The track is for the upcoming film 2012, but I'm admittedly feeling a little meh about it. It reminds me of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" for Armageddon. That's not a bad thing, but I was hoping for something a little more unique from the outlandish Lambert. Luckily, the song reportedly doesn't reflect the sound on his final album, which is supposed to be more glam, less classic rock.

But if I'm going to be 100 percent truthful, my interest in Idol graduates - even Lambert - usually wanes somewhat after the show's finale. They're built up so much on AI, but once the winner is announced, I tend to forget about most of the contestants. (The exception being Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, of course.) Still, I'll probably check out Lambert and Allen's respective albums out of curiosity.

How about you? Do you care about post-Idol albums?

Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:30:03 -0700

Please, Tracy Morgan, join Twitter! Check out the public plea, all you 30 Rock fans - Best Week Ever
Emma Stone talks about shooting zombies - Rotten Tomatoes
A list of the 13 best South Park episodes (with clips!) - TV.com
Alas, another Simpsons movie looks unlikely. Sigh . . . - Moviefone
A Mike Tyson biopic? It'll happen if Jamie Foxx gets his way - MTV Movies Blog
David Bowie and Iggy Pop get Lego'd - Stereogum
Bored to Death gets picked up for a second season on HBO - The Futon Critic
Concert video of Kelly Clarkson covering The White Stripes, Alanis Morissette, and Kings of Leon - Rolling Stone
Take this tech quiz on last night's episode of The Hills - GeekSugar
Mariah Carey dishes on her new album . . . and wearing Nick's clothes?! - HitFix

Buzz In: What Songs Do You Want to Hear on Glee?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:30:37 -0700

Tonight we'll get to see a brand new episode of Glee, and word on the street is that the boys will be bringing it with a little Bon Jovi in a battle of the sexes contest. There's a reason that Glee is winning the favorite new Fall comedy poll, and a big part of that is the singing.

I look forward to the stirring performances in each episode, and they've already hit up some of my favorite songs, like "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Single Ladies." I'm already keeping a mental checklist of what bands and songs I'm ready for the cast to cover. What am I itching for? Some Madonna, some Beatles, some Rolling Stones; specifically I'd also love to hear "Total Eclipse of the Heart," "Sweet Home Alabama," and maybe a sampling of "Poker Face." What songs you want to hear the uber-talented kids (or the Acafellas) perform?

Don't forget to enter our Glee giveaway for a chance to hang with one of the cast members and check out the Glee Club in our Community!

Photos courtesy of Fox