SHINE A LIGHT ON WHY I DON'T LIKE CONCERT FILMS

BY JACKIE KASHIAN







I am specifically easy to entertain. I’m watching “Charmed” right now. I own “Music & Lyrics.” But there are certain kinds of movies I don’t see, on purpose. In my opinion, they are not “for me.” These are usually tension-filled dramas and scary movies. And now, I remember—concert films.

In real life I never would have seen “Shine A Light.” I define real life as the life where I get to pick the movies I see – but I was asked to see two specific films for a podcast interview. I had to see “Shine A Light” and “Leatherheads.” Good grief. The short answer to “Leatherheads” is that Squinty McClintok and George Clooney should have been entertaining. They were not. I actually wished it were more about football – Any Given Sunday” football – even “The Replacements” football. I take that back. But really, I’d rather have watched Pacino and Clooney try to remake “His Girl Friday” than that mess.

“Shine A Light” is a concert film. I have never enjoyed concert films. I’m more of a musical theater person than a sit-there-and-watch Led Zepplin or U2 play kind of person. I love music but it’s better for me on vinyl or CD. I’ve never enjoyed rock concerts. I know you think I have my head up my ass but I’ve always felt that live music is too loud, the music too distorted, and the bar too crowded to keep up with my consumption needs. I was born a million years old and, possibly, an alcoholic.

I will say that if you have to go to one concert film this year, this is the one to see. The film was beautiful and wonderful. And I freely admit that it was amazing to watch Keith Richards play because he enjoys it so much. Keith Richards playing the guitar is like watching a baby play with its own toes: completely absorbed, completely content. And Mick Jagger’s transparent desire to make sure the show is a good one is just as refreshing and inspirational. The movie made me want to perform. In case it hasn’t been pointed out by every tiny lizard brain out there – they’re OLD. But the whole band is having such a freaking blast that I say this to the Rolling Stones: “I’m on board old-timey rock stars. I’m with you.”

When music and film join for me; it’s usually in the form of musicals or documentaries. So, as I watched “Shine a Light,” I couldn’t help but want more doco. I want to listen in as Scorsese and Jagger go out to lunch. I want to know what the drummer reads in his spare time.

The first 20 minutes and the old interviews they showed between songs were perfect for me. I always want more info. And I also thought – where’s the girl that they fall in love with and sing to? When Marlon Brando sings to Jean Simmons that it’s “his time of day” in “Guys and Dolls”, you get to watch the love-dance that is musical theater and have the jolting awareness that Marlon Brando shouldn’t sing.

Of course, here’s what I’ve learned from this film: I’m wrong. I need to see more kinds of movies because this was a good one. The movie was perfect as it was for what it was, and I enjoyed it against my very will. In my face.

Jackie Kashian