Music Documentaries
I love documentaries about music. It's not important, if I like the music itself. I just like to see people touring, recording, telling interesting things about their career. If I like the music... even better :) Some films are not dedicated to a certain artist, but to the use of music, music connected to historical events or something like that. Some others are just plain concert-movies :)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the list!
Here are some other documentaries I've seen, but I couldn't find in the imdb:
1. Celtic Frost - A Dying God; (Starts with their tour for "Monotheism", end with their break-up. Can be found on youtube;7/10)
2. Inside Björk; (I got this on DVD. Tells her career all the way to the album "Vespertine"; 7/10)
3. Pixies - Gouge; (Featured on a DVD I got; People like Bono, David Bowie, PJ Harvey and Thome Yorke share their thoughts; 3/4Pixies - sadly no Kim Deal - tell about their background; 8/10)
4. The artist formerly known as Captain Beefheart; Narrated by John Peel with great Interview-Partners (Members of the magic band and Frank Zappa). I wonder why this isn't on the imdb. (It can be found on youtube) 8/10
THIS LIST IS A WORK IN PROGRESS
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the list!
Here are some other documentaries I've seen, but I couldn't find in the imdb:
1. Celtic Frost - A Dying God; (Starts with their tour for "Monotheism", end with their break-up. Can be found on youtube;7/10)
2. Inside Björk; (I got this on DVD. Tells her career all the way to the album "Vespertine"; 7/10)
3. Pixies - Gouge; (Featured on a DVD I got; People like Bono, David Bowie, PJ Harvey and Thome Yorke share their thoughts; 3/4Pixies - sadly no Kim Deal - tell about their background; 8/10)
4. The artist formerly known as Captain Beefheart; Narrated by John Peel with great Interview-Partners (Members of the magic band and Frank Zappa). I wonder why this isn't on the imdb. (It can be found on youtube) 8/10
THIS LIST IS A WORK IN PROGRESS
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- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsDavid ByrneBernie WorrellAlex WeirConsidered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, the live performance was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December of 1983 and features Talking Heads' most memorable songs.Great performances and interesting dramaturgical ideas in a film which shows one of my absolute favorite bands burning down the concert hall. 10/10 (Simply on top of the list, because of the picture; from here on the list is in alphabetical order.)
- DirectorChristian BlackwoodStarsEartha KittKitt McDonaldCecil GoreyDocumentary profile of singer-actress Eartha Kitt.Interesting Film about the great entertainer. Great, silently filmed Performances are mixed with, funny, scary and -at times a bit too- soul-stripping interviews. (They visit the grave of her mother, who had to give her away and she bursts out in tears) I watched it fully on youtube. 7,5/10
- DirectorAsif KapadiaStarsAmy WinehouseMitch WinehouseMark RonsonArchival footage and personal testimonials present an intimate portrait of the life and career of British singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse.They try to make you watch "Amy", but please say "No, No, No". It's a pity: They did serious research and talk to many interesting people, but make it a yellow-press-documentary serving your voyeuristic needs. You see so many Photos Amy would never have liked to be published, but don't deliver one full performance of a song. The focus this movie chooses is appaling. :) 3/10
- DirectorPaul RachmanStarsGreg GinnIan MacKayeJames DrescherThe History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986Well Folks, This is a topic I really know a lot about. The movie didn't really show me anything new. Of course it should be enjoyable for hardcore-newbies too, but it's a shame, that there are bands, that just don't get mentioned (especially "DEAD KENNEDYS"). 6/10
- DirectorSean DunneStarsAnthony Douglas SannersVanilla IceA look at the often mocked and misunderstood subculture of Juggalos, hardcore Insane Clown Posse fans, who meet once a year for 4 days at The Gathering of the Juggalos.7/10 - Interesting short documentary about a festival for Insane Clown Posse Fans (Juggalos). Somehow frightening.
- DirectorSacha GervasiStarsRobb ReinerSteve 'Lips' KudlowTiziana ArrigoniSince 1978, Anvil has become one of heavy metal's most influential yet commercially unsuccessful acts. In 2006, after a fledging European tour Anvil sets out to record their thirteenth album and continue to follow their dreams.No matter how frustrating their story might be at times. This movie makes you want to start a band, no matter if you're into metal or not. 8/10
- DirectorSean DunneStarsPaul MawhinneyA brief look at the world's largest vinyl record collection and the current state of the American record industry.Short Documentary about the biggest vinyl collection (more than 3 mio. items) in the world. The collection and the problems the collector Paul Mawhinney got with it are the center of attention in this little flick. You see some of the most valuable items and get to know the reasons why the owner wants to sell it. It's rather sad in tone but definitely worth watching. You can do so on youtube. 7,5/10
- DirectorJörg A. HoppeHeiko LangeKlaus MaeckStarsAndiBela B.Blixa BargeldUnreleased footage captures West Berlin's underground scene in the 1980s, from punk to Love Parade, portraying the city's creative energy before the Berlin Wall fell.10/10 - Great documentary with lots of great material. Charmingly narrated. It was cool. :)
- DirectorMarie LosierStarsGenesis P-OrridgeLady Jaye Breyer P'OrridgeBig Boy Breyer P'OrridgeA documentary on artist Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and his wife and collaborator, Lady Jaye, centered around the transformations the pair underwent for their Pandrogyne project.I really liked it, though it's not really what the title is saying. It's more or less a biography/portrait of Genesis Breyer P-Orridge. Lady Jaye and the Pandrogyny-Project of her and Genesis make up maybe 20 Percent of the movie. Still, the movie gives great insights into the work and mind of the unexpectedly witty Genesis P-Orridge. Plus: It doesn't exploit the title-giving characters. Only once, when you see Genesis crying in rememberance of Lady Jaye, I thought: "Hm, this could have been done a little less (psychic)-reality-TV-like". All in all: 8/10
- DirectorBeyoncéEd BurkeIlan Y. BenatarStarsBeyoncéIlan Y. BenatarEbony KnowlesA look at the life and music of singer Beyonce Knowles.The shot are really great when it comes to looks. But all in all the interview-situations and the looks behind the scenes seem really staged. The performance-scenes on the other hand are cool. 6/10
- DirectorBill ZebubStarsAbbathAgathonMartin Eric AinPagan/Folk Metal has been growing in popularity, and has overthrown Black Metal in Europe. These bands have tested the American shores and have played sold-out shows. The time has come to explore this invasion. This is the first documentary about Pagan/Folk Metal that has ever been made, and it features the best bands from the genre: Korpiklaani, Primordial, Finntroll, Ensiferum, Leaves Eyes, Turisas, and Tyr. Enjoy live performances, learn about the subcultures, and gain insight into the music. The artists give cordial and informative interviews - you will feel like you have made new friends. Two hours of metal await you! From the twisted mind of Bill Zebub (Grimoire of Exalted Deeds magazine, Metal Retardation, Breaking Her Will).Many Musicians talk about the onimous phenomenon of Black Metal. Some completeley disqualify themselves by racist and homophobic opinions. The documentary itself is really low-budget and consists mostly of interviews. Still you can feel, that it's done by fans of the genre and part of their love spreads through the screen. It can be found on youtube. 6,5/10
- DirectorMichel GondryStarsDave ChappelleYasiin BeyLauryn HillA mix of Dave Chappelle's sketch comedy and musical interludes, inspired in part by the 1973 documentary Wattstax.I had a fun time with it. I bought it because of Erykah Badu and kept it because of the rest. I think it would have been great if there was a little more music in the movie itself. The Bonus-Material of the DVD is therefore filled with full performances 8/10
- DirectorRyan OksenbergStarsColin MoneymakerAl JardineDennis Wilson"Cease To Exist" explores the music motive to the Manson murders and uncovers Charles Manson's relationship with Beach Boys' drummer Dennis Wilson and record producer Terry Melcher.About Charles Manson, his connection to the Beach Boys and how his plans of becoming a musician turned into becoming the leader of a group which killed 11 people.
Well, this one is no big production. The director certainly spent much time researching, but somehow he presents his results in a strange style. At times when people talk about the murders, there is some strange background-music which makes it seem almost ironic. Plus: Some Information is simply left out. I would have loved to hear something about how Manson interpreted the Beatles' White Album, as this features "Helter Skelter", which was important for Manson. Still, it's an interesting little film, which should be supported and can be fully watched here on the imdb. 7/10 - DirectorBob SmeatonStarsSamuel BayerKurt CobainSteve DiggleIt has sold millions and is responsible for the birth of grunge. This documentary looks at the story behind how Nirvana came to record Nevermind and the effect it was to have on the music world. Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Butch Vig share their memories and give us an insight into the genius of Kurt Cobain.Well those documentaries certainly have a bit of a TV-Feeling to it. It could look a bit better. Still you get informations and see Dave grohl talking, which is always a pleasure. I also liked the parts when Butch Vig, the record's producer, shows the different tracks, of which the songs are made of. Funny material. 7/10
- DirectorJohn ScheinfeldStarsDenzel WashingtonReggie WorkmanRavi ColtraneAn exploration of the global power and impact of the music of John Coltrane where the passions, experiences and forces that shaped his life and revolutionary sounds are revealed.Interesting film with cool interviews. I would have liked more performance-footage but a great film. 8/10
- DirectorAlexander OeyStarsSteve IgnorantEve LibertinePenny RimbaudInforming look at this great anarcho-punk-band/collective. Good interviews and archive-footage explain the key-points of the band. More live-footage would have been nice in my opinion.
- DirectorFatih AkinStarsAlexander HackeAhmed UlugCem YegulAward-winning director Fatih Akin takes us on a journey through Istanbul, the city that bridges Europe and Asia, and challenges familiar notions of east and west. He looks at the vibrant musical scene which includes traditional Turkish music plus rock and hip-hop.I liked it very much. Quite silent and slow in tempo. Beautiful images of a great city with great musicians + Alexander Hacke. 8/10
- DirectorMarcus VinerStarsDavid BowieGerry LeonardSterling CampbellIn a career chock full of "you've never seen him like this" moments, you've never seen David Bowie as you will in A Reality Tour. The rock legend and his ace band blaze through stunners from Bowie's Reality album plus dozens of his greatest hits.Great Concert with a good setlist makes this one a pure win for any David-Bowie-Fan out there. 9/10
- DirectorMark Christopher CovinoJeff HowlettStarsBobby HackneyDavid HackneyDannis HackneyA documentary on the 1970s punk trio Death, and their new-found popularity decades after they disbanded.8/10 - Great story about this forgotten proto-punk-band. The movie turns out a bit long in the end i think. But it's good anyway.
- DirectorJeff FeuerzeigStarsDaniel JohnstonMabel JohnstonBill JohnstonDaniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity and love.8/10 - It's a great film about a very cool musician. Sometimes you feel like a voyeur watching it.
- StarsBela B.Björn BetonKönig BorisThe best german band (in my opinion :) in a great concert. Cool choice of songs and funny DVD-Features (subjective camera sometimes suggests, that you are really visiting this concert; you can choose between being a girl and a boy) make this worthwhile for every Die-Ärzte-Fan and Fan to be. Plus: They got a funny dvd-commentary on disc 2. 9/10
- DirectorOndi TimonerStarsAnton NewcombeCourtney Taylor-TaylorJoel GionA documentary on the once-promising American rock bands The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols, and the friendship/rivalry between their respective founders, Anton Newcombe and Courtney Taylor.Great Film. The editing makes those 107 Minutes fly by. Interesting story as well of course. 9/10
- DirectorPhilip PriestleyStarsPrinceLisa ColemanNelson GeorgeThis documentary explores the differences and similarities between music stars Michael Jackson and Prince.
- DirectorD.A. PennebakerStarsBob DylanAlbert GrossmanBob NeuwirthDocumentary covering Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of England, which includes appearances by Joan Baez and Donovan.One of the rockumentaries which really captures great moments behind-the-scenes and on stage. To see a young Bob Dylan using sentences like "I'm not taking responsibility for those cats" ("Cat" as a slang-expression) is really funny and this plus the great music makes a great film. 9/10
- DirectorYuji MoriharaMike PortnoyStarsJames LaBrieJohn MyungJohn PetrucciA live concert recorded at the Nippon Budokan Hall on April 26, 2004 in Tokyo, Japan.Good Film. Still I think, that 3 hours of music are great when you're in a concert and might get a bit long on dvd. Not being a big Dream-Theater-Fan this happened to me. But if you like their music (and sick drumsolos) this one surely won't disappoint. 6/10