New "Shine a Light" trailer

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This new high-def trailer for Martin Scorsese's Shine a Light (Paramount, early 2008) is a much more layered and engaging piece than the now-removed Spanish-market trailer that I posted a week or so ago.

The difference with the new trailer is the obvious indication that the doc, which is about the Rolling Stones playing at Manhattan's Beacon Theatre in the fall of '06, is at least partly about the backstage political maneuverings before and during the filming, and that Scorsese is "in" the film as himself, "playing" the exacting and sometimes confused director.

Here's a sourpuss reaction from Chicago Tribune columnist Mark Caro (a.k.a., "Pop Machine").

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 23, 2007 at 10:09 AM

comment #1

christian says ...

scorcese is going to have to work reel magic to make this corporate dinosaur concert interesting. i can already see the camera wildly circling mick as he goes into the 367,908 rendition of "satisfaction"...maybe if this was in 3-d and patrons got a joint, a vial of blow and a groupie.

Posted by christian at August 23, 2007 10:31 AM

comment #2

Rich S. says ...

Saw the Stones on their last tour. As christian observes, the Stones did not seem to be very into playing stuff they've done a billion times. So they did variations on a theme to the point that some of the songs were virtually unrecognizable (notably, Start Me Up, Satisfaction, Jumpin' Jack Flash).

But, when they did a song they haven't done repeatedly over the last four decades, the magic was still there in spades. Sympathy for the Devil was still something special.

Posted by Rich S. at August 23, 2007 10:35 AM

comment #3

christian says ...

i've had this rather brilliant idea for years that older bands like the stones should take specific albums and recreate them whole on tour. that way they don't get bored and the audience gets to hear underperformed stuff.

Posted by christian at August 23, 2007 10:40 AM

comment #4

OddDuck says ...

Sonic Youth did that this year with Daydream Nation.

Posted by OddDuck at August 23, 2007 10:48 AM

comment #5

corey3rd says ...

was that list all the movies that Marty used Gimme Shelter in the soundtrack? The Mick and Marty show is already annoying at the 2 minute mark. It's like a very expensive VH1 Classic special. Would be fun if Marty had brought on Mayles. And why no mention of the backstage tragedy? It truly is Gimme Shelter 2.

Cheap Trick has already done that kinda show. How come Marty doesn't make a film about Cheap Trick?

Posted by corey3rd at August 23, 2007 10:52 AM

comment #6

christian says ...

no wonder they haven't returned my calls. thieves!

Posted by christian at August 23, 2007 10:52 AM

comment #7

Monument says ...

People give the Stones so much shit, but the fact is that they still kick ass live. Any band that can still fill a stadium when all of the performers are in their 60's deserves some respect.

Posted by Monument at August 23, 2007 10:54 AM

comment #8

gruver1 says ...

Wells to Corey: what backstage tragedy? What doth it profit a poster like yourself to allude to this and then not explain what you mean? Infuriating.

Posted by gruver1 at August 23, 2007 10:58 AM

comment #9

christian says ...

Two members of the Rolling Stones' stage crew were killed and two others injured early on Friday (June 29th), while dismantling the stage after the band's Thursday night concert at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain. The accident occurred when three workers fell 33 feet from a metal structure and landed on a fourth, according to police.

http://www.therockradio.com/2007/07/two-die-after-rolling-stones-show.html

Posted by christian at August 23, 2007 11:04 AM

comment #10

gruver1 says ...

Wells to Corey: "Shine a Light" is truly NOT "Gimme Shelter 2" if the tragedy happened in Spain. Shit happens, guys sometimes fall from places, wives and girlfriends and children cry...& this has NOTHING to do with the Beacon Theatre concert. Even if these guys died at the Beacon it would have no resonance like "Gimme Shelter" did...c'mon. Think this shit through before posting.

Posted by gruver1 at August 23, 2007 11:12 AM

comment #11

MilkMan says ...

Other than my grandfather and his two remaining friends, who wants to see this movie?
I do. I like The Stones. A lot of people like The Stones. The last time I saw them in concert the whole place was filled with young people.
There's a lot of people with no taste.
Don't be a snob.
I'm not being a snob. I just don't understand how you can listen to the same song over and over and over again.
It's classic rock. You don't understand what the word classic means?
It's supposed to be disposable. It's pop. Not rock.
The Stones are not pop.
They play to seventy thousand people at a time. How's that not pop?
I love The Stones. And I don't care what you say. You're the one with no taste.
So when Keith dives into the opening licks for Start Me Up you're telling me that it's going to get you moving?
I'll be dancing and so will everyone else.
You dance to The Stones?
Yes.
You're old.
What did you say?
I said you're old.
What did you call me?
Old.
Are you going to call me names after I karate chop you in the neck?
Hey, wait.
I'm going to show you how old I am.
No.
Come here.
Please. Don't.
Motherfucker.
Oh, God. Shit.
I'm going to fucking kill you.
I was just kidding.
You call me old? Who do you think you're talking to?
I don't know.
I asked you a question. Stop moving. If you move it's only going to hurt even more.
I can't breathe.
Say it again.
Seriously. I can't breathe. Please. Stop.
Say it again.
You're going to kill me. Please.
Motherfucker. Say it again.
I'm sorry.
Tell me I'm old.
No.
Say it.
You're not old. You're still young.
You're goddamn right.
You're still very powerful.
And virile. Say I'm virile.
You're virile.
I don't believe you.
I swear to God. You're not old.
That's what I thought.

Posted by MilkMan at August 23, 2007 11:15 AM

comment #12

Wrecktum says ...

The movie's called "Shine a Light", named after an album cut deep on side four of "Exile." The trailer advertises that the film features "songs never performed live before." The trailer shows Keef singing "You Got the Silver", hardly a mainstream hit. "Loving Cup" and "Live With Me", two more album cuts from "Exile" and "Let It Bleed" are also featured.

So the idea that the movie will only be about "stuff they've done a billion times" like "Satisfaction" is ludicrous.

Personally, I can't wait.

Posted by Wrecktum at August 23, 2007 11:22 AM

comment #13

christian says ...

i'd prefer a deluxe roadshow release of COCKSUCKER BLUES. then you'd be getting the real stones.

Posted by christian at August 23, 2007 11:26 AM

comment #14

corey3rd says ...

Wells

The tragedy happened when legendary music biz guy and owner of Atlantic Records Ahmet Ertegun fell backstage at the Beacon (while this movie was being filmed). He went into a coma and died about six weeks later.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/15/arts/web.1215ertegun.php

Posted by corey3rd at August 23, 2007 11:43 AM

comment #15

berg says ...

the tragedy referenced was AHMET ETEGUN falling backstage at the Beacon Theatre, going into a coma, he died later that year

Posted by berg at August 23, 2007 11:43 AM

comment #16

Josh Massey says ...

Caro: "I was dubious about Martin Scorsese making a concert documentary about the modern-day Rolling Stones - heâ€™s about 30 years late, in my book"

So he was supposed to make a documentary about the 2006 Rolling Stones 30 years ago?

(Yes, I know what he means, but it reads sloppy.)

Posted by Josh Massey at August 23, 2007 11:44 AM

comment #17

Wrecktum says ...

An 83 year old man who dies as the result of a fall hardly constitutes a tragedy. Gimme Shelter 2? How insulting.

Posted by Wrecktum at August 23, 2007 11:48 AM

comment #18

MAGGA says ...

"Sonic Youth did that this year with Daydream Nation."

Which is slightly infuriating because when they do "regular" shows they are the best act on the planet by miles, in my opinion. Saw them four times the year before last and was blown away each time. Also, with the possible exception of their most recent album they are still a great, boundary-pushing band who rarely resort to pure nostalgia. They are in a completely different league than the Stones as far as I am concerned, easily the best band of the last thirty years. Murray Street may be the best album of this decade. Why-oh-why did they play into the hands of populists who can not get over (the admittedly brilliant) Daydream Nation! The Stones, on the other hand, were insanely good until the mid-seventies, and the reason we watch them now is simply to have seen them, like Dylan, The Who and on and on. If Scorcese did a doc about Sonic I would cry tears of joy, or even semen

Posted by MAGGA at August 23, 2007 11:50 AM

comment #19

berg says ...

wasnt there a STONES film in the 90s that was supposed to have Ben Stiller and Brad Pitt as fans who followed the Stones on a leg of their tour ??

Posted by berg at August 23, 2007 11:52 AM

comment #20

colby says ...

Brian Wilson also recreates entire albums on tour. I have seen him do both Pet Sounds and Smile. Also, Al Maysles was brought onto Shine a Light as a cinematographer.

Posted by colby at August 23, 2007 12:30 PM

comment #21

DavidF says ...

Christian said:
i've had this rather brilliant idea for years that older bands like the stones should take specific albums and recreate them whole on tour. that way they don't get bored and the audience gets to hear underperformed stuff.

I've had the impression this is pretty much what "Pink Floyd" does. They stand there and play note-perfect versions of their songs and spend millions on a light show so no one really notice how bored/rich/fat they are.
Waters has even been doing Dark Side start-to-finish on his latest tour.

Here in Toronto (and elsewhere, I think) there is a thing called Classic Albums Live where these studio musicians play rather amazing note-for-note renditions of albums in clubs, if that's your speed.

The Stones are what they are - overrated (especially by themselves) but still seminal. Sure they're slick and corporate but they're not the Eagles who (god help us) have a new album coming out. The Dude and I are not pleased.

Posted by DavidF at August 23, 2007 12:34 PM

comment #22

Gaydos says ...

Stravinsky toured Russia in 1962: he was 80. I would have bought a ticket to see that show.

Mississippi John Hurt was 70 when he was touring in the 60s. Would have loved to see that show.

The Stones are the Stones, it's not about age, it's about quality, ie songwriting, playing, soul, humour... and they pretty much deliver, most nights, though I don't like arenas and they have never been the same without Bill Wyman on bass. But they're still the Stones. God bless their greedy little hearts!

Anyone else on tour with a songbook that can touch theirs? Yeah, a few other old characters...Is it rolling, Bob? The answer: Yes, with Elvis Costello and Amos Lee...

Posted by Gaydos at August 23, 2007 1:13 PM

comment #23

BurmaShave says ...

I love that clip of Mick writhing with Christina Aguilera. God bless him. He is truly the patron saint of ugly men.

Posted by BurmaShave at August 23, 2007 1:18 PM

comment #24

Sean says ...

Magga,

You're just plain wrong about Dylan. His last three albums have some of the best songs he's ever done. He has put out at least one masterpiece every five or so years for forty years. I admit that this is not as good as his earliest output, when he put out three masterpieces in 18 months, but he bounced back from his decline. (And, even within the decline, 'Infidels' is a brilliant album.)

I'm not gonna touch The Who part of your comment.

Posted by Sean at August 23, 2007 1:56 PM

comment #25

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

"If Scorcese did a doc about Sonic I would cry tears of joy, or even semen"

And I would cry tears of, uh...sadness. Sonic Youth blows. Real men listen to Iron Maiden.

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at August 23, 2007 2:19 PM

comment #26

christian says ...

and if scorcese did a doc on iron maiden, it WOULD RULE!

run to the hills/run for your life...

Posted by christian at August 23, 2007 2:41 PM

comment #27

BurmaShave says ...

Here's the pitch: Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon in HEAVY METAL PARKING LOT, a film by Martin Scorsese.

Posted by BurmaShave at August 23, 2007 2:48 PM

comment #28

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

Burma: I swear to God i'd pay upwards of about 100 bucks to see that. Well, not with Wahlberg and Damon..but like a Mean Streets-esque tale that climaxes at a heavy metal concert...oh HELL yes!

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at August 23, 2007 2:56 PM

comment #29

MAGGA says ...

I retract my Dylan comments, but live he rarely delivers. I saw the Who a couple of months ago, but left after five songs (it was a festival so it cost me nothing to see them or to leave) and I am right about them. Iron maiden are the Michael Bay of music. But I liked Transformers, so that is not the worst insult I could throw at them. But maybe real men do listen to men in tight pants who sound like women with big toy skeletons in the background rather than inventive music. Whatever. At least the Stones were awesome when they were at their peak.

Posted by MAGGA at August 23, 2007 3:01 PM

comment #30

christian says ...

i saw dylan on his joint tour with paul simon way back in austin in 98 and there was no way dylan was going to let simon get the better of him. it was a great show.

Posted by christian at August 23, 2007 3:46 PM

comment #31

christian says ...

and i saw iron maiden with the scorpions waaaaay back in 83. best heavy metal concert EVER.

Posted by christian at August 23, 2007 3:51 PM

comment #32

lazarus says ...

I've seen Dylan about 8 times since '94, from high in the rafters at arenas to smaller venues in the 10th row to county fairs, and I have to say the most recent time, last year at the Forum in Los Angeles, was one of the best. His voice sounded clearer than I ever remember hearing it, every word understandable for those who were paying attention. And what's funny is because he arranges older songs differently as time goes on, they aren't always recognizable by the music. He's keeping it fresh for himself, and thereby for the longtime fans as well. He certainly has off nights, and isn't blessed with what you'd consider a great voice, esp. at this point, but he does still deliver.

You can also see Dylan for less than $50 at most shows, which is a lot more worth it than paying hundreds of dollars (minimum tix have to be, what, $125?) to see The Stones go through the motions yet again.

You want vital stadium rock? Go see U2, who are actually still putting it on the line every night, and if they don't have as deep as a classic songbook as the Stones, you're still getting more of your money's worth.

As for this documentary, does it bother anyone that Marty is featured so heavily? I will champion him to a fault, but this just seems weird. It's like he won an Oscar and is somehow now on equal billing with the subject of the concert doc. Is this stuff just for the trailer?

Posted by lazarus at August 23, 2007 3:59 PM

comment #33

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

Wait, so if a band has a high-pitched lead singer and good production values with admittedly questionable fashion sense, their music isn't inventive? No wonder I don't come here for music discussions (and sometimes I wonder why I bother with the movies).

One can make a valid, serious argument that all good music was created by the time men stopped wearing powdered wigs. However, if you're going to make the claim that Sonic Youth is better than the Stones, it's no more outlandish for me to say that Iron Maiden is the best metal band on the fucking planet. Sabbath was undoubtedly more influental, but if you listened to anything remotely hard in the 80s you know Maiden rocked and rocked hard (still do, really, albeit to a lesser degree).

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at August 23, 2007 5:21 PM

comment #34

christian says ...

this is true. in the 80's maiden ruled. "the number of the beast" is a great record. come on, they even quoted "the prisoner"...

Posted by christian at August 23, 2007 6:59 PM

comment #35

BurmaShave says ...

Dylan is touring with Elvis Costello this fall. That should keep him at the top of his game.

Posted by BurmaShave at August 24, 2007 1:04 AM

comment #36

OddDuck says ...

Hey Magga, great comments on Sonic Youth, although I must say that Rather Ripped has grown on me - give it more time, it may grow on you yet. Even if their latest isn't their best, when you look at their body of work, the quality is pretty staggering. They are, quite possibly, the best rock band in America - a truely underappreciated national treasure. And Murray Street, yes!!! Man I love that album.

Posted by OddDuck at August 24, 2007 6:22 AM

comment #37

MAGGA says ...

I like Rather Ripped quite a bit, I just think it is below their usual standard, which is not really an insult to the record. "Sleeping Around" is really bad, though, and breaks the flow of the album. Underappreciated, though? I thought they were untouchable like Kubrick or something, but maybe that is more in Europe than the states. The most astounding Sonic Youth experience I had was after interviewing Lee Ronaldo before a gig called The Other Sides Of Sonic Youth at Roskilde in 2005. I asked what we could expect, and he said he had no idea, and that the band as well as Mads Gustavson and some electronic artist would just go onstage and improvise. And they did. One hour of pure bliss, after ten minutes of meandering in the beginning. To me, no one can touch them. As for the Stones, I have no ill will towards them, I just think they are more like a karaoke act right now. Guess I was wrong about Dylan, though...

Posted by MAGGA at August 24, 2007 9:10 AM

comment #38

MAGGA says ...

"Wait, so if a band has a high-pitched lead singer and good production values with admittedly questionable fashion sense, their music isn't inventive? No wonder I don't come here for music discussions"

My point was more geared towards the "real men"-comment, as their gothic facination is more comic book-style than anything related to masculinity, as if that mattered. All I am saying is that I prefer bands that are inventive NOW, on record and on stage. Which is why Sonic Youth touring Daydream Nation is a little dissapointing to me.

Posted by MAGGA at August 24, 2007 9:23 AM

comment #39