How do you top one of the classic rock parody films? Instead of reinventing the wheel, Eric Idle simple updates it. THE RUTLES 2: CAN'T BUY ME LUNCH isn't so much a sequel as a remake of the classic 1978 film about the Pre-Fab Four. So you get the same format as before: a history of the Rutles (with 'new' footage leftover from the first film), interviews with stars (David Bowie, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Salman Rushdie, Bonnie Raitt, and more), funny skits in the same humor of the first film (the film crew getting sent to the wrong place and a plethora of "tight trouser" references, etc) and finally the breakup up the Rutles. Unfortunately, there is no "where are they now" section or coverage of the Rutles 1996 ARCHEALOGY release. However, all the songs from ARCHEALOGY are brilliantly inserted into the storyline (which shows just how great Neil Innes is at Beatles parody). This film is a little more risqué than the 1978 original, probably because this one was never meant for television. So, you get some great sexual innuendos (some hilarious ones from Carrie Fisher) and the more blatant ones like the hidden "Easter egg" scene which interviews Rutles groupies. There are lots of original Rutles performances/clips that were left over from the first film plus a few alternate takes such as the press conference after meeting the Queen and Ron & Chastity's "shower" press conference. These mixed with the use of the ARCHEALOGY songs will give diehard Rutles fans enough to merit purchase of this DVD. New to the Rutles legend include: the "summer of lunch"; the Rutles experimentation with Transcendental Mastication (the effects of spicy Indian food); how Nasty & Chastity's shower press conference led to "shower power"; and the origins of Nasty's "Give Peas a Chance". Actually, it is the new interviews that I often found most humorous. Tom Hanks points out the most poignant Rutles lyric: "and in the end, the lunch you take is equal to the lunch you make". Salman Rushdie talks about the "Shite" album (the album that had no title and wasn't called the "Shite" album until people actually took it home and heard it). Conan O'Brien talking about the Rutles experimentation with tea and how "Clinton claimed to have tasted tea, but immediately spit it out." You also get an interview with fictional "Astro Glide" (take-off on Astrid) who introduced the Rutles to leather. Bonus extras include the hilarious "Why don't we do it in the road" man-on-the-street interview by Melvin Hall. All in all THE RUTLES 2 is a funny film that has some very funny moments in the spirit of the first film. Although it doesn't quite touch the original (but then again HOW could they improve in that?) it is a must for all Rutles (and maybe even a few Beatles) fans.
The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus is back and newly available on DVD from our friends over at ABKCO, chockfull of additional insights (witness a contemporary Pete Townshend pontificate himself into knots praising Jagger and Co.) and above-worthy bonus material (Be Sure to stay well tuned for Fatboy Slim’s samba-from-hell “Sympathy” video remix, which sports precisely the kind of devil-may-care adventurousness the Stones themselves abandoned somewhere circa “Undercover Of The Night”). Most importantly though, sit back, watch and marvel in wonder at a stirring little slice of time when The World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band wouldn’t think twice about dressing in clown uniforms to cavort amongst the lions and tigers and bears, oh my. Just so they could quite simply, quite pimply, bring to our collective living rooms a gala evening’s star-spangled entertainment with, and for, all of their finely feathered musical friends. Nothing more. Nothing less. Were things ever really that pure, simple, and downright fun? Yes, they really were. Even during the street-fighting winter of 1968. Here’s the proof. And, yes, a splendid time is guaranteed for all.
Note: This is a condensed version of the review - for Gary Pig Gold's extensive review of "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" DVD Click here
Originally released in 1976 by 20th Century Fox, ALL THIS AND WORLD WAR II combines a pastiche of World War II-themed film segments (both period films and post-war action films) with the backdrop of the music of the Beatles (NOT the original songs, but cover versions by various artists). Strange concept huh? I think Paul pointed out (maybe in ANTHOLOGY) that he was proud that the enduring thing about the Beatles was that the majority of their songs were about LOVE. So it probably wasn't the best concept to team the music of the world's best known "love songs" pop group with war footage! However, with that said, there are a few surreal moments in the film, such as marching Nazi's & Hitler rallies set to "Magical Mystery Tour". Perhaps a little subtle humor? "Roll up for the mystery tour" - war - get it? Neville Chamberlain is shown at the precise time that the lyrics "living is easy with eyes close" is sung from "Strawberry Fields Forever". Hitler is shown during "Fool on the Hill" and Mussolini during "Nowhere Man". Both the Nazi blitzkrieg invasions and Dunkirk are shown during "Long & Winding Road" (telling how long the war will be?). It is bizarre to see the bombing of London with "Golden Slumbers" playing and downright bizarre to see Japanese troops marching to "Come Together". The film seems to try and present a chronological portrayal of important events of World War II as "Help" is played over scenes of Rommel in North Africa; a segment from Casablanca where Bogie says, "I bet they're asleep all over America…" (talking about initial American isolationism?); TORA TORA TORA clips mixed with "Sunk King" and "I Am the Walrus"; the WACS are mobilizing and shipping out during "She's Leaving Home"; the apathy of those at home to the Japanese "relocation" in America is played to "Let It Be"; there are cartoons showing mobilization of the U.S. to "Getting Better". "Get Back" is the soundtrack to the Nazi's marching 'backwards' (the tide of the war is changing) and even shows Hitler 'dancing' (his increasing insanity?). To me this is the cleverest bit of the film. Another effective image is that of the crew of a ship listening to Keith Moon's version of "When I'm 64" over the loud speakers! The 'theme' continues as the D-Day invasion has a backing of "A Day in the Life"; "You Never Give Me Your Money" and its line "one sweet dream" represents the Allied victory; finally, the can almost guess what will happen during "The End"…that's right, the atomic bomb! As the credits roll, a reggae version of "Give Peace A Chance" plays over the credits (this is the one song that is not on the soundtrack and I'm not sure who performs it?) This is possibly a 'clue' to an inside message of the film. Showing the atrocities and meaningless destruction of war while subliminally applying the "love" message of the Beatles and ending with "Give Peace A Chance"? Perhaps I'm reaching, but it almost seems to make sense. That is probably also why the film got slammed mercilessly - people just couldn't see beyond the seemingly blatant "bad taste" of mixing World War II with the Beatles to see that the film is indeed a message of peace. Ironically, I think the worst thing that happened to this film was its release by 20th Century Fox. Had it been an 'independent film', it probably would have been considered a surrealistic, dark comedy "art film", albeit with bad cover versions of Beatles songs. I take that back…they aren't ALL bad. Keith Moon, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Ambrosia and Elton John (using his previous hit version of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds") all give interesting interpretations. And it is interesting to hear Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood and Peter Gabriel tackle a few Beatles tunes. But the rest are simply lame versions of Beatles classics (maybe the Bee Gees should have learned something from this before attempting the abysmal "Sgt. Pepper" movie with Peter Frampton a few years later?) Although this film has not seen an official release on video or DVD, there are places on the web that you can find this film for a very reasonable price. It is well worth checking out, if only for the curiosity factor!
Coming soon: an article dedicated to the making of this film.
There is currently no official commercial release available of this 20th Century Fox film
What happens when the director of a documentary becomes personally involved with the subjects of his film? That is the whole point of MAIL ORDER WIFE, a satirical film which looks at the bizarre American fascination with mail-order brides. Delivered with a "documentary style" approach, the film is very believable - if you didn't know it was a dark comedy, you would probably believe it WAS a documentary through the first half of the film! "Andrew" (played by one of the writers and directors of the film Andrew Gurland) is the film maker who follows the mail-order-wife adventures of "Adrian" (by Adrian Martinez), through the process of picking out a bride, writing her, meeting her and finally marrying her. "Adrian" is a typical unsophisticated working class man in Queens who decides to bypass the normal courtship rituals of society and pick his wife out of a catalogue. With an excellent portrayal by Adrian Martinez, "Adrian" first comes off as a "villain" - but one that is really hard to hate despite his many faults (such as treating his new "wife" as a simple servant and having the highlight of his social life being the feeding of rats to his pet snake!). "Lichi" (played by Eugenia Yuan) is the Burmese mail-order-wife, who at first appears quiet and meek, but is really conniving and scheming. She is the ultimate seductress, playing the "victim" until she gets what she wants. To make a long story short, a sort of love-triangle evolves, with Lichi moving from Adrian to Andrew, ultimately leaving them both high and dry. Adrian and Andrew finally team together to catch Lichi in yet another mail-order-wife con, with a very surprise ending! No, I'm not going to give away the ending, but it was a perfect conclusion to this satirical dark comedy. Although I watched a video early preview of this film, I can't wait to see it in the theatre to see the audience laughs at the often true life situations that are so funny to observers (while seemingly serious to the participants). But that is the other "lesson" of this film - to point out the absurdity of the whole mail-order-wife phenomenon and its TV dinner-style shortcut approach to relationships. Written and directed by Huck Botko and Andrew Gurland, MAIL ORDER WIFE is a must see for those who like to laugh at some of the eccentricities of the whole bride courtship ritual and how the mail-order-wife business has changed what is acceptable. Real life situations have never been so funny!
Recorded live at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Australia on March 3, 1978, the MELBOURNE 1978 DVD captures the Beach Boys during a point of severe internal strife for the band. Picture the Beatles during the LET IT BE movie - that would kind of be the equivalent for the Beach Boys in 1978. Brian Wilson still had a few more years until Dr. Landy "cured" him (or prolonged his recovery depending on your view); Dennis Wilson was in the throes of heroin abuse; Carl Wilson was teetering between cocaine and heroin abuse; Mike Love was pushing more and more for the "oldies" version of the Beach Boys (away from new material and relying on the "hits"). All these came to a head during the Australian tour in 1978 (chronicled in the book, HEROES & VILLAINS) and you can sense the tension in their performance. This DVD is a pro-shot quality show, with excellent camera angles and sound. While you only get 13 songs out of the original 21-song set list, there are a few gems to be found. It is very interesting to see the Beach Boys version of "Heroes & Villains" -especially revealing now that I have seen the 'new' "H&V" on Brian's SMILE tour (Brian seems content to sit on the edge of the drum riser and play bass during this song). And Dennis singing "You Are So Beautiful" is pure transcendence, as the "rot" had yet to set in with his voice. Dennis also had a stage presence only second to Mike Love in rapport with the crowd (although Dennis' is more heart-felt, while Love's is more "cheesy"). Carl seems "distracted" or drunk during the show (maybe it was heroin?) and gives the worst performance of his usually stellar voiced "God Only Knows". There are a few "clunkers" such as "Lady Lynda", "Everyone's in Love With You", "All This Is That" and the Beach Boys' performed live only "Country Pie" (which would only see official release as a Mile Love Celebration song). The rest of the DVD is padded out with the hits such as "Surfer Girl", "Help Me, Rhonda", "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "I Get Around", and "Rock and Roll Music". While it is sometimes painful to watch, there are still some moments of glory for the band that would carry on despite the pitfalls to come.
RAMONES RAW is the perfect companion to The Ramones' documentary END OF THE CENTURY. While EOTC featured not only the history of the band but several film clips of the band in their early days, RAMONES RAW captures the band in the years following their ROAD TO RUIN album - featuring personal home movies by the band on the road, interviews with the band, celebrity appearances and a plethora of often hilarious TV appearances. While all this makes the DVD a "must have" for Ramones aficionados, the real crown-jewel is the bonus program, "I Ramones", which shows the band in concert in Italy in 1980. This show, shown in its entirety (27 minutes), features the band in their concert prime. With over 5 hours of material, the RAMONES RAW (the "officially" sanctioned DVD) is an excellent value for the money and what rock and roll DVD's should be!
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"The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch"
"The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus"
"All This and World War II"
"Mail Order Wife"
"The Beach Boys: Live in Melbourne 1978"
"Ramones Raw"