The Rolling Stones is one of the greatest rock and roll bands in history. They're still together and playing music since the 1960s. It is a testament to the way they can live with each other while so many great groups have fallen apart after just a few years.

SHINE A LIGHT is a great concert film. First, you see all of the prep work going to film the concert. Mick Jagger has his concerns about the moving cameras while waiting at the last minute to give the set list to directer Martin Scorsese. Mick cares about the concert while also being a pain-in-the-ass at the same time. Martin doesn't want to set Mick Jagger on fire if a lighting stunt is on for too long. SHINE A LIGHT takes a little from a ROLLING STONES documentary from slmost 40 years ago, GIMME SHELTER. The big difference between the two films is that SHINE A LIGHT focuses more on the music and makes it a concert film. Also the interview footage ffrom over the years show a bit of the history of The Rolling Stones and how they have matured over the years. The only missteps of the film are when Scorsese decides to overlap old interview footage and audio during the performance of CONNECTIONS and the ending (after the concert is over). I think SHINE A LIGHT would have been better off it ended just after the concert instead of the first person tracking shot that went up into the sky. The big joy is seeing the Stones perform and they get better and better as the concert goes on.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
The supllemental featurette shows an extra 15 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage not in the film including the Stones rehearsing their set for the concert and hearinga funny story from Buddy Guy.

Four extra songs not included in the film are in the extras: UNDERCOVER OF THE NIGHT, PAINT IT BLACK, LITTLE T & A, and I'M FREE. I wish these songs were left in the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: SHINE A LIGHT is an excellent concert film. I wish the four bonus performances were left in the film. Also you should check out or rewatch GIMME SHELTER.

this DVD review is (c)7-24-2008 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com  

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