FARK.com: (7573627) Stop Making Sense is a concert film "like no other" and no other band has come close to reaching the same level of awesomeness that Talking Heads achieved

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		Stop Making Sense is a concert film "like no other" and no other band has come close to reaching the same level of awesomeness that Talking Heads achieved (avclub.com)		111
		More: Obvious, Jonathan Demme, talking head, The Last Waltz, Psycho Killer, Milli Vanilli, Martin Scorsese

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2899 clicks; posted to Entertainment » on 04 Feb 2013 at 1:05 PM | Favorite | share:

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Demetrius		2013-02-04 12:17:51 PM

Truly awesome.

I never got to see them play live, although I've seen all iterations of them since they've gone their separate ways (including Johnette Napolitano with the Heads in a fairly small club - phenomenal). Stop Making Sense is about as fantastic as I could ever hope.

Nabb1		2013-02-04 12:33:35 PM

I've said this for years. By and large the "concert film" genre is pretty weak, with few really memorable films. "Stop Making Sense" is not only one of those rarities, but is the best of them, IMO.

mrmyxolodian		2013-02-04 01:06:57 PM

True story.

JoanHaus		2013-02-04 01:08:27 PM

Ugh. Pretentious and awful since the word "go."

rickythepenguin		2013-02-04 01:10:05 PM

definitely a top 10 concert movie. in no order....

Stop Making Sense
Depeche Mode 101
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (Wilco)
U2 Rattle and Hum (yes, bloated, self important, self reverential, but some of hte live scenes are just amazingly filmed)
Don't Look Back
Grateful Dead Movie
Gimme Shelter (harrowing)

overrated as shiat: The last Waltz. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaate seeing this on lists. it is the Blade Runner of concert films. no one realy likes it, you just have to say you do.

Satanic_Hamster		2013-02-04 01:13:39 PM

Wish Talking Heads would put out a live album with "Wild Life" on it.

The Muthaship		2013-02-04 01:17:17 PM

JoanHaus: Ugh. Pretentious and awful since the word "go."

Word.

David Byrne takes being overrated very seriously.

karnal		2013-02-04 01:21:24 PM

I agree with half of that statement......

Pardon Me Sultan		2013-02-04 01:22:05 PM

I'd add Laurie Anderson's Home of the Brave onto any "Top <whatever>" lists of concert movies.

...maybe the secret is to have Adrian Belew along for the ride.

LewDux		2013-02-04 01:23:40 PM

JoanHaus: Ugh. Pretentious and awful since the word "go."

You sound Old Wave
/never saw it

brap		2013-02-04 01:30:24 PM

Good to see a few of my favorites on the list (TAMI Show, Wattstax, and Montery Pop).

That said, I still think The Cramps Live At Napa State Mental Hospital is the best.

simusid		2013-02-04 01:33:35 PM

"Slippery People" is my go-to video when I need to get into a better mood.

karmaceutical		2013-02-04 01:37:29 PM

It is unique as a concert film... but really more akin to a recording of live theater. It has specific thematic elements and a level of visual production that many run of the mill concerts don't get.

SkylineRecords		2013-02-04 01:38:21 PM

~~Stop Making Sense~~ The Last Waltz is a concert film "like no other" and no other band has come close to reaching the same level of awesomeness that ~~Talking Heads~~ The Band achieved

moothemagiccow		2013-02-04 01:40:38 PM

Too bad the Talking Heads suck

Satanic_Hamster		2013-02-04 01:42:47 PM

moothemagiccow: Too bad the Talking Heads suck

Awe, what's the matter son, don't have the balls to troll in the politics tab?

gilgigamesh		2013-02-04 01:46:05 PM

I don't know if it is truly a concert film, but Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii is an all-time favorite for me.

macadamnut		2013-02-04 01:46:45 PM

And yet TNOTBITH is a better album. You can't explain that.

Mega_Doof		2013-02-04 01:48:52 PM

Subby is correct.

macadamnut		2013-02-04 01:50:04 PM

gilgigamesh: I don't know if it is truly a concert film, but Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii is an all-time favorite for me.

Me too. And I would also like to nominate Jethro Tull Live at the Isle of Wight. Both much more than concert films.

GRCooper		2013-02-04 02:05:50 PM

TH is one of those bands (like Primus) that my musician friends like because of their technical ability.

Meh. Mapplethorpe was a technically proficient photographer, but I'm not interested in looking at a beautifully photographed anus.

/NTTAWWT

Maud Dib		2013-02-04 02:09:03 PM

JoanHaus: Ugh. Pretentious and awful since the word "go."

I would like to thank you for stopping by in this thread and making us all aware of your dislike for Talking Heads. We here at Fark.com and the Internets in general are grateful for your input, and breathlessly await your next missive on how you despise__________ and its various incarnations.

_\moran

Nabb1		2013-02-04 02:10:32 PM

rickythepenguin: overrated as shiat: The last Waltz. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaate seeing this on lists. it is the Blade Runner of concert films. no one realy likes it, you just have to say you do.

Hey, I really, really love "Blade Runner." "The Last Waltz" is overrated garbage, though.

Tyrosine		2013-02-04 02:11:22 PM

moothemagiccow: Too bad the Talking Heads suck

You haven't heard a band that sucks until you've heard these guys: Gentle Robot

It's like every bad bar-band cliche combined with absolutely no musical talent.

SkylineRecords		2013-02-04 02:17:22 PM

Nabb1: rickythepenguin: overrated as shiat: The last Waltz. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaate seeing this on lists. it is the Blade Runner of concert films. no one realy likes it, you just have to say you do.

Hey, I really, really love "Blade Runner." "The Last Waltz" is overrated garbage, though.

I wish my birthday was coming up soon, so that I could wish cancer upon both of you.

Nabb1		2013-02-04 02:20:12 PM

SkylineRecords: Nabb1: rickythepenguin: overrated as shiat: The last Waltz. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaate seeing this on lists. it is the Blade Runner of concert films. no one realy likes it, you just have to say you do.

Hey, I really, really love "Blade Runner." "The Last Waltz" is overrated garbage, though.

I wish my birthday was coming up soon, so that I could wish cancer upon both of you.

Best wishes to you, too, but I have to ask: What on earth does your birthday have to do with wishing cancer upon us?

Ebenator		2013-02-04 02:22:32 PM

It's true. Probably the best concert movie

SkylineRecords		2013-02-04 02:23:15 PM

Nabb1: SkylineRecords: Nabb1: rickythepenguin: overrated as shiat: The last Waltz. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaate seeing this on lists. it is the Blade Runner of concert films. no one realy likes it, you just have to say you do.

Hey, I really, really love "Blade Runner." "The Last Waltz" is overrated garbage, though.

I wish my birthday was coming up soon, so that I could wish cancer upon both of you.

Best wishes to you, too, but I have to ask: What on earth does your birthday have to do with wishing cancer upon us?

Candles, make a wish. Do they not have cakes where you come from?

Nabb1		2013-02-04 02:27:06 PM

SkylineRecords: Nabb1: SkylineRecords: Nabb1: rickythepenguin: overrated as shiat: The last Waltz. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaate seeing this on lists. it is the Blade Runner of concert films. no one realy likes it, you just have to say you do.

Hey, I really, really love "Blade Runner." "The Last Waltz" is overrated garbage, though.

I wish my birthday was coming up soon, so that I could wish cancer upon both of you.

Best wishes to you, too, but I have to ask: What on earth does your birthday have to do with wishing cancer upon us?

Candles, make a wish. Do they not have cakes where you come from?

Do you have to have candles on a cake to make a wish? You've never thrown coins in a wishing well or fountain? Wished upon a star? Pulled a wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey? Been down to the track? (Okay, that's more praying than wishing.)

rickythepenguin		2013-02-04 02:28:48 PM

Nabb1: Hey, I really, really love "Blade Runner." "The Last Waltz" is overrated garbage, though.

blade runner sucks.

TLW is extremely overrated though. and to Levon's criticism of it being too Robbycentric, Levon gets a ton of screen time so it comes off as jealousy. second, Robby is handsome, charismatic, and a great storyteller. newsflash: that makes him compelling. Levon comes across as kinda circumspect, gruff, not fully engaged, Garth is just weird, Danko out of it, and Richard just not quite all there.

color me shocked; the most engaging band member drives the bulk of the movie.

TLW is good, it is just overrated. there are some amazing sequences in it but a lot of dreck. neil diamond? van morrison in his "10lbs of shiat in a 5lb bag" sequined jumpsuit (and don't forget the leg kicks!) the studio versions with the staples singers.....some of it just plods.

Lego_Addict		2013-02-04 02:29:04 PM

The "Burning down the house" scene is the best part. Awesome energy and that's what David Byrne and company do best.

JerkyMeat		2013-02-04 02:31:59 PM

Hai, Hai, wat can i dooo?

amindtat		2013-02-04 02:32:02 PM

GRCooper: TH is one of those bands (like Primus) that my musician friends like because of their technical ability.

Meh. Mapplethorpe was a technically proficient photographer, but I'm not interested in looking at a beautifully photographed anus.

/NTTAWWT

I so hope to work this into a music conversation in the near future.

Doc_Gerbil		2013-02-04 02:32:35 PM

Not that I want to sound like Carl from ATHF, but I saw the Talking Heads on the Speaking In Tongues tour. Definitely one of the top 5 concerts I have ever seen. Not that Byrne would ever do it but I keep hope alive that someday they will tour again.

The video is pretty good too.

jayfurr		2013-02-04 02:32:40 PM

Pardon Me Sultan: I'd add Laurie Anderson's Home of the Brave onto any "Top <whatever>" lists of concert movies.

...maybe the secret is to have Adrian Belew along for the ride.

Adrian Belew wasn't in Stop Making Sense.

Nabb1		2013-02-04 02:32:46 PM

rickythepenguin: blade runner sucks.

Pistols. Dawn. By the River. My second shall be in touch with yours shortly.

SkylineRecords		2013-02-04 02:33:25 PM

rickythepenguin: Nabb1: Hey, I really, really love "Blade Runner." "The Last Waltz" is overrated garbage, though.

blade runner sucks.

TLW is extremely overrated though. and to Levon's criticism of it being too Robbycentric, Levon gets a ton of screen time so it comes off as jealousy. second, Robby is handsome, charismatic, and a great storyteller. newsflash: that makes him compelling. Levon comes across as kinda circumspect, gruff, not fully engaged, Garth is just weird, Danko out of it, and Richard just not quite all there.

color me shocked; the most engaging band member drives the bulk of the movie.

TLW is good, it is just overrated. there are some amazing sequences in it but a lot of dreck. neil diamond? van morrison in his "10lbs of shiat in a 5lb bag" sequined jumpsuit (and don't forget the leg kicks!) the studio versions with the staples singers.....some of it just plods.

Those are all quality songs. Yeah, Van Morrison's suit looks like it was made out of dyed cocaine, and I'm not a huge Neil Diamond fan, but The Last Waltz is a quintessential goodbye to one of the most talented group of musicians ever to perform. Stop Making Sense has some good songs, but the Talking Heads are a pretty shiatty band when you boil it down.

LemSkroob		2013-02-04 02:42:54 PM

Decent band, but the recent hipster-love-fest that is surrounding them now is discouraging.

SkylineRecords		2013-02-04 02:44:34 PM

LemSkroob: Decent band, but the recent hipster-love-fest that is surrounding them now is discouraging.

There's a band in Chicago called This Must Be the Band (a cover band, obviously) that just brings the hipster-love-fest to a new level of irritation.

Beeblebrox		2013-02-04 02:50:34 PM

SkylineRecords: rickythepenguin: Nabb1: Hey, I really, really love "Blade Runner." "The Last Waltz" is overrated garbage, though.

blade runner sucks.

TLW is extremely overrated though. and to Levon's criticism of it being too Robbycentric, Levon gets a ton of screen time so it comes off as jealousy. second, Robby is handsome, charismatic, and a great storyteller. newsflash: that makes him compelling. Levon comes across as kinda circumspect, gruff, not fully engaged, Garth is just weird, Danko out of it, and Richard just not quite all there.

color me shocked; the most engaging band member drives the bulk of the movie.

TLW is good, it is just overrated. there are some amazing sequences in it but a lot of dreck. neil diamond? van morrison in his "10lbs of shiat in a 5lb bag" sequined jumpsuit (and don't forget the leg kicks!) the studio versions with the staples singers.....some of it just plods.

Those are all quality songs. Yeah, Van Morrison's suit looks like it was made out of dyed cocaine, and I'm not a huge Neil Diamond fan, but The Last Waltz is a quintessential goodbye to one of the most talented group of musicians ever to perform. Stop Making Sense has some good songs, but the Talking Heads are a pretty shiatty band when you boil it down.

I always mix up the Talking Heads with the B-52s. Really.

Kuta		2013-02-04 02:54:43 PM

The Talking Heads were influential. Point taken.

But in the final analysis, they don't compare favorably with Rush.

downstairs		2013-02-04 02:56:52 PM

rickythepenguin: definitely a top 10 concert movie. in no order....

Stop Making Sense
Depeche Mode 101
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (Wilco)
U2 Rattle and Hum (yes, bloated, self important, self reverential, but some of hte live scenes are just amazingly filmed)
Don't Look Back
Grateful Dead Movie
Gimme Shelter (harrowing)

Glad I'm not the only one that still loves Rattle and Hum. Maybe notstalga, because I saw it in the theater as a kid in 7th grade or so.

Yes, the interview scenes are often cringe worthy. But they don't distract too much from the film and take up probably less than 10% of the time.

They could (should) have been removed. But it doesn't *kill* the rest of the film (the music).

snowybunting		2013-02-04 02:57:11 PM

I'm gonna throw The Pogues Live at the Town and Country into the ring, because even though Shane was drunk and getting drunker during the concert, he still sings the hell out of the songs. Having Joe Strummer and Kirsty MacColl does not hurt either.

Clash City Farker		2013-02-04 02:57:24 PM

Same as it ever was.

gilgigamesh		2013-02-04 02:58:10 PM

Nabb1: rickythepenguin: blade runner sucks.

Pistols. Dawn. By the River. My second shall be in touch with yours shortly.

Hey I love Blade Runner, so I'm down.

Just try not to get yourself shot. My mouth tends to write checks my ass can't cash.

astro716		2013-02-04 03:00:43 PM

What's that Roy Orbison concert in black-and-white that they show on PBS from time to time? It's like a Where's Waldo for 1992's musical royalty.

oldfarthenry		2013-02-04 03:04:33 PM

Everything sucks - especially your music.

whidbey		2013-02-04 03:06:10 PM

Great movie, but why is tfa under the assumption that Stop Making Sense is something new?

I know, I know, it's hip to pass judgment on the younger crowd as complete ignoramuseswho don't know good music. Because Beyonce or something....

Sinbox		2013-02-04 03:17:35 PM

astro716: What's that Roy Orbison concert in black-and-white that they show on PBS from time to time? It's like a Where's Waldo for 1992's musical royalty.

A Black and White Night

believe it or don't it was originally aired on Cinemax (way back before the vast majority of pay cable did the Louganis into the shallow end of the pool of aggressive mediocrity).

/yeah, i know: when crappy movies and tv shows are nearly all that are made, crappy movies and tv shows are nearly all what will be shown.
Only The Lonely

rickythepenguin		2013-02-04 03:17:35 PM

Nabb1: Pistols. Dawn. By the River. My second shall be in touch with yours shortly.
IM SORRY

SkylineRecords: The Last Waltz is a quintessential goodbye to one of the most talented group of musicians ever to perform.

I'll agree to that.....all i'm saying is don't tell me it is a the best rock doc ever.

downstairs: Glad I'm not the only one that still loves Rattle and Hum. Maybe notstalga, because I saw it in the theater as a kid in 7th grade or so.

I was at the Sun Devil Stadium (that is, the color sequences, as Denver was exlcusively black and white) show. when i saw it in theaters, I could pick myself out in smoe of the long shots. not so much on my TV.

trivia: none of the footage from 12/19 was used, in part due to the rain, but mainly because Bono, in an effort infuse some life into the freezing and wet (and apparently disinterested) crowd, called for "Out Of Control" about 4-5 songs in. Thing is, all of the songs had been blocked out for specific camera shots, so Bono's audible threw off the entire shooting schedule. Also, the band hadn't played that song in years so they supposedly sounded like shiat as well.

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