Soundcheck

Rock Movies on Screens Big and Small

Monday, March 31, 2008

Director Martin Scorsese’s new Rolling Stones concert film hits theaters this weekend. Today on Soundcheck, we get a sneak preview of "Shine a Light," plus a film critic shares his list of must-see rock movies. Later: a live performance from the Brooklyn-based group My Brightest Diamond.

Listen to the whole show

Shed Some 'Light'

Martin Scorsese used the Rolling Stones' music in films throughout his career, from his debut "Mean Streets" to last year's Best Picture Oscar winner, "The Departed". His latest film is "Shine a Light," which documents the band's 2006 appearance at the Beacon Theater. Before the film opens this weekend, we get a sneak preview.

"Shine a Light" (official site)
Martin Scorsese: A Music and Film Retrospective

Must-See Rock Movies You've Probably Never Seen

If the Bob Dylan biopic “I’m Not There” and the Beatles-fest “Across the Universe” left you craving more rock movies, join us for a look at must-see rock movies -- that you probably haven't seen. Film critic and professor David N. Meyer shares a list of great rock flicks that are available on Netflix. (And he’ll name one film you might never find.) Plus, we take your calls on the rock movies you love best.

Tell us: What's your favorite rock movie?

David N. Meyer's list of "Must-See Rock Movies That You Probably Haven't Seen"

1) The Girl Can't Help It (1956). Jayne Mansfield sex farce with amazing rock performances by The Platters, Gene Vincent & the Blue Caps, and Fats Domino.

2) Head (1968). The Monkees bid for hippie cred and musical authenticity, written by Jack Nicholson & Bob Rafaelson and featuring appearances by Frank Zappa, boxer Sonny Liston, and dancing by Toni Basil of "Oh Mickey" fame. See a clip of the Monkees performing "Circle Sky" from the film here.

3) Performance (1970). The marriage of rock and film, starring Mick Jagger at his most andrognyous, and co-starring Anita Pallenberg, who had recently left Brian Jones for Keith Richards. See a clip of Mick Jagger performing in the film here.

4) Payday (1973). Speed, grass, downers, country music - the most accurate portrait of life on the road, starring Rip Torn as a modern Hank Williams, and with songs composed by Shel Silverstein.

5) Rockers (1978). Hilarious reggae comedy/social commentary, starring every key reggae star of the day: Winston Rodney, Sly & Robbie Shakespeare, Gregory Issacs, Jacob Miller, and Leroy Smart.

6) Radio On (1980). The only true rock and roll film noir and Sting's film debut, with a great Stiff Records soundtrack: Wreckless Eric, Ian Drury, The Rumor plus Robert Fripp, David Bowie, and Karftwerk

7) Linda! Linda! Linda! (2007). New Japanese film just released in the US, it's the truest movie of high school ever made. Four girls have to learn a classic Japanese punk song to play at high school talent show, the title song by seminal Japanese punks The Blue Hearts. See a clip from the film here.

The Pick You Might Never Find:

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1981). Still unreleased in the US, a classic about a punk band with Sex Pistols Steve Cook and Paul Jones, The Clash's Paul Simonon and actor Ray Winstone. See them perform in the film here.

David N. Meyer's web site, Twenty Thousand Roads

My Brightest Diamond

Brooklyn-based ensemble My Brightest Diamond is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Shara Worden. The group’s second album, “A Thousand Shark’s Teeth,” features more than 20 players and influences ranging from Tricky to composer Maurice Ravel. It’s a classical, string quartet affair for the experimental indie set. The group joins us for a live performance.

My Brightest Diamond web site