Film Review: Bohemian Rhapsody

Queen’s front man gets the Hollywood treatment

Queen, and their subjects, during Live Aid, July, 1985.

Bohemian Rhapsody, the new film about the English ’70’s and ’80’s supergroup Queen, is a lot like band’s output: overwrought, overproduced, painfully bombastic, and musically too self-conscious. But, like those songs we all know, the film has an undeniable energy and vibrancy, and is so technically consistent that one can’t help but feel satisfied, if a bit played. Continue reading “Film Review: Bohemian Rhapsody

SFIFF Spotlights #5: The Other One: The Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir/Abuse of Weakness/The Blue Wave/Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon

Spinning Platters brings you more spotlights from the 57th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF), which continues through Thursday, May 8th. Program notes and tickets available here.

The Other One: The Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir
(USA 2014, 90 min)

Which is the greater wonder - Bob Weir or the pyramids?
Which is the greater wonder – Bob Weir or the pyramids?

“Mine has been a long strange trip,” says Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir in Mike Fleiss’s fantastic new documentary about the Dead’s “other one.” Jerry Garcia may have been more famous, but Weir was a stellar musician in his own right, and, with his graciousness, intelligence, and unwavering authenticity, perhaps the band’s true heart. Weir, vital and still just as handsome in his 60s (Weir gets some ribbing for being the band’s best looking member), speaks eloquently and thoughtfully about his life and the cult of personality surrounding Garcia and the Dead. Weir’s meditative reflections, along with Fleiss’s brilliant use of still photos, new interviews and old footage, make this picture a must-see for Dead fans and anyone with even a passing interest in music or Bay Area history. Smart, funny, and poignant, this is a film worthy of Bay Area rock’s elder statesman.

Screenings:

  • Friday, May 2nd, 9:30pm, Kabuki (with Bob Weir reportedly scheduled to appear!)

Tickets available here.

Continue reading “SFIFF Spotlights #5: The Other One: The Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir/Abuse of Weakness/The Blue Wave/Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon”