Re: The Velvet Underground doc

I am not sure this could have been any better. Maybe longer? Obviously from Haynes you get a visual extravaganza. Even the footage I have seen has never looked this clear and crisp. I feel with the little time there was, he really emphasized their place in pop culture which I think at this point is most important. Lets face it, a movie could be made about each album. Love how much Richman was involved. Which of course is fitting. I was surprised how direct and by the numbers the doc style was but Haynes lets the music and footage do the entertaining.

The ambivalence of Doug Yule about the Velvets, and the other members feelings towards him--hinted at, implied, but not as much a part of the film as it might have been. A little more about Nico before and after the Velvets would have been good. Mo's unusual drumming approach was not touched on. Any trace of the impact of Steve Sesnick's manipulations of virtual everyone he dealt with was invisible. All of that said, it is still a wonderful film, especially considering the limitations of what Todd Haynes could work with. The sound is terrific, the concatenation of strings of events and artistic cross-fertilization is well-presented. Haynes's technique of individual Velvets' Warhol screen tests (each staring into the camera for 2-3 minutes) split-screened with other elements contributing to the narrative was remarkable.

There have been several documentaries and narrative features, as well as written biographies, about Nico, although the fact that she was launched into a cult audience that lasted her entire life by just three songs on the first Velvets album is remarkable! I've heard a lot less about (and from) Cale and Tucker. It does seem like Haynes only really connected with the first album as music. It's harder to say that the s/t album and LOADED - not to mention the extended jamming on their live recordings from 1969 - were disconnected from the rock scene of their times.

jim green Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The ambivalence of Doug Yule about the Velvets,
> and the other members feelings towards him--hinted
> at, implied, but not as much a part of the film as
> it might have been. A little more about Nico
> before and after the Velvets would have been good.
> Mo's unusual drumming approach was not touched on.
> Any trace of the impact of Steve Sesnick's
> manipulations of virtual everyone he dealt with
> was invisible. All of that said, it is still a
> wonderful film, especially considering the
> limitations of what Todd Haynes could work with.
> The sound is terrific, the concatenation of
> strings of events and artistic cross-fertilization
> is well-presented. Haynes's technique of
> individual Velvets' Warhol screen tests (each
> staring into the camera for 2-3 minutes)
> split-screened with other elements contributing to
> the narrative was remarkable.

I would love to see a series that included all that. How about the final footage with Andy and Lou? I had never seen that and was blown away.
Him teasing the Chelsea Girls album did leave you wanting more.

"The Story of Lou Reed as told by John Cale, with light relief provided by Jonathan Richman."

Going to see it on the big screen tonight!

Saw this at my local movie house last night (my first film venture since February 2020).

The film was good… serviced viewers who were aficionados as well as novices. Mrs Bip, a fan of mid-80s alternative like cure /smiths /rem and couldn’t name a song or band member other than Reed…she liked it.

If I wasn’t such a geek that had pored over rock mags incessantly, I wonder how well I’d know them either, to be honest.

I’m glad it wasn’t longer. Yes of course you could do a multi-part documentary ala Ken Burns, and flesh out certain albums, members, etc….but this worked well in its timeframe.

As some reviews have mentioned, I was thankful to be spared the typical Bono and Dave Grohl gushing over why this band was important.

Oh, and I hope I could look as good as John Cale when I reach his age!

If we ever get the time to stream this I'm sure it'll be interesting! The intention is there, at least. Thanks for helping to remind that it's out now!

Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

[postpunkmonk.com]
For further rumination on the Fresh New Sound of Yesterday®

I agree, that would be really interesting)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/27/2021 09:21AM by JoseGarret.