MovieScope
'Shine A Light' - Great Stones Music In Imax Mess
Review By Robert Snyder

Those who love the Rolling Stones must be fanatical to spend two hours literally in the faces of veteran rock n' rollers Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood. Because that's where you are when watching the Martin Scorsese concert documentary, "Shine a Light," in the IMAX Dome at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City.

The IMAX show is a total raparound the-egg-shaped-ceiling experience, which may be fine for undersea or outer space adventure. But seeing 64-year-old Jagger's normally huge mouth from the point of view of a flea on his tongue is near nauseating. In fact, same-aged Richards' wrinkles, made super big, resemble an aerial tour of the Grand Canyon.

Another problem is director Scorsese's masterful use of old black, and white TV footage of the Stones early years. On the IMAX screen, the then baby faced rockers are often blurred, out of focus and grained-out. In other words, it's interesting, though hard to see, when young Mick says he estimates the band may go on for at least one more year. This is 1964.

That said, the music is as powerful as ever, with jumpin' Jagger wildly entertaining, particularly on his country rap song, "Far Away Eyes," with its dig at Bible Belt exploitation. Poking fun at himself, control-freak Scorsese is first seen frantically trying to get the song list before the show opens at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan, a fundraiser for the Clinton Foundation with Bill himself doing the introduction. Incidentally, Jagger selects a Muddy Waters chestnut, "Champagne and Reefer," to be sung with veteran Bluesman Buddy Guy, though Mick stops short of making a remark about "not inhaling."

Other special guests are Jack White for "Loving Cup" and Christina Aguilera lending her lungs on "Live With Me." Still, the Stones alone in their power and glory steal the show cranking up such classics as "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "She Was Hot," "All Down the Line," "Sympathy For the Devil" and "Start Me Up" to orgasmic heights.

For Stones fans, "Shine a Light" is a must-see on a normal screen. For Stones fanatics, the IMAX version is a must. Just go on an empty stomach.

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