Audience Member
I have now watched a video biography on Brian Wilson and one on the Beach Boys. Have to say, I have ended up with a greater appreciation of the Beach Boys music. Unfortunately, this offering does not have the rights to use the Beach Boys music and only uses Wilson's own material, which is hampered by a voice that is not what it once was. Mom says Brian is "sort of" like he used to be but the slurred speech points to drug abuse damage that cannot be corrected.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/13/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Documentary on the driving musical force behind the Beach Boys. Interesting to a point with several interviews of contemporaries he influenced. As usual with any Beach Boys documentary, this completely glosses over the darker side of the band and Wilson in particular. Also missing is the original recordings of the influential songs, substituting a rather worn down Wilson singing them in the present (1994).
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/24/23
Full Review
Audience Member
69 minutes of Wilson's personal life, tragedies, work as singer and song writer extrodinaire for the Beach Boys. Directed and co-produced by Don Was.
[img]http://www.nonesuch.com/files/imagecache/section-artists-image/media/images/brian-wilson-2.jpg[/img] Wilson addresses the history and legacy of himself and the Boys.
SEE a trailer for the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmexRESUl3c
Although I can't provide you just yet with the film here reviewed, I can provide you with an interview that uses some clips from the film. The interview was with Diane Sawyers on U.S. television a long while ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmexRESUl3c
As for the title, The Beach Boys came along as huge in the U.S., that is until the arrival of The Beatles. Wilson is immediately blown away (and threatened) by the sound of The Beatles and realized The Beach Boys had to do SOMETHING to beat them. It appeared Wilson indeed was "not made for the times" to come in rock and roll. As things turned out, the album Pet Sounds by Brian was happily envied by Paul McCartney at the time.
[img]https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXmqCg5kh8fB5n1uBWXd3xD0qZ0MEPU1jZY7WEYy3UaPMreNQvGg[/img] Brian Wilson speaking on film of his experiences
You do NOT have to be a big fan of the Boys to get interested in this film. It helps, sure, but if you had any interest in them at all, you would want to know about their musical leader's triumphs and failures as a person. Brian Wilson IS the Beach Boys as both writer and member.
[img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTLnXl2Sq9eCafIsObUCVAOCl8mc9gKB5dSAR2wnFsrro9N3RSQ0A[/img] Beach Boys early 60's with Brian at far right
Sadly but appropriatley titled, this is not a typical look into a celebrity's life. Newsweek summed up the film as "A tender portrayl of Wilson's life and music." Rolling Stone writes, "There's more than fun,fun,fun in this stinging, sensationally good documentary about Beach Boys' Brian Wilson".
[img]http://www.godsofsurf.com/images/BrianWilson4431.jpg[/img]
We have here candid interviews with family, friends, peers and Brian Wilson. A chronicle of his troubled, famed life.
Memories of their father by Carnie and Wendy (of Wilson-Phillips fame) finish to give an insightful bio-documentary.
Not a thrill a minute film, this may bore all but the most ardent fans of the Beach Boys. I have never re-watched it myself in a very long time, but I will soon.
[img]http://www.beachboys.com/BWsongwriter2.jpg[/img]
ISBN 0-7840-0784-3 if you would like to find your copy on Amazon.com or elsewhere. Not cheap though.
[img]http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef016761fdb445970b-600wi[/img] Classic Beach Boys photo
[img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRpJeD5k97FBLwAsx1V8CL7a6x_bS9XIShr1vUzEVkpAPUEi_Sgcw[/img]
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/19/23
Full Review
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