pspad

(2013-05-19 14:30:44)

Neil Young's Journeys (SPOILER ALERT)

(Spoiler Alert) I thought it was an excellent movie. I am not justsaying that because I am a Neil Young fan. The ticket was 7.00. It wasa very good concert at Massey Hall. How much do you think the fans paidto see Neil perform live at Massey Hall that night that it was filmed?I think a movie ticket is a bargain, to see a concert, and also seewhen the cameras got up close and personal when Neil performed. He sangmostly songs from "Le Noise". I think he was promoting his new album atthe time. I really love that album!!! I play it all the time. The soundwas great, and to see Neil as close up as we did, you can almost feelhis emotions (and sweat) as he sang. I have been to live concerts, andnever felt as close up and personal as I did when we saw this movie.Never felt this way about Neil's performances because televisionscreens are not as big as the movies. (You can actually see his sweatcoming down his face). The camera also focuses in on his mouth andteeth, as he sang you could actually see each word come out of hismouth!!(Never seen the inside of Neil's mouth before) I also loved whenhe drove around his old hometown, and introduced his brother Bob. Helooks just like Neil!!! My only disappointment was that the movie's tooshort (less than two hours, and he did not show enough of hishometown). I would have liked to know more about his brother, and heardhim speak more in the movie. His son Ben was in one scene. It wouldhave been nice to have more family time in the movie, and also moredriving around the town. The cars he and his brother drove were verynice cars (both black vintage Ford, and Cadillac). He looked a bitdisappointed after driving around because most of the town has changed,but he puts it into perspective when he says "it's still in my head andstill in my heart". I hope this movie comes out on DVD, with addedscenes to make it a bit longer. This movie WAS all about Neil, and Neilonly!!! If you are a die hard, loyal Neil Young fan, then, THIS MOVIEIS FOR YOU!!!!

kyoozoo

(2013-05-19 13:21:29)

Still Roses on the Vine

Just old Neil and his thundering guitar or old Neil driving his oldcar...boring? Hell no. The man is a musical legend, belting out boomingwords of truthful humanity as if possessed, or gently reflecting onlove and life with a tamer guitar sound but still that wild look in hiseyes; then, the legend without a guitar goes back to being regularjust-a-guy Neil, talking about growing up in rural Ontario. I enjoyedthe ride. The guitar playing, the lyrics, the singing, and the manhimself, the sheer beauty of the complete form of the entity known asNeil Young, is captured well in Journeys. Respect and admiration forthe musician and for the person, and respect and admiration forJonathan Demme, who lets Neil write his own script - as it should be -and who gives us the best seat in the house at Massey Hall for Neil'sperformance there. There are not only still many roses on Neil's vine,but that old gnarly thing is more magnificent than ever.

Michael_Elliott

(2013-05-18 22:36:48)

Great For Fans of Young

Neil Young Journeys (2011) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Jonathan Demme's third film with Neil Young is yet another winner. Whatwe basically have is a look at the hometown of Young who then drives toToronto where he's set to perform in the history Massey Hall thatnight. In between the songs from the concert, we flashback to Youngtelling a few stories and giving his thoughts on some subjects. NEILYOUNG JOURNEYS isn't quite as great as HEART OF GOLD but as someone whosaw two shows from the Twisted Road tour, this documentary was a greatreminder of what made the shows so special. I can understand if someare wanting more of a "greatest hits" concert or if they don't want anyof the new material but I found some of the strongest work to come fromthe new stuff. 'Lela' was a touching song and we get a truly hauntingversion of 'Love and War.' We also get 'You Never Call,' 'PEacefulValley Boulevard,' 'Hitchhike' and 'Walk With Me' from the recentstuff. Older classics include 'My My, Hey Hey,' 'Ohio,' 'After the GoldRush' and 'I Believe in You,' which is certainly one of the highlightsof the show. This really isn't a straight documentary or straightconcert film but the majority of the show does go to the concertfootage. There are some bizarre camera shots, which really get youright up in Young's face and I'm guessing Demme did this to show thepassion and fire that he performs with. A couple songs appear to have acamera on the microphone so you really get up close. If you were a fanof the Twisted Road tour then I think you're going to enjoy this eventhough it's missing some songs that were played then (like Cortez theKiller and Cinnamon Girl). Still, Young and Demme are truly greattogether and make the film worth checking out.

sgteacher3

(2013-05-18 05:36:10)

Good songs, but boring even for true fans!

I went in expecting a good Neil Young flick, but was very disappointed.Showing old footage of Kent State was a downer, and seemed to be put inrandomly even while singing "Ohio." They could have done a much moreinteresting job filming his hometown, and for a while the film justgoes back and forth from him driving through Ontario and performing atMassey Hall. I was surprised that I was fidgeting in my seat andfeeling bored because I love his music and have been a fan for years.There are a few very soulful songs, and rock songs, and as always hismusic can touch your soul. That didn't make up for the weird artsyclose-ups of his neck and chin, and finding yourself wondering whatthey were trying to achieve with those shots. Five younger women walkedout halfway through when he started singing about being a grandparent,and probably couldn't relate, two other people left as well. I am kindof amazed that I didn't like it because I'm really a fan and havealways loved his music, but I'm also a movie lover, and this one justdidn't cut it. If you love him, rent it and you will see for yourself.If you're not a fan, then just skip it.