I am something of a film buff and Martin Scorsese is one of my favourite directors, so as a birthday treat to myself (it was last Thursday if you must know) I went to see the new Martin Scorsese film "Shine a Light" starring the Rolling Stones.
It was trademark Scorsese stuff, opening with a long zoom into New York from the sky, the camera swooping right into the Beacon Theatre. The big mob boss, played by Bill Clinton, turns up at the beginning, kissing hands and introducing his new Polish associate, played by former President Kwasniewski. The "made men" retire to the balcony seats while the new wiseguys act out the story, in an interesting interpretation of "Hamlet" set in the milieu of the New York underworld.
The Rolling StonesTaciturn "Charlie Drumsticks"/Claudius is the retiring elderly capo, not saying much and sitting down all the time. "Micky Tight Butt"/Hamlet (also known as "Jumpin' Jack Flash") is the arrogant strutting dandy who starts a gang war to take over control of New York. His song "Sympathy for the Devil" is typical of Scorsese's obsession with Catholicism and redemption. "Who killed the Kennedys?" was a line that must have made "No Cigar" Clinton/Fortinbras shift uncomfortably in his seat and move a little closer to his bodyguard. "Woody Six Strings"/ Rosencrantz-Guildenstern is an eager young pup who runs messages and delivers dubious packages, and "Pirate King" Richards/Horatio is the staunch lieutenant who tries to keep Micky's excesses under control, never touches drugs, and will whack anyone who tries to harm his buddy. These loveable rogues live in an extended family group including backing vocalists and a horn section. There were cameos from Christina Aguilera as "The Blonde"/Ophelia, Jack White as "The Kid"/Laertes, and veteran bluesman Buddy Guy as himself/Polonius. At the end, Scorsese's camera zooms out in his trademark final shot of New York City by night. A seminal meisterwerk.
GoodfellasI can't wait for the sequel, with Joe Pesci on vibes and Harvey Keitel on maracas.
16 comments:
Classic post.
"Oldfellas" would have been a better title for that movie. Did they manage to whack anyone apart from themselves?
Many happy returns Daphne. 'Thursdays child has far to go'.
Can't wait to see 'Shine a Light' - did you audition for the part of Gertrude per chance?
Blummin crikey - I see those drugs stashed in the air-con unit have 'kicked' in.
Was there no mention of Damian and his 666 tattoo?
A late Happy Birthday and I hope you have a happy year.
What a raddled lot they are. Just been watching Johnny Cash and he looked even worse. Seems drugs 'aint no beauty aid.
Sending some belated birthday wishes!
So Bill Clinton has another career option...He's probably had a lot of pratice before.
:D
I think many more politicians should go for minor parts in movies. Sticking to the script comes so easily to most of them.
Happy birthday, Daphne, darling!
Ché, cat got your tongue?
GB, I wish I'd thought of that title for the post. Too damn late now. Curses.
Gambo, I was actually born on a Sunday, making me bonny and blythe and good - and, er, gay.
Goth, those water tablets are dynamite.
Pat, better a lived-in face than a lights are on but nobody home face.
Sid, Billary will no doubt be preparing a remake of Bonnie & Clyde, she'll be at a bit of a loose end once she's lost the nomination.
Sam, Tony Blair was excellent in "Love Actually", wasn't he?
Thanks for all your birthday wishes, darlings.
Sunday eh Daphne! Well in that case you were born on the same day that New Zealander Edmund Hillary and the Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest. A great year.
Gambo. You PEAKed too early.
(Two years too early as it goes).
Oh Daphne, you're such a wit. I am so sorry, I always knew in my heart that you were a sweet young thing.
Gambo, I share my birth date with John Hinkley Jr. Make of that what you will. I share my birthday with Bob Hope (who as you know was from Eltham), JFK and, er, Brian Kidd.
Subliminally you were doubtless imagining yourself as Sir Edmund to my Everest. Just be careful where you put that ice pick.
Brilliant and hilarious.
I'm still waiting for the U2/Stones double feature at the local IMAX ...
and I fully intend on getting totally 'stoned'.
Don'tcha jus' love Scorsese's eyebrows... HELLO!
Lady Daphne six fingered scotch and Donn are right! Brilliant. You have it exact. Exactement!
Have you caught the Coen Brothers' Macbeth with Ftreddy and the Dreamers? Freddy Garrity's Malcolm broke my heart.
I hear the Clintoni family have been taken out by some upstart Irish "O'Bama" outfit from Chicago.
It was a vicious war, but the Clintonis had grown old and complacent, with their easy money and cheap scams.
Things are gonna be different round here from now on.
Dear Daph, you would not believe how selective i am with my icepick. Everest remains to be conquered, but i live in hope.
Strangely enough as a very young lad I used to deliver newspapers to Bob Hope's mother who lived in a council house on the roundabout at the top of Well Hall Road. A lovely, lovely, very old lady who was neglegated by her son. Mum's and their boys eh! (She did give me a five bob tip one Xmas though, which was a fortune in '64, so he couldn't have been treating her that badly).
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