Another documentary on the Apple Plus network is "Beastie Boys Story" a recording of a stage show in which the two remaining members of the band tell their story. Though I'm not a big Beastie Boys fan (I know the hits and that's about it), the show was touching and funny - if a little contrived at times.
Mike Diamond, Adam Yauch and Adam Horovitz, three friends form a band in New York in the early 1980's. Initially Punk inspired - the boys are then heavily influenced by the growing Rap scene - and have immediate success with their first album "Licenced to Ill". By learning instruments and how to sample and mix, the band enjoy thirty years of success and friendship which is cut short in 2012 when Adam Yauch passes away. This stage presentation has 'Mike D' and 'Ad-Rock' tell their story, mixed with footage displayed on a cinema screen behind them and was put together with long-time collaborator Spike Jonze.
The documentary is a rather straightforward recording of that stage show that ran for a few nights. A few of the more esoteric moments, heckles from the crowd by Ben Stiller, Steve Buscemi and David Cross, as well as a performed scene with Michael K Williams, are left for moments within the credits. The bulk of the show is live narration by Diamond and Horovitz interspersed with historical footage. Mostly this works OK and is quite honest and open, particularly about how bad they were to former friends and bandmates after they blew up and how they feel about losing their brother so early. Occasionally it's less successful though, there are moments of spontaneous "banter" and reactions to a mistake that Jonze makes that feel rehearsed and don't look natural at all.
I'd say I enjoyed it overall but can't help but feel like a more traditional documentary, with the guys as edited talking heads would have made a better one.
Mike Diamond, Adam Yauch and Adam Horovitz, three friends form a band in New York in the early 1980's. Initially Punk inspired - the boys are then heavily influenced by the growing Rap scene - and have immediate success with their first album "Licenced to Ill". By learning instruments and how to sample and mix, the band enjoy thirty years of success and friendship which is cut short in 2012 when Adam Yauch passes away. This stage presentation has 'Mike D' and 'Ad-Rock' tell their story, mixed with footage displayed on a cinema screen behind them and was put together with long-time collaborator Spike Jonze.
The documentary is a rather straightforward recording of that stage show that ran for a few nights. A few of the more esoteric moments, heckles from the crowd by Ben Stiller, Steve Buscemi and David Cross, as well as a performed scene with Michael K Williams, are left for moments within the credits. The bulk of the show is live narration by Diamond and Horovitz interspersed with historical footage. Mostly this works OK and is quite honest and open, particularly about how bad they were to former friends and bandmates after they blew up and how they feel about losing their brother so early. Occasionally it's less successful though, there are moments of spontaneous "banter" and reactions to a mistake that Jonze makes that feel rehearsed and don't look natural at all.
I'd say I enjoyed it overall but can't help but feel like a more traditional documentary, with the guys as edited talking heads would have made a better one.