Two reviews for the price of one.
Creation Stories (2021) & 24 Hour Party People (2002) why have I grouped these reviews together quite simply they both deal with the running of two record companies Creation & Factory and their larger then life managers Alan McGee (Creation) and Tony Wilson (Factory) but then you knew that anyway.
McGee is played by Ewan Bremner (imagine Spud from Trainspotting on speed, you get the idea) and Tony Wilson played by Steve Coogan (well its's Tony Wilson with a dose of Richard Madeley for extra cringe factor)
various musicians appear throughout look out for them, a special mention to McGee's dad, played by Richard Jobson who is played with menace and a constant threat which is terrifying, although no ones dad was ever that muscular or as hard as nails.
The format is very similar, fast paced with lots of drugs helping to manage the various talents on the labels. In Creation its, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream and yawn Oasis.
Factory Joy Division & Happy Monday amongst many.
Musically you get lots of snippets of music from all of the above named bands, some of which are excellent Joy Division for example are great and makes you wanna reach out for their CDs.
Are the films any good? Both great and enjoyable with a great pace, laced with humour and what ever drug they were taking at the time.
Creation Stories I'd give a ecstasy fuelled 7/10 losing a point for the Scottish dialect which at time I couldn't fathom at all (sadly no subtitles which it clearly needs)
24 Hour Party People 8/10 for having some of the best bands ever.
Watch them both to see how exciting music and watching bands can be.
Peehaps the saddest shot of Creation Stories is Mcgee looking through the window of a stack it high supermarket at the now defunkt record shop, that and all the new Labour junk and Jimmy Saville.