Janis

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It documents Janis Joplin with her 3 bands: Big Brother and the Holding Company, Kosmic Blues Band, and the Full Tilt Boogie Band. It is a collection of her best songs, Ball & Chain (1969), Piece of My Heart (1969), and Maybe (1969, also). I personally think that the Kosmic Blues Band is the best, especially their rendition of "Summertime". This is a must-see for fans of Pearl.

Very good, narration-free documentary that intercuts performance footage with interviews. This is a straight compilation film, using then-existing material. I don't think there was anything shot specifically for this film.

For such an electric talent, it is especially good that the directors just stay out of the way, and not try to staple significance, meaning or whatever to their subject. They just let Janis Joplin sing and speak for herself.

And, that's the best thing you could possibly do for a Janis Joplin doc!

******* (7 Out of 10 Stars)

Having seen Joplin live in concert in the 60's it was good to go back and see footage of her singing, and the interviews. also it was great to hear her sing again- no one could wail like "the rose"-- parts of the film seem dated- but of course this was 30 years ago--- ah nostalgia!

This film is an excellent collage of musical performances and interviews with Janis Joplin. It gives a true sense of her power as a performer, featuring clips of her most famous performances. The Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock, and various television performances are all here. For fans who want to revisit the past or people just being introduced to Janis, this is the perfect place to start your musical journey.

At the same time, Janis features lots of excellent interviews and behind the scenes footage, ranging from appearances on the Dick Cavett Show to film of her recording songs with her band. By including these clips, the film gives us a better sense of who Joplin actually was.

The film leaves out any discussion of how Joplin died, which is for the better. Rather than focusing on morbid gossip, the film celebrates her life, which in the end is why she is really remembered.

This documentary lacks any narration, comment or a historic timeline nor shows any development of Janis's career, but consists of lots of rare concert, on-the-road and interview material; it may be a feast for die-hard fans, but for a broader audience it's simply not that informative.