kakkarot

I love this movie. Although I can't see how the hell Peter Fonda was able to get acting roles back then, guess it's because of his dad. He was good in Easy Rider, but in this one and The Trip, what the hell was going on? I like the soundtrack too, Davie Allan and the Arrows rock! The film has a good story line and is thoroughly enjoyable. Bruce Dern is believable, though he plays a corpse that is dragged around over half the film, still. I haven't seen the DVD version, and don't want to. Movies like this are best enjoyed when they come on rarely late at night when likely no one will be watching. The same applies with:

Psych-Out, Savage Seven, The Trip, Hell's Angels on Wheels, Glory Stompers, Cycle Savages, Rebel Rousers, Wild in the Streets, Hell's Angels 69, Run Angel Run, etc.

I was pleased to see AMC run this film last summer. Pop Gear is truly a rare gem. The film starts off with a familiar live performance by the Beatles. Most of the performances were made for the film. The different sets made in contrast to the songs reek with a lost 60's fashion sense. There are many wonderful hits, some forgotten, featured. One of the best is 'Have I the Right' by the Honeycombs. Other fine performances are by Herman's Hermits (Something Tells Me I'm Into Something Good), The Animals (House of the Rising Sun), Tobacco Road (Nashville Teens), Peter and Gordon (World Without Love), and a great lost song by the Spencer Davis Group, among many other performances. The film ends with the Beatles performing 'Twist and Shout,'I think. The only downer is that one of the most wonderful and under-rated band of the 60's the Zombies are not performing on here. If you love this music, do yourself a favor and watch this film, that is if AMC ever shows it again.

Finishing this film was like finishing the Song Remains the Same for the first time, the performance is emotionally draining and amazing, and you just want to crawl into bed and sleep for 12 hours.

Other than being one of the best Who concerts I've seen, it is also one of the best of the 70's (1970; Isle of Wight). All the performances at the festival were good, especially the Band of Gypsies (Hendrix) and Ten Years After, but the Who performance is without a doubt the best.

Although the concert isn't long, it seems like forever. The concert starts off with the best version of 'Heaven and Hell,' then eases into most of the Live at Leeds songs (Shakin' All Over, Summertime Blues). They also showcase a new song, 'I Don't Even Know Myself,' which showed up a year later on their landmark and arguably their best record, 'Who's Next.' I love how they perform most of the first half of the performance with a 'Water' medley. 'Water' is an indisposable Who track live and is not held back here.

The second half of the performance starts with Pete Townshend asking the audience for silence so they can perform their classic 'Tommy'. Most of the songs from 'Tommy' are featured here. They perform live renditions of the songs with more intensity than is featured on the record, which is rare, seeing as most live performances are inferior to the studio tracks. I would even dare to say that the live 'Tommy' here is better than the 'studio 'Tommy.'' The performance ends with 'See Me, Feel Me' (the 'listening to you' part) that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. It repeats on and on and gains in energy every time. The Who are nothing short of amazing.

The video and DVD release sound and look so great. I am fortunate that it was released to such superior mastering (or is it re-mastering?). If you look to see a Who concert, let this be the first, and maybe even the last. (Note: Play this one loud as intended.)