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This concert film is amazing.
I've never listened to the Talking Heads before tonight. Sure, I've heard some of their most popular songs in other media, but I didn't know they were theirs until now. (Tragically, I strongly associate one of their songs to this truly annoying trailer for Downsizing (on account of which, I refuse to see it)). What a wonderful way to be introduced to this band.
I've only seen two concert films: this, and The Last Waltz. The Last Waltz is a master class in documentation. This momentous show was happening once and Scorsese had one shot at getting right. And he and the crew nailed it. Incredible documentary.
Stop Making Sense is the other side of the spectrum—cinematic. Extreme close-ups, dramatic lighting, movement...the camera is not an observer; it's a participant. I am floored how well exposed the 35mm film is despite frequent lighting changes, and how in-focus it is with all the energetic performances. And the concert itself...it borders on performance art. I'm enamored how extemporaneous the performances feel with what is obviously heavy choreography. I love, love how it starts stripped down and pretends to be built up on the fly.
[EDIT] God, I forgot to praise the DIRECTOR Jonathan Demme, best know for SILENCE OF THE MF LAMBS![/EDIT]
I've wasted a lot of breath on the visuals (just who I am). What I can say about the music is this: I am a fan. I will be listening more.
As for Byrne himself, I'm a Big Fan. Not just his performance, or his music, but his enthusiasm for his band and the musicians he plays with. I love how he intentionally highlights every performer at some point during the show. And his obvious glee playing music with them. And even his appreciation the stagehands integral to the flow of the show. I gotta shut up now.
Thanks gomizhou for inviting me to see this in IMAX. I thoroughly enjoyed it. royallmonarch wish you could have joined so you could have written this essay instead of me.
Oct 3, 2024
Related Recs
I watched this for the first time last week at a local spiritual center and it left me dumbfounded and in awe. what a feat; i was so moved, even with all the searing satire. typing all this out now stirs up all the sensations again... i don't feel the need to write much more here but this film means a lot to me already and i'm very grateful it exists.
yes 2 cinema <3 yes 2 art <3 yes 2 theatre <3 yes 2 actors <3 yes 2 belief <3 yes 2 devotion <3 yes 2 risk <3
*a bonafide festival darling and swept the awards season that year, which is only refreshing considering at its core is the film saying fuck off to the industry at-large
Feb 16, 2024
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*Some thematic spoilers maybe? Beware*
Still working out all my thoughts about this movie, it's kinda stream of consciousness atm but wow... All the magic and horror that comes out of media consumption amongst queer teenage suburban isolation... the simultaneous connection and disconnection from others through it.
It also explores neurodivergence, queerness, asexuality, gender identity expression and repression, depression and sometimes suicide (ideation and attempts) amongst the backdrop of media consumption. It's all connected. Media as a portal to other worlds, a portal to other selves, a portal to a place where other people understand and you are empowered and you belong. Blurring the lines between the physical self and a digital projection of a desired self, and the euphoria and horrors that come along with that. All things I heavily relate to.
This is very much a movie for Millennials, Gen Z and Gen A in the best ways possible. I think specifically for teens at the moment but also people who were teens not long ago. I wish this movie was there for me 10 years ago. I won't lie, there are a lot of corny moments as well and some over-use of visuals, but the messages override it all for sure. It's also important to note that the director Jane Schoenbrun is trans and goes by they/them pronouns. Being non-binary myself (among pretty much everything else I mentioned in the 2nd paragraph), this movie made me feel seen and understood.
The music was amazing too!!! Alex G never misses!!! I loved the covers of Anthems and Tonight, Tonight, the fact that they're recent covers really brings us back to the present with a reflection of the past.
Last thing I will say is I wrote a bit about Digital Doubles and Doppelgängers in my Communications program and now really want to explore that again because of this movie.
May 18, 2024
😃
truly blew me away. i couldnt believe i’d never seen it before and when it was reissued i used the opportunity to go. i cried, and since seen it 3 more times. i’d recommend it to anyone
Dec 19, 2024
Top Recs from @lucius
Alright y'all, standards have gotten a little lax around here and rec quality has taken a dip (I'm including myself in this). Here are some pointers for High Rec Standards.
ANATOMY OF A REC:
TITLE—This is the rec or recommendations. This is NOT a lead in. Type exactly what you're recommending here. What appears in the Title should finish this sentence, "I recommend _____."
BODY—This supports the rec and anything goes. Supporting statements, supporting essays, additional recs, you can get silly, you can pontificate. You can do anything you want. Except putting the main rec down here. Where does it go? That's right. In the Title 👆
IMAGE—No rules. Add one to preference. It can be relevant or a non sequitur.
LINK—I highly recommend links but it's not as important as the Title or Body. If you are recommending something that has an online presence (music, movies, websites, products, etc.), Piffies want to click on it immediately. Don't make us google. Be kind a leave a link.
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANTI-RECS:
They exist and they are valid recs. "Anti-Rec: _____" clearly communicates this is something best avoided. But a better way format this type of Rec is to use a modifier or verb that flows with "I recommend _____." Ex. I recommend... Not Eating Tacks, Avoiding Area X, Leaving Off the Anchovies, etc.—(Formatting Anti-Recs this way first recommended by tyler the Creator)
ANATOMY OF AN ASK:
TITLE—This is the question or topic of the Ask. Asks can solicit advice or start a discussion. You have some flexibility here because the Ask is expected to be expounded upon in the body if it needs more context. Just be clear. Again, this is not a lead in. Be direct and ask the question or state the topic.
BODY—Provide more context. Narrow the recommendation field. Add relevant links. Remember, the Ask goes in the Title 👆
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANSWERING AN ASK—Recs on Asks can break style as dictated by the Ask. If the Ask is looking for Recs, give Recs following style. If it's asking for opinions, give your opinion. Asking for links? Give links! Respond however you would respond some someone IRL. Asks start a conversation so you can be more conversational. But keep in mind that these Recs will appear in the main feed. So where you can maintain Rec style, do so.
Example: WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT LETTERBOXD TOP 4?
A response to this with High Rec Standards would look something like this:
TITLE—Lists your current Letterboxd top 4. You are recommending these four movies.
BODY—Free reign here. Drop your Letterboxd @. Talk about the movies. Make a quip. Emoji. Relevant links. Nothing.
IMAGE—Optional. Screenshot of your top four. Frame from a movie. Dealer's choice.
LINK—Add your Letterboxd profile only if you want to be found.
EMOJI—Whatever. But it'd be nice if it was relevant.
DISCLAIMER:
This is a living community document! These are only my recommendations for a foundation. Debate and Discussion of proper style are Encouraged. Any editions and changes to the PI.FYI STYLE GUIDE will be notated with attribution.
Changelog:
07.26.2024—Clarified a Rec is not limited to one recommendation. Recs can recommend multiple things. Thanks to shegoestoanotherschool for identifying the issue. / Added guidance for Anti-Rec format.
02.11.2025—Moved SpongeBob Bubble Blowing Technique video link from the top level into the body ("some pointers") so the embed wouldn't override the High Quality instructional graphic.
Jul 25, 2024
🐸
This combo has just been here the whole time?!
Feb 6, 2025
🥯
i will eat one every day i do not give a fuck anymore
Jan 30, 2024