Shine A Light – The Rolling Stones Still Have It



Shine A Light

Starring The Rolling Stones

Directed by Martin Scorsese

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, drug references, and smoking

Appropriate for ages 13+

Available July 29, 2008 on Blu-ray Disc and DVD

I would normally not tout a rock concert DVD, but this is not your normal rock concert DVD.  Legendary director Martin Scorsese took it upon himself to create this documentary/concert of the iconic rock band The Rolling Stones.  Set in the intimate Beacon Theater in New York City in 2006, this amazing concert included tons of Stones classics songs and a few newer tunes.  The guests on stage included Christina Aguilera, Buddy Guy and The White Stripe’s Jack White.  Originally conceived for IMAX theaters, this disc plays fine at home (with a good sound system that is), and even if you are not a Stones fan, this is a movie that anyone would find both entertaining and thrilling.  The disc contains a short documentary and four songs not included in the original film, including their smash hit Paint It Black. 

The X-Files: I Want To Believe – An Unholy Mess

The X-Files: I Want To Believe     D

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, and Billy Connolly

Directed by Chris Carter (The X-Files)

Rated PG-13 for violent and disturbing content and thematic material

Appropriate for ages 13+

The Story: Many years after the events of the first X-Files movie (I don’t remember those events either), Fox Mulder (Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Anderson) are brought on by the FBI to try to solve another mysterious case.  An FBI agent has disappeared, and a former catholic priest and pedophile (Connolly) is able to telepathically lead the FBI to evidence surrounding her kidnapping and the kidnapping of other victims as well.

The Good: I used to be a big X-Files fan back in it’s day.  I even named my Golden Retriever Scully.  One of the things that I loved most about the show was Duchovny’s great line delivery.  He is such a talented actor and is almost always enjoyable to watch.  Even when the script goes south, when Fox opens his mouth, you can’t help but snicker.  I also enjoyed Connelly’s performance as well.  He has the guilt-ridden pedophile priest down cold.

The Bad: First off, was their a need for a new X-Files movie?  And if there was, shouldn’t it surround something more grand than this?  While the overall premise here is as weird as the original show, the film itself should have been nothing more than made-for-TV movie.  There is nothing here that says “Wow – this is a great story – let’s go spend 35 million dollars t make it!”  The script is just plain awful and aside from Duchovney and Connelly, the acting is atrocious.  Actor/rapper Xzibit is bad enough to take you out of the film every time his face graces the screen.  Maybe he needs to concentrate a bit more on his music, because I don’t see any trace of talent here. 

And what about that title?  I Want To Believe?  It is hard for me to believe that this didn’t make the suits at Fox cringe.  I know it made me automatically assume that this movie was not going to be a serious attempt at renewing the X-Files mythology. 

The Summary: While the weirdness of the story might make some super fans happy, the majority will dismiss this as a complete waste of theater space.