Neil Young - Heart of Gold
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Movie Reviews of Neil Young - Heart of Gold
Movie Review: Gold standard discs
Summary: 5 Stars
You've probably heard it as many times as the title song, but every word is true: "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" is sensational. A hall of fame concert film. Jonathan Demme, a shameless fan, filmed Young and his extended family of musicians as they premiered "Prairie Wind" in Nashville. The documentary material mostly is left to the DVD extras, making "Heart of Gold" a purely musical affair.
Demme fashioned his film "as a dream concert ... being dreamt by Neil ... a narrative of the heart." The stealth emotional impact was by design, Young says: "They think they're watching a concert and they come out wondering what happened."
The songs (and film) were touched by Young's near-fatal aneurysm and his father's death. But the overarching vibe is one of family, musical tradition and rebirth. Once the heavy lifting is done, some serious fun breaks out as Young reprises his famous songs recorded in Music City.
Images (1:85.1) and especially audio (DTS, Dolby) are first rate. Guitar players should get out their acoustics for the second half -- it's all in standard tuning and Demme likes to show the fretboard.
The main bonus feature is a three-part rehearsal diary narrated by Demme, who was "really nervous" about running afoul of Young, whom he calls an "exacto but compassionate general."
Movie Review: Neil Young. One of the best.
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember reading that a film (Heart of Gold) was being made with Neil Young and my first thought was, "Incredible, I will see it." It was definitely worth the wait. If you're a fan of Neil's work you're doing yourself a great disservice if you've not seen it yet. It's a great movie. We see Neil in a way not many have before, he lets us in a bit more and we see a true genius. There are, for me some really emotional moments also. The incredible song "It's A Dream" just grabbed me and said, "are you listening?" I was.
He talks a bit about his father's passing and gets a bit emotional, but he overcomes it with some light and well placed humor, as he kicks into another great song from Prairie Wind, "Far From Home."
The entire movie had me both anxious for the next song, yet at the same time not wanting the one on to end. The special features are great as well. A performance from "The Johnny Cash Show" doing "The Needle And The Damage Done", some cool interviews with Neil, the band, and of course Jonathan Demme who did a fantastic job on this film.
I've been a Neil Young fan for as long as I can remember. I grew up listening to Neil Young's music. It's been a part of me. For that I have to say, "Thanks Neil."
For everyone else I say, "Heart Of Gold" is a masterpiece.
Movie Review: Reflective Neil Young
Summary: 5 Stars
I've never been a big Neil Young fan and I went to this movie with an expectation that it would be OK but nothing special. I was pleasantly surprised. The songs are touching and tuneful, Young himself is pleasant and amusing, and the back-up players have a time-worn character -- as does Young -- which appeal to my aging self. I loved the fact that the players all had instuments that seemed as old and beat up as they are.
Young takes the stage at the Rhyman theater, the old home of the Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville. He displays the proper amount of reverence for the place and plays a guitar once owned by Hank Williams. He's got a whole crowd assisting including a Black church choir, three horn players, and half a dozen backup singers, including Emmylou Harris whose crystaline soprano could make a wildcat wailing on the back fence sound better. On some of the songs it's just him and his guitar.
The emphasis is on country, reflective songs played on traditional acoustic instuments. There's little dialogue except for an brief introduction in which other players talk about Young. So, it's all music, filmed and recorded artfully as a visual record of an important composer/singer.
Smallchief
Movie Review: "Old man take a look at your life . . ."
Summary: 5 Stars
. . . And that's exactly what Neil does in this splendid 2005 concert filmed by Jonathan Demme, in which he plays selections from PRAIRIE WIND and a mix of older material. This concert, performed at the legendary Ryman Auditorium (venerable home of the Grand Ol' Opry), has the close, warm intimate feel of an early-1960s coffeehouse gig.
Neil opens HEART OF GOLD with a series of talented renditions of his then most-recent work. Somewhere along the way this show suddenly transcends itself; the confessional asides to the audience, the mellowness of the acoustics, the cathedral-like setting, all coalesce into a seamless whole. Exactly when and why this happens is impossible to pin down. Perhaps the fact that Neil was facing an imminent potentially life ending brain surgery for an aneurysm brought a depth and an honesty to the performance that it might not otherwise have had. Perhaps the fact that he had just lost his father put him into a reflective state of mind. Perhaps the fact that Neil Young is an effortless musician with absolutely no affectation allowed the fourth wall to melt away.
Who knows? Who cares? Simply be in the moment with Neil and his family and friends.
Movie Review: Outstanding in Every Way- Perfect - A Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know how a DVD concert could be presented any better than this one. Neil Young is still at the top of his game. The new material presented here blends perfectly with the older songs in style and quality. His writing is unique and poetic and his voice is as mystical as ever. He has mellowed well and sings to those of his generation of experiences we can associate with. The performance is brilliant and moving. The sound is perfect. I had chills running down my spine.
Technically speaking, this dvd could be a "how to" guide for film students. The direction, camera work, editing, staging, auditorium, recording, musicians, interviews, ambience, et all, are perfect. It appears that every aspect of this production was well conceived and well rehearsed. Emmylou Harris and the Memphis Horns were two of several special touches added to some of the performances.
If you are an Eagles fan, I would give this a slight edge over the Farewell Tour DVD and that is saying a lot for me. Some talented people found a spot where all the stars aligned this night and really nailed it.
P. S.
I like the sound better in stereo instead of 5.1. Try it and see what you think.