The
Bieber Fever epidemic is at an all-time high with his new documentary
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. Usually I say each to their own but in this case....you’re just wrong! If you’re under sixteen, that’s fine – I had my days of
Blue and
5ive – but once you’re legal, your love for him is not. Now I know I’m not going to change your mind, but here are ten music films that are more worthy of your time, if only for the fact that the subject of these films have been around longer than two minutes...
Nowhere Boy [2009]
I’ll ease you in slowly. If it’s a pretty face you’re after, why not watch Nowhere Boy with rising star
Aaron Johnson. A touching look at John Lennon’s adolescence as he takes his first step towards global stardom. Bieber Fever is probably the closest we’ve gotten to
Beatle Mania – but the longevity of their popularity makes it a more worthy subject for a film.
Spinal Tap [1984]
This has long been upheld as the funniest mockumentary of them all. In recent years the mockumentary style of film-making has become so common that even makers of real documentaries have to bat off accusations of fakery, but at the time this was a much more original concept. Okay, so they’re not a real band, but their tunes ain’t bad – Lick My Love Pump, Sex Farm and Big Bottom.
This Is It [2009]
A film that documents
Michael Jackson’s rehearsals and preparation for his 2009 concert, which was cancelled 18 days prior to the first show due to his sad and surprising death. The film is now the highest grossing concert movie and documentary in the history of cinema. Still able to sing and dance like a pro so soon before his death and you could tell it was going to be an amazing show. Sends shivers down your spine.
In Bed With Madonna [1991]
After watching the King of Pop, why not take a look at the life of the Queen.
Madonna takes us into her world, managing to humanise herself in the midst of the cone-bra period of her career. This was back when she was cool (before she started adopting African children and trying to act like a teenager in her 50s).
Ray [2004]
Watch the Oscar-winning performance of
Jamie Foxx as the legendary performer
Ray Charles. It tells the story of his battle with blindness, racial prejudice and drug dependency to become a giant of his profession and an inspiration to all. Charles wasn’t even allowed into certain buildings because of the colour of his skin, despite being a big star. What’s Biebs story? He was discovered on YouTube and became an overnight success. It’s been a hard battle.
It Might Get Loud [2008]
A film that explores the history of the electric guitar, focusing on the careers of
Jimmy Page,
The Edge and
Jack White. These three globally celebrated guitarists are thrown together to try and explain the world’s obsession with the six-string instrumentation. It’s an entertaining gathering of characters and an interesting watch.
The Pianist [2002]
Roman Polanski’s Oscar-winning portrait of Wladyslaw Szpilman – a Jewish-Polish pianist who survived the Nazi Holocaust. It was
Adrien Brody’s stunning performance in this film, as a musician kept alive by his love for his art, that made him the youngest person to win the Academy Award for Best Male Actor in a Leading Role and got him a kiss on stage with the beautiful
Halle Berry.
Anvil: The Story of Anvil [2008]
This band of grey-haired Canadian rockers are the exact opposite of Justin Bieber. While Justin Bieber’s first album sold platinum when he was 15, Anvil have been in the rock business for over 30 years and still can’t bring in more than 12 punters per gig on their European tour. Joyfully, this film brought them the success they have strived for all these years.
The Last Waltz [1978]
Like Never Say Never, this is essentially a concert documentary. But with a line-up as brilliant and talented as the one captured so masterfully by
Martin Scorsese in The Last Waltz –
Bob Dylan,
Neil Young,
Joni Mitchell,
Eric Clapton, and
Neil Diamond – I don’t think Bieber can really compete.
Walk The Line [2005]
The biopic of the greatly talented
Johnny Cash. The film focuses on his younger life, his romance with June Carter and his ascent to the country music scene. It was nominated for five Oscars and won one. I really hope the world doesn’t truly lose its mind and give Never Say Never a nomination.
What other music films do you love?
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