Here's a positive review from someone on a Todd Rundgren fansite.
OBVIOUSLY LOTS OF SPOILERS:
" I will get the bad news out of the way first: the actual reunion between Todd and Sparks is not part of the film, and is only represented by a still of the three together during the closing credits. This is not a huge shock even considering the 135 minute runtime, this project would not exist if it were meant for the type of people who would want to see that (ie US).
Having said that, anyone reading this is likely to find this film to be of significant interest. Todd does not get a huge amount of screen time, but he looks and sounds good for his interview. The subtitle under his name is "rock god"! Upon the initial mention of Todd (as the very first person "in the business" who picked up on them), there are a number of 70s images of him shown, mostly looking weird on The Midnight Special, but also from the Old Grey Whistle Test Ra show. The fact that both Todd and Russell Mael considered Miss Christine of the GTOs to be their "girlfriend" at the time they crossed paths is a humorous point.
Getting more screen time than Todd is Thaddeus James Lowe (once a member of The Electric Prunes) who engineered the Sparks debut Todd produced, and then went on to produce the significantly better second album once Todd was too engaged with his own career to do so. He was so convinced the record (A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing) was great he vowed to leave the music business if it failed. He was producing TV commercials soon after!
Slightly curious is the fact that Bearsville and Albert Grossman are never mentioned by name, although the bear head logo is visible on their early "Slow Boat" stage set. Even when telling the story of how they changed the name from Halfnelson to Sparks, Grossman doesn't get credit for his suggestion of "Sparks Brothers"...it's told as just coming from "the label".
As a big fan of Sparks, I am thoroughly satisfied. For those not (yet) fans, I think there is enough interesting music business stuff to hold your attention. First of all, their classic producers all get to have their say. In addition to Todd and Lowe, we hear from Muff Winwood, Tony Visconti and Giorgio Moroder. There are also interviews with many former bandmates: Jim Mankey from the original Bearsville band (later of Concrete Blonde), Ian Hampton from their hitmaking UK band of the Island years, Hilly Michaels of their half-baked US proto-punk period featured in the horrible movie Rollercoaster, and Les Bohem of the Gleaming Spires and their KROQ hit years. ALL of these men were fired (and some in unpleasant circumstances) but they all had great things to say about the brothers. The lovely lady drummers of their 90s comeback and beyond (Christi Haydon and Tammy Glover) are also interviewed, but unfortunately don't figure much into the performance footage.
If that isn't enough, there are interview clips with Beck, Flea, Thurston Moore, Steve "Jonsey" Jones , Vince Clark, Jane Weidlin, Chris Difford, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor among others. There are also non-music celebs waxing about their love of Sparks like Patton Oswalt, Mike Myers, Neil Gaiman, Fred Armisen and the film's director Edgar Wright (of Scott Pilgrim & Baby Driver fame) himself. When I saw how many clips like this were involved in the online preview, I was concerned...this is frequently the worst part of modern day music documentaries IMO. However, these are all well edited and do not seem superfluous even considering the long runtime of the film.
A few other random observations for anyone still reading:
The film is a chronological history of the band and does not shy away from missteps. Compare this to the recent Bee Gees documentary that never mentions the Sgt. Pepper's movie ONCE!
They have always been obsessed with movies, both went to film school at UCLA and attempted to get involved in movie projects in the 70s and 80s that ultimately went nowhere. Now with this film and the upcoming musical Annette (starring Adam Driver featuring all new songs) they are finally living their dream in their 70s.
When they ran out of ideas and the music business turned its back on them at the end of the 80s, they were able to lie low for SIX YEARS as they attempted (and failed) to get a movie made with Tim Burton. It's sad that not everyone is able to parlay a relatively brief period of popularity into financial stability without the need for money generating gimmicks and mediocre downmarket gigs (cough).
There were three 2018 "Hippopotamus" shows filmed (Kent Forum plus Japan and Mexico City) but we only see bits and pieces. Naturally, fans can hope to see more down the road.
In case you can't tell, I really liked this. As a fan of the band, I knew I'd enjoy it...but I am truly blown away. I don't know how people are meant to see this (I paid $15 online for the second Sundance showing) and I think the length might keep people totally unfamiliar with the subject away, but I am very glad it exists and Ron & Russell clearly enjoy themselves.
Check it out when you can! "
Topic: Sparks (Read 31337 times)