Stop Making Sense (Talking Heads concert documentary)

[CarbonUnitM78]

After a special September 11 IMAX screening with a live Q&A after the movie with the band members of Talking Heads, the concert film Stop Making Sense began it's regular IMAX screenings on September 22. The film has been restored and remastered in 4K.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rjMwSTeVeo

https://www.indiewire.com/features/c...24-1234907266/

I've watched this on Sunday night and it was awesome! The picture was razor sharp with only one scene with a bit of blurriness and the sound was loud and incredible! This has been called the greatest concert film of all time. I don't know about that, it very well may be. It is one of the best concert films I have seen, though. Great and energetic performances and music, excellent photography, and not a dull song to be found. I wish I can see it again in IMAX, but I will be watching it again next week at a regular theatre for sure!

[Martoto]

I love TH and the movie is a great performance. There's just something about concert films that sends me to sleep though. I don't think I've ever sat through the whole thing. Maybe IMAX will be different though.

[Warm Gun]

I have watched maybe forty concert movies. This was the best one.

[Dubstar]

I went to the September 11th IMAX screening (fantastic presentation, and the near sold out crowd really wanted to get up and dance, a few did), but it's really too bad, I'm not seeing any theaters in the DC/MD/VA area when it begins on Sept. 29th showcasing the remixed Dolby Atmos remix ... oh well, guess I'll have to wait to hear that when the 4K UHD (or bluray) gets released.

[The Great Owl]

I took a couple of hours off of work this afternoon to catch a 1:30 p.m. IMAX showing of this movie at the theater down the street.

Five stars

Whenever my parents were annoyed with me during my more rambunctious childhood moments, they would tell me, “Make sense!” As such, even had I not already been a fan of Talking Heads at the time of release for their iconic 1984 concert film when I was 12 years old, I would have become an instant devotee simply because of the fact that they titled it, Stop Making Sense. Here is a tip of the hat to adolescent rebellion.

As I get older and stop making sense, of course, the movie, directed by Jonathan Demme from the band's multiple performances at Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles during the 1983 tour promoting their album, Speaking in Tongues, reverberates in my psyche all the more, as does the soundtrack, which which I recently bought on vinyl in a glorious expanded edition. It lives up to its reputation as the best concert film ever made, much in part because it focuses close-up on the band members while omitting audience shots until the end.

The new IMAX presentation of Stop Making Sense is wondrous in its upgraded video and audio quality, allowing the music, which was recorded digitally from the performances, to shine on upgraded sound systems. The end result places viewers into a genuinely concert-like atmosphere, so much so that I wanted to dance in the theater and cheer after each song.

I never did see Talking Heads in concert, but I did at least make it to the Atlanta date at Fox Theatre for the most recent David Byrne tour. My expectations for the future are in check, but I love listening to the present-day interviews with Talking Heads while they promote the new movie rerelease.

[Martoto]

Saw it last night. Not in imax sadly. But the place was jumping. Sold out and singing along.

[Purplenoon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I took a couple of hours off of work this afternoon to catch a 1:30 p.m. IMAX showing of this movie at the theater down the street.

Five stars

Whenever my parents were annoyed with me during my more rambunctious childhood moments, they would tell me, “Make sense!” As such, even had I not already been a fan of Talking Heads at the time of release for their iconic 1984 concert film when I was 12 years old, I would have become an instant devotee simply because of the fact that they titled it, Stop Making Sense. Here is a tip of the hat to adolescent rebellion.

As I get older and stop making sense, of course, the movie, directed by Jonathan Demme from the band's multiple performances at Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles during the 1983 tour promoting their album, Speaking in Tongues, reverberates in my psyche all the more, as does the soundtrack, which which I recently bought on vinyl in a glorious expanded edition. It lives up to its reputation as the best concert film ever made, much in part because it focuses close-up on the band members while omitting audience shots until the end.

The new IMAX presentation of Stop Making Sense is wondrous in its upgraded video and audio quality, allowing the music, which was recorded digitally from the performances, to shine on upgraded sound systems. The end result places viewers into a genuinely concert-like atmosphere, so much so that I wanted to dance in the theater and cheer after each song.

I never did see Talking Heads in concert, but I did at least make it to the Atlanta date at Fox Theatre for the most recent David Byrne tour. My expectations for the future are in check, but I love listening to the present-day interviews with Talking Heads while they promote the new movie rerelease.

Great stuff. My wife graduated from high school with Jerry Harrison. We attended their 40th and 50th class reunions. Jerry and a group of his fellow Shorewood HS musicians teamed up to play TAKE ME TO THE RIVER among other songs. But the background to both reunions as we walked into the hall was his keyboard riff to that song booming throughout the hotel Amazing to hear so close up. The flick and the album are landmarks of an almost forgotten time. Rock on!

[Lemmy Lugosi]

I have always been a fan of TH, since day one. I don’t know what I was expecting from Stop Making Sense, but I have never ever been able to get into it at all. I think it’s because I was expecting a concert by the band members, and not such an extravagant type of event. I prefer TH in a smaller venue, and just the four members of the band playing.

[notops]

Originally Posted by Lemmy Lugosi

I have always been a fan of TH, since day one. I don’t know what I was expecting from Stop Making Sense, but I have never ever been able to get into it at all. I think it’s because I was expecting a concert by the band members, and not such an extravagant type of event. I prefer TH in a smaller venue, and just the four members of the band playing.

To be fair, they were touring to support Speaking In Tongues at the time, which had a bigger, funkier sound to it.

[Walter Kafka]

Originally Posted by notops

To be fair, they were touring to support Speaking In Tongues at the time, which had a bigger, funkier sound to it.

Great, great, great movie. One of the best. David Byrne had begun to incorporate the pre-planned "performance art" that he's continued doing even to this day. It works cinematically. On the other hand, I think the Heads peaked earlier musically. Like, for example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO7N2tFb0X8

[moreorless]

Originally Posted by Walter Kafka

Great, great, great movie. One of the best. David Byrne had begun to incorporate the pre-planned "performance art" that he's continued doing even to this day. It works cinematically. On the other hand, I think the Heads peaked earlier musically. Like, for example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO7N2tFb0X8

Adrian Berlew on guitar is the big difference I'd say, Alex Weir is very good but not quite as inventive.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Saw this at the Drive In Saturday night, great movie, great music! Glad we got a chance to see it on the big screen, even if it wasn't IMAX.

[format916]

Had a solo concert this morning. A lot of fun. Didn’t know that Tom Tom Club song was from the bass player; obviously I knew the song from various samples..thought it was just some random disco song.

[sextonseven]

I went to an IMAX screen during opening weekend last month. I'm not a Talking Heads fan, but this really was one of the best concert movies I've ever seen. And I always knew Tom Tom Club was a side project by Tina and Chris, but the inclusion of "Genius of Love" was a surprise to me, having never seen the movie before. I'm hoping a 4K disc release comes out one day.

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by format916

Had a solo concert this morning. A lot of fun. Didn’t know that Tom Tom Club song was from the bass player; obviously I knew the song from various samples..thought it was just some random disco song.

When I saw them at the Berkeley Greek Theater, one of the big surprises and one of my favorite moments from an incredible show was when Tom Tom Club came out and Tina sang Genius Of Love with Chris exhorting her and the band from behind the drum kit. So much fun! and her spider walk...

One of the greatest shows I've ever seen and I saw it twice, first night and last night [third show]

[BluBonnet]

A24 Sets ‘Stop Making Sense’ Tribute Album With Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Paramore and More Artists Delivering Talking Heads Covers

Miley Cyrus, Lorde and Paramore are just a few of the artists who will feature on A24‘s “Stop Making Sense” tribute album. Paying homage to Talking Heads, the record will covers from the band’s 1984 live album “Stop Making Sense.”

The rest of the lineup includes Girl in Red, The National, Teezo Touchdown, Kevin Abstract, BadBadNotGood, Toro y Moi, Blondshell, DJ Tunez, Jean Dawson, Chicano Batman, The Linda Lindas, El Mató and The Cavemen.

The album was first revealed on Jan. 10 in a teaser clip posted on both Paramore and A24’s social channels. In the video, frontwoman Hayley Williams receives a box in the mail containing a replica of the jacket David Byrne wears on the album’s original artwork. At the end of the clip, AJ Gibboney and Paramore’s Zac Farro are credited as directors.

Referencing “Stop Making Sense,” Williams tells her bandmates, “I’ve got a tape I’d like to play you,” while the trailer previews Paramore’s cover of “Burning Down the House.”

A24 acquired the worldwide rights to the acclaimed concert film and re-released it in theaters around the world last year for its 40th anniversary. It became Imax’s highest-grossing live event, earning $640,839 and selling out 25 screens across 165 Imax locations in North America, according to the company.

The 1984 film was directed by filmmaker Jonathan Demme (“Silence of the Lambs,” “Philadelphia”) and stars core band members David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison along with Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steve Scales, Lynn Mabry and Edna Holt. The live performance was shot over three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in December of 1983 and features Talking Heads’ most memorable songs.

The trailer is the only post on Paramore’s Instagram account after the band wiped their socials and longtime website. The move alarmed fans of the group though Variety reported the clean-out was to commemorate the end of the band’s 20-year deal with Atlantic Records was up.

[fighthefutureofhd]

With all the artists that Talking Heads have influenced, both past and present, they still couldn't find any better artists for this covers album? I mean, Byrne has worked with some of the best. Guess A24 is aiming for the cheap seats. Wonder what this means for their future.

[Martoto]

Tribute cover albums like this tend to only be any good when it's unofficial. Just a bunch of likeminded artists who want to record and collect their favourites from a particular artists.

But when they are produced as a marketing tool like this, you might get one worthwhile reimagining of a tune you like, and from a not disinterested artist just taking the opportunity for exposure, or fulfilling an obligation.. If you are lucky.