The Velvet Underground (2021)

[PowellPressburger]

I've heard that some info within the doc is not factual, even down to how much say Warhol had on their music etc. I think the legend just becomes fact..

but that said I still would like to see it.

I really like the artwork and spine on this release.

[Joe Dalek]

I bought this sight unseen. I'm a big fan of the VU but not so much that I can quote catalog numbers or band members' birthdays. I didn't find it particularly revelatory but it was enjoyable and clearly made with love.

It reminded me somewhat of "Moonage Daydream" in its fluid, collage style, letting the visuals, music, and occasional interview snippets tell the story (though more linear than the Bowie doc). Early years/formation on through the Nico era dominates.

Whether or not any of it is true...

[drownsoda]

I watched this last night—it is certainly worth viewing for all of the rare footage alone. Great use of the split-screen as well. Just visually speaking, it was a real treat, especially as someone who really loved this band. It definitely leans heavily on the Velvet Underground and Nico era, but I still very much enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by drownsoda

I watched this last night—it is certainly worth viewing for all of the rare footage alone. Great use of the split-screen as well. Just visually speaking, it was a real treat, especially as someone who really loved this band. It definitely leans heavily on the Velvet Underground and Nico era, but I still very much enjoyed it nonetheless.

I bought this sight unseen, I know of the band, but I honestly and with slight embarrassment will admit to saying this movie was a history lesson and introduction to the 'sound' (and music) of the Velvet Underground - and I was thoroughly impressed.

[drownsoda]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I bought this sight unseen, I know of the band, but I honestly and with slight embarrassment will admit to saying this movie was a history lesson and introduction to the 'sound' (and music) of the Velvet Underground - and I was thoroughly impressed.

Definitely give them a go—they were an extremely influential band that broke a lot of ground. Their earlier stuff is more art rock-y, while the later stuff (particularly Loaded) is a bit more accessible and has more hooks, but you can't really go wrong with any of their records IMO. I became obsessed with them after someone gave me a CD of The Velvet Underground and Nico in high school. They really opened the doorway for me to a whole other world of music. I don't know that I ever really "loved" a band until I found them. I am glad the film was still enjoyable without having familiarity with the music; it was well-made and really captured the visual style that was associated with their first record (which had the Warhol influence all over it).

[rnranimal]

Does anyone have a list of the bonus avant-garde films on the blu-ray? Criterion and the cover only say it includes complete versions of some of the films excepted in the doc but doesn't say which. Amazon lists the Venus In Furs film as one of them but doesn't list others.

[Werkmeister]

Originally Posted by rnranimal

Does anyone have a list of the bonus avant-garde films on the blu-ray? Criterion and the cover only say it includes complete versions of some of the films excepted in the doc but doesn't say which. Amazon lists the Venus In Furs film as one of them but doesn't list others.

Yes - I'm wondering the same thing. I would be surprised (pleasantly!) if they were able to include Chelsea Girls, given how long it is. But I'm very curious to know the full list. Some of the Jonas Mekas, Shirley Clarke and Kenneth Anger material used in the film is already available on Blu-Ray, so I'm hoping that there are a couple of the more obscure films that were digitized for inclusion in the film. Anyone who has the disc, let us know!

[postmodel]

Per this review https://www.cageyfilms.com/2022/12/t...u-ray-review/:

There are three samples of avant garde filmmaking from the mid-’60s – Warhol and various Factory figures sharing a basket of fruit, shot by Mekas (1964, 12:21), Venus in Furs by Piero Heliczar (1965, 21:20), and excerpts from Walden: Diaries, Notes and Sketches by Jonas Mekas (1964-69, 7:46). I must admit that these rough, improvisatory pieces don’t do a lot for me, seeming like home movies mostly of interest to the people involved.