The joke, of course, is that fans going to a Rolling Stones concert are going to watch "geezer rock."
Trust me, you've haven't remotely experienced "geezer rock" until you've seen "Young @ Heart," the new documentary about a group of senior citizens who, over the past 25 years, have been part of a wildly popular choral group that sings -- now get this -- some pretty serious rock and roll.
These seniors might be the coolest elders you're going to see in a very long time. Collectively known as New England's Young At Heart Chorus, this amazing assortment of folks is part of a movie that elevates your mood and, alluding to an old song they don't sing, helps you forget your troubles.
Alas, the seniors in the film have to face that ultimate trouble -- when they can no longer cope with their frailties. Sadly, to borrow a line from Mick Jagger, death really is often "just a shot away." British director Stephen Walker saw the chorus in London -- the group has worldwide popularity -- and decided that the story would make a fascinating documentary. He was right.
Led by Bob Cilman, the chorus director with the patience of a saint and the exuberance of a thousand clowns, the seniors study new songs, many of the tunes sounding -- to them -- like UFO static. Since 1982, the ever-changing gang of singers, who live in the Northampton, Mass., area, have comprised a vibrant galaxy of rock and roll enthusiasts. They are adamant that the problems of aging, the perils of health and the percentages for dying before the curtain goes up will not deter them. And yes, the movie does have its sad moments. The credo the show must go on hits hard here. The average age of the singers is 81.
"Young @ Heart" is a refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable documentary based on the lives of the current singing group of 24 senior citizens. The documentary follows the group as they participate in a demanding six-week rehearsal schedule at home and in a studio that would tax the strength of younger rock and roll Turks.
Merely following a collection of elders as they rehearse cover versions of popular rock, punk and disco songs, while intriguing, isn't enough to keep audiences rooting for their success. You already know right away that the NEYAHC has a huge international following. Therefore, director Walker zeroes in on a few of the singers and pays special attention to them.
You immediately share their pain. And it's not just the pain of learning new songs; there are those pesky arthritis flare-ups with which to contend. The sold-out concert for which they are preparing isn't billed as "Alive And Well" for nothing.
You enjoy the gutsy Dora Morrow as she's called on to handle James Brown's "I Feel Good." And the spry Eileen Hall, who at 92 is the most senior of the seniors, does a killer version of the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" Other performers and bands represented include the Ramones, Coldplay, David Bowie and Radiohead.
It's a lot of fun watching the seniors being something other than lively melody makers. Filmmaker Walker has great respect for the chorus, and it shows. They are not just highlighted as frisky oddities. They are given heart and soul. Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Patti Page and Paul Whitman may have been popular when the members of the chorus were growing up, but as far as they are concerned, it's rock and roll that's here to stay.
The movie is a dish of hope served with elan. Not your father's Oldsmobile, indeed.
"The Chronicles of Narnia" movie franchise has box office megabucks written all over it. With "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" having already taken in more than $700 million, and the second -- "Prince Caspian" -- now opened, there are five more potential blockbusters waiting to be made and unleashed on movie audiences.
Based on Christianity advocate C.S. Lewis' popular seven-book series, the Narnia pictures, judging from the first two efforts, are going to be aimed at children, but with enough material for adult enjoyment, although I doubt there's going to be much debating of Lewis' essential spiritual theme, as least from what I've seen.
That's because Lewis' very strident and fiery religious emphasis is watered down. Better that Hollywood (in the generic sense) does what it does best: lop off limbs and spill blood.
In "Prince Caspian," the fierce battle between the Narnians (yay!) and the Telmarines (boo!) is endless. Steven Spielberg spent less time detailing the landing on the beaches of Normandy in "Saving Private Ryan." One grows weary watching it. You start to count the tiles in the theater ceiling. You wonder how much wattage is in the exit lights. You dream of better movies and greater glory.
Three screenwriters, including the director Andrew Adamson, have been called upon to interpret Lewis' novel. Page-wise, the book is a thin wisp of a work. Thematically, it's got some oomph, but as I wrote, depth is a cardinal sin in Hollywood.
Adamson is the co-director of the first two "Shrek" films and was then given the right to direct humans in "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe." He's back with "Prince Caspian."
I'm going to grant that he knows how to direct people, but to what end? A boring, bloated, 144-minute meander through children's minds that serves no real purpose except to make us realize they can also make cheesy features in the Czech Republic? Look, you American studio bosses, cheap is relative. Czech Republic cheap takes American production jobs and looks worse than American cheap.
This time around, the four Pevensie children return to the magical Narnia, where they once held sway. They have already seen the grotesque execution of Aslan, the Supreme lion, and were there to see him rise again. (For those of you unfamiliar with C.S. Lewis, this is his palette -- scripture regenerated.)
In "Prince Caspian," Narnia has been sucked of decency and honor and faith by the forces of darkness, personified by King Miraz. He and his wacky followers come from the land of Swarthia. (Swarthy -- get it?)
Caspian is the rightful heir to the throne of Narnia and he unites with the Pevensies to fight the baddies and bring back the Supreme lion.
This fantasy stuff takes liberties with realistic thinking. I was wondering who capped Caspian's teeth and styled his flowing hair? A Pevensie lass, Susan, gets all giggly around Caspian. Then the weird bad guys get weirder and the kids take up with a couple of dwarves.
I'm not going to deny that the cinematography is solid and there are a few tiny jolts here and there that perk up the goings-on. But come on, Narnia overrun twice already, with more to come?
That's why you need the book's thematic ideas, which are given short shrift. Are we just going to watch kids get terrorized by misshapen meanies and then watch peppy new friends come to their rescue over and over and over? Heaven, and C.S. Lewis, help us.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | May 20 2008 |