| Beatles | ||
| Magical Mystery Tour | ||
| Review by Ross Anthony | ||
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Magical Mystery Tour -- really, there isn't a more apropos name for this piece. It has elements of Monty Python's Flying Circus, Benny Hill, and even Harold and Maude. It's absolutely not to be taken seriously. It's just silly fun. It certainly won't win any awards as a cinematic work, but if you're a Beatles fan, you'll have a great time. After all, it was conceived, written, directed, acted, and shot by the Beatles themselves. (That said, thank God, a real editor edited the darn thing.) The end result is a frolic. A team of musical geniuses dabbling in another art form for the shear fun of it. Even during its more dull moments (car race, Blue Jay Way), it still emits a charming naiveté. And it's interesting to see what the Beatles thought would be cool on film even if it failed to be all that cool. Anyway, the actual film is only half the reason (or less) to get this disc. The extra features are really the features. Come on, what self-respecting Beatles fan wouldn't want to take the Magical Mystery Tour with Director Paul McCartney giving the commentary through the entire duration? And that's not even the best part. The Making of is a short documentary full of interviews with individual Fab members and others involved. It gives great insight and includes footage cut from the film (some of which was as good or better). But there's way more to amuse you, whole sequences which were cut are individually included. I'm Going in A Field, by Ivor Cutler-- is the oddest weirdest bit. If you're willing to not take it seriously, I think it'll tickle you in the strangest places. Anyway, I had a great time with this disc. The sound is very good and, as a Beatles fan myself, I can't believe I'd never seen the Your Mother Should Know sequence. It's a blast. The Beatles cast themselves in a sort of home-film version of a big Hollywood Production number, white suits and all. "It turned out to be a wacky, impromptu romp that puzzled a few people at the time." Paul And Ringo got to drive the bus! |
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Grade..........................A- (3/4) |
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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186.
Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow. |
