The 1960's and 70's were a time of change uncertainty for our country. War waged on in Vietnam, the "hippie" era was in bloom, and there was of course the music. There was only one voice heard in all of these areas: John Lennon.
Imagine: John Lennon is Andrew Solt's documentary about the rock legend John Lennon. It spans over 40 years from his early days in Liverpool and Hamburg to that fatal December night in New York City, 1980. It showcases his musical talent and outspokenness for peace, love, and music.
The movie goes back and forth from John Lennon's home recording studio in 1973 to Lennon's life story. It's an interesting way of telling a man's life. The first half is mostly about the rise of The Beatles. Starting in Liverpool, bassist Paul McCartney, guitarist George Harrison, and drummer Ringo Starr create a sound that will rock the world. They go from playing small, rowdy venues in Liverpool and Hamburg, to the "big time".
Their album "Meet the Beatles" is just the ticket they need to make it across the pond to the US. Beatlemania is reaching critical mass and Lennon was having difficulties controlling his personal life and his life on the road. His wife Cynthia and son Julian have to be second to the band. Cynthia won't stick around for long, she eventually asks him for a divorce.
As The Beatles begin to experiment in drugs, there music too sounds a little experimental. Using many different sounds and beats, they will once again have a rock and roll revolution. Their album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band became one of their most famous. But all isn't "Strawberry Fields" in the studio. With Lennon's latest girl Yoko Ono, the band feels like she is impeding on their creativity. After more than 10 years together, The Beatles are no more.
This was not the end for Lennon. Solt goes way beyond The Beatles in this movie. He shows us his private life with home videos and interviews with Yoko, Julian, his other son Sean, and close friends of the family.
For fans of The Beatles and of Lennon, this movie is ideal. It's a great look into the life of the legendary singer/song writer. The music is fantastic and the movie itself is well put together. For those who have some interest in this subject, the movie may be slightly boring.
The one thing you can't overlook is Lennon's impact on pop culture. He was the voice of a generation that wanted nothing more than to, "give peace a chance". It seems like everything he did had some meaning behind it. He wrote songs about his kids, about his father, and about Yoko. He also had many politically charged songs and some "choice" album covers.
This documentary was cleverly done and well put together. Although it at times has some not so interesting information, for the most part it is a fantastic look into the life of a cultural icon.
Imagine: John Lennon is Andrew Solt's documentary about the rock legend John Lennon. It spans over 40 years from his early days in Liverpool and Hamburg to that fatal December night in New York City, 1980. It showcases his musical talent and outspokenness for peace, love, and music.
The movie goes back and forth from John Lennon's home recording studio in 1973 to Lennon's life story. It's an interesting way of telling a man's life. The first half is mostly about the rise of The Beatles. Starting in Liverpool, bassist Paul McCartney, guitarist George Harrison, and drummer Ringo Starr create a sound that will rock the world. They go from playing small, rowdy venues in Liverpool and Hamburg, to the "big time".
Their album "Meet the Beatles" is just the ticket they need to make it across the pond to the US. Beatlemania is reaching critical mass and Lennon was having difficulties controlling his personal life and his life on the road. His wife Cynthia and son Julian have to be second to the band. Cynthia won't stick around for long, she eventually asks him for a divorce.
As The Beatles begin to experiment in drugs, there music too sounds a little experimental. Using many different sounds and beats, they will once again have a rock and roll revolution. Their album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band became one of their most famous. But all isn't "Strawberry Fields" in the studio. With Lennon's latest girl Yoko Ono, the band feels like she is impeding on their creativity. After more than 10 years together, The Beatles are no more.
This was not the end for Lennon. Solt goes way beyond The Beatles in this movie. He shows us his private life with home videos and interviews with Yoko, Julian, his other son Sean, and close friends of the family.
For fans of The Beatles and of Lennon, this movie is ideal. It's a great look into the life of the legendary singer/song writer. The music is fantastic and the movie itself is well put together. For those who have some interest in this subject, the movie may be slightly boring.
The one thing you can't overlook is Lennon's impact on pop culture. He was the voice of a generation that wanted nothing more than to, "give peace a chance". It seems like everything he did had some meaning behind it. He wrote songs about his kids, about his father, and about Yoko. He also had many politically charged songs and some "choice" album covers.
This documentary was cleverly done and well put together. Although it at times has some not so interesting information, for the most part it is a fantastic look into the life of a cultural icon.