Rating: 
Summary: Brian Wilson-"I Just Wasn't Made For These Times"
Review: A stunning yet disturbing portait of a true musical genius. Paul and John had eachother, Brian had only himself, with little group participation other than critisism. This powerful documentary proves, through all his struggles, his music will last forever.
Rating: 
Summary: AN ARTIST HOME AND DRY
Review: America invented modern popular culture and Brian Wilson, one of its important architects, remains largely undervalued. Don Was's film, premiered at the Sundance Festival and appreciated in New York arthouse cinema before it hit home video, takes great strides towards redressing. The strengths of the film are many - it is stylistically equal to the Maysleses and Scorsese - and shows weakness only in accommodating hagiographic testimonials. There is value for sure in the opinions of Sonic Youth, David Crosby, Randy Newman and Linda Ronstadt. But no matter how inventively you frame it, this is the plague of celebrity endorsement, the rut of the network, that has historically damaged Wilson more than most, relegating him to freak-fossil by dint of attractively recyclable anecdotes. The truth is, in contemporary music Wilson has no peer. The challenge in reporting him is twofold: first, to jump-cut the psycho-analytic obsession of our remedial age and focus the undiminished imperative, which is a philosophy of redemptive humor; second: to properly evaluate the evolution of his music, from bizarrely diverse roots ranging from vaudeville to chamber concepts to Polynesian chant. All said, Was's film is the wittiest and therefore most fitting portrait of Wilson to date. A&E's recent longer-form documentary is better on history and chronology; "Imagination" (also on DVD) is warmer - but this one essays vitality. Wilson is smarter and tougher than many give credit. Ultimately posterity delivers the heroes to the pantheon. Was's film - a reminder of genius in process - shows us Wilson has already beaten the devil, and the fates: artistically he is home and dry.
Rating:
Summary: An utterly heartbreaking bittersweet portrait of a genius
Review: Brian Wilson-The Heart and Soul of one of the greatest american rock bands of all time, the Beach Boys. Though the Beach Boys stand among rock's elite enshrined forever within the Rock N' Roll of Fame, It was Brian WIlson's genius, his vision and his dictatorial quest of perfection thats what gotten them there.Brain Wilson, an ubused child, grew up in the hedonistic environment of sunny California, were the 50's and early sixties placed california not only as a state-but as a state of mind. In time, Brian Wilson obtained the knack of songwriting and in return gave us timeless music; "surfer Girl", "I Get around", "California Girls", "Good Vibrations" and the monumental songcycle Pet Sounds-just to name a few. What he got in return was dissension, pain and mental illness. Though he has made a somewhat recovery from his illness, he still suffers today. Though still spirited and active, it is painfully obvious that his best days and work are clearly behind him. He has made brief well-produced efforts: his first self titled solo album (1989) and the recent Imagination (1998). This Video also has an improptu performance of wilson and Van Dyke Parks with "Orange Crate Art" from the 1995 album of the same name. Don Was captured wilson as a tired, but enlightened old warhorse, his looks and voice now more mellow, more tattered than the adrenilene-drenched 21 year old whose pristine voice, four-part harmony, and inventive bass patterns propelled him and his band to legendary status. The video recounts the Beach Boys heyday, culminating with the 1966 Melody Maker poll of the band being the "number one world's best band" over the Beatles. Equally touching is the participation of his daughters Carnie and Wendy (of Wilson-Phillips) on the 1968 hit "Do it Again", were Wilson still has the chops and has fun showing them off. Other performances-such as "Caroline No" and "Til I Die" recount Wilsons Highs and lows without any nuance of nostalgia. The video was primarily intended to educate fans and inquirers of who Brian Wilson was and what contributions he's made to rock and pop. Often written-off as a burnt-out, crazy sixties drug addict, the film gives a new dimension (one without Beach Boy limitations)to the man and the artist. This film, originally presented on cable's Disney Channel, serves as a document-a sort of snapshot-to how Brian Wilson emerged from mental illness and craziness to a model of self-respect and self-dignity that everyone can appreciate.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, gut-wrenching look at a musical genius
Review: I'm just young enough to have missed the Beach Boys when they hit big the first time around, but was right on schedule when the double LP, "Endless Summer" recharged their careers. Now they've gone through how ever many different incarnations, and Brian Wilson has been tabloid fodder many times over the past 10 years or so. Famed music-producer Don Was decided it was his honor to pay tribute to a man who, indeed, was a musical genius, a man who's artistry influenced so, so many, both in the music business, and beyond. In different ways, Keith Richards, through 'Hail, Hail, Rock and Roll' (the life of Chuck Berry), and Bruce Springsteen, with his 'Roy Orbison, A Black and White Night' made wonderful, lasting tributes to men who's musical contributions were cornerstone to a generation. After watching this film, I find Brian Wilson no less deserving. The film is honest and fairly raw. There are many generous tributes from incredible stars, as well as recounts from family and friends. The framework is Wilson himself, telling his story, and this, of course is many times difficult to watch just due to the deterioration Wilson has experienced over his life. He seems lucid, and his memory is strong, but he struggles with speech and his focus is not real sharp at times. It's a wonderful tribute, lovingly crafted. Music buffs and documentary hounds should lap this one up.
Rating: 
Summary: not what i was expecting
Review: okay, here we go. i just got this and watched it for the first time last night and unfortunately, i was terribly unimpressed and bored throughout most of it. i love brian wilson and can't praise his music enough but as most fanatics can tell you, his music and voice are no longer what they used to be. so much of this documentary contains recent footage of brain sitting at a piano playing old songs like wonderul, the warmth of the sun, etc. and although that sounds good, it is almost unbearable watching him struggle through each one, often completely missing notes. my theory is this: when the director approached him for commentary, brian insisted they use footage of him now, playing his old hits and that they also include many scenes of his odd female companion who mostly stares in glowing admiration(sometimes at brian, sometimes just off into space.) there is even a number with carnie(pre-stapling)and wendy, singing backup. i ordered this based on customer reviews and looking at them now, i can't believe more people don't feel the same way i do. anyway, i would recomend this for rental, but please don't make the same mistake i did and spend your hard earned money on it. you will be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: not what i was expecting
Review: okay, here we go. i just got this and watched it for the first time last night and unfortunately, i was terribly unimpressed and bored throughout most of it. i love brian wilson and can't praise his music enough but as most fanatics can tell you, his music and voice are no longer what they used to be. so much of this documentary contains recent footage of brain sitting at a piano playing old songs like wonderul, the warmth of the sun, etc. and although that sounds good, it is almost unbearable watching him struggle through each one, often completely missing notes. my theory is this: when the director approached him for commentary, brian insisted they use footage of him now, playing his old hits and that they also include many scenes of his odd female companion who mostly stares in glowing admiration(sometimes at brian, sometimes just off into space.) there is even a number with carnie(pre-stapling)and wendy, singing backup. i ordered this based on customer reviews and looking at them now, i can't believe more people don't feel the same way i do. anyway, i would recomend this for rental, but please don't make the same mistake i did and spend your hard earned money on it. you will be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: On the Brink of Something
Review: Outstanding documentary finds this troubled genius "on the brink of something..." Mike Love is conspicuously absent from the roster of interview subjects, and the infamous Dr. Landy is referred to by Brian as "this guy that wouldn't leave me alone." Fascinating stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Aaron Jaffee: I Was Made for These Times
Review: Powerful and riveting documentary. I was captured by his youth and it kept me interested throughout. Very Good rating for use in a research project or just entertainment purposes.
Rating:
Summary: Aaron Jaffee: I Was Made for These Times
Review: Powerful and riveting documentary. I was captured by his youth and it kept me interested throughout. Very Good rating for use in a research project or just entertainment purposes.
Rating:
Summary: Simply outstanding
Review: This documentary captures Brian Wilson as he is today -- mature, brilliant, still disturbed but clearly holding it together and still making music. Brian comes across as human and vulnerable, a modest man who quite literally changed the world. The unabashadly glowing tributes afforded him by such rock luminaries as David Crosby, Graham Nash, Tom Petty, Linda Rondstadt and others demonstrate the high regard Brian is held in by people who understand rock and roll music and its impact on our culture. These folks know the score and they're here to tell you that Brian Wilson is the man. Any Brian Wilson or Beach Boys fan should enjoy this wonderful film. More to the point, anybody who thinks Brian Wilson or The Beach Boys are lightweight or irrelevant should invest a couple of hours watching this film. It is simply outstanding.
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