Tommy

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Summary: Tommy and Messianic Tradition in the 20th Century
Review: Tommy is born into affluence but must indure great hardship in his youth. Deaf, dumb and blind, he somehow masters the world of pinball. Greed and desperation on the part of his mother brings him to brake through the mirror that is his disability, and the realization that he is special beyond pinball. A cult grows around him starting with Sally Simpson ( and she is the first casualty). Unlike Christ, the disciples and apostles have only currency on their minds until they realize that the souveneirs and posters aren't enough to save them. Rather than be crucified, he is denounced but finds redemption in the denial of his followers. Great film. I would recomend also Jesus Christ Superstar and the CD Kansas Greatest Hits which when listened to in order seems to portray the life of Christ.

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Summary: pure rock'n'roll magic!
Review: This movie made me a fan of the Who when I was only ten years old (back in 1978). Roger Daltrey is the perfect Tommy (the broadway version with that moron playing Tommy is a total fiasco; awfull); Keith Moon is really frightening and at the same time, fun. Ann Margret is absolutelly great, and sings much better than most of broadway female singers: her voice is beautifull and powerfull. Actually, one of the best moments in the film is "mother and son" where she sings a dueto with Roger Daltrey. That song is so lyrical and the curious thing about it is that Pete Towshend wrote it only for the movie. That song was not in the original Tommy record. The final scene, where Daltrey sings "listening to you" at the top of the mountain and suddenly the sun comes out, is magical. I must have seen this movie about 200 times already and never get bored. This is the ultimate rock movie!

Rating:
Summary: A lot to see
Review: Anyone who sees Tommy has to place it in its time. It was made in the mid-1970s, by Ken Russell. Actually, much of the movie is innovative, and was in many ways ahead of its time. I think Ken Russell started the cheesy aspect after Capt. Walker crashes to show the descent Nora makes into suburbian sterility. Tommy's condition may have even been a comment on how stifling, artificial and restrictive that lifestyle is. He may have been implying that Tommy was better off with his fantasies than he would have been living in the present with Nora and ol' Uncle Frank. In any case, this is a must-see movie simply because there are many social references to it that seeing the movie will clarify. You've got to appreciate the music, and especially Elton John's performance. It was an extremely ambitious work that doesn't always succeed, but it is certainly watchable. Regardless of the fact that Ken Russell has been blamed for many of the movie's shortcomings, I think one must look at Robert Stigwood as producer. Yes, he was responsible for Saturday Night Fever and Grease, but also for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and for Grease 2. Need I say more?

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Summary: listening to you, I get the music
Review: I mainly bought this dvd because of the final track where Daltry is running up that mountain, with the Who's national anthem playing (listening to you, I get the music etc). I have many fond memories of them singing that song live. The movie itself I enjoyed. It's colourful and keeps you interested. There's not a dull moment. For a 1973 movie, it's still pretty good today; Ann-Margaret is georgeous in it. I also liked "I'm Free" and of course "Pinball Wizzard". If I was a non-Who fan, I would give it 7/10. As a Who fan I give it 9.

Rating:
Summary: great
Review: When I first heard about this movie i thought it would be lame, but when i watched it, I thought that it was the best movie I've ever seen. It is a big trip movie that doesn't leave you the same when you get done watching it. I was in awe for hours. If I were Siskel and Ebert, I'd give it two thumbs up.

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Summary: What is this film about?
Review: I have to give this film kudos because it is really one of the first things that got me hooked on The Who. However, I must protest the music and singing in this film. Jack Nicholson? Already, this has "disaster" written all over it. Plus, to take all of that great Who music and synthesize it, well...that's just wrong. The Who shouldn't be heard that way. And then there's the plot...well, there is no plot. It was insane. If they were trying to clear up any confusion over the album, they failed miserably. This was just too weird. But then, I like weird. I just don't like incoherence. The best part of this film was Keith Moon as Uncle Ernie. Man, if that doesn't keep you awake at night, I don't know what will! See it at least once and then judge for yourself.

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Summary: SCARY
Review: This movie messed me up quite badly as a young 'un. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.

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Summary: This DVD rocks!
Review: The 5.1 Dolby Digital remix enhances an already solid sountrack of toe tapping Who tunes. Nobody says a word in this movie because the music does the talking. The visuals are provacative and move the story right along. The pitfalls of commmercialism message applies today more than ever before.

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Summary: A bit confusing... Just enjoy the music.
Review: When I watched this movie the first time, I was lost. I didn't understand it, and when I don't understand things I get bored. If you're this sort of person, this movie is not for you. The music is good, but I'd really suggest you just go out and buy the Who album. I finally understood the plot (as well as one can) when I read through the lyrics that come with the cd.

Rating:
Summary: A GOOD MOVIE
Review: OVERALL THIS MOVIE IS PRETTY GOOD WHEN YOU ADD UP ALL THE PLUSES AND MINUSES. EVERYTHING IS GREAT UNTIL AFTER TOMMY IS FREE AND CAN HEAR AND SPEAK, THEN THE MOVIE KIND OF FIZZLES OUT, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT PARTS BEFORE HE SPEAKS THAT THE MOVIE IS STILL PRETTY COOL. SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NOT LIKE IT BECAUSE OF ITS WHOLE OVERBLOWN STYLE, BUT I RECOMEND ALL PEOPLE AT LEAST RENT IT. MY PERSONAL FAVORITE PARTS ARE: THE MARILYN MONROE CHURCH, WHEN TOMMY IS BEING TORTURED BY HIS COUSIN. ELTON JOHNS OUTFIT AND HUGE SHOES, WHEN ANN-MARGRET BUSTS THE TV, AND WHEN TOMMY FALLS THROUGH THE MIRROR. OVERALL I LIKE THIS MOVIE.