Rating: Summary: Sputnik 7 Review: After "Talking From the Box" and "Live & Ripped From London", the latest performance from Rollins is less terse and more humourous than afrementioned showcases, but still maintains the signature edge. On "Up For It", the Hot Animal Machine cools down some, doesn't flay his skins on stage, and lets the audience enjoy his own joyously twisted storytelling. By far the funniest, however no less poigniant, talking show to date, Rollins still displays his wierd gift for making his most banal (but not really) experiences about travelling, music and personal politics seem like you were portering him. A very enjoyable performance altogether, and another "must-have" for Rollins afficiandos. Very funny and very friendly.
Rating: Summary: New stuff still good, but not the same Review: First off theres one thing i should let you know. I judge hard. With that in mind most people would consider this a five star movie if this be their first Rollins "spoken word" experiance. Rollins is the truest man on this planet. And one of the most hardcore. His opionins are legendary. Although this video falls short of his previous. Where as the first video you come away feeling enlightend. This you feel like you just been into a comidey show. Thats not Rollins. The Rollins we all know. Wise beyond years and talks with such passion. For a better more touchng get "Rollins in Londan 2 DVD set" Althou i would never frown on anyone who ownes anything Rollins. After all i own this DVD. Anything Rollns is must buy material. Some just better then others.
Rating: Summary: New stuff still good, but not the same Review: First off theres one thing i should let you know. I judge hard. With that in mind most people would consider this a five star movie if this be their first Rollins "spoken word" experiance. Rollins is the truest man on this planet. And one of the most hardcore. His opionins are legendary. Although this video falls short of his previous. Where as the first video you come away feeling enlightend. This you feel like you just been into a comidey show. Thats not Rollins. The Rollins we all know. Wise beyond years and talks with such passion. For a better more touchng get "Rollins in Londan 2 DVD set" Althou i would never frown on anyone who ownes anything Rollins. After all i own this DVD. Anything Rollns is must buy material. Some just better then others.
Rating: Summary: Rollins not bad, but not honed Review: For those looking for more of the wit and straight lines of Rollins's previous spoken word work, this presentation might make you cringe a little around the edges. It's well-produced and features the charismatic and intelligent Rollins, so it has that in its favor. He's honest, hard and accessible; refreshing for a celebrity, especially one crossing genres.The problems lie in his squirrely sense of who-cares and the fact that it comes off mostly as an improvisation by someone who doesn't improve so much as rattle into the next idea. It's an interesting thing to see, but it's not necessarily entertaining and wholly self-referential, sometimes too much so. When he broadens his perspective to general things (his rant on DJs who claim to be musicians is hilarious and poignant: "You're a record player player") he's dead-on what we go see him for, but when he starts talking in the minutiae, it gets a little too personalized and you can tell he knows it and just wants to barrel through to the next thing. It's not stand-up by any actual stretch of the imagination. While there are comic moments, this isn't about comedy (not even in a raw Bill Hicks kind of way); it's a spoken word trail of stories and opinions. It's Rollins's spoken word shows minus the paper-codified stories and poems, leaving us with the talking he does between pieces that sometimes flies and sometimes doesn't. If you're a Rollins fan (music aside), you'll dig it, but you'll likely only watch it once or twice.
Rating: Summary: Rollins not bad, but not honed Review: For those looking for more of the wit and straight lines of Rollins's previous spoken word work, this presentation might make you cringe a little around the edges. It's well-produced and features the charismatic and intelligent Rollins, so it has that in its favor. He's honest, hard and accessible; refreshing for a celebrity, especially one crossing genres. The problems lie in his squirrely sense of who-cares and the fact that it comes off mostly as an improvisation by someone who doesn't improve so much as rattle into the next idea. It's an interesting thing to see, but it's not necessarily entertaining and wholly self-referential, sometimes too much so. When he broadens his perspective to general things (his rant on DJs who claim to be musicians is hilarious and poignant: "You're a record player player") he's dead-on what we go see him for, but when he starts talking in the minutiae, it gets a little too personalized and you can tell he knows it and just wants to barrel through to the next thing. It's not stand-up by any actual stretch of the imagination. While there are comic moments, this isn't about comedy (not even in a raw Bill Hicks kind of way); it's a spoken word trail of stories and opinions. It's Rollins's spoken word shows minus the paper-codified stories and poems, leaving us with the talking he does between pieces that sometimes flies and sometimes doesn't. If you're a Rollins fan (music aside), you'll dig it, but you'll likely only watch it once or twice.
Rating: Summary: Dude, Wanna see my tattoo?! Review: Henry Rollins has inadvertently inspired more drunks to get Sun and Nietzsche quote tattoos more than any performer I can think of. It's true. Anytime I mention Henry Rollins in a public gathering some drunk guy stumbles forth to show me his bad Sun-Nietzsche tattoo. I always cringe at these displays of mediocrity but what can you do. Thankfully, unlike those cretins Rollins continues to mature, shine, and grow not only as a human being but a performer. I have heard some awfully mean raps against Hank's more comic approach to stand-up. The same people that denouce him as a sell-out (a term that in no way applies to Rollins) would cry for his blood if he was doing the same material off of Human Butt. This release marks the second DVD outing for Hank the first being the re-release of Talking From The Box coupled with the new Henry Rollins Goes To London. On UP FOR IT we find Rollins at the age of 40. To help you understand what this may mean to a performer of his distinction I shall relate a quick story about a conversation I overheard at a Rollins Band show last year. Two 18-19 year old boys were talking behind me in line. One asked the other if he had every heard of Black Flag. The other said: "Aren't they that old punk band?". It turned out that neither had ever heard Black Flag or Rollins Band. How they wound up at the show is anyone's guess. Anyway, back to UP FOR IT. Hank's performance is at once funny and offsetting. Rollins always seems best once he gets over the first joke or two, which is usually twenty or so minutes into the show. His immediate torrent of intense energy and humor is too overbearing for comedy. In such a state his jokes tend to go on longer than necessary. It's not until Rollins drains some of that energy that he settles into a more comfortable groove. That critism aside, (Note: I am a keen fan of a person's sense of comedic timing. Check out Bill Hicks for comic perfection) the remainder of Rollins' stand up is very amusing. Particular stand-outs were 'Bangkok Taxis', 'Demographics', 'Maiden and Tunisia' and the almost avante-garde and hilarious 'Wrestling Memories.' The DVD looks and sounds great. Unlike most live performaces I found the camera work quite pleasing, though I must confess I despise the time honored tradition of crowd shots. I don't need to see people laugh. They usually look gross when they do. It also tends to badly date stand-up films, thus taking away from the performance. UP FOR IT also comes with a groovin, laid back, warm and personal interview with Rollins. I found this segment to be most pleasing. Rollins reveals his thoughts on life, women, music, Rollins Band, touring and being 40. It's really more of a free-flow out-loud journal on film than an interview, as we do not hear any questions asked just Rollins talking. If that's not enough for you there's also a kickin' music video for "Your Number Is One" and a featurette on the Rollins Band album (dating myself with that word) "NICE". The featurette really rocks. It's cool to see Hank in the studio and to hear the band throw in their two cents. If you haven't been to a live Rollins Band show do so. These guys rok. So, if you've got the time and the dough check the DVD out.
Rating: Summary: In your face comedy that doesn't let up Review: Henry Rollins is a man most people know for his music. Underneath he's a head full of ideas, witty comments, stories of his travels with a body full of energy. Even at 40 he still has the intensity of someone much younger. His age also lends him insight into the world which makes for good comedy. I've probably watched this dvd several times since I bought it and without fail, each time, it makes me laugh. Rollins is very good with the physical: using his hands and body to act out what he's saying like a sketch routine. He's also good at immitating the demeanors and voices of others in his stories. If you have any funny bone at all, this is sure to make you laugh. To me he's like a mix of Dennis Leary and a little bit Bill Hicks. Though he can never be as truly good as either of those comedians, he still comfortably occupies a class all by himself.
Rating: Summary: Don't be put off Review: I disagree with Scott Woods almost completely. Improvisation from someone who doesn't improvise much? Obviously Scott hasn't paid too much attention to Rollins' previous offerings or indeed, where he and his whole 'talking show' act came from. No, Rollins doesn't walk on stage and simply make up the show from scratch every night. Importantly though, nor are his shows scripted performances that are the same every night of the week. I think this distinction needs to me made, as the reviews so far seem to say that this DVD falls short when (depending what you're after) it certainly does not. This is a comedic performance. The fact that Henry has proven himself capable of offering deeper, more poignant food-for-thought-type material and elected not to include it here should not count against it. Almost all of the material in this show is of a high standard, with only a few exceptions that tend to drag on a little bit (See: "Klan Chaos Distruption Team). The pace is moderate - more short, funny stories than long tales such as The Kiss Army (on Talk Is Cheap) rather than long tales with humour throughout. The direction isnt as bad as some have said, but it could have been better; crowd shots generally contribute nothing to stage show DVDs. This disc also features an interview with Henry that fans will enjoy as some of the questions/subjects are rather good and provoke some interesting answers. Prospective purchasers beware: the people who attend (and review..) Rollins shows generally comprise two types of people. The Not-As-Good-As-He-Used-To-Be brigade, who appear to miss the more serious side of Rollins earlier shows and consequently mark down anything he releases that doesnt have talk of depression-inducing (if thoughtful and insightful) observations, and the rest of us who simply enjoy the man's sense of humour, storytelling skills and all-round take on life. Don't be put off by the naysayers, this is a good DVD whether you're a fan of Rollins or not.
Rating: Summary: I'm Up for It Review: I was going to write a comprehensive review of this...until I read chasemouse's review. There is nothing more to say. If you call yourself a Rollins fan, you WILL include this in your collection.
Rating: Summary: Who' s the director ? Review: I was very nervous, when i wrapped out the dvd, and i was very happy to see the master in an absolut perfect sound & vision, but after a few minutes, something pisses me of. ... I WANT TO SEE THE HOT ANIMAL MACHINE FROM THE FRONT, like i did in severall spoken word shows, i cried out and my wife came to see if i was going nuts at least. The problem is: too many cameras. Why are there camera positions from the back, from the floor and from a football field away ? And somewhat like clicked the cut in ever the same time code ? The performance is great, no doubt. But i must say that i prefer the London dvd's, because they make me feel like sitting in the audience and not be tortured by an ... director, who cuts the perspectives in pieces. Sorry
|