SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Awesome Movie

Am I Missing Something?

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

As I read these reviews, I wonder if we were watching the same documentary or if those above watch many of them. I don't say that arrogantly, but rather I've seen some documentaries on great subject matters which have sadly fallen short due to bad editing or meandering paths with no seeming point in sight.The documentaries which are similar to this one in which the subject matter was amazing but the film making fell short include "Billy Childish is Dead" and "Danielson: A Family Movie (or, Make a Joyful Noise Here)".This documentary starts off well enough with many photos of a young Shane and sad interviews with his parents who carry their age much better than Shane. But this film features random bits of Shane signing shirts of middle aged ladies, about four or five complete music videos and a very odd meandering style which really was not conducive to the story. The long and the short of it is that if you're not a Pogues fan, you might not want to have this be your intro to them. Go find your local Irish punk fan, get drunk with them on whiskey and rock out. It'd be better. I found myself knowing enough about Shane that I always seemed about 10 minutes ahead of the time line of the film because the film was that slow. I found myself being bored because it was another random few minutes of footage with hard to hear interviews and grainy inside shots of Shane in another bar. Overall, this documentary could have been 45 minutes shorter, had better paced editing and a more comprehensive set of interviewees. The five stars are for Pogues fans who will love this no matter what... the lack of five is for anyone else who doesn't know much about the band. You'd be better off watching the music videos on the bonus section of the DVD because that's about half the documentary right there.

There is a deleted scene on the DVD showing Shane MacGowan, the subject of this documentary, in a bar playing "Kitty", a love ballad from the first Pogues album. Out of the drunken stupor he has put himself into comes a glimmer of the genius this man once had. And then he finishes the song and returns to his drink.MacGowan was the founding member and many would argue the driving force behind an Irish Folk/Punk band in the 1980's called The Pogues. They released several albums that are considered master works before it all fell to pieces due to Shane's heavy drinking. The film follows MacGowan around London and across the strait to Ireland as he prepares for a concert with his new band, The Popes. Along the way we hear the story of one of the punk generation's greatest song writers, told through interviews with MacGowan's parents, his wife, former band mates, and MacGowan himself. We also see archive footage and music videos interspersed thoughout. The difference between the Shane making the music he is known and loved for and the Shane of today mumbling drunkenly through songs is striking and sad. Its a great film, and I highly reccomend it, escpecially to parents trying to teach their kids about the dangers of addiction.

Ozzy Osbourne is funny apparently. Drug and alcohol abuse makes a great TV experience. With merchandising and exploitation aplenty. So where does that leave this beautiful, sensitive and destructive soul known as Shane MacGowan ? He too has immersed his existence in such a fervour of drug and alcohol abuse which has resulted in massive mental injury and speech afforded a stroke victim. So surely he's next on the list for voyeur giggles.....?Thankfully, he transcended the tabloid exposure and has been afforded a portrait of his life and sadly none too unique lifestyle, in this haunting and evocative film.Before witnessing this biopic, I was not a McGowan/Pogues disciple. I was always aware of his life and read the many articles of varying coverage and rented this film to assuage my own growing guilt of drug and alcohol abuse and I was keen to experience this man in regard to own demons. Narcissism aside, this is a triumph of outsiders looking in. A very sad and beguiling tale of a man riddled with a crippling sensitivity that is exposed through a compilation of interviews with Shane, his partner, band members and admirers, including a very poignant and refreshingly honest Nick Cave including a tapestry of archived clips and footage that paint the picture of the present footing of Shane MacGowan.Somehow the film, though mired in a dark and brutal avenue, succeeds in elevating Shane and his predicament to a place of inspiration without condoning or encouraging the waste on display.A Beautiful Gift....

What an excellent individual to do a documentary over. For those that are not familiar with Shane MacGowan, he is the former leader of the Pogues and current solo musician (along with his band the Popes). MacGowan is respected throughout the world as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His ballads and energetic rock pieces are brilliant. His haunting voice is unforgettable. Of course, as this movie shows, all is not perfect with Shane. Shane is a hopeless alcoholic, in fact he was asked to leave the Pogues for that very reason. Moreover, his health and hygiene are not the best (to say the least). However, he continues to tour and make great music. Perhaps the alcohol is taking its toll on his body, but not his music. A hard living Irishman in the same vein of so many two-fisted Irish drinkers and poets. See and hear the legend of Shane.