YNOT at the Movies

It was the first I have heard the songs by the band Talking Heads when I attended an IMAX screening of the new restoration of the late director Jonathan Demme's film "Stop Making Sense" (USA 1984 | 88 min. | Documentary), and I was completely blown away. The phenomenal energy that the film impeccably choreographs is irresistible. I am sure that I am not alone. This film's re-release by A24 on its 40-year anniversary will certainly introduce this member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to a new audience. After the screening, the four members of Talking Heads (now in their 70s) joined the moderator Spike Lee for a Q&A, and Spike Lee hailed the film as the "greatest concert film of all time." You tend to agree with him once you see this newly restored film on the IMAX screen.

Shot over three nights in December 1983, the director Jonathan Demme captured the exhilarating performance of Talking Heads at Hollywood's Pantages Theater. The film premiered at the San Francisco's iconic Castro Theater's big screen during the San Francisco International Film Festival. Forty years later, its new re-mastered version is shown on an even bigger screen at an IMAX theater. The magic of the band comes back to life once again.

Even though the band's name is called Talking Heads, the film has no talking at all, just song after song that push the excitement higher and higher. It begins with the band's lead vocalist and guitarist David Byrne performing "Psycho Killer" alone on a stage which looks like a garage. Then the bassist Tina Weymouth joins in to sing "Heaven." Next comes the drummer Chris Frantz, and the trio sing "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel." The final band member, the keyboardist and guitarist Jerry Harrison appears on stage to sing "Found a Job" with the rest together. During these songs, more musical equipment and stage sets are rolled out carefully by the crew. By the time the fourth song is finished, the background curtains are dropped, the spotlights are on, the garage is transformed into an elegant stage for the musicians to continue their concert.

Later on, more equipment is brought to the stage and the band is joined by the backup vocalists Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt, the keyboardist Bernie Worrell, the guitarist and vocalist Alex Weir, and the percussionist Steve Scales. The terrific ensemble perfectly executes in harmony and puts on a mesmerizing and exciting show.

Watching David Byrne perform on stage is a unique experience that you won't be able to get by listening to his songs alone. His eccentric movements are both amusing and contagious. One of his signature moves is to jerk his neck like a chicken. He runs around the stage like he is doing a Crossfit workout while singing one song after another. You feel exhausted by even just watching it.

The incredible high energy is fueled by the non-stop rock 'n roll. The camera never misses a beat. The film beautifully transcends the concert onto the giant IMAX screen and allows you to immerse yourself among the musicians up close. You cannot help but to shake in your seat, or as some movie goers did, dance in the aisles.

This film once again brings the magic of Talking Heads alive, and shows the enduring appeal of the band's music and performance.

"Stop Making Sense" opens on Friday, September 22 on IMAX screens, and on Friday, September 29, 2023, on regular screens.