By Tanner Smith
Here’s one that’s just 88 minutes of pure unadulterated music. And I LOVE IT!!!
It’s Jonathan Demme’s Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense, and it’s just a showcase of the band performing 16 songs live as the cameras are right on stage with them. This is as intense a concert film as you could get as we the audience are not only marveling at the awesomeness of this ambitious band’s performance art, but we’re right there in the action too. There are no backstage interviews with the members of the band nor is there any footage of setting up for the concert–once David Byrne steps out with his guitar and rhythm recording to perform “Psycho Killer,” it’s off to nonstop music we go.
This is the film that made me a fan of the Talking Heads. I admired how much they put into their music–elements of punk and rock and pop and ska and r&b and overall just a wonderful mix with original talent.
I haven’t seen this film on a big screen–I would love for that opportunity to happen once in my lifetime.
My favorite scene (or music number, in this case): “Girlfriend is Better,” complete with the “big suit.” There are other songs I like better, but that’s just a funny-looking suit.
I don’t have much else to say about it. It’s just awesome!
Smith's Verdict 
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