No Manifesto Reviews Thread

[UEF]

Originally Posted by everlasting

UEF what do you mean, can you please explain more detail about the James guitar hero part and what is said or shown?
Is Nixon played at all during the film either live or the music video, etc? Speaking of music, is it ALL live or is there actual recordings / music video footage in there?
What and how does the Nicky in his garden scene fit into things? Thanks.

Nixon is mentioned, "we made a mistake trying to humanise Nixon" - I thought that was the whole point, but hey ho.

Nicky in his garden - mentioned alongside the news articles about the millionaire living in a terraced house etc. - he says he's more conservative than most of his street ("in some ways"). Nicky's dog makes an appearance.

Guitar stuff is not really mentioned

[relic]

Originally Posted by UEF

[*]This may be a controversial one but I don't think the fans come across well. They (we) often came across very awkwardly, and suffered for lack of makeup and lighting. On a HD screen that's not forgiving!

I was thinking about that yesterday, but my take was that it was cool and refreshing to see people on screen who looked real and natural - both the fans and the band. I liked that aspect of the documentary a lot.

[Scarecrow]

Not much I can add. Went to the Manchester screening, found it a decent combination of interesting and hilarious. Hats off to the makers for going through all that effort to get it made, and stick around to do a Q&A. Certainly brought back a lot of memories, saw myself at one gig on screen, lots of familiar faces from the present and the past.

[Bathtub]

I went tonight, felt a bit under the weather so didn't stay for the Q&A or concert footage.

Overall I enjoyed it a lot. I did though think that there was too much focus on their failure to crack America, the American tours, sales in America and a disproportionate amount of American fans interviewed. Also This is My Truth got very little recognition, and Gold Against the Soul and Know Your Enemy were barely even touched upon or discussed as albums.

Also the guy who said Lifeblood was "panned critically":

[Futurologist]

The cut I saw in 2012 was significantly different to the one I saw tonight, I enjoyed it for that.

Needed more Sean shooting.

[sofarsideways]

It was great to see the film again! On reflection I do think I enjoyed the version that was screened in 2012 better - the addition of JFPL-onwards material in this final cut was really interesting, but I think all the stuff that understandably had to be cut in order to fit that in was quite telling at times, especially in the case of the fan segments. It was nice that so many of them stayed in, and didn't get cut completely, but fairly often shortening the clips meant they lacked insight or significance. Don't get me wrong though, I loved it, I think the makers did an absolutely brilliant job considering everything from budget limitations to copyright battles. Really well done Elizabeth and co, and thankyou so much for perservering!

And while it's fair to say that Manics fans are generally quite awkward anyway, I do think the whittling down of interview clips lent a lot of what might have been seen as awkwardness. Either way, at least the fans in the film were brave enough to be filmed despite their awkwardness and lack of make-up or whatever else. Me, I was 17 and terrified and had just got home from a long day at college. Do I regret it? Not a bit.

[Dancing Kirby]

Originally Posted by Bathtub

I went tonight, felt a bit under the weather so didn't stay for the Q&A or concert footage.

Overall I enjoyed it a lot. I did though think that there was too much focus on their failure to crack America, the American tours, sales in America and a disproportionate amount of American fans interviewed. Also This is My Truth got very little recognition, and Gold Against the Soul and Know Your Enemy were barely even touched upon or discussed as albums.

Also the guy who said Lifeblood was "panned critically":

The Q quote they used came from a 2/5 review.

[Bathtub]

Originally Posted by Dancing Kirby

The Q quote they used came from a 2/5 review.

I know. I couldn't be bothered to edit the picture, profuse apologies.

Still not exactly "critically panned."

[everlasting]

How many Lifeblood songs feature in this film whether live, TV footage or rehearsing?

[Midlands_Junk]

Originally Posted by everlasting

How many Lifeblood songs feature in this film whether live, TV footage or rehearsing?

Pretty sure you see/hear them playing '1985' and maybe 'Empty Souls'. 'Cardiff Afterlife' is used as backing music and there's a chunk where everyone bitches about 'TLORN'.

[Takk]

Originally Posted by everlasting

How many Lifeblood songs feature in this film whether live, TV footage or rehearsing?

It'll be out soon enough!

[trademark]

seen it last night in the gft in glasgow,thought it was ok.
nothing i haven't seen before,apart from wee sean loving guns,that was a shock.also shows james as a musical genius.

[everlasting]

What is the narrative to the film, does it tell the history of the band from the early days throughout the years with then showing them making SATT? How does it flow?

[Bathtub]

Originally Posted by everlasting

What is the narrative to the film, does it tell the history of the band from the early days throughout the years with then showing them making SATT? How does it flow?

It flows well, with the story of the band interspersed with footage of them making SATT.

Not long to wait anyway, it's out on DVD in 8 days time.

[gracie]

Haven't seen it yet because there's no screening near me but I'm hoping to get round to pre ordering soon because I'm excited!