My 150 Favorite Movies - #58

Stop Making Sense (1984)

If what makes for a good rock documentary is intoxicating energy, then Stop Making Sense is a great documentary. Acclaimed director Jonathan Demme filmed the rock band Talking Heads over three days at the Pantages theater in Los Angeles, at the end of 1983, during their tour for the album Speaking in Tongues. We get to see the indescribable charisma, as well as the genius of David Byrne, and the amazing performing chops of fellow "Heads" Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison as they perform in front of a live audience, along with such illustrious guest performers as Alex Weir and Lynn Mabry. Inarguably, one of the best concert movies ever made.