But it's alright now...

Photo by Helmut Newton

The newest Rolling Stones documentary, "Crossfire Hurricane", finally making it's way to the U.S. courtesy of HBO, is a celebration of the Stones 50th anniversary as a band. Based on interviews conducted on the eve of their 50th anniversary date (with no cameras allowed), "Crossfire Hurricane" is an amazing collection of mostly previously unseen footage, presented largely in chronological order. Even a good deal of the familiar footage is offered with alternate views / takes. The film opens with a segment with Dick Cavett and Mick Jagger backstage at Madison Square Garden before a show in 1972, followed by the band onstage launching into "Street Fighting Man". Then it's back to the beginning of the band's history. From interviews to concert performances to television appearances to offstage footage, this is just a dazzling movie for any Stones fan. The band interviews (which include Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor) mesh magnificently with the film. Part of the pre-release hype noted that "no subject is taboo" and, true, not too much goes left unsaid. But the film does stop a little short on the band's history, basically ignoring the last 20 years. Alla the unseen footage makes it an definite must see for any Stones fan worth their salt. For those who've lived in caves or the very young, it also is a great document of one of the greatest bands in rock history. As a fairly serious Stones fan, I absolutely loved this film. "Crossfire Hurricane" is on HBO On Demand until December 17.