Lawbolisted Powerful

Greenes Please don't spend money on this.

Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

moviemanMA The 1960's and 70's were a time of change uncertainty for our country. War waged on in Vietnam, the "hippie" era was in bloom, and there was of course the music. There was only one voice heard in all of these areas: John Lennon.Imagine: John Lennon is Andrew Solt's documentary about the rock legend John Lennon. It spans over 40 years from his early days in Liverpool and Hamburg to that fatal December night in New York City, 1980. It showcases his musical talent and outspokenness for peace, love, and music.The movie goes back and forth from John Lennon's home recording studio in 1973 to Lennon's life story. It's an interesting way of telling a man's life. The first half is mostly about the rise of The Beatles. Starting in Liverpool, bassist Paul McCartney, guitarist George Harrison, and drummer Ringo Starr create a sound that will rock the world. They go from playing small, rowdy venues in Liverpool and Hamburg, to the "big time".Their album "Meet the Beatles" is just the ticket they need to make it across the pond to the US. Beatlemania is reaching critical mass and Lennon was having difficulties controlling his personal life and his life on the road. His wife Cynthia and son Julian have to be second to the band. Cynthia won't stick around for long, she eventually asks him for a divorce.As The Beatles begin to experiment in drugs, there music too sounds a little experimental. Using many different sounds and beats, they will once again have a rock and roll revolution. Their album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band became one of their most famous. But all isn't "Strawberry Fields" in the studio. With Lennon's latest girl Yoko Ono, the band feels like she is impeding on their creativity. After more than 10 years together, The Beatles are no more.This was not the end for Lennon. Solt goes way beyond The Beatles in this movie. He shows us his private life with home videos and interviews with Yoko, Julian, his other son Sean, and close friends of the family.For fans of The Beatles and of Lennon, this movie is ideal. It's a great look into the life of the legendary singer/song writer. The music is fantastic and the movie itself is well put together. For those who have some interest in this subject, the movie may be slightly boring.The one thing you can't overlook is Lennon's impact on pop culture. He was the voice of a generation that wanted nothing more than to, "give peace a chance". It seems like everything he did had some meaning behind it. He wrote songs about his kids, about his father, and about Yoko. He also had many politically charged songs and some "choice" album covers.This documentary was cleverly done and well put together. Although it at times has some not so interesting information, for the most part it is a fantastic look into the life of a cultural icon.

preppy-3 In 1987, seven years after John Lennon's tragic murder, a book came out. I've forgotten the title and the author, but it portrayed Lennon VERY negatively. It showed him as a cruel, egotistical monster who abused drugs and alcohol up to his death. The book was written by somebody who had never talked to anybody who knew Lennon. Yoko Ono was shocked and pushed to have this documentary made to set the record straight.It's full of home movies, news footage, videos all narrated by John Lennon himself (he recorded over 200 hours talking about his life and work). It's not a whitewash of him--it does point out he was a mean drunk and he is shown swearing and telling off Phil Spector in a recording studio when a song was not working out. It also chronicles his remark about the Beatles being "bigger than Jesus Christ" and totally ignores how horribly he treated his first wife Cynthia. But, aside from that footage, there is also interviews with Johns wives, his children and, basically, everyone who knew him (curiously, none of the Beatles were interviewed). He comes across as a very talented, peace-loving man--he has his dark moments but everybody does. His confrontations with Al Capp and Gloria Emerson are just fascinating.I remember seeing this in a theatre in 1988 and most of the audience walked out crying. 15 years later the ending still packs a punch. It shows people crying at the peace rallies held after Lennon's death and ends with the "Imagine" video him and Yoko did. Also "In My Life" plays over the closing credits. A fascinating, very moving documentary of a great man. Recommended.

Oscar85 I can't say enough about how much John Lennon's death still hurts me when I think about it, and I wasn't even alive when that terrible date (8 Dec 1980) transpired. But through the duration of "Imagine: John Lennon," I felt at ease with his death. I felt that Lennon was sitting there next to me telling me that he's fine, and that he will never be dead as long as his music live forever in the minds of his fans. Lennon's life was captured brilliantly in this documentary. His brilliance, his unique spirit, and his controversial opinions about the crooked elements of the world are reverently presented. I thanks the makers of this film for omitting the name of the eternally damned soul who selfishly brought the end to the physical life of Lennon. Lennon lives on, but the scars left by his passing will remain. For those who do not know Lennon's life very well, this film is perfect for them. Together, you, me, and Lennon can imagine a world free of hatred in our lives and the lives of future generations. It is possible if we just give peace a chance. I love this movie and it's portrayal of the life of the most influential entertainer of the past couple centuries. What more can be said about such an amazing life?

Michael O'Keefe This is a well done Andrew Solt documentary made up with some wonderful never-before-seen home movies. The late musician's own narration makes for an eerie portrait of the former Beatle. You will see John Lennon as being witty, sarcastic, determined and loyal; but also childish, bawdy, and irreverent. This multi-talented musician will be loved and remembered for generations to come. Over 30 songs make up the soundtrack. Very worthwhile and musically historic.