Powerful

People are voting emotionally.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Let me tell you, I flipped by this the other night on AMC and Ray Charles was on, so I thought I'd watch his song. I could NOT stop watching. You want to talk about eye candy, this is one for 60's music enthusiasts or just plain history buffs. I could have done without the dorky host and his band's musak covers of songs like "Satisfaction", but the crowd shots alone were worth watching. This was Lalapalooza before the Red Hot Chili Peppers were born! Where else would you be able to see Joan Baez, Bo Diddley, Petula Clark, The Byrds, and Roger Miller all in the same place. Are you kidding me!?! I'm having withdrawal... I need to see it again!!!!!

Why are these great concert flicks of yesteryear so obscure on VHS and DVD? I finally got to see The Big TNT Show ---on American Movie Classics--- after hearing so many rave reviews about it for over ten years. We get quite a diverse platter of performers, with Tina Turner absolutely stealing the show. Whoever pieced this film together wisely saved her for last; placing her anywhere else in the flick would have stolen any thunder from those who had to follow up! Only complaint is a bit too big a dose of Donavan and The Byrds. Not that I dislike either, but would rather have seen a tad more Bo Diddley, Ray Charles, or Joan Baez. That, however, is my only complaint. BIG TNT is now one of my top 5 fave concert films!

Amazing documentary capturing the pop music scene of the mid-1960s. Where else can you see Joan Baez, The Ronettes, Bo Didley, Ray Charles, Ike & Tina Turner, The Lovin' Spoonful, Roger Miller, The Byrds, and on and on and on on the same bill. Didley followed by Baez is a trip in itself, but then a few acts later Baez comes back out backed by a full orchestra doing the Phil Spector-arranged "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (you'll see Phil himself on keyboards). Then Ronnie comes out and does "Be My Baby" and "Shout" with some really hot moves. Spector produced and directed, which explains the eclectic mix and incredible production values.Too bad this isn't out on video.Bill Bielby

So you've suffered through all those lousy rock movies from the 1950's through the beach party flicks of the 60's and you wonder, why couldn't anybody make a good movie about rock and roll? Well, here it is. The idea was straightforward--get rid of the clueless Hollywood producers and hire someone like Phil Spector to do the job. Junk those silly screenplays and actors from another generation and let the performers do what they do best--perform their music.The well-staged concert film features a wide variety of artists, all in fine form, performing in the exciting and fast-moving days between the Beatles' explosion onto the American scene and the full flowering of psychedelia. One highlight is Joan Baez stepping out of the folk music milieu and belting out a version of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" with Spector on piano. A favorite of mine is the Lovin' Spoonful romping through a couple of their hits. And if you aren't sure why Ike and Tina Turner are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, watch them here.The camera work and editing are surprisingly good considering the bulky equipment used back then and the scarcity of other rock concert films that had come before. This is a great nostalgic trip for those who remember those days For those who don't. it gives you an idea of what all the excitement was about.