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TopTenREVIEWS presents the movie reviews of Shine a Light (2008)

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Shine a Light (2008) movie image

Shine a Light (2008)

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Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.
Shine a Light (2008) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars Shine a Light (2008) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
Overall Rating:3.0672
Avg Critic Score:3.0587

Shine a Light (2008) Rank 4 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
Excellent
4
28.79%
(38)
Very Good
3
55.30%
(73)
Good
2
15.91%
(21)
Fair
1
0.00%
(0)
Poor
0
0.00%
(0)

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Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert) Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for eFilmCritic.com (Jason Whyte) eFilmCritic.com (Jason Whyte)
As far back as I can remember, The Rolling Stones were a staple of my music existence. I seem to recall it all began with a cassette tape of “Steels Wheels” given to me by my cousin when I was nine years old. I then heard “Paint it Black” soon aft ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Jason Whyte)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski) efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)
When you consider that the Rolling Stones have always maintained a keen interest in the possibilities of film throughout their 40+ year reign as the world’s premier rock band–they have collaborated with such renowned filmmakers as Jean-Luc Godard (“ ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Foote on Film (John H. Foote) Foote on Film (John H. Foote)
Growing up a movie junkie I suppose it was only right that my younger brother Steve was a rock and roll junkie. He first discovered Elton John at a very young age, but then graduated to Bruce Springsteen in the mid-seventies, and has forever been the ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Foote on Film (John H. Foote)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Zoom in Online (Jim Rohner) Zoom in Online (Jim Rohner)
I park myself in the camp of those who love it for what it is - a celebration of rock and roll and an embrace of four men who are unquestionable inclusions in the annals of its history. The film's experience can only be truly felt if seen in Imax and ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Zoom in Online (Jim Rohner)

Shine a Light (2008) Critic Reviews continued...

Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert) Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Martin Scorsese's "Shine a Light" may be the most intimate documentary ever made about a live rock 'n' roll concert. Certainly it has the best coverage of the performances onstage. Working with cinematographer Robert Richardson, Scorsese deployed a team o ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for San Francisco Chronicle (Joel Selvin) San Francisco Chronicle (Joel Selvin)
They wear the million miles on their faces. Impossibly gaunt, their cheekbones are craters. At their age, most people are thinking about retirement, but they are the Rolling Stones, the world's greatest rock 'n' ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Joel Selvin)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Nolan's Pop Culture Review (Michael A. Smith) Nolan's Pop Culture Review (Michael A. Smith)
...a film that rivals "The Last Waltz" as the greatest concert film ever. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Nolan's Pop Culture Review (Michael A. Smith)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Minneapolis Star Tribune (Colin Covert) Minneapolis Star Tribune (Colin Covert)
Martin Scorsese meets the Rolling Stones in Shine a Light. The synergy is so brilliant, it's nearly blinding. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Minneapolis Star Tribune (Colin Covert)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Eclipse Magazine (Sheldon A. Wiebe) Eclipse Magazine (Sheldon A. Wiebe)
When Mick struts onstage, he resembles a Gerry [Thunderbirds] Anderson marionette on crack, while good ol’ Keef looks like he might not make it to his next solo – but The Rolling Stones can still rock the vast majority of today’s bands under the ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Eclipse Magazine (Sheldon A. Wiebe)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for ColeSmithey.com (Cole Smithey) ColeSmithey.com (Cole Smithey)
Where Scorsese's focus for the "The Last Waltz" was on capturing a cultural zeitgeist that supported a generational shift of musical ideas, here he goes after the incredibly honed inner-workings of the Rolling Stones' performance style and musical deliver ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at ColeSmithey.com (Cole Smithey)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski) efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)
"Shine a Light" is a spectacularly entertaining film that is an absolute must-see for anyone with even the vaguest interest in rock music in general and the Rolling Stones in particular. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert) Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Shine a Light combines his foreknowledge with the versatility of great cinematographers so that it essentially seems to have a camera in the right place at the right time for every element of the performance. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Detroit News (Tom Long) Detroit News (Tom Long)
This is how great rock and roll was meant to be filmed: By great filmmakers. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Detroit News (Tom Long)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for eFilmCritic.com (Brian Orndorf) eFilmCritic.com (Brian Orndorf)
The brain hurts to even consider how The Rolling Stones have managed to stick together for over 45 years. Of course, there’s the legacy of chart-smashing hits, legendary albums, truckloads of cash, and magnetic personalities; still, it’s incredible to ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Brian Orndorf)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.75 out of 4 stars for Boston Herald (James Verniere) Boston Herald (James Verniere)
Starting out as a stealth ad for the Clinton campaign (see Bill hug Keith!), Martin Scorsese’s “Shine a Light” settles into a celebration of raving and raging against the dying of the light and a deft acknowledgment that “Exile on Main Street” m ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Boston Herald (James Verniere)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.75 out of 4 stars for Filmjerk.com (Brian Orndorf) Filmjerk.com (Brian Orndorf)
“Shine a Light” is a concert film of two Stones performances from 2006. The place was the Beacon Theater in New York City, and the occasion was a fundraiser for climate change with host Bill Clinton. The director is Martin Scorsese, whose own ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Filmjerk.com (Brian Orndorf)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.60 out of 4 stars for Contra Costa Times (Jim Harrington) Contra Costa Times (Jim Harrington)
Mostly, this film works because it shines a light on the Stones in a way that few have had a privilege to witness. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Contra Costa Times (Jim Harrington)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.60 out of 4 stars for Oregonian (Shawn Levy) Oregonian (Shawn Levy)
An altogether astounding testimony to the band's longevity, vitality and verve. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Oregonian (Shawn Levy)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.60 out of 4 stars for Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton) Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton)
Though it does not redefine the boundaries of the concert film like The Last Waltz did, Marty's love letter to the Stones is much more than alright; in fact it's a gas. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.60 out of 4 stars for Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold) Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)
The movie is an exhilarating musical experience, an extraordinary testament to the unprecedented longevity and steady artistic growth of the band. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.60 out of 4 stars for BrianOrndorf.com (Brian Orndorf) BrianOrndorf.com (Brian Orndorf)
Scorsese has an obsession with the Stones, and it's revealed in every last dizzying moment of this exceptional musical document. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at BrianOrndorf.com (Brian Orndorf)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.60 out of 4 stars for sbs.is (Stefan Birgir Stefansson) sbs.is (Stefan Birgir Stefansson)
an instant classic ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at sbs.is (Stefan Birgir Stefansson)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.60 out of 4 stars for Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow) Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow)
What Scorsese captures is the outpouring of energy that can revitalize rock lovers en masse. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin) Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
Well, I think it’s now safe to say that Martin Scorsese—as if he hadn’t accomplished enough for the Arts already—has now successfully eliminated any reason one might have to attend a Rolling Stones concert at any point during the next month. Inste ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Boston Globe (Ty Burr) Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
As Jagger is the ringmaster in front of the cameras, Scorsese is the maestro behind them, assembling a crew under Robert Richardson that reads like a Who's Who of award-winning cinematographers. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips) Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips)
Shine a Light is akin to paying for a very good seat at a Stones concert, and while some of us couldn't do that for real, even if we saved up, Scorsese's fond film...is a stroll down memory lane, conducted by four men who know the way, and know how ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson) Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)
Energetic and effective. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Scorsese rolls with the Stones for concert ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips) Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips)
There’s also an undeniably corporate air to the packaging: three well-known brands converging for an event, a concert by the Stones performed in 2006 at New York’s Beacon Theatre, apropos of nothing except a chance to be captured for posterity for fun ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for The Denver Post The Denver Post
There's more than a bit of satisfaction to be had in "Shine a Light," which starts with a clever tussle of the dynamic wills of Jagger and Scorsese. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at The Denver Post
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Can Magazine (Fred Topel) Can Magazine (Fred Topel)
These so-called Rolling Stones are pretty good. I think they might have a future in this business. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Can Magazine (Fred Topel)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for USA Today (Elysa Gardner) USA Today (Elysa Gardner)
The genius of Scorsese's film, which is being shown in IMAX in 93 theaters, is that it reveals the Stones' mortality while celebrating all that makes them more than mere mortals. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at USA Today (Elysa Gardner)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Seattle Times (Patrick MacDonald) Seattle Times (Patrick MacDonald)
Close-ups detail the etched faces of the Stones, but they've never seemed more ageless. Their music and spirit are still brash and youthful. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Seattle Times (Patrick MacDonald)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez) Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
The singer's energy remains awe-inspiring: He flails his sinewy limbs around the stage like a man possessed, and there isn't a single song in the show that he doesn't invest himself in whole. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss) Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss)
Powerful in its energy, sparkling in its intimacy, the film captures the self-proclaimed world's greatest rock 'n' roll band still at the height of its performance powers during a two-night stint at Manhattan's small Beacon Theater in late 2006. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler) Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)
Lest we forget that they truly are the world’s greatest rock ’n’ roll roll band, the Rolling Stones make their case loudly, lovingly and conclusively in Shine a Light. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)
Shine a Light (2008) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Rolling Stone (Peter Travers) Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
This you-are-there spellbinder is a master director shining his light on the best rock band on the planet. ...read the complete Shine a Light movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
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