Shine a Light
Seen it?2008 | 122 min | Documentary, Music
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 16 times its budget, despite almost no lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for the curious. If you loved Stop Making Sense, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Eye-opening.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 2 hr 2 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Martin Scorsese’s electrifying concert documentary captures The Rolling Stones live at New York’s Beacon Theatre during their A Bigger Bang tour. Filmed over two nights in 2006 with an all-star team of cinematographers, the film combines dynamic performances with archival footage and rare glimpses behind the scenes, offering a vibrant portrait of the band’s enduring energy and legacy.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$16 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 25K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Stop Making Sense
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed documentary.
Supersonic
Sunday Safe BetAnother music film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Justin Bieber's Believe
Weeknight WatchAnother documentary, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Katy Perry: Part of Me Weeknight WatchAnother documentary, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Cast & crew
Directed by Martin Scorsese
- Mick JaggerSelf - The Rolling Stones Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
- Keith RichardsSelf - The Rolling Stones Guitar, Vocals
- Charlie WattsSelf - The Rolling Stones Drums
- Ronnie WoodSelf - The Rolling Stones Guitar
- Tim RiesSelf - The Rolling Stones Saxophone, Keyboards
- Blondie ChaplinSelf - The Rolling Stones Vocals
- Christina AguileraSelf
- Jack WhiteSelf
- Buddy GuySelf
- Michael DavisSelf