maxastree I'm not here to tell you that, hey, the Beatles are one of the most successful pop/rock groups of all time and that they actually sucked; I realize that the album that the film promotes is nearly flawless, its pretty much a template for every pop/rock album promoted since, but the film just didn't click with me personally.The main problem is that it constantly employs a standard comedy approach, where the Beatles are young northerners, outsiders representing the youth audience, and in each sequence they outsmart or out-cool the establishment, basically anyone that appears wealthier than them, or in a position of power - its much the same routine as Ivan Reitmans later "Ghostbusters" picture, if anyone notices.My other issue with the film is that the group don't really appear as themselves, but as slangy, Northern teenagers; they typify a youth culture that they've actually outgrown. The film is for the bands audience, rather than people interested in the band themselves.I like the idea of comedy, rather than an earnest series of interview segments, and this movie was a massive commercial hit (they were the biggest act in the world at the time), but I found the experience oddly thin and disappointing. Some great use of camera and editing though, which had an influence on the coming of music video.

Python Hyena A Hard Day's Night (1964): Dir: Richard Lester / Cast: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Wilfrid Brambell: A tremendous tribute to the Beatles regarding the height of their career where the seemingly normal becomes out right bizarre. They are John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison and together they deal with screaming female fans, nagging management, and Paul's grandfather who has his own agenda when receiving all four signatures on a photograph. Directed by Richard Lester with many hilarious moments and great musical numbers. It celebrates the reality that The Beatles became the biggest band in history. At one point it was claimed that they were bigger than Jesus himself although such claims must be taken from an amusing standpoint. The year that this film was released The Beatles made their now classic appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. This film is shot in appropriate black and white and more or less follows each member of the band particularly Ringo who goes off on the town with Paul's grandfather where they are arrested. Wilfrid Brambell is quite funny as McCartney's grandfather whose ideas are best left forgotten in terms of his influence. Hilarious documentary style comedy that simply plays out the humorous nature often associated with one of the most famous and celebrated bands in music history. Score: 10 / 10

david-sarkies As it turns out, this wasn't the Beatle's movie that I saw as a kid (and I still don't know which one it is – all I know is that they went for a swim somewhere and landed up in a swimming pool in a resort) but it was still quite amusing. In fact this is the first full length Beatle's movie, and is also in black and white, which shows you how old it is. Actually, I quite liked it, especially the scene right at the beginning where John Lennon is given a bottle of coca-cola and he starts snorting it (gee, they even have subtle drug references back it in sixties – but then again this is the Beatles).The film is basically a day in the life of The Beatle's, and is about how they travel from Liverpool to London to perform a concert. Mind you, it opens with them being pursed by a mob of adoring fans, and has them trying every trick to outwit them. They even throw a few more of these in when they arrive a various studios. Also, Paul's grandfather (the other one – he is entitled to have two you know) is coming along for a ride, and while he is supposed to be 'clean' he is anything but – including disappearing for the night to go and play bingo at an exclusive French casino.There are even a couple of jokes about the drummer, Ringo, who by the way is challenged about how he spends all day sitting inside reading a book, so goes off for a wander which causes the others all kinds of grief. The other thing that I noticed (or somebody else did, I just picked it up) is that there is a theme about since they are now the Beatles they actually don't have time to themselves anymore. Even at night they are dumped with a huge number of fan letters that they are told that they have to answer everyone.However, the main thing about this movie is the music. It is basically their earlier pop songs, so if you are looking for the psychedelic rock of their later years then unfortunately this isn't the film for you (maybe you should try Yellow Submarine, or Magical Mystery Tour). It is still quite a fun movie that got an applause from the audience at the end (but then again it was showing at Melbourne's cult movie cinema – the Astor).

SnoopyStyle The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr) are traveling from Liverpool to London for a TV performance. They bring along Paul's grandfather as well as their various entourage on the trip as they have fun misadventures.This is simply fun and its success suggests the coming marriage of pop music and video imagery. The dry British humor is fun and it's all about the lads' charm. They sell the material better than any experienced actors. They seem to be really enjoying themselves. In that sense, director Richard Lester is lucky and he's also smart enough to let them go at it. And the music is so great. It is a pop icon of the 20th century.