Kurt and Amy

A few small glimpses of Amy Winehouse lurk underneath the construction of AMY WINEHOUSE, but mostly the film is an exploitive compilation of video clips of Amy, some filmed with her permission, but most without. Combined, these clips create a kind of filthy Dead Celebrity Porn made by the record company to garner a few extra dollars off Amy’s dead body. Montage of Heck also combines archival material of Kurt Cobain, but this film was made by his family, with his daughter playing a critical role. While the film itself is far from a masterpiece in documentary filmmaking (and at times feels like an infomercial on Kurt Cobain), there is an emotional tension knowing that the movie was made with the endorsement of his daughter.--Kim Nicolini

I was a huge fan of both of these artists.  The truth is I don't really know what to think.  I haven't seen either pic.  When I do, I expect to experience a lot of pain.  Numerous artists in my own age-cohort died in the 70s when I was awakening, but I never gave it much thought, perhaps because I didn't expect to live very long either. The 27 Club was sort of blase, if that is something one can passively recognize.  Janis, Hendrixs, Morrison (who am I leaving out?) lived like I did, but evidently used harder drugs.  I don't know.  Cobain's death set me back.  Winehouse, with her emergence and life story unfolding in the ubiquitous social media of our days,  rocked me. There was something about her voice that mesmerized me. I guess I wasn't alone.  I don't know what to say.  It may be years before I'm brave enough to watch these films.  Or I may never get around to it.

TS