Friday, February 7, 2025

film review: Becoming Led Zeppelin

 


Directed by Bernard MacMahon

ChinoKino review: A- (in IMAX)

Reviewed by Allan Tong

First of all, this movie rocks on a giant screen. True, some footage is grainy on an IMAX screen, and the sound is bright in places, but this long-gestating doc effectively chronicles the sudden rise of the top hard-rock band of all time.

Led Zep's three surviving members, plus deceased drummer John Bonham heard in a rare 1980 interview, tell their early life stories. Guitarists Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were top session men in Swinging Sixties London, lending riffs to everything from the Goldfinger theme to the early Kinks hits, while singer Robert Plant and mate Bonham were gigging in various blues-rock bands up in Birmingham. By the time they coalesced in the summer of 1968, all four were seasoned professionals. Page built the band from the ashes of the legendary Yardbirds, knowing his way around both a studio and stage. By the time of his birthday in January 1970, Led Zeppelin were the top band in the world. 

Their rise was that swift, that sudden. For once, a rock band isn't inflating its own importance. Becoming Led Zeppelin is told only by the band members. No confidantes, no ex-wives, no rock historians. It doesn't need to. If the story was about the later debauchery that gripped the band's world tours (i.e. underage groupies, drunk "The Beast" Bonham running amok), then such a film would need other perspectives. Here, the band alone suffices.

That said, manager Peter Grant needs some colour in Becoming Led Zeppelin. He was crucial to their rise by securing a golden record deal with Atlantic Records as well as record-breaking fees at the box office. Grant was a rare manager who protected and didn't exploit his band. He was also a former wrestler, infamous for intimidating tour promoters.

Another criticism is that a lot of the live footage in the film is taken from the excellent two-DVD set, Led Zeppelin. This includes the brief, but memorable performance from Tous en Scene, shot in Paris in June 1969 and broadcast on French TV. What is lost on home TV screens is magnified here--and it's not the band. Rather, it's the audience of ordinary folk--moms, dads, kids. Two little children plug their ears while their elders stare blankly as these screeching long-hairs. (I wonder if they later they boasted of seeing one of the first Zeppelin gigs.)

Another clip from the DVD set is the extended Dazed and Confused from UK's Supershow. It has been played often on TV and easily found online. However, this clip was the showstopper at the IMAX screening I saw. It is mesmerizing on a giant screen.

The film ends with a glimpse of the January 9, 1970 show at London's Royal Albert Hall. The entire gig is presented on the DVD, but looks disappointingly grainy on the big screen. That said, the two hours leading up to this point are a thrilling ride. You may not need to purchase the inevitable blu-ray or DVD of this doc, but fans should catch it on the big screen while they can.

Becoming Led Zeppelin opens across Canada in 13 cities in IMAX on Feb. 7.


Friday, January 24, 2025

IDS 2025: brass, salmon and wood

 

Toronto's hip and beautiful braved the polar vortex last night to party at IDS, the annual Interior Design Show, which showcases the world of furnishings and anything pretty that belongs in a home. IDS takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's north building, next to the CN Tower, and runs January 23-26.

 As usual, the first two days, January 23-24, are devoted to the design industry, then the weekend, January 25-26, is open to the public.If you're looking for a new way to design your bathroom, this is the place. If you want to see the latest in tables, chairs and entire kitchens, this will inspire you. Vendors, mostly Canadian and some from abroad, such as Buzzispace, abound. Heavy hitters Cosentino, Ateliers Jacob and House of Rohl return. 

Meanwhile, IDS continues to showcase new talent though the LIV Design Studio. This year's challenge is for students to design a lobby that encourages social interaction, yet allows comfort, adaptability and inclusivity. The top three designs will be experienced through AR augmented reality). For the latest in home design, explore The District for the industry's latest products.

Running through the end of Feb. 24 are a total of 22 accredited seminars that touch on the latest trends, case studies and issues in interior design.The key themes this year are AI and decarbonization.

The splashy opening night party, open to all, catered to professionals for networking, amid nibbles of pizza and glasses of pinot grigio. Toronto painter Tatjana Hutinec found IDS "a great way to meet professionals in design to help promote my work." Others not directly in the business, however, chose to stay home. A realtor cited the limited free food and drink as not enough to justify the $67-and up ticket price. And the -12C chill didn't help.


Those who braved the cold were rewarded a showcase of more than 220 vendors spanning the size of three football fields. It was a great idea to have Big Smoke Brass, serenading partygoers as they marched up and down the aisles until they took to the centre stage to warm up the crowd before the dance party. guests dressed in their finery, with black leather pants common as they are every year.

Toronto's Anatolia sponsored the opening night. To be fair, their array of Turkish-influenced mosaic tiles caught the eye, as explained by lead designer Basak Duman:


Vendors competed for eyeballs, and what better way than to invite a celeb chef Mark McEwen who prepared some delish salmon poke for Signature Design Suite:



The unusual and innovative also capture attention, such as wood-inspired weightlifting room by SDI Design:

 


Then there are Inspira's showers and tubs (top picture). The Montreal company can print high-res images onto shower walls and doors and bathtubs. Choose an image from their extensive catalogue or supply them one. You could be bathing with Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie.