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Shine a Light

Shine a Light

Documentary · Music · 2008

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.

Movie details

Shine a Light

“A master director shining his light on the best rock band on the planet.”

2008 Documentary · Music 2h 2m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Shine a Light?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Gimme Danger

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Janis: Little Girl Blue

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Documentary · 2015

Janis Joplin is one of the most respected and iconic rock & roll singers of all time, a tragic and misunderstood figure who captivated millions of listeners and blazed new creative trails before her death in 1970 at age 27. Director Amy Berg explored Joplin's story in depth. A portrait of a complicated, driven and often beleaguered artist. Joplin's own words recount a series of letters she wrote to her family over the years. Janis was a vessel of energy when she sang. Her rapid rise and untimely death changed music forever.

The Who: The Kids Are Alright

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WHAM!

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Documentary · 2023

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Gimme Shelter

Gimme Shelter

Documentary · 1970

A detailed chronicle of the famous 1969 tour of the United States by the British rock band The Rolling Stones, which culminated with the disastrous and tragic concert held on December 6 at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival, an event of historical significance, as it marked the end of an era: the generation of peace and love suddenly became the generation of disillusionment.

Becoming Led Zeppelin

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Documentary · 2025

The individual journeys of the four members of the band, as they move through the music scene of the 1960s, playing small clubs throughout Britain and performing some of the biggest hits of the era, until their meeting in the summer of 1968 for a rehearsal that changes their lives forever.

Moonage Daydream

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Foo Fighters: Back and Forth

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The Last Waltz

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Martin Scorsese's documentary intertwines footage from The Band's incredible farewell tour with probing backstage interviews and featured performances by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, and other rock legends.

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On a January night in 1985, music's biggest stars gathered to record "We Are the World." This documentary goes behind the scenes of the historic event.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Martin Scorsese

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger

Self - The Rolling Stones Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica

Keith Richards

Keith Richards

Self - The Rolling Stones Guitar, Vocals

Charlie Watts

Charlie Watts

Self - The Rolling Stones Drums

Ronnie Wood

Ronnie Wood

Self - The Rolling Stones Guitar

T

Tim Ries

Self - The Rolling Stones Saxophone, Keyboards

Blondie Chaplin

Blondie Chaplin

Self - The Rolling Stones Vocals

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera

Self

Court is in session

Put Shine a Light on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.