Analogman Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Director Peter Bogdanovich had just finished telling the slightly wary crowd at the luxe Steven J. Ross theater in Burbank on the Warner Bros. studio lot that his Tom Petty doc, Runnin' Down A Dream, had formerly been running long-"But we got it down to 3:58". That' right, just a hair under four hours and even if you're a glutton for things Petty, as this correspondent is, that's pretty tall corn. Bogdanovich also apologized to the Tuesday evening crowd for almost subtitling it, "An American Odyssey", which might have been "pretentious". Truth is, over time Petty took the blows--from fetching up on the streets of L.A. to sign a bad deal with producer-impresario Denny Cordell, through struggles with his labels (his insistence on rewriting the original, crappy deal with ABC, followed by the famous scrap when MCA tried to use him to up the price of CD's to $9.98), the artistic struggles to keep his band busy and happy under his not always so benevolent dictatorship, plus a divorce, an arson fire that destroyed most of his earthly goods, the death via drugs of a band mate, the prolonged and painful alienation of another, the hand he shattered by punching on wall while making Southern Accents and now, though this is barely hinted at in the unsurprisingly worshipful film commissioned by Petty, the long, ongoing slog through the wreckage of the music business. A perennially strong touring band, Petty and his Heartbreakers have sold over a hundred million albums over time, but lately have been in need of a hit. The Runnin' Down A Dream film, and accompanying three-disc DVD, is meant more as a recap than a commercial tide-turner. It will close the New York Film Festival on October 14, be unspooled in perhaps twenty markets countrywide (with the houses well papered by radio promotions) on October 15th, and then be available as a three-disc package (exclusively from Best Buy, at least through the holiday buying season, and listed at $29.99, with early orders five bucks less. With most of the major audience-pleasers given at least a nod--from "American Girl": through ""Don't Come Around Here No More" (which was the lynch pin of Petty's amazing run as a featured MTV performer) and more recent fare like "Learning To Fly", and "I Won't Back Down", it's a brimming sampler of Petty's considerable accomplishments. By the time George Harrison (the Traveling Wilburys band mate was filmed before his death), Johnny Depp, Jackson Browne, Eddie Vedder and others have finished, the film's tried almost too hard to cement Petty's kingly pop stature. Bogdanovich pointed out to the crowd that he likes finding new worlds, and even his career-making The Last Picture Show was set in a Texas he'd barely known when he set out to make it. (A nice touch at the premiere was the presence of Cybill Shepherd, whom he'd infamously fallen for back then in 1971). What makes this film festival-worthy is mostly the stuff found in emotional cracks that have barely been prized open previously--Petty's anger (from a difficult upbringing, tastefully documented Ken Burns-style) as an artistic motor, his steely resolve as a band leader (he's an odd mix of remorseless and remorseful), his strong sense of his own worth as it battles his perfectionism. Shot through with laughs that often depend on Petty's sly comic timing as a storyteller, and with charged band performances that make it worth seeking out the film in a theater with a good sound system, Runnin' Down A Dream will test your patience at times, but also offers rich rewards. It's as Petty says at the end of the coffee-table book (a well-made thing from Chronicle Books at $39.95): "For that couple hours on stage time just stops, and there isn't any other world but that one." Runnin' Down A Dream: Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersA Film by Peter Bogdanovich Release Date: 10/16/2007 A 4 disc set, 3 DVDs with over 5 hours of video, 1 CD of rare and unreleased tracks 2 DVD, four hour Director's cut of famed Peter Bogdanovich's Runnin' Down a Dream This movie contains hours of never before seen footage and interviews with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers plus music from the storied rock band's entire career. The movie features interviews with George Harrison, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Nicks, Dave Grohl, Jeff Lynne, Rick Rubin, Johnny Depp, Jackson Browne and more. Also 1 DVD of the celebrated 30th Anniversary Concert in Heartbreaker hometown, Gainesville Florida Disc 1: Gainesville 2006ElvisWhat's In A NameMikeBenmontB.Y.O.F (Build Your Own Festival)Fast ForwardDealsA Broken BondRon & StanTom Petty and the HeartbreakersThirdFuelHowiePoet Disc 2: Bob DylanStrange CoincidencesScottThe Bottom LineSteveJohnRound TripRock & Roll HeavenRunnin' Down a Dream (End credits)One 30th Anniversary Concert Disc 3: Listen To Her HeartMary Jane's Last DanceI Won't Back DownFree Fallin'Saving GraceI'm A ManOh WellHandle With CareStop Draggin' My Heart Around (with Stevie Nicks)I Need To Know (with Stevie Nicks)It's Good To Be KingDown SouthSouthern AccentsInsider (with Stevie Nicks)Learning To FlyDon't Come Around Here No MoreRunnin' Down A DreamYou Wreck MeMystic EyesAmerican Girl Bonus Soundtrack CD Disc 4: BreakdownAnything That's Rock and RollFooled Again (I Don't Like It)American GirlShadow of A Doubt (A Complex Kid)Stories We Could TellKeeping Me AliveHoney BeeLost Highway Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Yeah, looks great. I entered a contest on a site to win this sucker. Petty's underrated in my opinion. The guy's got some great music. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted October 20, 2007 Author Share Posted October 20, 2007 It's 25 bucks right now at Best Buy - I may try to get it this weekend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stooka Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Cybill Shepherd, circa 1971 meow Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 It's 25 bucks right now at Best Buy - I may try to get it this weekend.That's a great deal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Petty is my oldest kid's favorite. There's one Christmas gift. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChicagoPepper Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Got this and watched part 1 last night. Did NOT feel like 2 hours. I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. Can't wait to watch part 2. Highly recommended even for moderate Petty fans. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Col. Hapablap Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 There is a companion coffee table book to the boxed set that was also released on Tues. I'm a big fan, so i picked up both the book and the DVD set at Best Buy. The book has the same name and picture cover as the boxed set and is about 240 pages long. There's some really cool pictures in the book. The DVD set is terrific! It's well worth picking that one up, in my opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Oooo... thanks for this, looks great! Rolling Stone did have some trailers for the film running on their site last week. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Smith Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 I've watched about half of this so far. I'm a petty fan and have enjoyed it. But to me it very much has a feeling of Deja vu as it seems to be made in the mold of "No Direction Home". I understand both are documentaries but it seems to me like a great director like Bogdanovich would be able to put a little more of his own stamp on the show. Am I wrong here? (that is a rhetorical question) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Runnin' Down A Dream: Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersA Film by Peter Bogdanovich Release Date: 10/16/2007 A 4 disc set, 3 DVDs with over 5 hours of video, 1 CD of rare and unreleased tracks 2 DVD, four hour Director's cut of famed Peter Bogdanovich's Runnin' Down a Dream This movie contains hours of never before seen footage and interviews with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers plus music from the storied rock band's entire career. The movie features interviews with George Harrison, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Nicks, Dave Grohl, Jeff Lynne, Rick Rubin, Johnny Depp, Jackson Browne and more. Also 1 DVD of the celebrated 30th Anniversary Concert in Heartbreaker hometown, Gainesville FloridaDisc 1: Gainesville 2006ElvisWhat's In A NameMikeBenmontB.Y.O.F (Build Your Own Festival)Fast ForwardDealsA Broken BondRon & StanTom Petty and the HeartbreakersThirdFuelHowiePoet Disc 2: Bob DylanStrange CoincidencesScottThe Bottom LineSteveJohnRound TripRock & Roll HeavenRunnin' Down a Dream (End credits)One 30th Anniversary Concert Disc 3: Listen To Her HeartMary Jane's Last DanceI Won't Back DownFree Fallin'Saving GraceI'm A ManOh WellHandle With CareStop Draggin' My Heart Around (with Stevie Nicks)I Need To Know (with Stevie Nicks)It's Good To Be KingDown SouthSouthern AccentsInsider (with Stevie Nicks)Learning To FlyDon't Come Around Here No MoreRunnin' Down A DreamYou Wreck MeMystic EyesAmerican Girl Bonus Soundtrack CD Disc 4: BreakdownAnything That's Rock and RollFooled Again (I Don't Like It)American GirlShadow of A Doubt (A Complex Kid)Stories We Could TellKeeping Me AliveHoney BeeLost Highway Where was the first part of your post quoted from? This set is one I've been waiting for. The dvd portion, anyway. I intend to buy it. This quote is incorrect: >>>"followed by the famous scrap when MCA tried to use him to up the price of CD's to $9.98)" CDs didn't exist when that "famous scrap" took place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted October 22, 2007 Author Share Posted October 22, 2007 Here: mudcrutchfarm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 This just doens't make any sense - it's $29 in the US, but Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share Posted October 24, 2007 The record company 're 'avin' a complete giraffe! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Left Arm Tan Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Cybill Shepherd, circa 1971 meow i like her in that red dress in Taxi Driver. whoa man... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 The record company 're 'avin' a complete giraffe! Your cockney geezer impression is coming along nicely! You just missed the "mate" at the end of it. EDIT: Best Buy won't ship to the UK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 i like her in that red dress in Taxi Driver. whoa man...And that was six years later, even! She was teh hotness, indeed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Left Arm Tan Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 And that was six years later, even! She was teh hotness, indeed. exactly! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
borracho Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 this will be on Sundance Channel, all 4 hours of it:Oct 29, 7pmNov 1, 3amNov 3, 3pm i'm guessing times are eastern... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tjr Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 The 2 DVDs are really good. It took several nights to get through it all, but I really liked the whole thing.... other than all of the hair dye... why do musicians feel they need to have jet black hair when they are as old as they are? Petty dyed his hair too... I find it disturbing. But the music and interviews are fantastic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
What Light? Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Loved the dvd documentary.......I agree with the statement that they are the best american rock and roll band..........always loved TP and the Heartbreakers..........highlight to me was when he and Stevie Nicks sang Insider on the live dvd.........that was out of this world.......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TW Walsh Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 The 2 DVDs are really good. It took several nights to get through it all, but I really liked the whole thing.... other than all of the hair dye... why do musicians feel they need to have jet black hair when they are as old as they are? Petty dyed his hair too... I find it disturbing. But the music and interviews are fantastic. tweedy dyes his hair. cheesy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
m_to_the_c Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Saw this on Sundance last night. Highly recommended. If not only for footage of the Traveling Wilbury's in the studio. someone already said this, but it'll be on again this Saturday at 2pm ET on Sundance Channel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TW Walsh Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Saw this on Sundance last night. Highly recommended. If not only for footage of the Traveling Wilbury's in the studio. someone already said this, but it'll be on again this Saturday at 2pm ET on Sundance Channel all of the wilbury's footage comes from this DVD, which is totally amazing: http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Wilburys-C...0164&sr=8-1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 exactly!I prefer her in The Last Picture Show. That was her best outfit ever. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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