Search - Henry Rollins: Live at Luna Park on DVD

Great Humor

AJ | Virginia USA | 02/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like Henry Rollins, you will like this video. It is just him doing his usual humor mixed with a healthy dose of philosophy and opinion. If you are easily offended by foul language, religious discussions... well actually, if you are easily offended by anything, then this is definitely not the DVD for you. Rollins has an excellent ability to put into words human quirks and those frustrating things that happen in daily life, as he does here with his commentary on driving, where all I could think was "Yep- that is it exactly!". He also discusses growing up with Fugazi musician Ian, and the antics when they worked together such as "Human Sundaes" (there is one bit about flinging dead fish that is very funny). Other bits include stories about his travels including short sturdy women with mustaches on the Moscow subway, riding through traffic in Cairo, and visting the Wailing Wall in Israel. When he takes a serious turn, uses some time to talk about his philosophy on drugs and drinking and why destroying your body makes no sense. One of my favorite parts of this DVD was actually the Bonus Scene where he talkes about his deep need to out-rock Iggy Pop at a series of concerts. Another really amusing section is when he reads aloud a broken-English letter from a fan from the Czech republic. He shows the humor in it without demeaning or insulting the writer. I have seen his stand-up be funnier at times, but I can completely recommend this DVD. It is just laugh out loud funny, and both the humor and the philosophy are honest and thought-provoking."

Would like more if there was more to like...

epsteinsmutha | At the bottom of Juan Epstein's excuse note | 04/08/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've shelled out money for this DVD, Up For It, and the reissue of Speaking from the Box and paid about the same for all three (four considering one is a double DVD set), but of the three, this one seems the lightest in terms of content because, well, it is.



67 minutes, a lot of it taken up by the repeated subintros with their topic headings, which, given the discussion of what Rollins tried to do at Luna Park one night a week a month, and given how long he's been known to go on for, it makes one feel only one thing about this DVD and that is CHEATED.



Now there are some funny bits, such as his further adventures with Dischord head honcho/nice guy Ian MacKaye during his youth in DC (extension of the Pet Store story from ...From the Box), his three round battle with Iggy Pop, but there's also a lot of the standard Rollins schtick we've heard before (travelling exhaustion, rage directed at everyone around him, etc.) so what was left on the cutting room floor troubles me and it should trouble you if you're a fan of Rollins, and if you aren't, there's something wrong with you.



Rollins could sneeze into a jewel box, and I would be on it with twenty dollars extended, but man, I wish there was more here because I know it's there and it's worth more than the devoted hour and a few odd minutes.



Signed,

epsteinsmutha"