mcctw55
A must for any Tom Waits fan...but..."not for everyone." Waits is; strange, funny and a talented song writer, musician and actor. He sings, plays piano, and guitar over his all original material is this wild live show, with added video...I first heard him in 1979 on a college radio station, he's not top 40 material. I think he is great...read the lyrics to his song "Cold Cold Ground" and maybe you'll see what I mean. Most people can't get beyond his gravel-like voice, but those who can will know what a great poet/artist he is...usually musicians. It's a shame this is not been made available in DVD. It is out of print on VHS. I bought a used VHS of this concert/movie on ebay for around $30. I suggest buying a Waits CD like "Rain Dogs", or "Franks Wild Years"...or watching him act in "Down By Law, or "Iron Weed" before viewing this. You'll like him, or you won't. I believe Tom Waits is an American original...one of a kind.
silentgpaleo
I am an avid fan of Tom, and have seen this film twice on pay cable, and the thing that struck me the most was how well Tom reproduced the moods of his songs on-stage. His band is great, some of the songs are as well, and some others he chose slow the proceedings down too much. But Tom is definitely the king of sad-drunken-white-trash blues, and I'm sure he will remain that way for some time. If you're not a fan of this musician, then see BIG TIME, and then, just for prosperity, see it again. The experience is rewarding, bewildering, and delightful.
Andrew Schoenhofer
Great footage of Waits and his band. Carney on reeds and Ribot on guitars are well worth the listening, if you can find the video. Waits outrageous on stage.Ribot stayed with Waits throughout the '90s, as well as recording on his own and with others; Carney one of the hot jazzers of the late '90s with his group Oranj Symphonette.Songs are from the Swordfishtrombones/Frank's Wild Years/Rain Dogs era. You'll never hear them the same way after seeing the film.
Jobokar
I'm not the best at reviews, but I wanted SOMETHING to be written here. I know you can do a better job, please feel free!Anyway, I got this movie expecting something far different. It is a live concert film at times, but it is also a play about 'Frank' of Frank's Wild Years.It does have some interesting visuals, such as the flaming umbrella in 9th an Hennepin, and Tom singing in the shower on Innocent When You Dream.I did enjoy the film 'Big Time' more than the CD 'Big Time' - I enjoy seeing his theatrical vision. I'd love to know what Tom wanted the audience to get out of the movie.
AD
