(12.9) In 1991 INXS performed to a sold-out crowd at Wembley Stadium. If you missed that momentous show — and you still miss Michael Hutchence* — here is the next best thing: David Mallett’s concert film, ‘INXS Live Baby Live at Wembley Stadium,’ on the big screen Monday at Providence Place Cinemas.
The film has been painstakingly restored from the original 35mm negative. The film is now presented in glorious cinematic widescreen, created by going through the film shot by shot and repositioning every single one to get the best out of the frame. The restoration process unveiled a ‘lost’ performance, which was not included in the original releases – ‘Lately’ from the ‘X’ album. It is now returned to its rightful position in the concert setlist.
From a review of the movie in Variety magazine:
Said INXS co-founder Tim Farriss: “We were just six blokes from Australia that treated Wembley Stadium like just another pub gig, we went it in with a PA and a few lights and played our asses off. No ego ramps, no back-up singers, no props, no grand pianos etc, just the six of us….and the audience went nuts! That’s all we needed!”
Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes. Rated-R.
If you have yet to see a concert film in a movie theater like this, you are in for a treat. In fact, this may be the only way to enjoy one of these gargantuan stadium shows — the venue of ‘U2 3D’ was positively terrifying. And you do not have a sound system like this in your house.
*Michael Hutchence was the lead singer and lyricist for INXS from 1977 till his death in 1997.
$16.50, 7pm, December 9, INXS Live Baby Live, Providence Place Cinema, the mall (directions)