Why no Synchronicity?

Here's the story: apparently (1) Copeland hadn't gotten that far when he had to deliver the movie to Sundance, and (2) he figured most of the story was told by that point anyway. "That's what the DVD is for," he said, in this summary of the Q&A.

Tags: everyone stares, the police, stewart copeland, sundance festival

Variety review

Variety's reviewer was less than impressed. Reviewer is baffled about lack of insight and too much music. (I prefer more music and less insight.)

Salient quote: "[Copeland has] chosen simply to gloss over any acrimony among the three members, not to mention erasing sex and drugs from their rock 'n' roll lifestyle -- even things that were public knowledge at the time. Result is a trite, whitewashed-to-blankness vanity project ..."

Tags: everyone stares, the police, stewart copeland, sundance festival

First comments on the film

I saw the film at what I think was the third of three screenings at the Sundance Film Festival Tuesday night. I had modest expectations -- that were exceeded. The film's clearly not a glossy documentary, but it's certainly a cut above watching someone else's home movies. Copeland did a fine job of making the viewer feel included in the inner circle and created a fascinating document of a band's rise in popularity.

Everyone Stares is surprisingly poignant: you see the early cameraderie and friendship strain under the pressures of success and increased commercial expectations. Some reviewers have commented negatively on the story stopping before Synchronicity. I, on the other hand, think the core pieces of the story were told without embracing the final album (which, I'll add, is my least favorite of the five).

The soundtrack was inventive and enjoyable: Copeland deconstructed and remixed Police tracks, providing dubbed-out, looped versions that I really enjoyed both as film music and on its own.

From a music archivist point of view, it's unique and fascinating how Copeland managed to document as much as he did. Unlike a contrived "making of" video, this footage feels intimate and natural.

I'll add more comments soon. In the meantime, here's how I'd sum this up: if you're predisposed to like The Police in the first place, you'll likely enjoy this movie. If not, well, there are other documentaries that probably relate to things you're interested in.

Tags: everyone stares, the police, stewart copeland, sundance festival

Negotiating for CD and DVD release

According to launch.yahoo.com, Copeland is negotiating to release both a CD and a DVD of the film, including his "derangements" of Police songs he made from the original multitrack masters.

Tags: everyone stares, the police, stewart copeland, sundance festival

News from Stewart Copeland fan site

The Stewart Copeland site adds a bit more information, including a copy of the movie poster, reprinted here.

Tags: everyone stares, the police, stewart copeland, sundance festival

Copeland interview

Interview with Stewart Copeland about the film at The Rock Radio. Tidbit: negotiating for DVD release.

Tags: everyone stares, the police, stewart copeland, sundance festival

Calcanis' take on Everyone Stares

Weblogs Inc impresario Jason Calcanis gives his (negative) review of Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out in this lengthy analysis.

Tags: everyone stares, the police, stewart copeland, sundance festival

Salt Lake Tribune article

Just in case you missed it yesterday: here's the Salt Lake Tribune's coverage of Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out. I also came across a note that Sting is Executive Producer of another Sundance film, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints.

Tags: everyone stares, the police, stewart copeland, sundance festival

Semi-relevant Police interview

Came across this blog post that includes a semi-recent Police interview. Fairly amusing and a good perspective on the film.

Tags: "everyone stares, "the police, "stewart copeland, "sundance festival"

Review to come

I've got tickets for the final showing of the three at Sundance this year. Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out has had early good comments, but not a lot in depth that I've found yet. More to come soon ... looking forward to Stewart Copeland's take on the early days of The Police. Plus, it's encouraging that the other members were at least willing to license The Police music for the movie. Sting was in Park City for a showing of a film his wife produced, according to The Salt Lake Tribune, but I do not know if he attended the premiere of Everyone Stares.

Tags: Everyone Stares, The Police, Stewart Copeland, Sundance Festival

Official Sundance description

Here's the official Sundance festival description. You'll have to navigate to it alphabetically.

IMDB Basic Info

The IMDB has some basic info here.

Tags: sundance festival, everyone stares, stewart copeland, the police

First look at Everyone Stares

The Salt Lake Tribune today covered the premiere of Everyone Stares. Read the full story here.

Tags: sundance festival, everyone stares, stewart copeland, the police