jpp1023

This is not a film about rock and roll nor is it supposed to be. This film is a look at a shy creative folk singer/songwriter who with another's encouragement found the inspiration to succeed as a completely original, uncensored stage performer on an exalted electrified and amplified level of musical theater. He achieves this through assuming an an alter ego which is compared in the film to a schizophrenic multiple personality parallel to his brother's diagnosis he is being treated for in the asylum pictured on The Man Who Sold The World album. The visions David has of his brother have a slowly revealed, silent "spirit guide" quality which is intriguing cinematography. If you are a creative person of the stage, of -any- art form, or support those who performances you find inspiring, you will understand and appreciate this film. This is brave, controversial subject matter which was clearly respectful to the challenges of the family's history of mental health treatment. This came out at a good time in history to be considered at how psychiatric diagnoses and the creative process have similarities which cause fear to those who don't understand the fine line between creative genius and insanity. I congratulate all those involved in this fine art film and hope the rock fans will open their eyes to the sublime purpose of the subject matter. I believe the artist would have been proud at what was examined here to show creative types a way when the public does not understand their art over a superficial one sided display of rock and roll shows which would likely have been more popular to those who criticized this film with low imdb ratings.

The film is entertaining and has positive messages of compassion shown by the Tibetan characters -including to their enemies- the wolves, however, all references to Buddhism were removed in the film. Creator Zheng Jun's original artistic vision is in the manga comic entitled "Tibetan Rock Dog". It is sad to me that "Tibetan" was removed from the title as well. As Zheng Jun is credited for the story as well as an executive producer I imagine it must have been difficult to see the culturally censored version be what was shared with the globe. Despite these issues which deserve to see the light this is an important film. I hope it will foster awareness of the Chinese Government's atrocities committed against native Tibetans. These continue to this day with no end in sight nor adequate help coming from countries which are able. The film shows Tibetan architecture, Tibetan rug making and even Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags which simply appear as colored flags without any Tibetan script or Buddhist symbols. Edited for artistic or political reasons? I hope viewers will "find their fire" and demand Tibetan Rock Dogs everywhere to Rock out for Tibet like Ad Rock showed us how. Get Rocking with this Tbetan Buddhist Manjushri mantra: Om A Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih ( Sanskrit) Om Ara Pa Za Na Di (Tibetan).

Aha! This is Sudden Enlightenment the Rinzai Masters unfold in Zen through Koan. To me this movie presents American Poets' Koan. A slow opening ikebana flower bud that reveals ecstatic joy is an open secret hidden behind the mistaken view of day to day banality. It shows the patient and open Minded viewer how incorrect it is to conclude that observing a quiet honest and compassionately connected neighborhood of minimal material acquisition is boring and meaningless. The Lotus Land appears as samsara ends when the lesson is confirmed that to win is to lose to lose is to win. Even the dog has Buddha Nature...mu! It is a timely vision of happiness available to all who listen to their own inner creative voice whether it whispers to one as: visual, auditory, tactile, fragrant...or a sweet tasting thought to bake and decorate cupcakes. William Carlos Williams and others inspired the beats to write poetry and when i met Allen Ginsberg he inspired me to write and -live- poetry as the Buddhist Masters he spoke of had unfolded in him. It is such a pleasant surprise to discover a film which has no need for sex, violence nor hi tech illusions to entertain. The mark of great art is it wakes up the same ability in in the audience. The Seer The Seen and Seeing are realized as one.