Here we are at the end of 2014, and it has been another terrific year if you are a film fan - I doubt it will surprise you to discover that I am a HUGE film fan.
20 Feet From Stardom
We have been treated to so many great movies over the last twelve months, and we are not at that time of year when we start to count down our favourite movies.
Kicking us off at ten is the fantastic documentary 20 Feet From Stardom, which was a real gem in what was another terrific year for the documentary genre.
20 Feet From Stardom was one of the most talked about documentary movies of 2014, as Morgan Neville returned to the director's chair. And it was one of those movies that truly did live up to all of the hype and went on to win the Best Documentary Feature Oscar - an award that it thoroughly deserved.
What would a pop song be without the riffs, refrains, and harmonies of its backup vocalists? Although these singers are usually relegated to the margins, and few, if any, become household names, their work has defined countless songs that remain in our hearts and collective consciousness.
Twenty Feet from Stardom juxtaposes interviews with industry legends (Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, and others) and the relative unknowns who support them like Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, and Judith Hill as they illuminate the art of melding their own distinct voices with lead vocals and reveal their desires for careers as solo artists.
First and foremost, 20 Feet From Stardom was a touching and fitting tribute to some wonderful musical talent that has been so sadly overlooked by us all over the years.
It is only when you pause and watch this movie, do you realise the impact that the likes of Darlene Love and Merry Clayton have had on the music industry and the songs that we all love. It is great to see them finally get put in the spotlight where they all deserve to be.
For the first time, we are taken into the lives of these singers, the great times and difficulties that they faced: as well as the dreams that they would also have success in their own right one day. The likes of Bruce Springsteen and Mick Jagger also speak about the singers that they have worked with over the years; the admiration that they have for these singers really does shine through.
What is so great about this film, is that director Morgan Neville clearly loves these women and admires them immensely what they have achieved during their music careers, and he really does celebrate these unsung heroes. These women have had a huge impact on some of the most famous songs and albums and it is great to finally put a face to those wonderful voices.
20 Feet From Stardom is as much about success as it is about disappointment and is has heartbreaking at it is full of hope. Having said that, this documentary is very much about hopes and dreams and holding on to them no matter what life throws at you.
From start to finish, 20 Feet From Stardom is a wonderfully uplifting documentary and really does educate as well entertain. This is a celebration of incredible musical talent and is a must see for all music fans.