By Pat Burns – Movie Reviewer and West Coast Editor for GRAND Magazine
Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83XdEBl0KUg
This film is for boomers who really loved music from the sixties. I don’t mean the Beatles or the Monkey’s, I mean that rock hard, rock’n roll, possibly get-stoned music. Do I have your attention?
“Beware of Mr. Baker” is a documentary that take s a rough and tumble look at one of rock’s most talented drummers, Ginger Baker – made famous with his band Cream.
This three-man band was especially favored by the boys fighting in Vietnam. They had hits such as I Feel Free, Sunshine of Your Love, and White Room. With singer/guitarists Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker, they created hit after hit from the UK to the USA and beyond.
Ginger Baker’s renowned talent has been admired by legends such as Eric Clapton, John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols), Charlie Watts (of the Rolling Stones), Stewart Copeland (of The Police, and Lars Ulrich (of Metallica) who are featured in this documentary along with great concert footage.
The film was written, directed and produced by a very brave young man, Jay Bulger. Bulger opens the film with Ginger Baker busting his nose open with a cane. It continues from there with its hilarious, disturbing and reminiscent portrayal of a time when sex, drugs and rock-n-roll wasn’t simply a say…it was a reality.
There wasn’t an empty seat at its screening during the 24th annual the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Several times during the film I caught myself singing his songs – just couldn’t help it. There are laugh out-loud moments and others of bewilderment as you wonder just how in the hell he could still be alive with his lifestyle.
Winner of the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2012 South By Southwest Film Festival, “Beware of Mr. Baker” is a film for baby boomers, older (college age) grandkids, musicians and recovering addicts. There’s hope in this film and a great portrayal of an unforgettable era in world history.
WARNING: The F-bomb is dropped throughout the film.