Henry Rollins: Up For It

Starring:Henry Rollins
Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Caught at the end of a three month worldwide tour, "Up For It" show cases Henry Rollins and his very own brand of stand-up comedy live on the first of three sold-out night at London's Astoria Theatre.

Rollins, a true renaissance man, started his career as the lead singer with the seminal LA punk band Black Flag. Now touring in a musical capacity with his own "Rollins Band", Grammy award winner Rollins is known for his books, comedy records, movie appearances, and is now the host of Fox's weekly primetime series, "Night Visions".

Description

Caught at the end of a three month worldwide tour, "Up For It" show cases Henry Rollins and his very own brand of stand-up comedy live on the first of three sold-out night at London's Astoria Theatre.

DVD Extras: Interview with Henry Rollins Music Video Featurette

Customer Reviews:

He's an interesting guy.......2004-02-04

This has a pretty fun stand up performance by Henry Rollins in London. He's a smart guy with a great sense of humor and he's had a lot of pretty intense life experiences -- like being in Black Flag.

At the end of the performance is Henry sitting down and just honestly talking about what he does, why he does it, and who he is.

Henry is always poignent and honest and thought provoking. This is a cool item for anyone who likes to think.

In your face comedy that doesn't let up.......2004-01-13

Henry Rollins is a man most people know for his music. Underneath he's a head full of ideas, witty comments, stories of his travels with a body full of energy. Even at 40 he still has the intensity of someone much younger. His age also lends him insight into the world which makes for good comedy.

I've probably watched this dvd several times since I bought it and without fail, each time, it makes me laugh. Rollins is very good with the physical: using his hands and body to act out what he's saying like a sketch routine. He's also good at immitating the demeanors and voices of others in his stories. If you have any funny bone at all, this is sure to make you laugh.

To me he's like a mix of Dennis Leary and a little bit Bill Hicks. Though he can never be as truly good as either of those comedians, he still comfortably occupies a class all by himself.

I am put off.......2003-10-22

Okay, I am in the camp of the people who thinks Rollins has had it. His best years, before, and right after 1992, they're gone, they're done. I heard Hank tell some of these stories before, and he has now changed them. I saw this piece of flotsam for free, I think perhaps Comedy Central. Hank is a very desperate man. His self indulgent narcissistic, survival of the fittest brand of garbage really appealed to me back when I needed medication, badly, but it's over for me. Hank, just drop the mike and leave. Don't go away mad, just go away.

Don't be put off.......2003-06-04

I disagree with Scott Woods almost completely. Improvisation from someone who doesn't improvise much? Obviously Scott hasn't paid too much attention to Rollins' previous offerings or indeed, where he and his whole 'talking show' act came from.

No, Rollins doesn't walk on stage and simply make up the show from scratch every night. Importantly though, nor are his shows scripted performances that are the same every night of the week. I think this distinction needs to me made, as the reviews so far seem to say that this DVD falls short when (depending what you're after) it certainly does not.

This is a comedic performance. The fact that Henry has proven himself capable of offering deeper, more poignant food-for-thought-type material and elected not to include it here should not count against it. Almost all of the material in this show is of a high standard, with only a few exceptions that tend to drag on a little bit (See: "Klan Chaos Distruption Team). The pace is moderate - more short, funny stories than long tales such as The Kiss Army (on Talk Is Cheap) rather than long tales with humour throughout. The direction isnt as bad as some have said, but it could have been better; crowd shots generally contribute nothing to stage show DVDs. This disc also features an interview with Henry that fans will enjoy as some of the questions/subjects are rather good and provoke some interesting answers.

Prospective purchasers beware: the people who attend (and review..) Rollins shows generally comprise two types of people. The Not-As-Good-As-He-Used-To-Be brigade, who appear to miss the more serious side of Rollins earlier shows and consequently mark down anything he releases that doesnt have talk of depression-inducing (if thoughtful and insightful) observations, and the rest of us who simply enjoy the man's sense of humour, storytelling skills and all-round take on life.

Don't be put off by the naysayers, this is a good DVD whether you're a fan of Rollins or not.

Who' s the director ?.......2002-06-01

I was very nervous, when i wrapped out the dvd, and i was very happy to see the master in an absolut perfect sound & vision, but after a few minutes, something pisses me of. ... I WANT TO SEE THE HOT ANIMAL MACHINE FROM THE FRONT, like i did in severall spoken word shows, i cried out and my wife came to see if i was going nuts at least. The problem is: too many cameras. Why are there camera positions from the back, from the floor and from a football field away ? And somewhat like clicked the cut in ever the same time code ? The performance is great, no doubt. But i must say that i prefer the London dvd's, because they make me feel like sitting in the audience and not be tortured by an ... director, who cuts the perspectives in pieces. Sorry

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