Customer Reviews

Moog

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoyed this documentary. I've read a few of the other reviews and I guess I am confused as to what some of these viewers expected. This is not an engineering documentary on Moog synthesizers in any regard, What we have here is a very good overview of the Man himself. Bob Moog comes across as a very easy-natured person who was initially very interested in electrical engineering but was luckily diverted into musical audio technology. In this video you can see him interacting with musicians and learning how they use his instruments. He learned not just the electrical side but the artistic side of the musicians he listened to when developing ideas. This was constant. I am currently reading a very good documentary on Moog and this video complements it very well. Since Moogs Passing in August of 2005, this video will shed much light on his character and his life interests. Bob never gave the impression he wanted to be rich from the fruit of his labors, but wanted to stay inquisitive to all aspects of his life.

- Dave Carlin

Nobody would fund this poor guy Hans Fjellestad... Wendy Carlos apparently even threatened legal action (for what he did or might do, I don't know). Apparently nobody else had the foresight to realize that Bob Moog wouldn't live forever. We're lucky to have this document on Bob's life, imperfect that it may be. Mr. Fjellestad was working on an extremely limited budget, so how much can you complain when it's clear nobody else was willing to share his dream, or at least help pay for it. Now it's too late to make anything like it again, at least with Bob himself in it. I for one own a copy, and am grateful for it.

I enjoyed the movie very much and am glad I bought it, but at the same time was frustrated that it focused on so few of the people involved and such a small part of the whole story. I understand that the first-time director made this as a labor of love, but it wasn't clearly presented what the concept of the film was...instead, it was an attempt at a history, that ended up more as a personal portrait of the inventor.

The frustrating things that are omitted are critical history about the business errors that Bob made that nearly ruined him, his teaching career, the formation of Big Briar and the subsequent reclaimation of his trademark name for Moog synthesizers. Instead, you get Bob talking about his garden for a long time (which reminded me of "Being There".....people trying to read way too much into what plants he grows!)

As others have mentioned, the featured artists are a very odd mix, not representative of the musical pioneers that made the Moog synth a landmark instrument. It's cool to have Bernie Worrell, but where the heck are the mentions of influential artists like Stevie Wonder, Jan Hammer, Chick Corea, Klaus Shultz, Jean Michel jarre, Giorgio Moroder, etc, etc, etc. It's very odd to have extended performances of groups that aren't even using ANY Moog synths! And some of the Moogfest groups are OK, but not the influential groups that defined the vocabulary of the instrument.

It's too bad the filmaker didn't have a larger budget. Moog is such an important topic, that it's a shame that it wasn't more comprehensive. Perhaps Wendy Carlos and others will participate in a more complete picture of the history of this important instrument.

On the level of the film as a personal portrait, it largely succeeds. I was fortunate to know Bob a little bit from the industry and the film does a great job of capturing his spirit. It's now a particularly important film with Bob's passing, as it presents his mind and heart in a very special way that could have only been done while Bob was alive. So the decision to focus the limited resources the filmakers had on Bob's thought process turned out to be a very smart one indeed.

Well worth checking out, but just understand that it's not a very thorough history of Moog Music or of the synthesizer or of the artists that made it what it is today.

I, too, initially wondered about the lack of history or context in this documentary. But as Dr. Moog wanders Tokyo and New York, you begin to realize that this is about something beyond his instruments or history: it's about the philosophy of sound and music-making, about the joy Dr. Moog and the people who have played his instruments have shared. That soul, as you trace it through present players from Stereolab to Keith Emerson, really comes across. Bits play like an ad for a Minimoog Voyager, yes, but I can think of no better snapshot of modern electronic music making. The focus around one instrument and present time is necessary to keep it from sprawling over everything. Watch it together with the Theremin documentary, which clearly influenced this film.

The director specifically refers to the Wendy Carlos incident. She refused to participate, and even threatened legal action. It's unfortunate, but I think for whatever reason she's refusing to participate in almost any history -- that's her decision, and I don't think it's specific to Mr. Fjellestad.

This documentary (released in late 2004 in theaters) is an amazing tribute to the man who brought us the synthesizer. This film has had some mixed reviews but all the negative reviews missed the point badly. This film is about Bob Moog (as opposed to his creations) and the world of music would be completely different had he not come up with his invention. The film mines Bob head for all its worth and we learn about the connections between musician and his or her instrument. A must see for all fans of documentary films and music buffs.

As a fan of electronic music--specifically synthesizers--I have always loved the Moog synthesizer and it's analog sound. I never really knew too much about Bob Moog, the inventor of the synthesizer until I read the book "Analog Days" which was a detailed book on the impact of the Moog synthesizer. This Moog documentary follows not the history of electronic music, but Bob Moog's experiences and feelings thoughout his theremin/synthesizer designings. You get to hear from classic artists like Rick Wakeman and Bernie Worrell. Live footage from the NYC Moogfest is also including in the film.

The documentary was filmed on Super 18 film to give it that "analog" look so when when recent footage is combined with vintage footage, it gives it a connection. The documentary is about 70 minutes long and the special features are about 47 minutes long. You get to see some deleted scenes and some fantastic Moogfest performances.

Overall, the documentary is really good. If you are into electronic music and synthesizers, you will find it a very interesting film. So, I highly recommend this documentary.

I had heard good things about this movie, but still had low expectations. By the end of the film, however, I was blown away. And not because of the live music filmed at MoogFest (although it was great). But because the heart and soul of this seemingly normal guy Bob Moog just radiated from the screen. I've been a Moog synth fan for 30 years and thought I knew a little of Moog the man. But the insight this film gives to how Moog thinks and therefore how his music machines work. I think I know the sound of a Moog better for seeing this picture. I can now hear Bob Moog's thoughts in the circuits! The machines and the man are closer than I ever imagined.

I finished watching it 5 minutes ago and the first time I did was come here to amazon to see how much a minimoog costs, too bad I will have to wait a couple of years before I can afford one. Anyway, it's a very good documentary, I'm glad someone honored Mr. Moog making a documentary about him, he desserves that and way more.

I hate to criticize this DVD since I love the topic and the central character. But, I feel that there was not enough coverage of the technology and other important contributors & collaborators.

While I enjoyed watching Dr. Moog in his garden talking about plants, I found myself wanting much more information, much more coverage of the other important people, competitors, academic activity during the time, and so many angles which seemed to be left out. It was still enjoyable, but lacking in breadth and depth.

I would recommend this DVD to anyone who knows, even vaguely, who Bob Moog was, and anyone interested in music synthesis or such history. But I agree with many of the other reviewers that this movie felt incomplete or not comprehensive.

I liked the "mood" and "feel" that the director produced here, as if he was trying to make a film that had the personality of Bob Moog, but anyone with some knowledge of this field, will get to the end and say, "Is there a side two or something?".

That's what I found myself doing... Looking for more information, extra scenes, etc, but there was less here than I would have liked.

I recommend it, just don't expect it to be comprehensive or deep.

I recently discovered this outstanding documentary after hearing Bob Moog had brain cancer. He passed away yesterday (August 21st, 2005). This film is an amazing tribute to an amazing man. Without Bob Moog you can forget the existence of many of your favorite all-time albums. Pay your respects and check this documentary out!