Tina

"HBO" has once again done it with a great bio doc this time "Tina" which looks at the life and career of one sweet music legend Tina Turner. The doc was informative as it featured behind the scenes vintage footage of Tina's early days of meeting Ike and his band in St. Louis and becoming his sidekick after leaving her small rural Tennessee town. From the get go Tina had the moves and shakes as she was brought up with the blues and the likes of BB. King and gospel. The voice and determination was around from early on.

Told was more than her talent yet her making it threw the storm of Ike's path and domestic abuse as the interview and recording from 1981's "People" magazine is spotlighted. As seen when breaking away solo was when this carefree woman had her greatest success as the freedom of being alone set her music wings soaring to new heights. The concert footage is well done showing Tina rock on with crowd masses and the interviews from friends Angela Bassett and Oprah Winfrey were touching as they told of warm touching memories of the talented Mrs. Turner. Plus former "MTV" host and music journalist Kurt Loder being interviewed as he gives his take and memories of how she impacted music and culture. Overall fine well done doc that proved her lasting power was a sign of will and determination as Tina Turner lasting thru abuse and pain proved that she was simply one of the best!

I loved this documentary! It didn't deal solely with all of her musical successes, it focused more on the development and changes in her as a person and a performer.

From starting out as a teenager with Ike Turner, to reinventing herself in her forties and going on to achieve incredible global stardom. All against the backdrop of incredible suffering...emotionally and physically, is just astounding.

And for her to be such a lovely, warm and positive person after everything she's been through just makes you love her more!

I'll certainly be listening to a lot more of her work over the next few weeks!

IN BRIEF: Well made and informative documentary about a pop music icon.

JIM'S REVIEW: (RECOMMENDED) Tina, a riveting documentary, solidly directed by Dan Lindsey and T. J. Martin, covers familiar ground for those who are aware of this pop superstar's mercurial life. Those unaware of this singer's painful beginnings...I'm sure there are very few in the world...may be surprised. The filmmakers mix archival footage, photos, musical performances, and interviews with those closest to her. The documentary also has Ms. Turner front and center to unfold her tale. (She retired in 2009 at the age of 70.)

This is a straightforward retelling of events, chronologically told. No flashbacks or jumping back and forth that seems so commonplace nowadays. Its linear narrative structure comes in numbered chapters and it is refreshing and concise. Born Anna Mae Bullock, her childhood abandonment by her parents and life of poverty and neglect were only the start of her many hardships. Her life story begins from her rise to stardom and her abusive relationship with her Svengali husband and muse, Ike Turner. Most of her traumatic marriage was kept secret until she finally reveal the domestic abuse issues in 1981, hoping for a catharsis which never quite happened. Moviegoers see her fall from grace, her struggles in the music industry, and her huge comeback as a solo artist, all leading to a storybook ending with her loving spouse, Erwin Bach.

During the film, Tina states that the bad moments in her life outweigh the good. However, the wounds still seem gapingly open and the scarring of this strong woman remains obvious. While there is enough tragedy in her life to doom anyone, Ms. Turner is foremost, a survivor. Her violent past with Ike still continue to haunt her these many years. Love seemed MIA in her personal life, although her professional world became one of adoration and success due to her determination and talent.

The film glosses over some events, especially her early solo outings in the late 70's and early 80's or her spotty film career. Half of the documentary focuses on her early beginnings with Ike and then rushes through her later career highlights. Ms. Turner herself is interviewed and at times, refuses to relive and discuss those scenes of horror and violence, understandingly so. While it does leave some gaps in the storytelling, those telling omissions convey a person suffering from PTSD and unable to come to terms with her troubled past life. Oddly, only one son, Craig, to whom she dedicates the film, shares his recollection of his dysfunctional childhood and hate for his father's vicious acts of violence. Her other three sons never enter the scenario.

Of course, the musical concert footage is sensational. While early song hits are fragmented and sacrificed to the dramatic story, the filmmakers wisely showcase many musical concert moments in their entirety. Footage of a few later hits (Help, I Can See the Rain, Simply the Best) provide the whole version to these songs via concert footage and they are mesmerizing.

With a performer this legendary, one always wants more. Tina is a fascinating film that gives us a candid view of a music icon's life, with behind-the-scenes views and center stage where she belongs. (GRADE: B)

I have to adnit that I never really cared to know a lot about Tina Turner. Don't get me wrong, I love her songs as much as any other individual. But that was as far as I was interested - with this documentary about her life - well it wet my appetite to watch the biopic with Angela Bassett who played her many years ago.

Curious to see how that holds up to this one. And this one does not hold back when it comes to her demons. Inner ones but also in form of Ike Turner. There is so much here - a lot will be tough to swallow, especially if you never heard about the abusive relationship and the hold he had over her. Of course he sees things differently as (recorded) interviews with him clearly show.

Tina herself but a lot of other people who know her best (including her mother) have something to say about her. And all is interesting. The pace and the structure of the documentary is also really well done. If you only have the slightest interest (or none as was the case with me, but like her songs), you'll have something really engaging to watch right here.

I don't know what else to say, other than do yourself a favor and watch this. You've heard all the stories, now get a feel for the real person behind the icon that is Tina Turner.