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 The
Work of Director Spike Jonze
A Collection of Music Videos, Short Films, Documentaries,
and Rarities
(Directors Label / Palm Pictures)
The “puff puff pass” formula that makes
its way around most music video directors these days
is a simple one. Depending on the generalization of
the music in question, one can easily break down the
art of making music videos to these three points:
1. Sex
The key is to push the already loose censors to their
limits: generous use of string like fabric as clothing,
fish-eye lens close-ups of female posteriors in mid
gyrations and gratuitous shots of song’s protagonist
in various states of undress flexing their assets are
all important ingredients to a sexed up video. Then
all one needs to do is throw everything together in
one big orgy of sexual misconduct – voila!
2. Doom and gloom
If sadness is your desired result, you will need a despondent
lead vocalist; cringing at the very words that scrawl
out of his/her mouth in what appears to be long lasting
constipation, the band of moody/angry musicians who
flail their guitars and bash their drums, generous use
of the colors black and grey, and occasionally, the
ultra self-indulgent scene where the lead singer pulls
an image of himself/herself out of the water in a flooded
city.
3. Revulsion
See Marilyn Manson (or Hanson).
The easy 1-2-3 stepping of the process is glaringly
clear when we no longer see the video as an innovative
option for creativity. So while for the most part we
are reduced to the sight of Mariah Carey’s breasts,
Beyonce’s backside, baggy pants, tight t-shirts
and the abs of what appears to be a factory’s
worth of r&b singers, there is one director that
will forever be synonymous with utilizing the potential
of music on film as a means to push creative boundaries.
‘The Work of Director Spike Jonze’ is a
quality collection of some of the most inspiringly original
music videos that have come about in the past decade
or so. Included in this collection are the videos of
the Beastie Boys (“Sabotage”, “Sure
Shot”), Wax, The Chemical Brothers, Weezer (“Buddy
Holly”, “Undone”), Bjork, Fatboy Slim,
The Notorious B.I.G, Dinosaur Jr., Daft Punk, The Pharcyde
and MC 900ft Jesus. And while sifting through them all
would be justified, albeit a tad detailed, we will instead
highlight the few that have left an enduring mark in
music video history:
Wax – “California”
In less than 2 minutes, this seemingly minimal running-man-on-fire
video was able to pull off what most videos with the
budget-the-size-of-small-countries couldn't do in 10.
Former Wax drummer Loomis (still sporting that Genghis
Khan-like moustache/beard combo) provides insight on
the video and how the one continuous shoot caused an
alarming stir in the then “docile” world
of mid-90’s music videos. [On a side note: Wax’s
appearance/performance in the Pauly Shore flick ‘Bio-Dome’
has to go down as one of the finest cameos in movie
history – I have searched fruitlessly for the
first song they played, and alas, it isn’t the
Wax song on the soundtrack].
The Pharcyde – “Drop”
Hip-hop/rap videos can be great without the sexual slant,
and Pharcyde’s video for “Drop” is
the perfect reason why. This “video in reverse”
is the ultimate case of creative manipulation in the
editing room. Perfectly succinct, the video is as flawless
as the track and the end result is a remarkable urban
sprawl of that true hip hop spirit. The DVD also boasts
the “making of” for the video and a documentary
that catches up with Fatlip after his departure from
The Pharcyde (at one point recounting a bitingly hilarious
sexual misadventure).
Weezer – “Buddy Holly”
Fans of ‘Happy Days’ would have undoubtedly
freaked at the premier of this video; “Is that
Fonzie digging the sounds of Weezer?”, “When
did they shoot this video?” – And deservedly
so, the recreation of the diner set in conjunction with
extensive footage splicing (not to mention the impeccable
go-lucky tune) makes for one clever video. Weezer skins-man
Patrick Wilson is on hand to reminisce about the video
and to show us that, like many others, he keeps his
MTV award as his toilet roll dispenser.
Beastie Boys – “Sabotage”
A benchmark for great music videos, Jonze takes the
boys into the myriad world of 70’s cop show television
and never looked back. The Beastie Boys are a huge presence
on this DVD as well, providing commentary on not only
their own music videos, but other artists as well.
Other video highlights include Dinosaur Jr.’s
golf cart trek through New York in “Feel the Pain”,
the award-winning video for Fatboy Slim’s “Praise
You” (although, we could have done without the
appearance of Slim giving commentary naked in his bathtub)
and the much touted Christopher Walken starring “Weapon
of Choice”. While the videos do hold the grunt
of this DVD’s appeal, Jonze has packed it with
a far more complete appeal; including some extended
documentaries, short films, an extensive 52-page booklet
and enough bits and pieces from his vault to satisfy
the most diehard of fans. On the documentary side, one
deserves an extended look:
Amarillo by Morning
Set to the slow setting Clifton Jansky sung tune, this
half hour documentary follows the story of two Texas
youngsters in their dream to become true American cowboys.
Reveling in the simplistic nature of their desired life,
these rodeo hopefuls beam with enthusiasm, drive and
a spirit that encompasses the very lifestyle that have
chosen to fulfill – and these are suburban kids,
surrounded by high society that thumbs its nose towards
the rustic simplicity that is the nature of cowboy life.
Recorded in a brief afternoon, these kids embody the
freedom that rings so distinctly in the very song; “I
ain't got a dime / but what I got is mine / I ain't
rich / but Lord I'm free.”
There is no question that in regards to music videos,
Spike Jonze languishes in the shimmer of preeminence.
Wildly clever at times, his sometimes simple approach
to novel concepts is proof that special effects and
ludicrous budgets are no match for an undying passion
for innovation and resourcefulness. This DVD is one
of three released simultaneously by the Directors Label;
a unique series releasing the collected works of Jonze,
French-born Michel Gondry and London-based Chris Cunningham.
While not complete, ‘The Work of Director Spike
Jonze’ is a necessary collection for those seeking
a higher plateau in the realm of video making.
Reviewed by
Billy Maulana
October 13th, 2003
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