Rockin' Reels

Thu., May 27-Thu., Sept. 16, 7 p.m., free, Piazza at Schmidts, 1050 N. Hancock St., atthepiazza.com.

by Molly Eichel

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Published: May 25, 2010

[ the band played on ]

Music looks great on film. From concert documentaries to coming-of-agers, music-heavy movies guarantee personal drama, oversize theatrics and, of course, great soundtracks. Rockin' Reels, a collaboration (supergroup?) between the Philadelphia Film Society and 102.9 WMGK, is book-ended with two legendary docs: The series begins with Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz (Thu., May 27), about The Band's last gig; and ends with native son Jonathan Demme's Talking Heads film, Stop Making Sense (Thu., Sept. 16). Often overshadowed by Scorsese's biased friendship with Band guitarist Robbie Robertson and rumors of copious backstage drug use (bonus points if you can spot the coke streaming out of Neil Young's nose!), The Last Waltz is the perfect portrait of a band that bowed out in a big way: After a 16-year touring run, they called it quits in 1976, but not before bringing in best friends Dr. John, Bob Dylan and Van Morrison for one more go. Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous is on the docket next (Thu., June 24), so practice your wide-eyed rock 'n' roll idealism while staring at Band drummer Levon Helm on the Piazza's huge screen.

Thu., May 27-Thu., Sept. 16, 7 p.m., free, Piazza at Schmidts, 1050 N. Hancock St., atthepiazza.com.

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