| Original Score: B- | Sep 7, 2011

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 14, 2007

The filmmakers really have captured something quite spectacular with this one.

| Original Score: A- | Jun 21, 2007

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Dec 6, 2005

It is as much a lesson in musical appreciation as it is a thrilling concert.

| Original Score: A- | Mar 28, 2005

Lightning in a Bottle is a feel-good film, ironically, for fans of the blues and a solid primer for newcomers to the sound.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 25, 2005

This is music for which there are not enough superlatives.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 4, 2005

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Feb 11, 2005

Features performances by such masters of the form as Buddy Guy, Solomon Burke, B.B. King. But the movie doesn't depend on your knowledge of them or their works.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 7, 2005

[It] achieves the goal of every concert film, to make you feel like you were there - or at least wish you were there.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 7, 2005

... we'll save the arguments about the patronizing nature of blues fetishism for another time. If you wish you were there, you'll want to see this film.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Jan 7, 2005

A thrilling experience for jazz fans, and if you're not in that category, the film's overpowering atmosphere could have you changing your tune within minutes.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Dec 31, 2004

The event's musical director, Steve Jordan, marvels at one point: 'Looks like y'all hired the phone book . . . just looked up "Blues" in the Yellow Pages.'

| Dec 17, 2004

Features a who's who of world-wise bluesmen (and women) and newbie practitioners.

| Dec 17, 2004

Mostly, director Antoine Fuqua's straightforward film gives the greats a chance to shine, and they deliver.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 16, 2004

Lightning in a Bottle is at once deliberate and agile.

Full Review | Dec 10, 2004

A fast, sweet, cram course in the blues. And it does so in an extremely coherent, vital and entertaining fashion.

Full Review | Dec 10, 2004

This 'blues' film devotes more time to the music of Jimi Hendrix than to that of Robert Johnson or Muddy Waters...

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 10, 2004

The musicians uncorked that bottle, sending lightning all over Radio City Music Hall. Thanks to Scorsese and Fuqua, we can all catch some bolts.

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Dec 3, 2004

Some of the blues performances here are rousingly hot and could make believers out of the staunchest classical music snob.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 3, 2004