Rolling Stone reports today that, yes, not only is there going to be a movie about Phil Spector, one of the most metal producers of our time, but that this movie will also be directed by none other than David Mamet (Wag the Dog, Race, Oleanna, et cetera).
If you know anything about these guys, you know this film will be nothing if not heavy. Phil Spector was notorious for being a gloriously self righteous asshole who shat on everyone on his way to top, continuing to do so after he got there. While he has some serious producing credits, my personal fave is A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector, which has rumors of him forcing the musicians and and singers (Darlene Love, The Ronettes, The Crystals), who were high profile artists at the time, to work tirelessly during the summer in a hot studio with no fans or AC in order to make Christmas. In typical 60's fashion, the record was titled as a gift to you when you had to pay for it, and put a nice package over the personal turmoil Mr. Phil Spector caused the artists in his charge.
And do you know what happened when the record came out? Kennedy got shot, killing the record's sales. Over time the record gained in popularity, and if you hear a 60's version of Mommy Kissing Santa Claus or others, likely it's from this record, which for a Christmas record is brilliant. Just remember that every time you hear one of these, behind it were some blood, sweat and tears.
Now a killer in his own right, I'm excited for a biopic that delves into the probable dark corners of a frightening man who's life has been too public.
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