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BEWARE OF MR. BAKERMovie Reviews
Documentary about legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker, including interviews with Baker, his family and rock luminaries who discuss his life and impact on rock music. Cast:Ginger Baker, Bob Adcock, Tony Allen, Carmine Appice, Brian Auger, Ginette Baker, Leda Baker, Jack Bruce, Malcolm Cecil, Eric Clapton, Stewart Copeland, Joni Haastrup, Jon Hiseman, Simon Kirke, Femi KutiDirector:Jay BulgerRelease Date:November 28, 2012DVD Release:May 14, 2013From:Independent FilmsLength:1 hr. 40 min.
MAY 14, 2013
Beware of Mr. Baker, Very Good Reviews (Doc) Key Cities
Beware of Mr. Baker played in key cities to very good reviews. • David Lewis wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle, "...unusual, well-made... watching the film sometimes feels like being trapped with a dinner party guest from hell. But it's hard to take your eyes off the train wreck." More Reviews Below...
Beware of Mr. Baker Positive Reviews (22 Reviews, reviews below)
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (10 Reviews)
A.O. Scott, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "Mr. Bulger tracks down Mr. Baker's friends, ex-wives, children and admirers to create a detailed portrait of a man who may not really be all that complicated."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 916 words, 11/28/12
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...would be far more of a dry biography without its willfully eccentric lead.... if the crankiness gets to you, tune it out and focus on the music. That's what Clapton did."(See all of Elizabeth Weitzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 192 words, 11/30/12
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...entertaining... a lively portrait.... The takeaway: great musician, deficient family man, taxing friend and bandmate, excellent documentary subject."(See all of Gary Goldstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 226 words, 01/25/13
Kyle Smith, New York Post: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...fantastically entertaining.... If Ginger Baker was not the greatest drummer of all time he was -- is! -- a magnificent wreck. This, boys and girls, is rock."(See all of Kyle Smith's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 435 words, 11/30/12
John Anderson, New York Newsday: VERY GOOD(cg) "...provides an overview of a time in rock when men were maniacs, gluten was consumed with abandon and hotel rooms were animal cages."(See all of John Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 287 words, 12/21/12
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: VERY GOOD(cg) "...combustible and frequently amusing.... It gives Baker his musical props while at the same time demonstrating the film's title is no exaggeration."(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 655 words, 01/18/13
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "In spite of Bulger's errors of tone, the movie stands as an engaging tussle with the question of what is permissible with the excuse of art."(See all of Nick Pinkerton's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 530 words, 11/28/12
Radheyan Simonpillai, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...a rudimentary doc that nevertheless does a satisfactory job of capturing a restless personality.... Baker was and still is a toxic personality..."(See all of Radheyan Simonpillai's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 231 words, 01/24/13
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...ferociously entertaining... argues that when an artist consistently delivers amazement, broken beaks and busted relationships are a fair price to pay."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 233 words, 01/25/13
David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle: VERY GOOD(cg) "...unusual, well-made... watching the film sometimes feels like being trapped with a dinner party guest from hell. But it's hard to take your eyes off the train wreck."(See all of David Lewis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 305 words, 01/25/13
Charles Cross, Seattle Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "Ginger Baker is, and was, a train wreck. Yet this film, like Baker's onstage playing, is always riveting, and something you can't look away from."(See all of Charles Cross's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 366 words, 03/01/13
Stan Hall, Portland Oregonian: VERY GOOD(cg) "Baker's mad misanthropy is very much on display.... As with Keith Richards, it's amazing this cat is still breathing and hissing."(See all of Stan Hall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 93 words, 01/25/13
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "In spite of Bulger's errors of tone, the movie stands as an engaging tussle with the question of what is permissible with the excuse of art."(See all of Nick Pinkerton's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 530 words, 11/28/12
Noel Murray, AV Club: EXCELLENT(cg) "Jay Bulger and editor Abhay Sofsky work wonders with the archival footage.... Baker is all about moving forward, enjoying the flow, and demanding that others keep up."(See all of Noel Murray's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 454 words, 11/29/12
Nick McCarthy, Slant: VERY GOOD(cg) "...refreshingly resists hagiography, often striking a balance between the genius of Baker's music with the flaws of the unlovable, and unloving, man."(See all of Nick McCarthy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 592 words, 11/26/12
Radheyan Simonpillai, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...a rudimentary doc that nevertheless does a satisfactory job of capturing a restless personality.... Baker was and still is a toxic personality..."(See all of Radheyan Simonpillai's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 231 words, 01/24/13
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
A.O. Scott, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "Mr. Bulger tracks down Mr. Baker's friends, ex-wives, children and admirers to create a detailed portrait of a man who may not really be all that complicated."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 916 words, 11/28/12
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...entertaining... a lively portrait.... The takeaway: great musician, deficient family man, taxing friend and bandmate, excellent documentary subject."(See all of Gary Goldstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 226 words, 01/25/13
MOVIE INDUSTRY (4 Reviews)
Joe Leydon, Daily Variety: VERY GOOD "Winner of the docu jury award at SXSW... fascinating.... Baker is nothing if not forthcoming when discussing the exhilarating highs and dispiriting lows..."(See all of Joe Leydon's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 615 words, 04/01/12
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: VERY GOOD "...an affectionate but unfawning portrait that finds the drummer of Cream still keeping the beat despite hardships.... percussionists and classic rock fans will be delighted..."(See all of John DeFore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 453 words, 03/13/12
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...entertaining... a lively portrait.... The takeaway: great musician, deficient family man, taxing friend and bandmate, excellent documentary subject."(See all of Gary Goldstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 226 words, 01/25/13
A.O. Scott, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "Mr. Bulger tracks down Mr. Baker's friends, ex-wives, children and admirers to create a detailed portrait of a man who may not really be all that complicated."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 916 words, 11/28/12
10.9 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Beware of Mr. Baker's reviews are separated by an average 10.9 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Beware of Mr. Baker (22 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Beware of Mr. Baker's reviews cover 25.1% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 9,898 words involume (average is 20,172 words). Length:The film's reviews average 450 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Beware of Mr. Baker Coverage, Volume & Length (22 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 12 Days After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Beware of Mr. Baker's reviews on average broke 12 days after opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Beware of Mr. Baker's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Beware of Mr. Baker (22 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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