20,000 Days on Earth (2014)

I've been a huge fan of Nick Cave since 1994 when he and The Bad Seeds released their album 'Let Love In'. And over the past twenty years, I have purchased his music on vinyl, CD, and digitally. Nick Cave is not only one of the coolest people on the planet and a legendary musician and singer, but he is also a filmmaker who often collaborates with the amazing Warren Ellis.For those of you who are unfamiliar with Nick Cave, he looks like what Spock would look like if he went goth in the Wild West and had feelings. You might have heard a song of his in a variety of horror films called 'Red Right Hand', which was featured in the hit Wes Craven movie 'Scream'. And I was upset I missed his amazing show from his recent album 'Push The Sky Away' when it came to Dallas, but a friend and fellow writer went to the show, got first row, and shot a a few clips for the site, which you can see HERE (Amazing, right?).But when I realized Drafthouse Films was releasing a documentary about Cave, I thought I had just won the lottery, because it's not every day where we get an in depth look at the man behind the music. But like all of Cave's work, this is not your standard format documentary. It's an acid trip and fantasy ride through a patch in Cave's mysterious life. The Australian rock legend's fan base has multiplied over the years and he still has one of the biggest cult followings ever in the music industry. This new film called '20,000 Days on Earth' is a breath of fresh air in the documentary world, as Nick Cave plays a very real version of himself as his surroundings coax information out of him.The film opens up with a montage of dozens of screens, displaying things from history, which segues into clips of Cave (similar to how Michael Jackson started his last concert tour), and has Cave waking up in his bed next to his wife, narrating that he is an alien and has been on Earth for 19,999 days. He then goes to the window and opens the curtain to reveal a bright never ending light, which is similar to the cover of 'Push The Sky Away'. And it only gets better from there. Instead of having talking head interviews with Cave, his bandmates, and friends and family, we take a journey with cave as he drives his luxury car and is visited by hallucinations, friendly encounters, poems, and even a fictional therapist played by Darian Leader who has Cave talk about his childhood and career.It's quite brilliant really, but you can't expect anything less than brilliant from Nick Cave. The film is constructed in such a way, that you feel like you received all the information you ever wanted to know about Cave himself, but are also treated to one of the most stylish films to come out this year. And don't worry, you'll get a healthy does of Cave playing instruments, singing, and even a few songs from a live performance where he sings his version of Stagger Lee. It was epic. One of the funniest parts was where Cave was writing and playing the piano, coming up with sounds and lyrics that was eerily similar to a famous Lionel Richie tune. It was quite humorous.Whether you are a Nick Cave fan or not, this film delivers the goods on every level both stylistically and story-wise. And it once again proves that Nick Cave is still a creative genius, mad scientist, and one hell of a musician.

I really like Nick Cave. He has cameos in two of my all-time favourite films, The Assassination of Jesse James and Wings of Desire. His score for the former is my all-time favourite too, a collaboration with Warren Ellis of whom he's seen hanging out together here. This documentary, 20,000 Days On Earth, is perhaps coming a little too late or early to paint the most fascinating portrait of the rock artist, though it would have been a less catchy title. His last album is good, not great, perhaps played a little too safe. Nevertheless, his creative process is still interesting to watch as we're allowed access into the recording studio. But this isn't a straightforward documentary. It has bits of verite, fiction and interviews.It's a shame the fiction isn't as well handled and it comes off as contrived and stilted, including when the mystical celebrity cameos keep Cave company in car journeys. It's the way the film is shot too which uses the type of photography that's fit for HD TV rather than cinema though it has its moments. However, it makes up for all that for being very insightful. The interviews are no holds barred with penetratingly honest questions. Cave explains that his biggest fear is losing his memory, and I wish the film took that as its primary thesis, looking into Cave's memory instead of an irreverent day in the life. It does have its trips into nostalgia and excels in those moments. 20,000 Days On Earth is still a very good doc thanks to its subject matter, but it needed more focus and guidance.7/10

First, I'm 22 years old. I've never once wrote a review but this wasted a huge amount of time being two full hours long.Secondly, the music left me wondering "Is this movie a joke?". I'm assuming this man made a film about his lifestyle? honestly, I don't know who he is, or what makes anyone like him, but I simply don't care to find out.I didn't know what to expect, and it was the worst movie I've ever seen in my life hands down. all i got from it was "the feels on stage" Dem feels man. Jesus, that's all he says repetitively. He seems narcissistic to me.It may just be my generation being born in the 1990's everyone in my generation I want to let you know Begin Again was an excellent film about music! check it out.

Nick Cave is an interesting character. I had heard of him and his music for a couple of years. It wasn't until recently that I fell in love with his album "Push The Sky Away". This is documentary about Nick Cave so I expected the documentary to be about him. It's a bit shocking to read that he was portrayed as "pretentious". I find that a bit comical actually. This man is a musical genius! Nick Cave is an amazing performer , as I've seen him live a couple of times, so seeing this documentary put the pieces together and gives the audience a sneak peak into his personal life. First of all, the scenery where the documentary was shot is jaw dropping. The live performance in the documentary are pretty amazing . The documentary overall was shot beautifully. I'd describe this documentary as a really good lyrically pleasing song. It's inspiring . ****TINY SPOILER BUT NOT REALLY******My favorite scene was towards the end where he's walking through the dark tree-bush filled garden. What he says brought love to my ears. Nick Cave finds the words you've been thinking and meaning to say, but hard to describe in words. If you don't fully know the artist, I don't really recommend you watching it. I don't really see the purpose, you'd just be lost. This documentary isn't awful or average by far.