Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

jacksflicks Ginger Baker illustrates how artistic greatness can be fed by a loathsome character that we see close-up and personal, thanks to brave filmmaker Jay Bulger. Just how brave you will see in the film.It's not hard to see how Ginger Baker was formed. He was a child in one of those horrible, dreary, violent British working-class neighborhoods. He started out life by losing his father (killed in war), then getting his face slashed with razors for not joining a local gang. Then, he gets a posthumous letter, the only input he every got from his "hero" father, advising him that "your fists are your best friend". So, partly for survival, partly out of values, Baker became a young tough.The watershed occurred when Baker was introduced, at the same time, to African drums and heroin. Drums fed into his violent nature, and heroin, he claims, gave him insight into "time," which Baker considers the key to drumming and which very few have.Deserted his wife and kids for a bimbo who left him, introduced his 15- year-old son to cocaine to do a gig, then kept the proceeds, sending the son home on a bus. Chronically unpleasant to be around, except to the four drummers he worships. Calls dogs and horses the only creatures he can depend on, while at the same time being utterly undependable to his family. Complains about his poverty, after blowing millions on drugs and polo ponies.The plus side of the ledger is that Ginger Baker is arguably the greatest drummer -- rock or jazz -- in modern history. His long-suffering son, whom he finally kissed-off, says that Baker should never have had a family, that he is only about the drums.It's not ironic that the only person in the film who seems to adulate Baker is Johnny Rotten. Even the colleagues who prize him as a talent can't stand him as a person, except perhaps, Jack Bruce, of Cream, who says he "loves" Ginger, but goes on to say that living on a different continent from Baker is still "a bit too close".

Larry Silverstein This documentary, written and directed by Jay Bulger, based on the life and career of Ginger Baker, I thought was rather fascinating and filled with surprises. Baker, whom many consider to be the greatest rock drummer of all time, was living, at the time of the filming in a private gated compound in Tulbagh, South Africa. As one enters the compound a sign clearly states Beware Mr. Baker, perhaps for good reason as Baker is still quite irascible and cantankerous. He's also somewhat debilitated by osteoarthritis, but not slowed enough to stop him from physically attacking the director Bulger at one point with his cane.Apparently, Baker was a prodigy on the drums, able to just sit down one day and start playing. His first taste of fame came when he became the drummer for the Graham Bond Organisation, in the 1960's. However, what brought on instant world wide acclaim was being the founding member of the rock group Cream, bringing on Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton, to produce some of the most influential sounds in music history. However, the group only stayed together for about two years, despite their fame. Baker was already showing signs of a violent temper and he apparently was heavily into the drug culture. At one point, he viciously attacked Jack Bruce after an argument.This would be the beginning of a long series of ups and downs for Baker, which were brought to the screen in the film. I'll just note that these included continued drug use, four marriages, earning then blowing through millions of dollars, many career changes and making a lot of enemies and some friends along the way.Some of the documentary is Bulger interviewing Baker, in South Africa, while the rest is clips of his amazing talent on the drums, interviews with family and many people he worked with in his career , as well as even some animated snippets illustrating parts of his life.Although I admittedly knew virtually nothing about Ginger Baker before seeing the film, and despite the fact that Baker is obviously not a likable fellow, I was quite fascinated by it and was absorbed by one surprise after another being revealed.

billcr12 Mister Baker here is Ginger Baker, the rock drummer, most famous for his days, from 1966-1968 with Cream. Eric Clapton was on guitar and Jack Bruce on bass. They were technically the most perfect musicians ever to play rock and roll. Clapton and Bruce are interviewed, as are others, such as Steve Winwood from his days with Baker with Traffic. The music is terrific and Baker's life is certainly interesting, separate from the music. We get a wife #1, followed up by #2, #3, and #4. The man is a disaster as a human being and father, but he is also quite possibly the greatest rock drummer ever. At an hour and a half, the film moves quickly, and the clips of Baker drumming are breathtaking. If you are a serious rock fan, this documentary is for you.

tomgraham101-39-39878 I have just seen this film at a BFI screening, with Jay Bulger and the fearsome Mr Baker himself turning up on stage afterwards for a fractious Q&A that ended with shouting, swearing, recriminations all round, and Jay Bulger seemingly storming off stage. The perfect end to a brilliant documentary!The story is fascinating and engaging throughout, with Ginger Baker himself coming across as a complex and contradictory character. While you're appalled at much of his behaviour (he comes across as a pretty damn terrible father/husband/work colleague), you can't help but admire his incredible energy and drive, his prodigious musical talent, and his refusal to ever let life beat him down.The sparing use of beautiful and rather poetic animation works very well, and Jay Bulger himself refrains from including himself too much in the finished film - and when he does take centre stage for a moment, it's an extraordinary (and violent!) moment.By the way - Jay, if you're reading this, I'm sorry people shouted at you after the screening. Perhaps, given the subject matter, it's only appropriate that the whole thing ended in acrimony. And hats off to you for getting a cold, reserved audience of Brits so fired up and vocal. Great work - loved the film.