U2: Rattle And Hum

Directed by Phil Joanou (THREE O'CLOCK HIGH, FINAL ANALYSIS, STATE OF GRACE), RATTLE AND HUM captures U2 in mid-ascension, touring the United States in support of their landmark album, The Joshua Tree. As a documentary, the film doesn't reveal much about the band itself, but as a concert film it's top-notch.

Opening the film with a cover of "Helter Skelter," singer Bono announces: "This is a song Charles Manson stole from the Beatles; we're stealing it back." An apt statement: in 1988, U2 was drawing numerous comparisons to the Fab Four, and seemed poised to claim the throne as rock-and-roll's angry poets-in-residence. Playing songs from their most succe...