'The Stone Roses: Made of Stone'
Wednesday and Thursday: One of the greatest British bands of all time and one of rock's most baffling/botched career stories, the Stone Roses are the subject of a new documentary that — true to form — is making a bit of an odd go-around in U.S. movie theaters this week. Directed by British feature filmmaker Shane Meadows ("This Is England"), it weaves between the Manchester rockers' initial 1983-93 run and their first round of reunion gigs last year. The on-screen performances are gorgeously filmed and just as impressive musically, starting with a surprise gig at a historic hall where the fans' manic excitement is palpable. One big revelation is that the members actually seem to enjoy each other, which only adds to the confusion as they try to explain what went wrong. The film ends on something of a cliffhanger, one that leaves you wondering if the Roses' reunion will be short-lived. That adds to the intrigue of "Made of Stone" — but also in a this-might-be-as-close-as-you-get-to-seeing-them-live sort of way. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Marcus Theatres in Oakdale, Elk River, Waite Park and Hermantown; 9 p.m. Thu. at Riverview Theatre, 3800 42nd Av. S., Mpls., $10. Ticket info at MadeofStoneFilm.com)
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER