Control, Into the Wild, Malayaka House, tips

Two movies to put on your must-see list before they leave the theaters:
“Control’’ (about the ill-fated ‘80s band Joy Division) and “Into the Wild,’’ based on a true story about a fellow who gets a little too far out in the Alaskan wilderness and can’t make it back.
I’m still recovering from “Control,’’ one of the most emotionally overwhelming films that I’ve ever seen. It’s a biopic centered on singer Ian Curtis of Joy Division, a band that came out of the tough city of Manchester, England. Curtis was an epileptic who had a brilliant way of updating Jim Morrison of the Doors’ poetic, heart-piercing style, but who made poor decisions in life (marrying and having a child, but at the same time getting swept away by an affair with another woman).
It all came crashing down on him, as the epilepsy intensified. We know he committed suicide, but the genius of this movie is that we get so immersed in the immediacy of the story that we don’t think about the end. Curtis, as played by wunderkind actor Sam Riley, is an extremely likable guy underneath his confusion, and film director Anton Corbijn (perhaps best known as a rock photographer who has specialized in shooting U2) moves the story along until our tear ducts can’t stand it anymore. Like most people in the theater, I was crying at the end.
“Into the Wild,’’ on the other hand, is a classic hippie-escape film, but we don’t share the same sympathy for the lead character. He willfully turns his back on just about everything – leaving his family with no word – and his story is a more foregone conclusion. I’d recommend renting the video rather than paying top dollar to see it in a theater, though the cinematography is impressive. But more impressive is the soundtrack written by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. He’s virtually a one-man band as he switches off on instruments and captures the character’s wanderlust in song. I highly recommend it. It’s destined to be on my Top Ten list this year, for sure.

MALAYAKA HOUSE: There was a great benefit at Toast in Somerville this past Sunday to raise more than $7,000 to help an African orphanage (Malayaka House) in Uganda that is run by a former tennis coach from Vermont. Many local acts performed during a seven-hour show, including Adam Ezra (playing in bare feet a la Jimmy Buffett), Christian McNeill, Flynn, Paddy Saul, Dennis Brennan and others. Toast, which is located right next to the Independent in Union Square, is becoming a great scene and this event helped show why. Organizer Julee Vitello put on one heck of an event. She did all the legwork and people responded.

CRITIC’S TIPS

Sam Bisbee – at Toad on Thursday, Nov. 15. The Cambridge native now lives in New York, but his rockin’ returns to Toad are always a treat. Get there late and he’ll sprinkle in some great covers of Stones and Tom Petty tunes.

Natalie Merchant – at the Strand Theatre (in Dorchester) on Friday, Nov. 16. Natalie has been absent for a while, but she returns for a benefit concert for the Give Us Your Poor campaign to help the homeless. And hopefully she’ll debut some new material.

Dark Star Orchestra – at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium on Friday, Nov. 16. Confession: I’ve never seen this Grateful Dead tribute group, but I’m going this time. They recreate Dead shows and the buzz on them has been continually mounting.

State Radio – at the Orpheum on Friday, Nov. 16. Chad Urmston of Dispatch is at the helm here and he’s a fascinating character who often flies under the radar while making great music.

Reverend Horton Heat – at the Roxy on Saturday, Nov. 17. It’s party time with the Reverend and his rockabilly mania. Also, Hank Williams III and Nashville Pussy (hey, I didn’t make up the name) open up.

Great Bandini – at T.T. the Bear’s on Saturday, Nov. 17. Scott Janovitz, whose brother Bill fronts Buffalo Tom, ehlms this emerging outfit. They’re on at 11, sharing a heady bill with Sand Machine and Me and Joan Collins.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – at TD Banknorth Garden on Sunday-Monday, Nov. 18-19. Some fans are disappointed that Bruce isn’t doing five Garden shows like he did last time. But I bet he’ll be back to play Gillette Stadium next summer.

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – at the Orpheum on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Touring under the name of the Swell Season (not the greatest name in the world), this duo was the heart and soul of the recent movie, “Once.’’ Hansard is also in the Frames.
(Steve can be reached at spmorse@gmail)