Making Movies

Yes, the album owes a heavy debt of gratitude to Springsteen, with many cuts building on the Boss's signature guitar/organ/piano framework. But, Knopfler's vocal delivery and deft guitar work, plus the band's sparser and cleaner arrangements, never allow you to forget that you're listening to Dire Straits. Only "Tunnel Of Love", which sounds like a cross between "Thunder Road" and "Sandy" strays a little too far into Bruce's territory but for that the boys can be forgiven.

One tip: this album must be heard in its entirety to be fully appreciated. It will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion, something that no greatest hits album can ever duplicate.


Not All Throwback is Throwaway   May 17, 2003
M. Swinney (Flower Mound, TX)
24 out of 26 found this review helpful

I would be one of the last to endorse throwback music based on pure nostalgia, but I find myself reaching for this CD when I least expect to and find I am unexpectedly surprised.

The strength of this work is really based on two songs..."Romeo and Juliet," and "Skateaway." Neither of which were bonafide top 40 hits to my knowledge. I have listened to "Romeo and Juliet" for my fourth time tonight and it is a song that is not to be tired of. "and all I do is miss your and the way we used to be / all I do is keep the beat and bad company / all I do is kiss you through the bars of a rhyme / Julie I'd do the stars with you any time." The song strikes the right balance of mood...blues, country, jazz, and poetry. It's an all-time wonderful tune, to be sure.

And then there is the fun of "Skateaway." Skateaway was the closest to a hit catching MTV early day play time. The song is less mood-inducing than "Romeo and Juliet," and more poppy, but not in a bad way. It rolls along with the fun lyrics, "she tortures taxi drivers just for fun / she like to read their lips / says toro toro taxi see ya tomorrow my son / I swear she let a big truck grease her hips."

This was before the overplayed Dire Straits days of "Money for Nothing," and the only Dire Straits CD that holds my interest. Mark Knopfler's guitar playing is impressive and catchy and holds a candle up to its influence...Nashville Blues. He has played with the likes of Chet Atkins. Not bad for a Brit when Brits usually pay homage to blues and not Nashville. The rest of the album is pretty solid with "Expresso Love," and "Hand in Hand," being standouts on their own rights. I disagree with other reviewers that the last song "Les Boys," doesn't belong or is offensive. To me, it gives some added interest, a little color, and lightness, played in vaudeville style. A fun balance to the soul roller coaster of "Making Movies."


A Masterpiece   February 7, 2003
Brad Shorr (Geneva, IL USA)
21 out of 21 found this review helpful

This is not only my favorite Dire Straits recording, it is one of my favorite rock CD's of all time. Never has Mark Knopfler's guitar work been more passionate. Never have his lyrics been more poetic. Never have his vocals been more emotive. "Tunnel of Love" has an unforgettable melody, dreamlike lyrics, and a haunting guitar that add up to one of the greatest songs ever. "Romeo and Juliet" tells a heartbreaking story, told perfectly thanks to Knopfler's dead-on vocals. Not a weak song to be found in this masterpiece.


Eighties Epic still fresh today   April 17, 2000
W. Thornton (St. Augustine, Florida USA)
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

Mark Knophler's 1980 classic 'Making Movies' signaled a positive change in direction for this extraordinary guitarist and songwriter. David Knophler checks out on this one and is never missed. On this album, Mark Knophler moved away from the heavy blues influences that prevailed on the 'Dire Straits' and 'Communique' and created simply the greatest 5-song Rock'n'Roll Love Ballad ever recorded.

'Tunnel of Love' takes you to a familiar place with tasteful and riveting guitar interwoven with the message of love and passion. As if that is not enough, 'Romeo and Juliet' played entirely over a classical guitar melody brings to life the tale of two lovers vexed by time and circumstance. I can only think of Westside Story when I hear this again and again. There is no tiring of this song. 'Skateaway' and 'Expresso Love' continue this familiar lyrical theme with seductive harmonies and guitar licks at every turn. When I hear 'Solid Rock', you wonder if it really is Bob Dylan Singing!

The first 5 tracks on the LP/CD are arguably the most passionately executed love songs put to vinyl (or whatever) that I can ever remember. Maybe only Van Morrison rivals Knopler's ability to pen and play remarkable love ballads. If you are in love, this CD will move you to tears. If you are not, it will make you wish you were.

One often-forgotten notable on this LP/CD is Roy Bittan. His extraordinary piano accompaniment on each of these tracks is as integral as Knophler's guitar. If ever a session musician had a fundamental impact on the sound of a recording, it is here with Roy Bittan. Familiar to Springsteen fans, his piano accompaniment adds so much color to each track and compliments Knophler in a natural, beautiful way. To take him out of this recording, it would sound hollow and incomplete.

The only downer on this album is the final track 'Les Boys.' I am sure Knophler wishes he could have replaced this one with anything else. It completely does not fit with the perfection of the other 6 songs. Who knows what he was thinking with this song.

This album, while not initially a commercial success, has aged so well that it continues to be as fresh now as it was 20+ years ago.




A Simply Terrific Early Dire Straits Album!   September 21, 2000
Barron Laycock (Temple, New Hampshire United States)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

I was lucky enough to be living in England just outside London in a little town called West Ruislip just down the cobbled streets from the "T" station near the famous "Orchards" pub when Dire Straits released their "Love Over Gold" album in 1982, and the young English couple living in the flat upstairs played it over and over, introducing me both to their good taste in music and the terrific group called "Dire Straits" in the process. Of course, as I think back upon it, I was familiar with their hit "Sultans Of Swing", but never really paid much attention until hearing this terrific album and Mark Knopfler's unbelievably stirring, crisp and innovative guitar solos. Soon I was down at the music shoppe buying their other albums, including "Making Movies". By that time I was familiar with their unique and unforgettable sound and also their very introspective lyrics. I came to love this album as much as "Love Over Gold", and several of the cuts are my favorites.

Starting with the first cut, "Tunnel Of Love", an epic guitar rendition owing much to a Springsteen-like treatment of the material, Knopfler's distinctive twanging guitar sound echoed in my flat to all hours of the morning, along with "Romeo And Juliet", "Solid Rock", and a very hot and steamy "Expresso Love", and from such nice English boys! In the short two years I lived in Britain, Knopfler became a kind of institutionalized artistic force everywhere one looked, writing soundtrack music for (among other films) "Local Hero" and "Cal", performing both alone and with Dire Straits, and collaborating with other artists, as well. The music here is very and innovative progressive rock, and the electric guitar work literally sings by itself. When I listen to the album now, it is a source of continuing amazement to me that Knopfler could make the sounds that emanated out of that instrument so uniquely animated as it is. The whole band is terrific, and it is sad that they made so few albums before internal frictions broke them apart. Enjoy this and their other wonderful albums. Here in "Making Movies" they make an indelible stamp on modern rock that I am sure you will find entertaining and entrancing. Enjoy!