Why would you go to see a movie about a museum exhibition about a musician? Well, maybe because the exhibition, currently touring the world, isn't stopping in your town. Also maybe because the musician in question wanted very much for his music "to look like it sounds." David Bowie understood almost from the start how crucial costume, characterization and visual elements in general were to rock 'n roll stardom. (It's something to watch the shining eyes of doughy, aging Brits as they stand before the kaleidoscopic jumpsuit he wore on Top of the Pops in 1972.) When you learn that he was designing band costumes at 16 and providing sketches for the back of his first album, it comes as no surprise to learn that man behind Ziggy Stardust and the star of The Man Who Fell to Earth conceived of Diamond Dogs as a feature film, even to the point of drawing up storyboards. It's all part of the show. As filmed museum tours go, it's pretty engaging, full of testimonials and concert footage and zooms through throngs of frozen gawkers. But it probably helps if you're already enamored. The casual, unconverted visitor might here be tempted to regard the man and his work as a curious (space) oddity, a colorful catalyst for the music video era. (2014) — Matthew Lickona
This movie is not currently in theaters.