Bullet in a Bible Review

'Bullet in a Bible' is a combination of Green Day's live performances held at the Milton Keynes National Bowl, UK (June 18 and 19, 2005). The name of the DVD derives from the bullet stuck in a Bible that saved the owner's life during the war, exhibited in the Imperial War Museum. Great editing was done by Sam Bayer (director for all the Green Day videos off American Idiot) on that piece. It's pretty much humorous and entertaining, but will turn into a contemplative and deep documentary whilst touching serious issues. Because all the fooling around (a lot of that, too) aside, Billie Joe's lyrics show and confirm there's a fair sense of darkness to this world. During visiting the Imperial War Museum, we see the band acting like normal people, maybe not all that mournful, just like they went sight-seeing. But as B.J. points out, the museum's a 'big gallery of someone else's nightmare'. Glad to see there isn't much indifference in this man.

The band's visit to the museum - pretty powerful. In connection to the statement ascribed to their latest record - very accurate indeed. Some shots done in black and white make the video look vintage. The band also shares their views as to how making AI was a personal experience. Be prepared for the random, though. You won't be disappointed if you wait to see some of the off- and onstage antics. The DVD's filled with them, practically every other song interval is a moment for the band to reveal itself a little or just make fun of things. However it may be, Bayer touches the band's life reality. Not only that, he also gives the audience a few significant moments before camera. You can see how people respond, emotionally, to the songs. It's a shame, though, that not all of the pieces on the band's then-setlist were included into the final version of DVD (no 'Knowledge', for example, an Operation Ivy's song famously performed by fans).

I say 'two thumbs up' for that DVD. Brandon Flowers, vocalist and keyboardist for The Killers, probably wouldn't agree. He criticized Green Day for making a live DVD out of the performances that took place in the UK and not in America whilst 'American Idiot' obviously concerned their birthplace more. But these were the biggest audiences in their lives. Green Day surely didn't spare themselves with those performances. As Mr Armstrong said, Green Day is his life. The band continues to show how music is an outlet for emotions. I hope they do it still ten years from now. But even they don't know what might happen. 'You can't control the wind. But you can set your sails'. Watching 'Bullet In A Bible' is a pleasure. Sometimes I had tears in my eyes. Other times - a big grin on my face. It's astonishing how much one can take out of what's seemingly no more than a recorded performance and a few interviews. I recommend it as great for filling out our own 'space between insane and insecure'. Even if just for those two hours.

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