Creation Stories movie poster RLJE FIlms

If you’ve always wanted to take a peek behind the curtain, Creation Stories will show you how a record label can be molded. It can become a successful brand. The Creation Stories film will show you the birth and death of Creation Records. Alan McGee and his story is not a revelation when compared to other rise and fall narratives about entrepreneurs and rock and roll. As a biography, the film is about how one man’s passion for music was turned into a global sensation. It is pretty cool.

Creation Stories begins its foray by setting the story. It then flits and floats between McGee’s younger years, his misspent adult years, and as a sober adult. These transitions occur with varying degrees of success. There is plenty of name-dropping too. Creation Records is a brand famed for discovering bands. These bands include The Jesus and Mary Chain, Oasis, My Bloody Valentine, and Primal Scream. All of these well-known music ensembles are either mentioned or dramatized within the mish-mash of the mogul’s life.

Creation Stories is very much a rags-to-riches story. McGee turned to promotions after a half-hearted attempt to be the star he saw in others. He was in his own punk rock band though, releasing three singles. The depiction of the hairs standing on end when a band appeared on television was an innovative representation of the almost superhero enthusiasm some people have towards a niche goal in life. Founded on the sniff of an oily rag, the Creation label formed the pinnacle of 80s indie music. McGee recycled profits to churn out singles by the bands he discovered. He changed government regulations. He also heavily influenced the popularity of Acid House and Dance music.

Creation Records Made Music Management Cool

Much of the Creation Stories film revolves around McGee’s drinking and drug abuse. The film asserts that some of the appeals he felt for the music scene were simply due to the wayward fashion in which McGee immersed himself. He was obliterating himself. In later sections of the movie, after having been to rehab, it’s suggested he began to unsee what he found so interesting. This happened while he was under the influence. Without the mind-numbing alterations to his experiences, he didn’t know the people he thought he knew so well at all. The people he thought he knew so well were people he didn’t know at all.

Creation Stories was a film that resonated with Mother of Movies. I spent much of the ’90s around an ex-flame who ran his own record label as well as a few live music venues. It’s a lot of work and relies heavily on reputation and the willingness to be everything to all people.

A lot of the reviews aimed toward director Nick Moran’s view of this rock-drenched world say the film is messy. Others say it lacks pivotal meaning. I actually disagree with these sentiments. While some of the key highlights of McGee’s life are definitely missing, the overall film was engaging. Being an iconic ‘Godlike Genius’ is messy, so why would a film about this kind of thing, be organized and tidy?

“If You Can Be Anything, Make Sure it’s Never Boring”

Quote from the movie Creation Stories

Looking for more movies with Punk Rock music? Watch Dinner in America | Straight Edge Kegger | Metal Lords or Uncle Peckerhead next.

Creation Stories Bible

There is plenty of music, concert imagery, and grungy smoke-filled anecdotes to enjoy. Writer Irvine Welsh’s influence can be seen in much of the depiction of the characterizations used throughout the film. He wrote for the film Trainspotting. Comparisons can be seen between how the lifestyle choices of drug users are portrayed. Dean Cavanagh co-wrote for the movie (Crime TV Series.) Creation Stories is a fun and fervent encounter that never stays too long on any one topic. It does however do a great job at trying to cover it all.

Where to Watch Creation Stories Movie

Creation Stories is available on AMC+. You can also watch the film on demand or as a digital download from February 25th, 2022.

Creation Stories biographical movie
Creation Stories biographical movie. Courtesy of RLJE Films

The Creation Stories biography movie is rated

3.75 crack houses are just part of the journey out of 5

Creation Stories
- RLJE Films

Director: Nick Moran

Date Created: 2021-04-15 12:33

Editor's Rating:
3.75