There's going to be some shiny, happy people at Berlinale this year. At least, some that get to bask in a big, musical, cinematic light. According to the folks over at indieWIRE, Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stones concert flick, Shine a Light, will open the 58th Berlin International Film Festival when it kicks into gear on February 7. That's not a bad start to the fest, which has already announced some of the films that will compete this year. In December, titles like Errol Morris' S.O.P.: Standard Operating Procedure were announced, and just last week, flicks like Julia and Elegy were added to the roster.

But back to the Stones. The footage for this film was shot during two concerts at New York's Beacon Theater back in 2006. But this wasn't your average concert-production affair. As iW describes, Scorsese's film used sixteen cameras and collected over half a million feet of concert footage. That's compounded by all the big names involved, which I mentioned in a post about the film last July -- such as Oscar-winner Robert Anderson and cinematographer John Toll. But larger-than-life old men prancing around isn't all you can look forward to in the film. There's also performances by Jack White and Christina Aguilera (who gets a very-close wiggle with Mick Jagger), and behind-the-scenes footage. You can check out a trailer on Moviefone right here.

First there was Stoned -- the story based on the rise and fall of Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones. The film was full of sex, drugs, and music -- but not in The Doors sort of mainstream way -- I'm talking full-frontal folly and sauciness. I mean, this is about the Stones after all! Now it seems to be time for the next sexy foray into their world -- a German film has been made called 8 Miles High (Das Wilde Leben), which follows the life of Uschi Obermaier, a "'60s fashion icon and companion of the Rolling Stones."

The Hollywood Reporter has posted that Dokument Films has acquired the North American rights to Achim Bornhak's biopic, based on Overmaier's autobiography, although no release date has been set yet. Starring Natalia Avelon, the film details how she became an "it girl" at the age of 16, and then joined a political commune called Kommune 1. However, her focus was on fun, and she became known for her nude work as a model and her time with Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. According to chatter on IMDb, it's got a similar sex content to Stoned, so even if German flicks with subtitles aren't your cup of tea, there's lots of nudity -- or the amusement of seeing Swede Victor Norén and the German actor Alexander Scheer play Mick and Keith, respectively.

You like Martin Scorsese, right? You're a fan of The Rolling Stones, correct? Well, get ready to have your "19th Nervous Breakdown." AOL is reporting that the release date for Scorsese's Stones documentary has been pushed back. Waaay back. Seven months, to be exact. Just a couple weeks ago, Monika told you the film would be released in both conventional and IMAX theaters on September 21st. But now we won't get it until "sometime next April." What's the reason? Why can't we get no "Satisfaction?" A spokeswoman says that more time was needed to set up the promotional campaign for the film, because the band is on tour in Europe until August 26th. Isn't that a "Bitch?" I've got serious "Mixed Emotions" about this. I mean, "I Know It's Only Rock n' Roll...But I Like It!" I'll stop.

The documentary is called Shine a Light (also the title of one of my favorite Stones songs), and its concert footage was shot over two nights last fall at the beautiful Beacon Theater in New York. Guest performers for the shows included Buddy Guy, the almost impossibly cool Jack White, and Miss Dirrrrrty herself -- Christina Aguilera. The film will intersperse footage from the shows with career-spanning documentary material. Hopefully it will be as fascinating as what Scorsese did with his Dylan doc, the excellent No Direction Home. Scorsese also directed one of the greatest concert films of all time -- The Last Waltz, which documented the final show of The Band and included terrific performances from the likes of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and -- with a hunk of cocaine visibly dangling from his nose -- Neil Young. Scorsese has used Rolling Stones music in nearly all of his films. I'm surprised he didn't have the monks in Kundun dance to "Start Me Up." Hell, he's used "Gimme Shelter" three times -- in Goodfellas, Casino, and The Departed!

If you happened to see Rolling Stones: At the Max years ago, just imagine what the band will be like now. Martin Scorsese's new concert documentary on the band, Shine a Light, is going to hit Imax screens the same day that it will come out on regular screens -- September 21. The director, who was behind the huge concert film The Last Waltz, said in a statement: "The larger-than-life images and sound of an Imax theater will only enhance the experience of giving viewers the best seat in the house to watch the Rolling Stones perform."

Or, as might be more apt, a seat close enough to see every one of the wrinkles the aged rockers have -- well-lit, sweaty and all. While I'm not sure how keen I am to see Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, et all several stories tall, it does sound like an interesting project. The film includes show and backstage footage as well as historical clips and interviews. However, they seem to really be emphasizing the two days of filming the band at New York City's Beacon Theater, so I imagine most of the film will revolve on the Stones' performances last year. What's really cool are the names that Scorsese brought together to shoot the band. The Director of Photography is Oscar winner Robert Richardson (The Aviator), and he supervised award-winning cinematographers like John Toll (Braveheart), Andrew Lesnie (The Lord of the Rings), Stuart Dryburgh (The Piano), Robert Elswit (Magnolia), Emmanuel Lubezki (Sleepy Hollow) and Ellen Kuras (Summer of Sam). At the very least, you can be sure to get some great concert footage!

So, it looks like another will he/won't he rumorfest has come to a sad end. Johnny Depp confirmed yesterday that it's very unlikely his inspiration Keith Richards will appear in Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Boo! That's what I say. Apparently Richards is too busy touring with some band or something, and won't have any time to shoot. Not even just a little cameo, Keith? Couldn't you, like, swing the tour past where the movie's being filmed, or something? For God's sake - look at this picture! The man is already a pirate. How long could shooting possibly take?

Man, my Talk Like a Pirate Day is totally ruined.

If you've been anxiously awaiting a bio pic about Beatles promoter Sid Bernstein, you might have to wait awhile longer, and perhaps not outside a theater. The film project, which has already been going for five and a half years, has finally wrapped up, and no release date has been set, nor do its makers know if the film will be shown in theaters. When and if Sid Bernstein Presents is ever seen by the public at large, you'll learn of the man who single-handedly brought groups like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and many others to American audiences.