Almost Famous
Writer and director Cameron Crowe was an editor at Rolling Stone magazine for years before jumping ship to the movie biz, and Almost Famous draws on his experiences, telling the tale of an aspiring music journalist and his desire to make it big. Taken on tour with the band Stillwater, 15-year-old William Miller gets himself through numerous mishaps as he attempts to build his life, love and career.
Falling for groupie Penny Lane - who has stars in her eyes after a fling with Stillwater guitarist Russell Hammond - William finds himself intertwined in the rockstar lifestyle, while building a killer story he eventually struggles to publish. Full of jocular moments including a hilarious yet touching scene on an airplane, Almost Famous is a must see film for any music movie buff.
Reg Rating 90%
More info IMDB
Control
Control tells the tragic story of Joy Division front man Ian Curtis, tracing his battle through depression and difficulty in finding acceptance. It follows Curtis' life from 1973 to 1980, culminating in his suicide just as the band was preparing to conquer America.
Sam Riley pulls off the acting in grand proportions, slipping into the role of Curtis so spectacularly that it earned him a Most Promising Newcomer gong at the British Independent Film Awards. This depressing yet gripping biopic, filmed completely in black and white, will leave grown men in tears, especially as this was a musician who didn't take drugs and whose demise was one ultimately caused by an anxious life and his struggle with epilepsy.
Reg Rating 85%
More info IMDB
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COMMENTS
Still Crazy
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149151/
Timothy Spall, Billy Connolly, Nill Nighy, Jimmy Nail, Phil Daniels, Bruce Robinson, about an aging rock band, getting together for one more gig.
And whilst not exactly about a band, Wayne's World is a love letter to Rock and Roll, and Wayne's World 2 shamelessly taking Danny The Dealer from Bruce Robinson's Withnail and making him a roadie. Classic.
Another Glaring Omission
Anvil: The Story Of Anvil
You start off thinking it is all bit of a joke as the 50 something members of the legendary 80's heavy metal band are shown delivering meals to school kids and other dreary day jobs while keeping the dream alive on the weekends, still trying to get that "big break" and reclaim their former glory.
Think a rock and roll version of "The Wrestler", only with real blokes .
By the end of the movie you are rooting for them to make it!
A true masterpiece.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1157605/
Anvil
Anvil! The Story of Anvil http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1157605/
Superb documentary. Could have been Spinal Tap lite but instead is genuinely fascinating. You really feel something for the band.
Both of the Biopics could be replaced
By a single movie:
Sid and Nancy
I don't see how you could overlook that one.
In addition to the excellent nominations of Blues Brothers, I would also suggest Crossroads (Steve Vai's performance as Lucifer is to be seen).
