School of Rock
Jack Black smashes it in stringed fashion here, playing the role of over-enthusiastic wannabe rockstar, Dewey Finn. Kicked out of his own group, Finn sets up a band in school after covertly stealing his friend's role as supply teacher.
Finn takes the kids through various lessons in how to be a rocker and eventually enters them in a battle of the bands, with intentions of winning the $20,000 prize that will cover his rent.
The humorous but sentimental movie sees Black in one of his most memorable roles to date, breaking convention, drilling in the old school mindset of rock rebellion and informing parents that he has touched their kids through the medium of music.
Reg Rating 80%
More info IMDB
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
Another biopic here, this time telling the story of Ian Dury and his rise to fame. The Blockheads frontman had an unsettled journey, contracting polio as a child and struggling through relationships as a result of his full-on lifestyle and uncontrollable impulses.
Andy Serkis steps into Dury's shoes, playing the anarchistic role perfectly, fighting back against an unfair society and making something of his creative juices, while, of course, as the title suggests, engaging in a lot of Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.
A great film in itself, yet the performance of Andy Serkis is deserving of particular praise as at times it's near impossible to tell the difference between the actor and Dury himself.
Reg Rating 75%
More info IMDB
Next page: Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny
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).
