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Jack Black Keeps Rocking Ass In SCHOOL OF ROCK!!

Published at:  Jul 15, 2003 5:25:47 AM CDT

Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...



This film has a shot at being the first Richard Linklater film to get really widespread distribution since DAZED & CONFUSED or BEFORE SUNRISE. I love Linklater’s films, but he’s drifted away from commercial filmmaking, seemingly by choice. When I heard he was making a broad Jack Black comedy, it seemed odd to me. I certainly hope it’s good... I’d like to see Linklater buy himself some commercial clout so he can go back to indulging his own personal tastes soon...



Harry,

Last night in the Big Apple, Paramount held a preview for the newest Jack Black, Richard Linklater-directed film, "School of Rock."

The film is about Dewey Finn (Black), a hardcore rocker who likes to play long guitar solos and stage dive when doing gigs with his garage band. When the band-which he formed- votes him out, he has nowhere to go. It doesn't help that his roomie Ned (Mike White from "Chuck and Buck", also the screenwriter) is pressuring Dewey to give up music, and get a real job like his, substitute teaching. Dewey does just this when he impersonates Ned and becomes a long-term sub at a prestigious prep school headed by Principal Mullins (Joan Cusack).

Dewey slacks off at first, until he realizes that his students possess incredible musical talents. He then decides to use them as his new band and teaches them all about rock, all leading up to a Battle of the Bands concert.

Enough Synopsis.

Overall, this movie worked. Oddly enough, this movie (which would probably be rated PG-13 based on the unfinished print I saw) succeeds in making Black an unlikely lead in family fare. There is little to no swearing, no sex, and no toilet humor, yet there are still great Jack Black moments.

Normally, I like Jack Black as a supporting character, but was nervous when I found out he would be the lead and mainly supported by undiscovered child actors. But he does the job. He is still a slob, but since he is essentially the biggest child actor out there, he interacts great with the kids. And he also gets to show off his musical skills outside of Tenacious D.

And I should say that I was impressed that the film didn't cheat with the music. It was right on, and there was never a need to point out every little musical easter egg or nod.

The actual child actors of Dewey's class are great. Sure, we are given a bunch of kids to memorize and only a couple are actually fleshed out. The rest are just given little ticks and eccentricities (the effeminate one, the chubby one, etc.) But they all seem to fit in okay.

The adult supporting characters are necessary but forgettable. Including Cusack and White, Sarah Silverman has a bit part and there are also a bunch of angry parent types. There main role is to show how the kids are fresh and have potential whereas they are stuffy and sold out long ago.

The print I saw was mostly finished, although there were a few dragging moments that could be cut. Also, moviegoers should leave their disbelief at the door. In real life, a guy posing as a teacher and kidnapping children to a battle of the bands concert would be locked up instead of applauded, but aren't we all a little sick of those people in the theater that need to point this out? Jeez, it takes place in an imaginary world, let's just enjoy the ride.

So, I will see this flick again when it actually comes out.

And you can call me Spin-Off boy.

Thanks, man.



"Moriarty" out.








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    Readers Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2003 5:48:59 AM CDT

    Jack Black Rocks Your Socks Off!

    by surf ninja

    There hasn't been a Jack Black movie that I havn't loved! Oh yes, this is a proven fact. I even love the so called "shitty" ones. It's true. What? Did someone say Airbourne? Oh yes, I'd fucking fuck the reel of that movie, I love it so much. What? Who? Did someone say Neverending Story III? Oh yes, I'd get my left nut stuck in the VHS copy of that movie just to be close to it. I'd drape my body in a single VHS box of that flick and wear it in public if it were socially acceptable.

    Seriously though, Jack Black can do no wrong! Whether it's film or music, JB is the shit! Speaking of music, ye ol' Tenacious D needs another album out like I need another 300 viewings of Saving Silverman!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2003 6:47:52 AM CDT

    BEFORE SUNRISE is the greatest love story ever put on film.

    by cash bailey

    Anyone who argues has never been in love.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2003 6:53:26 PM CDT

    Surf Ninja.....

    by nadine cross

    What about "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer?" Remember? Black was that fat dread-locked guy who tried to sell Jennifer Love pot and then commented upon Brandy's ass, or something. Also, the greatest love story on film is the '86 version of "The Fly" with Jeff Goldblum. Anyone who thinks otherwise has never lost an ear or vomited digestive enzymes on a donut in front of their lover, Gena Davis.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2003 12:01:19 AM CDT

    cock pushups

    by masterchief

    So does Jack Black show his students his unusual method of excercising?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2003 3:24:40 AM CDT

    The D

    by azkica

    The D got me laid in college... and I'm a girl. You know, with a vagina and everything.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2003 6:36:59 AM CDT

    Dazed, man

    by dirkd13"

    Sounds crap to be honest, but Linklater has to do shit like this to keep his indie films being made. Oh by the way, Dazed and Confused is the most purely perfect film ever made, fact.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2003 6:48:11 AM CDT

    Julie's acting was bad

    by heymanniceshot

    ER confirmed this, as did KILLING ZOE.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2003 8:50:09 AM CDT

    Long live the D!

    by caatwatch6

    Long live the motherfucking D! C'mon with a new fucking album already sheesh. Rock my fucking socks off again! Oh and do at least 2 cock pushups for exercise. The first is only a warm up. It doesn't count. Its the getting it back up (which isnt hard-no pun intended) which is a real pisser. :-O I'm done. Tenacious D! Get the scientists working on the tube technology immediately! Hi-ya! With Karate I kick your ass! Ok now I'm done.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2003 9:52:45 AM CDT

    Pants - meet shit

    by k|lldozer

    Because Jack Black brings the intestinal excavation composition straight to ya in the key of D!

    so, JB's not allowed to curse, ay?
    I'll still probably see it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 17, 2003 2:57:33 AM CDT

    Barry Jive and the Prep-School Five?? Color me there

    by jasondkeldar

    Good talent, with enough self-knowledge to know he is nto doing Shakespear in his career, at least not yet. (Billy and Robin in Hamlet, anyone??) Personally I think that folks forget how funny serious actors can and should be at times. Lord knows that it was hard for me to imagine Burton being funny before I saw him in "Taming of the Shrew", or Phyllida, Emma, Brian Blessed, and Denzel of all people being less than tongue-in-cheek kind ofunny, but rather nutsack-spatula in Joe Dirt raucous when they did Branagh's version of "Much Ado About Nothing." I hope he can get a role where he gets to show his straight-role chops, which he DOES have. If Kevin Pollak can play serious in "Ricochet" and be believable, and Robin can turn on the serious side when he wishes to, then Jack, who has already shocked some by showing that he can mug and sing straight vocals in the same movie should be able to play the heavy or the put-upon in a straight film. Hope he gets the chance someday soon.

    Reply to Talkback

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