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'Not A Paramount Hack' flips the f*ck out for Linklater's SCHOOL OF ROCK with Jack Black!
Hey folks, Harry here... This is the film that Linklater is banking on being a mainstream success - that film that gets him to a level where he can begin having films with significant budgets again. Not sure how I feel about that. Personally, I love Rick's made on a song flicks and feel that his double grand slam of WAKING LIFE and TAPE was one of the more significant artistic double-headers in recent film history. However, knowing that Rick wants to delve into films like Phillip K Dick's A SCANNER DARKLY - and knowing full well that that isn't a shoestring project, I'm rooting for this one greatly. For one... Jack Black does indeed rule! Second, the screenwriter - Mike White's previous two scripts... CHUCK & BUCK and ORANGE COUNTY were both films that I enjoyed a great deal. Released the same day as Tarantino's KILL BILL VOLUME ONE, Van Sant's ELEPHANT, the Coen Brothers' INTOLERABLE CRUELTY and Eastwood's MYSTIC RIVER... it's hitting on probably the biggest 'quality' weekend of film date this year. I wish them all the best!
I don't want to gush, but SCHOOL OF ROCK really rocks! Jack Black has (arguably) never been better, but the real story is the awesome child musicians.
For those who haven't heard of it yet, SCHOOL OF ROCK is the latest offering from RICHARD LINKLATER and JACK BLACK, written by Orange County and Chuck & Buck scribe Mike White (who also stars as Black's best best friend - Ned). The film is being released by Paramount sometime in October - look for a fall film festival appearance. (Toronto? Venice?)
Black stars as overweight garage band musician Dewey Finn. He loves to play guitar and is really quite good, but doesn't fit the image his band wants in order to win the local "Battle of the Bands" competition. They fire him, he moves on - well sort of. He's short on cash and his roommate / best friend / former goth band partner (Ned) is looking for some past rent. OK, it's actually his bitchy girlfriend who has whipped him into thinking he wants the money. Ned's pussied and seems to like his new life of being a "temp" - a substitute teacher. He's moved past his garage band days and his girlfriend is happy for it. (We all know that inside Ned wants to break out from under her spell and play in a band again - the musician isnÃt gone, just buried).
Back to the story. Dewey is sitting around the house, trying to enroll other members for a new band but they all think he's crap. He's got no street cred. He tries to sell some guitars for the cash, but no takers. The phone rings - it's a private school looking for Ned to substitute. And they pay! Hmm - I can teach, says Dewey. And so begins the fraud. Dewey joins the ranks of those who can't do, teach.
Dewey arrives at the school, believing that all he has to do is baby-sit and have recess all day long. No go. These kids want to learn, because their parents are paying $15,000 to be there! Whatever. Go have music class. It's here Dewey has his epiphany. He hears the kids play - and they can play! Amongst the group - a classically trained guitarist, a keyboard prodigy, a percussion fool, a cello turned bass guitarist and a group of great singers. Dewey sees the dollar signs and transforms the class into a group perfectly fit for the "Battle of the Bands". Not to mention a fey male fashion stylist, security detail, groupies and a band manager.
The outcome? I'll leave that to the film.
There are three things really outstanding about the film.
1) Jack Black. I can't verify at this point, but I am sure that the majority of this film is improvised. With his musical aptitude, Black can pick up a guitar and start singing any tune on the spot. Coupled with his comical timing, he's a machine! Forget Sandler and his SNL days, this is true musical genius. With a hard rock beat. He's also one of those actors that doesn't have to be "pretty". This role was made for him.
2) Richard Linklater. Perfectly shot in performance mode. There are so many long one takes that Altman should be ashamed. One memorable sequence sees Dewey sing his new song creation to the class - all 5+ minutes of it. No edit. No cut-away. Pure performance - one shot. Genius. Others - the end credit sequence will leave everyone in their seats until the last piece of popcorn is swept from the theatre.
3) The kids. Can't verify but it seems that the kids in this film really can play (and sing). Either amazing filmwork, or there is no lip-synching going on (I suspect the latter). These kids will amaze, delight, entertain and provide hope to 5th grade students everywhere.
Linklater really knows how to get the most out of his performers. Joan Cusack turns in one of her all-time best as the prickly, stiff Principal. It's fun watching her transform for tighty-whitey to loosey-goosey under Dewey's spell. Sarah Silverman (writer SNL, Greg the Bunny, Evolution) is great as Ned's girlfriend Patty. You can hear all the men in the audience snicker at what they see is their worst girlfriend nightmares, and all the women sneer and say "I'm not like that am I?" And Mike White as Ned. Fabulous. He pulls off the "guy-who-never-lived-his-dream-because-someone-told-him-to-grow-up" perfectly. All provide the perfect catharsis for Dewey.
Overall - great. This is the anti-"Music of the Heart". No swearing for kids, no violence, great hard rock music from the 70s and 80s. This is a sure-fire hit for the studio. Marketing should be an easy one - focus on Black and the music. Fans of Almost Famous, Grosse Pointe Blank, Footloose and even Kindergarten Cop will lover this film.
For those about to rock - we salute you!
(Screening of workprint somewhere in North America - and no, I'm not a Paramount hack).
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Why are people afraid that artists will seceed? It seems to me that as long as they're putting out truly original material that challenges the viewer, then it doesn't matter whether or not the material is coming out of Hollywood or their garage.
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I crammed my ice covered rims into her ten inch slot. shangalang shang.
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This film will be awesome though.
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i dont care if it's gay animal porn, if it has Jack Black, it's worth a viewing. Jack=comedy
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Jul 28, 2003 3:13:03 AM CDT
Why does every studio have to cram in so many films on the secon
by el duderino
The exact same scenario occured last year, and from what I remember none of the films released on the 11th of October fared too well. This is terrible! I desperately want so many of these films to be gigantic successes, yet if they are all piled onto one release date, then hell, something has to give... and I'm pretty damned sure it will be Kill Bill: Volume One and School of Rock. I'm pretty certain that Intolerable Cruelty will be victor that weekend, though September would be a MUCH better time to release it, just like with Double Jeopardy in 1999. Hell, that movie made tons of dough yet (deservedly) nobody remembers it. Anybody else think this is a big problem about overstocking this Oct. date?
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I really like jack black but this movie sounds super gay...... long live the D.
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Jul 28, 2003 5:11:22 AM CDT
If you look closely at Jack's hair, it looks like the profile of
by dolemite_fan
Movie sounds good.
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Jack Black is the most overrated fanboy wank object of the past 10 years. He has never even been in the same neighborhood as funny.
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Jul 28, 2003 8:53:39 AM CDT
Russel Crowe Desperately needs to be shot in the head
by pacinohatersgoho
new catchphrase, am i banned? guess not
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But who would have thought that Old School would be so great? As long as the directors knows when to let the talent they have show through, and let great improvisors like Ferrell, and Black just go all out, these types of movies can be good. I thought that Old School could be good, but wasn't counting on it since almost every other "comedy" film coming out recently (including many Jack Black movies) is completely horrible. This film makes me feel like I did before Old School came out. I am interested, and I hope that it is good, but I'm not counting on anything.
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In other news, my tooth hurts. sk
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not on october 10th the 3rd
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Jul 28, 2003 12:25:20 PM CDT
Whoa! It does look like a werewolf! Harry's going to love this m
by mahaloth
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Jul 28, 2003 12:33:10 PM CDT
Some contact the unemployed in Flint, MI...there's a new PLANT i
by k0ny
...j/k you gushing pansy! I love the Jackster...funniest looking thing with a guitar since Tracy Chapman. But seriously folks, what's the deal with all these kids in movies today? I mean...how does one "break into the biz" if they're busy breaking out? No please folks....you're too kind...I'm here all week. Try the veal! Tip your waitress!
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Tenacious D is an amazing rock band with some real talent, he stole every scene in High Fidelity, and he made the film every time he was on screen in Orange County and Saving Silverman (which SUCKED). Until next time, I remain rocking hardcore. www.rockithardcore.com
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The back of his jacket on that poster should totally say "Fueled by Satan!" Long live the D. Check out my review of "Troop Beverly Hills" at www.suckithardcore.com.
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Jul 28, 2003 3:16:29 PM CDT
People Say that Paramount is the McDonald's of Film - Bland but
by notchjohnson
You know, people criticize Paramount for being like McDonald's - Bland but Cheap. Look at their roster, tons of conveyer-belt films like Tomb Raider, K-19, Star Trek: Nemesis. Where's the risky films? Everything is safe, so close to the vest. Small risks, small rewards. "Along Came a Spider", "The Core", "The Hunted". It's like they're trying to recreate "Movies for Guys Who Like Movies" instead of taking some chances. While I enjoy "Jackass: The Movie", when is Paramount going to hand some dough to a risky director or premise, and say "Here, we have faith, take some chances." Hell, Paramount Pictures is now so cookie cutter-like that I cannot even tell their DVD movies apart sometimes. Say what you want about Harvey Weinstein, but he puts money into risky films, as do other producers and studios sometimes do. Notch out. P.S. Gotta run and see "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider 2", since Paramount's corporate synergy has brainwashed me through its theme park signs, MTV, and other media to see that film.
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Will this flick costar that scrawny, annoying, long haired bad actor from Dazed & Confused who must have grabbed his nose ten times in every single scene he was in? I hope so because he rocks.
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linklater is a deity, jack black is usually good, mike white is interesting in a bizarre way, so i'll see this anyway. but that review reeked of an ulterior motive beyond sharing an honest opinion. something smells rotten in denmark...
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it only matters if it rocks your fucking socks off.
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I do. I do.
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Jul 28, 2003 6:25:36 PM CDT
Anybody who opens a review with, "The kids are the real stars!"
by chastain-86
That is all.
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Who ever gave this bastard a contract should forced to watch his movies in slow motion and be given the electric chair.
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I know you all love to kiss his Texas ass, but haven't seen much from him since Dazed.
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just doesn't know Jack Black. He's a friggin' actor and he wasn't a "star" until Shallow Hal (I'd hardly call him one now) so you can't blame him for taking his paltry lump of money from the producers of shit like I Still Know What Jack Black Did Last Summer and running, and in most cases has elevated material that would have been much worse. The thing I'M worried about is that I didn't like Chuck & Buck OR Orange County much; I don't have alot of faith in what's-his-name, Mike White or whoever. THE D FUCKING OWNS YOUR SORRY ASSES!
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which was one of the most dangerously under-rated movies of 2002. He is also responsible for Freaks and Geeks, an amazingly under-rated and short-lived television series. Give Mike White his props, people!!! (I can't believe that I actually wrote "props." I am such a tool.)
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I loved that show. Jack Black is OK, but I have a feeling this film could be fun to watch, although, I doubt I pay to watch it. I'm glad Bruce Campbell is ok. Damn hoped up kids with their drugs and vehicles. Don't make me use my stuff on you!
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Jul 29, 2003 5:50:38 AM CDT
I love how people come to a site for fans, rip on fanboys, and d
by jasondkeldar
That being said, dunno about the person sending in the review. It sounded a little forced, but if it is possible that they cut him loose it could work. If the movie does not have the standard overhyped, overbudgeted director who spends his entire day blocking a scene--when the truth is that should already have been done in the trailers--then perhaps they can get around the bored to death kids trap that so many movies with child actors face. Hoping for the best.
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Normally I wouldn't comment, but I feel I need to defend myself. Having been a movie fan for my entire life, I've been jaded recently by all of the crap that is coming out of Hollywood. Even for those who love every art film because it plays in one theatre in a big city - get a life. Just because it is art, doesn't mean it isn't crap!!
School of Rock (like the Whale Rider), gave my goosebumps watching it because IT WAS GOOD! Just because someone gushes, doesn't mean they're a plant. Sure, I attended an insider screening, but that's where it ends.
Get a life, all you posers. Really - a review is an opinion, and you cannot argue an opinion - you can only agree or disagree. See the film or don't, I really don't care. But if you do, you will certainly enjoy. The rest of you? Who cares.
And that's that. -
I test trailers as part of my job, so I saw the three trailers for this a while ago. In all honesty, the movie looks good, but not great, very predictable but possibly quite funny. Still, I'm waiting for more reviews.
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I see what you are saying about that one band from Sac that played at the high schools. There is another band from Sac called Warp 11 that just did something for Trekkies 2 that is also by Paramount. Some of the songs Warp 11 puts out are simular to things I've heard by the D. What ever happened to that other movie they were going to do about the D? The D is classicaly trained to rock your fucking socks off... Give em a taste KG..... Kyle is cool. It would be great to see him in the film also. www.warp11.com
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You know, the problem isn't saying that this is a pretty good film. The problem is saying that it's going to be the greatest, most radical, most awesome, OH-SWEET-GOD-YES-YES-YES! best movie ever made. That, I suspect, is the difficulty some people are having with this review.
But then again, I'm just another arthouse poser, numb to all the joy and happiness in this world, so what do I know?
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