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BREAKING NEWS! Nordling
Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
Toronto loved Jack Black. It’s official. He even made perpetual Grinch Jeffrey Wells, owner of the sandiest crack in the west, warm up a li’l bit, and that’s amazing. As a result, I’m pretty confident that Paramount’s got a winner on their hands here, and Nordling’s report just seems to confirm it further...
Nordling here.
THE SCHOOL OF ROCK, Richard Linklater's new film starring Jack Black, should be rated PG, not PG-13. This is the first family film I've seen in a long time that really earns that name. I heard worse language in THE BAD NEWS BEARS, which this movie really reminded me of...
...except IT ROCKED MY SOCKS OFF!
I admit bias in this. I'm a Jack Black fan. I haven't seen all his film roles, but I love Tenacious D and their live show has to be seen to be believed. Two guys, two acoustic guitars, and the majesty of rock. And they do rock. It's still one of my favorite concerts. The entire crowd worshipped at the altar of the D. And we were cleansed. Of course everyone remembers him from HIGH FIDELITY, playing the music store clerk we all wanted to be. But his roles in JESUS'S SON and BOB ROBERTS showed he had depth. I don't think Jack had enough opportunities to shine in SHALLOW HAL. But THE SCHOOL OF ROCK lets this child of Satan do his thing.
Dewey Finn (Black) lives with his roommate, Ned Schneebly (Mike White of CHUCK AND BUCK, who also wrote the script) and Ned's girlfriend Patty (Sarah Silverman). Dewey's just been fired from his own band. He's not swayed, though. "I serve society by rocking!" proclaims Dewey. Unfortunately it's not paying the bills, and he's out of work. Dewey's only shot is getting into the local Battle of the Bands and winning $20,000. But without a band, he's got no chance.
Ned was once a rocker like Dewey, but life entered into the equation, so Ned left the life of rocking with his band, Maggotdeath, behind, becoming a substitute teacher. When the phone rings offering Ned a job teaching a fifth-grade class at a local private school, Dewey is there to pick up the phone. Thinking anyone can do this teaching gig, Dewey goes to the school posing as Ned for the extra cash. The principal, Miss Mullins (Joan Cusack) is suspicious of the new teacher.
Dewey discovers that the kids he teaches have musical talent, and his hope for playing in the Battle of the Bands flares up. He has three weeks to get these kids into shape for the show. And as he tries to hide this from the faculty and the parents, he develops a closer relationship with them.
I really liked how the film prized the joy of creating something, even if it is just a rock song. Dewey inspires the class, and gives them the release they need. "There used to be a way to stick it to the man, and that was called rock and roll!" Through Black Sabbath and AC/DC, the Ramones and the Sex Pistols, Dewey lets them learn how to live a little and not take life so seriously.
If you're worried that this may be getting too serious, don't - Jack Black is gutbustingly funny, doing many of the same moves that he does in the live show. This is probably the closest fans will get to seeing a movie of the D (unless the movie happens, are you listening, JB and KB?), and Jack makes the most of it. But there's real heart to his performance. Rock really does mean something to Dewey - it's not just some fun thing to do on Saturday nights. "One great rock show can change the world!" And the kids believe it, and come together as a band.
The kids themselves are fantastic. Linklater reportedly wanted kids who were musicians, and not just actors, and the authenticity shows. In fact, they give better performances than most child actors, because they feel genuine. Tomika (Maryam Hassan) learns the power of soul and uses it to overcome her shyness. And Freddy Jones (Kevin Alexander Clark) turns into a young punk rocker.
My only nitpick is that I feel that Joan Cusack was underused. She's a terrific comic actress (IN AND OUT) and she basically had to play it straight this time around. She gets one scene in a bar with Dewey that was funny (Dewey: "This is the best school I ever teached at."). It's okay that she keeps it back some, because this is Jack Black's movie, and he carries it effortlessly.
Richard Linklater does a good job here. It's Linklater's most mainstream work to date, and I think this one will connect with audiences. It's a crowd-pleaser in the best way. Yes, it's predictable, but in that good way, and the film wants nothing more than to send you away humming and tapping. I'm not entirely sure where the film is set, but I hope Linklater gets back here to Texas (FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS! FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!) real soon. I'm going to have to buy this soundtrack the first day.
Nordling, out.
(Hey Harry, is BNAT 5 on 12/6? I heard the date got moved. Any input would be appreciated, man. Thanks.)Nordling... and anyone else who’s concerned... hold off on any and all BNAT arrangements for the moment. There are forces beyond our control at work here, and we may indeed be moving the date, the first time in five years that we’ve missed Harry’s birthday with the festival. As soon as we’ve got everything worked out, we’ll let you guys know. For now, just be content in the knowledge that the show Grande Rojo is putting together for this year may well be the best of the bunch so far.
"Moriarty" out.
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I really could not care less about this film. Would much rather see the sequel to Before Sunrise. This smacks of American Pie to me. Ho Hum.
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Dumb crappy finger typo man. Sorry, Rage Kage. Don't have me killed. Wait, I forgot, you don't have any money! :P
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The D will reign!
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it's called Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. They just finished writing it and it'll probably start shooting early next year. Don't forget to pick up the Tenacious D: Complete Masterworks DVD that comes out next month also. Features all of their HBO shorts, the D live at Brixton Academy, and all kinds of other shit fans will go nuts for.
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If God were a really hot Jewish woman that liked to tell dirty jokes. But yeah, she totally rocks my socks off. I'll be seeing this on Thursday for free. Wooo! Looks like the best Black film since Cable Guy!
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Sep 19, 2003 10:50:12 PM CDT
Sarah Silverman is a racist. Just look at her trivia profiles o
by jennababe
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Because damned if I don't know a plant when I see one! Linklatters other movie Waking Life was total and utter SHITE. I wipe my ass with that flick. School of Rock better be good.
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Just wondering if it was possible.....
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Maybe Tenacious D is ok, but he is not a funny actor. He is an obnoxious actor. High Fidelity was clearly a fluke, and even it was not that funny a performance.
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Now that would be a movie; I'm thinking "Billy Madison" meets "The Scorpion King;" I'm thinking the Rock in too-tight Pokemon T-shirts + carrying a plastic lunch-box; I'm thinking a Michelle Pfeiffer cameo where she's seen kicking some foul-mouthed 'trouble child' down the hallway, Marine style; I'm thinking I need some sleep. Out.
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you fat dog fuck, wasted cum shot, one dimentional wannabe funny man...fuck off.
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Sep 20, 2003 4:30:07 AM CDT
I'm not sure whether Silverman's comments make her a racist, Jen
by psychonaut
...but when combined with the arse-wrenchingly unfunny quotes IMDb has posted up, I think we can safely say she's a cretin.
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The quotes on IMDB, are lifted from her material, and she intentionally uses inflamatory material for satire. It's ok when Chris Rock does the same thing, so why is she automatically a racist?
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Sep 20, 2003 10:40:16 AM CDT
Linklater is truly a great director. And I STILL think Underworl
by doom ii
Yeah, I love the mindless action of Underworld more than the mindless & "deep" action of Matrix Reloaded. I was far less bored by Underworld than the Hulk or Matrix 2. Now that that is off my chest again (still cannot understand Harry's HATRED of Underworld. Has to be political. No ads on this site? No advance screenings with VIP hand jobs? SOMETHING made him hate it!)Enough of THAT! So, Linklater has made 3 GREAT films in my opinion (Dazed & Confused, Before Sunrise & Waking Life) and a decent breakout movie (Slacker). I look forward to this film. The trailers are not funny, but I still have faith in Jack Black and Linklater to pull it off.
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She's a trooper.
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Yo La Tengo's "Sugarcube" video better get some credit on this movie.
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Sep 20, 2003 2:47:04 PM CDT
This review vacuum-sucks the crap right out of my bunghole.
by tony mike hall
Now that the SP boys have piped down for a bit, can we get back to the ever-lovin' point. Whichever "Nordling" reviewed this movie - get a grip. It's not friggin' Shakespeare. "I really liked how the film prized the joy of creating something, even if it is just a rock song. Dewey inspires the class, and gives them the release they need." That is some dog-awful writing, and there's really no need to explore the "inspirational" side to a Jack Black movie. It would've been sufficient to just say: "Loved it. Bring a couple forties with you, laugh your rocks off, and bowl the empties under eveeryone's feet to the front of the theater."
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Sep 20, 2003 4:04:38 PM CDT
Underworld grosses 8.5 million on Friday...It made back almost 1
by doom ii
At a cost of 20 million dollars, this film will be all profit in a weeks time (after advertising costs factor in)....Hope I didn't upset any of you haters out there!
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Sep 20, 2003 6:33:10 PM CDT
I think they should make "School House Rock: The Movie" with Hul
by mbaker
Conjunction Junction, what's your function, Brother!
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Sep 20, 2003 6:58:13 PM CDT
I think I'll just keep watching THE COMMITMENTS, instead.
by mosquito march
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I had the opportunity to screen this last month...they hadn't even added the credit reel at the end yet...
I wasn't expecting to like it..but it was actually quite fun..aside from the poorly played flamboyant boy. The theatre was filled mostly with critics and press...
Before the film began..most of the conversations were of low expectations on the final product..throughout the duration it had us all laughing and by the end of it...applauding.
give it a chance. -
however it could be just as hairy.
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Sep 21, 2003 8:09:16 PM CDT
SARAH SILVERMAN calls the actress playing Tomiko a CHINK and sco
by happy boy
but she's not a racist asshat, she's a talented comedian!
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I enjoyed reading your review and look forward to seeing this. You'll have to bring some Tenacious D to BNAT so I can hear them. I know it's a crime around here to admit never having listened to them, but I'm willing to rehabilitate myself and give them a try.
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where's harry's review of once upon a time in mexico?
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This indeed WAS a PG movie with a PG-13 rating. I suspect someone at the MPAA saw Jack Black attached to it and feared a backlash if they rated it any lower. This movie is innocent; a real treat for twenty and thirty-somethings looking for a movie they can bring their kids to (without making them feel akward or guilty) that will still make the adults laugh. It'd be a crime to have the rating cut out their target audience on a charming little film like this.
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