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SCHOOL OF ROCK review
Why the late review on SCHOOL OF ROCK? Well, I’ll tell ya. I first saw SCHOOL OF ROCK on its premiere here in Austin over a week ago. Ordinarily, I’d have dished out a review lickety-split, but there was a problem. I only saw two-thirds of the film. No, I didn’t walk out early, I saw the running time of the film, however, I could only see two-thirds of the screen.
Why?
Well, if one sits on the extreme left side of the Paramount Theater, behind the double-side balconies, there is a particular obstruction, resembling a LEGO intrusion from the left, eating a silhouetted stair-step out of the film. Like so…
The result is, anytime that there was a character or event on the upper left third of the screen, I couldn’t see them. For example… there was one shot of the “reaper” van driving, and I could only see the smoke it was spouting. One conversation between Jack Black and Joan Cusack was Jack talking to the lower two buttons of a shirt that apparently had an occupant.
Now… did this affect my enjoyment of the film, not too much, I loved the movie because… everytime something was happening in the middle or right hand side of the screen it was a rocking good time. The kids, when I could see them, were great. Jack had a furious flurry of madcap metal mania, and it was cool.
So, why not just write a review? Because… I really wanted to see the whole thing. Why didn’t I walk out of the theater when I realized that my seats caused me to have such an obscured view? Because, the problem with being Harry Knowles… is that everyone notices when you move. And the last thing I wanted to have happen was for people to think, “Oh, Harry hates the film,” by seeing me get up and leave… Especially at Linklater’s hometown premiere. So, being a trooper, I enjoyed what I could see, and waited till I could see the film fully.
So, paying the full $17 admission and fighting for a good seat like a regular person taking a friend to a movie, I went. Suffered through the seemingly endless supply of funky commercials, then a run of trailers for flicks. I was hoping, because this was a Paramount Picture, that they’d surprise me with a teaser trailer for THE WORLD OF TOMORROW… alas, there was none in sight.
Sitting behind me was an entire row of guys without children, that were there to see Jack Black do his thing. The rest of the theater seemed pretty filled with families, specifically a lot of males with their sons & their friends.
There’s a part of me that believes that SCHOOL OF ROCK can save the future of our children, help them see the way… Jack Black is SO COOL in this film, and his transformation of the kids in the film feels so cool, that you just kinda hope that the kids watching this… watching the crazy antics of the Ramones or Hendrix in clips, seeing the assigning of Cds of YES and PINK FLOYD… well, that maybe these kids will go home, ask their parents for that rock-n-roll… that maybe they’ll log onto their computers and ask internet buddies to file share REAL rock-n-roll and maybe… just maybe there will be a revolution of taste in terms of music. And an entire generation of kids will love Rock-n-Roll… the kinda music that soothes soul.. ya know?
See, I’ve got my own crazy film class I do once a month… where I introduce films to kids around the same age as the kids in SCHOOL OF ROCK… This month was BUGSY MALONE, actually, it was my double feature for the premiere of SCHOOL OF ROCK. Right before the big Paramount premiere, I was holding class at the Alamo Drafthouse for an auditorium of kids that every last Saturday of the month, I teach these kids something about movies and expose them to films they may not regularly see. I’ve brought them Errol Flynn, Ray Harryhausen, Roy Rogers, King Kong, Godzilla, Robert Altman, Alan Parker, Michael Curtiz… Monsters, Heroes, Pirates, Cowboys… the stuff that dreams are made of… Of everything I do… this site, screenings, my book, guesting at conventions, judging at film festivals, chatting with famous folks… my favorite thing I get to do with my life thus far is teach these kids about film. Bring them movies they’ve never seen and may not have ever discovered. After showing EARTH VS THE FLYING SAUCERS, this one little boy came up to me… had to have been 5 years old… maybe 6… And in his biggest most confident voice he said, “That movie was the BEST. Some day I want to make a movie like that, but use NUCLEAR WEAPONS against the ALIENS, That would be cool!” Ya know, it would too… unless some corporate Oscar Meyer type beats him to the punch… But no matter, his imagination was lit!
Watching SCHOOL OF ROCK – Jack Black is a power teacher – a co-conspirator with these kids. The best things in life are often the forbidden things discovered with a “guide” and with this film… Jack Black, along with Richard Linklater and Mike White have conspired to guide children front and center to the School of Rock. Taking pot shots at the “so-called” rockers of today, they teach kids the concept of “THE MAN,” the rebel spirit, the off center alternative road to success. The entire time being conscientious of the fact that they are talking to kids.
This morning, I woke up, checked out the Drudge Report as part of my regular morning ritual and there I see Matt Drudge rousing folks to roast Quentin Tarantino for recommending to cool parents to take their kids to see KILL BILL, a very hard R movie. True… for 99% of parents out there… they are not ready to take their kids to KILL BILL, but… if you’re a cool parent, uncle, aunt… the type that’s willing to spend the time EDUCATING the kid about the various layers present in KILL BILL… yeah sure. Ultimately the film is a fantasy. If anything, it’s a helluvalot better to take your kids to see KILL BILL than TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, cuz as much as I love the Turtles… they leave kids thinking that fighting with Swords, Sais and whatnot is fun… but leaves no permanent damage… and in KILL BILL… Swords cut limbs off and people bleed and die. At least here… there’s a REAL cause and effect. AND if you teach your kids about special effects and how to make “fake” blood at home, then it becomes not about the violence, but the crafting of crazy cinema. And ultimately… that’s what he’s talking about.
I mean, you can look at SCHOOL OF ROCK and like the MPAA – give it a PG-13 because the ‘concept’ that drugs exist are mentioned or contained in lyrics… but at the very same time, there’s very strong messages at work here about being serious with your music and not waste time getting wasted. Sure, handing a 5th Grader THE WALL might seem extreme for some… possibly fueling rebellion and disobedient behavior, but at the same time… it opens their minds to a greater world of music alternatives.
While watching SCHOOL OF ROCK, the predominant thought in my head was how much I wish I had had that teacher and that class. I loved being in Band in Elementary, Junior High and High School… and in High School we had “Jazz Band” which was very cool… But damn it… Where was “ROCK BAND”?
Anyway, SCHOOL OF ROCK owns. It is just a perfect film for what it sets out to do, which is entertain and inspire all audiences to seek to be more cool. Jack Black officially emerges as a major comedic star. The energy and furor with which he holds the screen I haven’t seen since Belushi in THE BLUES BROTHERS. He absolutely rips the screen in two and commands you with his eyes, body language and his voice. I mean… just listen to the way he suddenly goes, “Now salute me with your gauntlet of rock” or “And we will teach Rock-n-Roll.” It just grabs ya by the short hairs and says… ROCK ON!
Joan Cusack is wonderful as the Principal at Forest Green. What I love about her is that she’s just so damn teeteringly wound-up and regretfully repressed as to make me giggle everytime I saw her.
The Kids – every last one of them are wonderful. The casting of these kids and the work that Linklater did with them is nothing short of magical.
The mere fact that there are like 15 kids each with a memorable and identifiable character worthy of remembering… that’s stunning.
Zack (Joey Gaydos) reminded me in so many ways of a young Brian Backer mixed with a tad of Tom Petty in the way he held himself as a guitarist. The Brian Backer part comes in in the wide eyed innocence and low-key calm he had.
Tomika, the shy singer, played by Maryam Hassan… I just hope to god this girl gets a recording soundtrack and gets the right songwriters, cuz she can belt like no tomorrow. Awesome girl.
Kevin “Spazzy McGee” (Kevin Clark) – he just rules. He’s that troubled kid that has a connection made and he’s just fun as hell. The idea that he adopts the punk aesthetic and vibe… he reminds me of the final ‘kid’ in AMERICAN POP that grows up to be that very successful end line of the family.
Katie, the bass player doesn’t say much in the film, but as the girl I was with at the film said… “She’s just gorgeous.” There’s an air about her of awkward beauty in the film. Like she doesn’t feel a connection to the other kids. Very apt of a Bass player.
Lawrence, the keyboard player… (Robert Tsai) – he is just as cool as they come. He’s got that whole Short Round thing going, but at the same time… that smile he gets with being given the notion that he will be considered cool as a rock-n-roll keyboardist… is just awesome. He has a strong sense of manifest destiny that takes over that I just adore.
Hell… you can see where this is going… If you didn’t check out the film this weekend, check it out. If you haven’t taken your kids because of the PG-13 rating, ignore it. In the history of the MPAA, I can’t imagine there has ever been a greater atrocity than the rating they gave this movie. It is almost as if we were rolling back the times where Elvis was considered evil solely for the way his hips moved… too suggestive. B.S.!!! This film could inspire your kid to be as cool as you wish he or she was. This film could sound the death knell for those “boy groups” you hate -- or possibly head off the annoying Barbie Slut Doll singers that don’t quite inspire you. If nothing else… the movie could inspire a fantastic conversation between that kid in your life and you about what makes great Rock-n-Roll… and for us adults.. it does the same. What Rock would you teach?
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And I have nothing of value to add! Um... I liked School of Rock quite a bit too.
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"Because, the problem with being Harry Knowles
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I guess I'm partial towards movies with a romantic longing for the glory days of rock and roll. I dug out my copy of Almost Famous right after to revisit that sensation with Stillwater on the road. What a joy. I'm hard pressed to think of more than a handful of recent rock-related movies that aren't either cast with the flavor-of-the-day pop-shite or downright contemptuous of rock.
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See this movie, then go rent Run Ronnie Run, and you'll see why Bob and David, though one of the most gifted sketch comedy teams in recent years, just cannot do it like JB (oh, and KG). School of Rock rules!
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i could just imagine how restless those kids that harry "teaches" must've been during robert altman week.
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Oct 05, 2003 10:49:53 PM CDT
You just wait, in about 10 seconds this talkback will be filled
by 007-11
"You're one pompous fat fauck Harry, thinking that your leaving the theater will make any kind of difference. Give me a break fatty-fat" That's basically what it will be, just different variations. I never considered that kids seeing this movie might connect with the music. If so, that WOULD kick ass. Gone will be the days of packaged and mass marketed assembly line music. Perhaps they will finally realize that just because a song is played on MTV it doesn't make it good. Maybe they will finally grow mentally, get out the phase in their lives where you have no taste and like whatever comes at you. No, not in this day and age.
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Jack Black is comedy in motion. Just the way he moves on screen is hilarious. He has that deceptive fat man speed. He seems to crouch as if to lower his center of gravity and then sends his limbs flailing. Somehow they propel his girth forward at incredible speeds and he becomes a blur. I could watch that portly whirling dirvish all day.
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Oct 05, 2003 11:11:38 PM CDT
the trailers make this movie look almost as boring and contrived
by beamish13
which is on my top-ten most overrated films of all time list. Jack Black got about 30 seconds left...
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Hadassah and Moo-Shu are the best puppets on CRANK YANKERS.
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Will have to wait a little longer before it reaches this side of the Atlantic. Freddy Vs Jason only just hit this weekend. I hate Boy Bands with a itchy trigger finger kind of passion. They are killing music. Their managers can defend them saying shit like "This music is for the kids, not you." Fine. If it's for the kids, why can't I escape it.?Everywhere I go I hear this dribble. T.V, Radio and magazines promote this shit everywhere. And it's not even good music. I saw Woodstock legend Richie Havens play here a few weeks ago. What a fucking amazing gig. Out of this world. I was never really familiar with his music before and it was as he said "You never hear good music on the radio." After listening to him play I thought how right he was. My buddy who was there too, brought up the same point about pop music too. You couldn't help think it as Richie was doing his thing. Maybe school of rock will help some kids find direction in their taste for good music. I can't wait to see it. Jack Black is a good entertainer. He was hilarious in Orange County. Keep up the good work Jack.
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I honestly think that this is one of the best comedies that I have seen in many years. Jack Black is the new Jim Carrey (geez, that's damning him with faint praise). He's gonna be the highest paid star in comedy the next time out, mark my words. No, this isn't Citizen Kane, but it's a grand old time at the old movie house. Rock On!
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Stoners of the world unite
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I loved Jack's moment with the bigger girl that really had the pipes, talking about Aretha and stuff. That was class. Funny movie all the way around - had me rummaging through my CDs for my good rock albums. STICK IT TO THE MAN!
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Wouldn't that just be the 'dog's balls?" Oh yea...btw, ROTK and Matrix:Revolutions right around the fuckin' corner! I haven't been this excited since counting down Christmas as a kid! Movie-geeks everywhere: REJOICE!
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Harry, I agree with your comments about "The School of Rock" being very suitable for kids. I took my 11-year-old son and one of his friends to a matinee show yesterday and we all loved it. Today, we made a special trip to Best Buy and picked up the soundtrack. The music brought back some memories for me, and my son remembered the songs from the film.
Personally, I think the title song is worthy of Oscar consideration. But we all know that it's not the type of song that...wait a second, didn't Eminem win this thing last year? And hasn't the Boss himself won an Oscar?
Which brings me back to my son, the budding rock aficionado. I took him to his very first concert last month: Bruce Springsteen. No matter how my son's tastes in music develop, I wanted to always be able to say that Bruce was his first live show. He enjoyed himself immensely, hugging both his parents all through the concert.
I got a similar vibe during "The School of Rock" yesterday. He might not have been hugging me all through the movie, but he really enjoyed himself. "The School of Rock" completes a triple play of three outstanding family films we've seen this year, albeit the first without a Disney imprint. (You can guess the other two.)
And we haven't even seen "Return of the King" yet! -
Ok, maybe not ever, but he is FUCKING AWSOME. I thought this movie pwned but every aspect other than Jack Black was pretty basic. At some point a movie in this style has to hit a wall where the good times have to stop and a dilemma is introduced. I was really hoping this movie would do it in a creative clever fashion cause I was just loving it, but it doesn't. If it wasn't for Jack Black this movie would have been very average. He carries it on his back with no effort and is the sole reason this movie KICKS SO MUCH FUCKING ASS, GO SEE IT. I laughed my ass off
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Harry Knowles is one of few Movie experts in the world. When you see 1/100ths of the movies he has seen, then your opinion might count.
" "Because, the problem with being Harry Knowles -
I found this film very entertaining, despite being rather formulaic. On the other hand, I thought I'd use this opportunity to see whether or not Harr's actually taken a cue from disgruntled readers who are tired of listening to Harry live out his alter ego as the "latest thing" in showbiz media.
Unfortunately, I never got to the end of Harry's review to know what he felt about the movie... Why? Because, as has been his trend for a couple years now, he spent 70 percent of his time talking about everything but the movie itself.
Naturally, Harry spent a copious amount of time using this review as an opportunity to tell us what a cinematic philanthropist he considers himself to be. Bravo, Harry... I'm just glad you didn't spend 18 paragraphs blabbing on about your goddamned comic collection (or record collection, for that matter).
Am I the only one who finds it rather hypocritical of Harry that off topic banter is disallowed by these boards, yet he spends the vast majority of his breath on off-topic banter carefully set-up as segue for him to write some self-glorifying piece about what a great, eclectic contributor to society he is.
I agree with Harry's points about the film and the characters. What I don't agree with is this practice of self-deifying journalism. I understand that it's perhaps very cool when you achieve this much fame by simply being a glorified blogger that you might be inclined to go off on tangents with the world as a captive audience... but come on, after the first fifteen minutes of this juvenile exercise in egomania, it has to get old. Of course Harry has yet to outgrow this sophomore phase of disingenuous journalism.
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I actually did read all of Harry's review.
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Oct 06, 2003 12:02:53 AM CDT
I love it when people try to act like Pulp Fiction ISN'T one of
by blacklist
And have you been reading the reviews for Kill Bill lately? Probably not, but let me fill you in and tell you that the buzz is overwhelmingly positive. Your desire for Kill Bill to fail is probably fueled by a hatred for people that don't recognize Underworld as a work of genius. That or a blithering idiocy. Probably the blithering idiocy, but enough with the hating. Kill Bill will indeed rock regardless of what Tarantinophobes think
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The English Patient was one of THE greatest pile of over rated crap I have ever seen. SO FUCKING BORING. I just wanted Fiennes's character to die already. As for the rest of the stuff he said. Utter bollocks. ROTK will be fucking awesome, we've already seen the fisrt two installments. Peter is hardly going to mess it up now.
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Oct 06, 2003 12:57:30 AM CDT
Anyone who says Jack Black has only thirty seconds left--
by hardcorerocker
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Oct 06, 2003 1:00:16 AM CDT
Anyone who says Jack Black has only thirty seconds left--
by hardcorerocker
--has never heard of a man named John Belushi. Because Jack Black in this film has officially taken the title of The New John Belushi. He's musically talented, he commands presence, and he's funny and mobile as a crazy fat man could be. If Jack Black continues to make good choices (as I believe a Tenacious D movie is), then he's here to stay. Oh, and Run Ronnie Run was hilarious, shut your damn mouth. I know it should've been funnier, but it was damn funny even as is. AND Jack Black had one of the funniest scenes in that movie too. Kick Her In the Cunt...sigh, priceless. www.rockithardcore.com
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The name of the school was actually HORACE Green, not Forest. Anyway, School of Rock: easily the best movie I have seen in the past 3 or 4 months. And here's hoping the whole "rock revolution" thing spreads like wildfire through elementary schools nationwide. Long Live ROCK!
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Oct 06, 2003 1:22:52 AM CDT
Hatred has consumed britguy to the point where he slanders peopl
by blacklist
jesus, calm down guy. So you hate movies, fine. Maybe actually being excited for a movie is something beyond you. What do you like, I wonder? I gather that conjuring up the ususal basement geek cliche means you typically don't like movies that are associated with mass hype? Understandable I guess. What do you look forward to? Or what do you like that's out now? And noone's arguing for English Patient, but there's no denying that Pulp Fiction inspired serveral imitators, people started describing movies as Tarantinoesque after it. It's influence was worldwide.
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Was the only class during the summer in one of the ridiculous 12 "breadth and depth" division studies I had to take to graduate from a California State University. I haven't watched School of Rock, but we did pretty much had to learn the history of rock from its roots in jazz to Elvis to finally grunge. So yes, there's a dumb class like this already, required bs general ed for a BS in a CSU. Ah well, it was easy and only a 3 week summer nigh class.
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Sure it's formulaic, but it had a lot of neat surprises too. Why else would it be getting a 90+% fresh rating on rottentomatoes? I found myself revisiting some of the scenes in my head the next day, and it still had me smiling. That's what makes a good movie -- when you can reflect and still enjoy what you think you saw. Jack Black's 30 seconds? Looks like he just extended it for another year, so all you naysayers can just continue to bitch and whine about it. No skin off his back, or mine.
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"Gershwyn why are you such a SHIT FACE" -- Oh, gee, I dunno MillDaKill, maybe because I finally clued in to the fact that Harry couldn't review his way out of a wet paper bag. WTF was with the interjection about 'Kill Bill"? Was it relevant? No. And did we have to read through 10 paragraphs of Knowles Patented Review Filler before we got to the 'review'? Sure we did, be we're all used to that, aren't we? Listen how the guy whines because (wait for it) he had to buy a ticket like a 'regular person'! This site is no longer about movies, or movie reviews. It's about sad people like you tossing Harry's salad based on what you think he's supposed to know... rather than what he conveys. The really sad part is that this was probably one of his better reviews of late.
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IU has something similar. I never took it because it looked like a waste of time, but from what I heard the instructor was pretty passionate about it. Oh well, people take classes in film appreciation. How is this any different? And here's to Jack Black having the longest 30 second career possible. Hope the Tenacious D movie rocks as hard.
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What about your Reqium for a Dream review?!
and that Paramount theatre sounds like shit. -
seriously now??where the hell is he?? saw "uncle buck" the other day and it sorta reminded me a bit of school rock. in a thematic kinda way. we need more great comedy from john hughes again which doesnt rely solely on rude slapstick jokes but warm comedies with compelling characters and all around solid storyline. fuck i miss those days where in every john hughes films the suburbs look so fucking mythical. pass the tissue.
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I've had it already. Layers? Are you serious? Look I'll admit I havent' seen Kill Bill yet, but if Tarantino's past films are any indication, Kill Bill will have about as much depth as an Arizona puddle in the middle of July. Really, Reservoir Dogs was a fine first feature, shallow as hell, but entertaining, if you can get past the faux macho posturing. Pulp Fiction again entertaining, but come on, the ham fisted quasi-religious morality couldn't possibly be confused for actual depth. Which leads us to Jackie Brown. The one film Tarantino made that had some actual heart to it (Which may be a byproduct of Elmore Leonard) If only he would have actually been more interested in the development of Jackie instead of Ordell. Tarantino seems to only want to make good films, not great films. Which is fine I suppose, but to make a great film you would need to do more than entertain. Thats why he'll probably never reach the heights of those who he is desperately trying to emulate. Just like you Harold, Matt Drudge has every right to spout off his own biased ramblings about Tarantino.
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He said he was holding aloft his GOBLET of rock..... like an invisible mind-altering beverage filled only with the power of ROCK.
Check out his hand... gauntlet doesn't make sense. Anyhoo, here is a geeky geek focusing on technicalities.... -
the bad kids are smokers
the really bad kids are black
I mean... really.
hughes was a suburban, contrivist racist middle class whitey that was too limited by his narrow experiences... could you imagine if he was well read or had a nice world view? at best, he offered sloppy and dull elitist 1980's capitalist crap.
fun tho. Good comedy??? Look at Peter Seller's in the Party, or Coen Bros. Raising Arizona...
I like Bueller breakfast club and all, but that sure was st
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Oct 06, 2003 6:33:56 AM CDT
Yeah, there's nothing worse than the extreme left right or front
by theginger twit
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The KILL BILL refrence! What Knowles review could possibly exist without it! LET IT GO!! Harry, just LET IT GO!!! However, I do hope you're enjoying whatever perks QT is giving you...
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Oct 06, 2003 7:17:44 AM CDT
god gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you, put it
by billyhitchcock
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Oct 06, 2003 8:29:20 AM CDT
Saw it, it's OK, but could have been much better...I'm puzzled w
by minderbinder
Don't get me wrong, it's not bad. But there are a LOT of parts that drag, and there's a lot of "humor" that falls really flat. Things pick up once he hands the kids instruments (which takes a long time to get to), but the movie still has a lot of slow spots. Decent movie at 1:48, but it could have been a great one trimmed down to 90 minutes. Plus, the kids rock, it's a shame so little of the movie is actually showing them play - it's ironic that a movie about Rock is mostly people sitting around talking.
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Excuse me, but did I just read Harry correctly? Did he really say that Kill Bill (yes Kill Fucking Bill) is an exemplar of teaching the real effects of violence?! He has finally descended into the nadir of Tarantino Apologia. In my opinion, if my brother or sister took my kid to see violence like that without my approval (supposedly to appreciate the "layers"?!) there would be a shitstorm like you wouldn't believe. Harry, you were at the right time and place with the site, but your judgment and ethics are seriously fucked up. Seriously. If you want a meditation on the aftereffects of violence, go rent In the Bedroom. Otherwise, go replace your nose in the ass-crack of your coked up friend Quentin.
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yeah. if i took my niece to see Kill Bill my sistyer would kill me
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I actually agree with Harry here. I watched some of the most violent horror and war movies growing up, but I was able to separate fantasy from reality because I was watching them with my dad. Ne took the time to explain movie and TV violence, special effects, everything like that. That's what really got me interested in movies, the fact that they weren't real. A 10-year-old kid trying to figure out how they pulled off every stunt, shot, and special effect. That said, I wouldn't necessarily recommend KILL BILL to 12 -year-olds until I actually saw it.
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I loved this movie! There were a couple of scenes where I was afraid that they were going to lose it, like Jack Black was going to talk to the kids and could have lost it and I would have felt it was unrealistic, but Jables just kind of skated around it PERFECTLY. I really never felt let down by it. This is THE feelgood movie of the year, Elf with Will Ferrel may rival it for humorous performance, but c'mon giving out YES to 5th graders for homework and they actually glean something from it and embrace their education? Just cool. The revolution is coming and will be televised and JB will lead our next generation to once again love music with substance and power, I will miss the visible thong-above-the-pants-line but its a small price to pay!
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Oct 06, 2003 10:05:31 AM CDT
"Ya not hardcore!!!(No you're not hardcore!!!) Unless ya LIVE ha
by terry_1978
As goofy as some of the songs in this thing was, you'd be lying if you didn't think they were catchy as hell. Man, the kids in this thing....whoever says that kids can't act....get that bullshit outta here. Tamika reminded me of a girl I knew at my church, when Moms used to force me to. My girlfriend, who is asian, thought the Lawrence character was a little too typecast, but the old boy was one of the cooler characters, truth be told. Jack Black...getting the kids of today schooled on Hendrix, the Ramones, the Who....wow. And those ad lib moments at the end of the trailer were not too shabby either.
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Jack Black ROCKS! (Outstanding performance!) "School of Rock" is wonderful. IT'S COOL. Highly recommended, must see. Now, for the Drudge Report. It seems to me that the Drudge Report is fanning the 'flames'of a cold, wood burning stove. Disney want to believe that the only cool movie this year is their home grown "Pirates of the Caribbean." I think they are jealous that Pixar and Miramax are setting the standard of cool 2003 with "Finding Nemo" and "Kill Bill Volume 1." And they should not present this bullshit argument of a Disney 'image' either. Think It's a Small World (we can all get along and appreciate world cultures, fun) to Prirates of the Caribbean (drunken blaggards, whores, rape and pillage, pirate fun.) If Disney is serious about what the Drudge Report implies, they should burn down all the Pirates of the Caribbean rides at all Disney parks. IMHO
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Not to flame you Harry, but I sat right next to you during that premiere. The seats weren't that bad. You're probably accustomed to getting middle/middle seating due to your success (more like where Robogeek was sitting...not middle/middle, but middle/left).
Great review, and I heard you laughing during the movie, but come back down to us Harry...the common man who just likes to watch a great movie. -
Is that admission figure accurate? There's a state-of-the-art theatre that I go to in Niagara Falls that costs only $7.50 (Canadian) for admission.
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somebody already mentioned Crank Yankers. If you haven't heard it yet download the best prank call ever called "Hand on Hand" done by Touchtone Terrorists (the best prank callers there are and the ones responsible for some of CY's funniest skits). If they were to put this one on the air I would die of laughter. And oh yeah, Jack Black is hilarious! Gotta see school of rock and his new movie Envy with Ben Stiller and Christopher Walken. Should be hilarious.
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why do you read his reviews then? There are like a million movie critics out there. Though the reviews may be cluttered, they are at least the truth or at least Harry's truth unlike the fucking Rolling Stone which says every movie is the best of the year. There are pretty much only 2 good movie reviews that I know of, Roger Ebert and Harry Knowles. I tend to agree with Ebert more but I still find Harry's reviews very interesting.
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why do you read his reviews then? There are like a million movie critics out there. Though the reviews may be cluttered, they are at least the truth or at least Harry's truth unlike the fucking Rolling Stone which says every movie is the best of the year. There are pretty much only 2 good movie reviews that I know of, Roger Ebert and Harry Knowles. I tend to agree with Ebert more but I still find Harry's reviews very interesting.
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why do you read his reviews then? There are like a million movie critics out there. Though the reviews may be cluttered, they are at least the truth or at least Harry's truth unlike the fucking Rolling Stone which says every movie is the best of the year. There are pretty much only 2 good movie reviews that I know of, Roger Ebert and Harry Knowles. I tend to agree with Ebert more but I still find Harry's reviews very interesting.
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why do you read his reviews then? There are like a million movie critics out there. Though the reviews may be cluttered, they are at least the truth or at least Harry's truth unlike the fucking Rolling Stone which says every movie is the best of the year. There are pretty much only 2 good movie reviews that I know of, Roger Ebert and Harry Knowles. I tend to agree with Ebert more but I still find Harry's reviews very interesting.
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Oct 06, 2003 12:07:47 PM CDT
Seriously Harry, why are you paying $17 for admission?
by rev_skarekroe
Are they making you pay for two seats or something? In other news, Sarah Silverman is hot. Sadly, she's not in the least bit funny. sk
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bands like the Flaming Lips, Radiohead and Mogwai have taken the mantle (stolen the material from) the Beatles, Yes, Pink Floyd, etc. There is good new music out there, it's just not being played on commercial radio.
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Oct 06, 2003 1:50:12 PM CDT
sorry, BUT this is the most fun I've had at the movies in years
by harmoniumsaver
Don't be thrown off by your stereotypes from trailers. I don't like Classic rock as much as Jack Black, but it reminded me of falling in love with music at that age. And The MOONEY SUZUKI makes a cameo appearance, making this worth the ticket.
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yo HARRY, what the hell is the problem with a theatre that has seating that doesn't let you see the movie?? thats almost as bad as center cinema seating that doesnt have stadium seating, so your stuck trying to move from the fathead ahead of you.
School of rock ROCKED hard, jack black is a genius, and this movie is the feel good movie of the year. You jack black haters comparing him to belushi, only thing belushi did was take drugs that worthless fat fuck. He wasn't funny, he was over rated.
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Ready fo a new classic? Friday.
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Hi! I'm a 19 year old rock 'n roll lover at Radford University. Jack Black was awesome in this film and maybe there will be lots of parents like mine that will go home and throw on LPs for their kids to listen to. I grew up listening to the Stones, Yes, the Guess Who, Elton John (Thanks, Mom...), AC/DC, Pink Floyd, etc. ...and when I hear some of hte stuff that they're trying to tell society is "music" and "rock" I have to laugh. Really, in most cases you can't say it's "rock" unless it showed up on an LP before it showed up on a cassette or CD.
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Nice. And Rock and Roll has never gone away - It's been sampled by Puff Daddy at least twice that I can think of.
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Is the reason you are so bitter at the eighties because you were stuffed into lockers in highschool for playing D&D in the caf, or maybe if you were a young adult during those times and couldn't grab your piece of the pie?
Don't hate Ferris Bueler because you are a little dainty pantywaist, embrace the fact that he didn't pick on the likes of you and instead stood up for the voiceless.
And unclefishbits, I am struggling to find out in which movie Hughes made the "black guy" the bad guy....hmmmmm still can't think of one.... -
"Pretty in Pink" is more boring than humorous (Ducky is one of the most annoying cinematic creations EVER) and SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL is the exact same film! (he later did that trick again, of course, with the Home Alone films)
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and his dad for fucking his mom.
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Sorry if I'm not "cool" enough for Harry, but I don't exactly think that belongs in a PG film, although if I had kids over the age of 6 I probably would have taken them to see this anyway. Otherwise though, yeah, it shoulda been PG. Great movie for kids to see, too.
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You are going to make us get tired of Kill Bill. Enough already!!!
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Although I like them, I have to admit that bands like The Flaming Lips and Radiohead are too pretentious to take the place of rebel rock. Oh yeah, and did Spazzy McGee remind anybody else of Tom Felton a.k.a. Draco Malfoy?
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Oct 06, 2003 6:46:35 PM CDT
Harry, the only way you can justify pluggin' Kill Bill all the t
by super cucaracha
is if you get a fucking blow job from a Kill Bill rep everytime you do it.
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please add some cool news to this website when you get a chance. It's been a while!
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Why is it that nobody even considers the fact that maybe the movie is PG-13 because Paramount actually WANTED it to be PG-13? Given that the MPAA is just an adjunct of the studios it would be no problem for them to fix it so it would get that rating. The PG rating today has the same stigma the G rating did in the days of E.T. (supposedly the "penis-breath" line was included specifically to make sure the movie got a PG and not a G) and Paramount probably felt a PG for "School of Rock" would've hurt its image with the all-important teen market. I really can't believe nobody else is considering this possibility (at least nobody else that I've seen).
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It's certainly a possibility.
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Harry
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Whoops. Anyways, I kind of see where Harry is coming from, and his reference to Kill Bill seems pretty apt. All the same, his idea of introducing the concepts of gore, violence, and hellbent retribution quests to young children seems a little off.... I'm having trouble putting it into words, but I'm not sure I'd be introducing kids to those films until they were circling the years of adolescence.
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Obviously, it's not a milestone in cinema in terms of quality. However, it was funny, and it had a good message. Sometimes you have to take the dumb fun with the "higher art," especially when it's as well made and has as much going for it as this one. But people hold their movies to the same standards they hold themselves to, I guess. Either that or they're searching for that consummate moviegoing experience that they're never going to find. If movies like this came out every once and a while, the industry would be no worse for it. The only thing I'll admit to being a little on the fence about is the gay kid. That he was so openly effeminate may be a knowing reference to contemporary schools like HORACE Green, but his dialogue was extremely stereotypical. I suppose he fits into the overall message and universe of the movie somewhere, and I think that Linklater did a good job of making his enthusiasm for contributing to the band in his own way palpable, but the familiar mannerisms seemed to push the character a little over-the-top, especially considering the fact that most of the audience laughed unmercifully every time the kid opened his mouth, which might not have been White and Linklater's attempt. Progress?
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Oct 06, 2003 11:49:47 PM CDT
"SCHOOL OF ROCK" well Rocks!!!!! Good Movie, and one of "THIS" y
by the founder
Let me start off by saying that School of Rock isn't best movie ever, and nor is it one of the best movies to ever come out, but with today's standard of movie quality being terriably low, it's why this movie is getting praise. It's just that in the 80's and early 90's we were treated to films like this all the time, but something happened to Hollywood, I think everything went too corporate, and the Busines execs started getting to involved with the creative process of the films or they want the director and writer to change the film to appeal to a certain demographic more or to sell toys and marketing tie-ins.At anyrate the kids were excellant in the movie, and they do indeed leave a lasting impression and you actually think they are worth remembering. Jack Black was great, but if you're no Jack Blac fan, then he comes across annoying to you. Joan Cusack was good, and the rest of the cast was very well blended. Sara Silverman was a delight, and I loved every moment she was on screen, she really deserves more work. I will be seeing this again, and I recommend it strongly, but if you don't like Black, then steer clear, because he's in damn near every scene.
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Oct 07, 2003 12:05:12 AM CDT
It's Not that School of Rock is the best ever, its just that it'
by the founder
If one know 80's movies, particilary the genre that School of Rock falls in, then they should know that this film is what we have missed from Hollywood in a long time. Sure it ain't the greatest, but it's a good flick, and worth seeing along with your children if you got any, or a little brother or sisiter.I don't think this movie will make kids today look at music any different, but some will get the message. The part when Jack Black explains to the girl Tomika, who's feels her weight is an issue, and he tells her about Aretha Franklin, and how she's heavy, but when people hear her sing they forget all about that. It was a great moment, and although i know it will fly over most kids and teens head, hell a lot of adults to, I just felt it was very well handled, and sends a message that image should never be put over real talent, but sadly this is what the entertainment industry is all about today.
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""Because, the problem with being Harry Knowles
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--since critics are eating it up, audiences love it, it's number one at the box office, and there's positive buzz all around. You're like that one douche who says Pulp Fiction sucks just to be different from everyone else. Seriously, man, it's okay to fit in from time to time. www.rockithardcore.com
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Hail to the corpse, glory hallelujah, and all that jazz. I'm back. The one and only, true and original ZeroCorpse! As if any of these new people here remember me. Anyway, I'm just chiming in to say that I would run away with Sarah Silverman if she asked. She's the hottest Jewish comedy princess on Earth and one hell of a witty bitch-goddess. I'd give up eating things that start with the letter "K" for her. (you know- Karen, Kristy, Katie, Katarina...) ANYhoo, I don't see Sith Lord Jesus or Huneybee, or any of the other old-school AICNers. Looks like Mori banned EVERYBODY with any kind of intelligent opinion. Weeny. As if I was really gone, anyway. I was here, baby. I was here. SOMEbody's got to have halfway legible posts around here!
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Please, find some newer, fresher way to say that somebody did a good job in a movie.
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The problem with Sarah is the fact her bush goes up to her shoulders.... You know it's true. Think about it.
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Jesus, Harry, I NEVER pay more than 5.50 Canadian to see a movie at the theater, and I'm always sitting fifth or sixth row center. Matin
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Jesus, Harry, I NEVER pay more than 5.50 Canadian to see a movie at the theater, and I'm always sitting fifth or sixth row center. Matin
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how about pwn?
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Mike White and Sarah Silverman were completely wasted in this film. When is Sarah going to get the role that illustrates that she is a comedian? Role after role she is being utterly misused. She is the hottest and funniest comedian out there. And Mike White is such a good writer and funny actor (Chuck and Buck, The Good Girl). But it is probably better that they just let Black run with this one. Not another actor alive could have pulled off this role.
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Oct 07, 2003 5:48:36 PM CDT
CREEPYTHINMAN IS AN ASS WHO DOESN'T HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR THE TALEN
by pumpymcass
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Luke Skywalker ultimately chose not to condemn himself to darkness by refusing to kill Vader and the Emperor. These days, you have movies like GLADIATOR that attempt to dignify their stupid, cookie-cutter revenge plots by calling the main character a "hero". That's so you can actually like the "hero" while he goes around scissoring peoples' heads off in the Colosseum, people completely unconnected with the death of his family, which is why he's supposed to be out there doing it. I won't see KILL BILL until Thursday night, so I reserve judgement on it until then. But, I hope it's not another case of turning a selfish psychopath into a pure-souled "hero". About SCHOOL OF ROCK - haven't seen it, yet, but Jack Black, Mike White, and Richard Linklater haven't done anything for me, so far. Here's hoping it's as good as people are saying it is.
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AND SCREW ANYONE WHO DONT LIKE IT! ROCK ON YOU HARDCORE MOTHERFUCKERS!
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Why does Harry like anything that he relates back to his miserable life. Who cares about your film class? I know you wanna be "Jack Black" of film geeks but just settle for wiping Taratino's ass with your tongue.
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ok, the kids were cute, but a cute move does not a good movie make. the movie was boring and formulaic. the entire thing was "i cant do it jack black" "NO, YES YOU CAN!" this is the FIRST TIME i have EVER NOT laughed at jack black. completely unfunny and crappy. it's like rock n' roll high school but completely retarded.
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What do Harry and Dewey have in common? They found the opportunity to share their life's passion with kids.
Does it make a difference in the lives of kids? The movie provides an entertaining but simple answer to this question.
But really...is there anything better than a teacher who loves what they do? Isn't it really cool when that talent and knowledge can be translated into something that helps kids to believe in themselves?
Harry is a gifted teacher with a great heart. I will always be thankful that he shares what he knows and loves about movies with kids. -
Why, oh why, oh why? They might as well give voting rights to kids now that the majority of the population seems to not give a shit about the reprecussions of their decisions.
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Sorry about that digression. Hopefully we can get back to rock n' roll without making this another talkback saturated with political manifestos.
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Ummm....yay? I'm wondering what Alan Parker film he screened for these tykes.
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Oct 08, 2003 5:43:51 AM CDT
A very Baptist friend took his 7 & 9 year-olds to see this
by darth jobu
and said it rocked. This is a TEXAS Baptist. Harry can tell you all about TEXAS Baptists. This Baptist friend of mine said it was great for his kids! YEEEHAW there is hope in this wierd world folks! To help those of you understand the wide-ranging influence of the bible-thumping Baptists in the southern US imagine this. A World-famous evangelist named Luis Palau comes from South America to perform 3 evangelical revivals in the US. 1) Chicago, Illinois (population 3,000,000). 2) Miami, Florida (population 3,000,000). 3) Tyler, Texas (pop 85,000). TYLER, TEXAS?? Wait a minute!! Whats wrong with this picture. What's my point? The revival lasted 3 days in an poorly air-conditioned arena called the Oil Palace and pulled in more money to Palau's ministry than either the Chicago or Florida revivals. Holy shit. If this movie can make a Southern Baptist say, hey thats cool, it must be cool. It must cut right to the soul of Rock and I will be going to see it first chance I get. That's all I have to say about that.
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Oct 08, 2003 2:48:21 PM CDT
Ha ha ha ha ha!!! Oh, CreepyThinMan, you make me laugh.
by hardcorerocker
Yeah, that hack Linklater and that hack Jack Black (nice alliteration). Between Waking Life, Dazed and Confused, Slacker, Bob Roberts, Dead Man Walking, Cradle Will Rock, and High Fidelity, they have a pretty hacky, shitty resume, don't they? Oh yes, I shouldn't forget School of Rock, which critics and audiences have embraced and will make Jack Black one of the premier comic of our day and age. That's some hack shit too. Dumbass. www.rockithardcore.com
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I loved most of what this movie was about. I admit to smirking a little when Jack Black dismisses the modern light weights in favor of the classic bands. How often have we adults endured this same Condescension in reverse from the kids?
There was one sour note, however that I thought Harry might also jump on. Since he didn't, I will.
At one point, Jack Black tells the kids to get in touch with their anger. Rock is about anger, he says. That's all it's about. Anger.
Well.... not quite. I think rock (and the movie) are getting at free expression. Digging down into your deepest self and letting it fly. Some of that will be anger. But that isn't all of it. Is all rock angry? No. Is all GOOD rock angry? No. Or not just angry. Passionate might be a better word.
Particularly ironic in the context of this is the scene where Jack hands out homework. Among the songs - Roundabout by Yes. Did Yes ever record ANY songs rooted in anger? Seriously!
Does that mean they are irrelevant to rock? Not according to the movie (or me, for that matter).
Jack also hands out Great Gig in the Sky from Dark Side of the Moon. Now there IS a lot of anger in the lyrics of DSotM. But not in that song. That song is pure heart and passion and soul. It is as if a direct channel were drilled down to the soul of that singer and she is wailing it out all out.
That is what Rock is about and what this movie is getting at and the gross simplification that it is all about anger let's the movie and the music down. A little. -
These past 8 days have been awesome. I finally caught Secondhand Lions and School of Rock. Saw Kill Bill Friday night, then took my 9 year old to see School of Rock with his best friend. And last night my wife and I saw Intolerable Cruelty.
Amazingly, all 4 of these films are great in their own way and people should make every effort to see them. That said, Intolerable Cruely is that little bit better than the rest. I say that as an avowed Coen brothers fan and I admit prejudiced judgement here quite freely.
I also agree with Harry, this is a Coen brothers movie all the way. It is packed with sardonic, satirical black humor all the way through. Turning a pre-nup agreement into the symbol of true love? Wheezy? The 60 year old deviant sex slave? The silly train guy?
I think folks get selective memory when talking about the Coen brothers. I am fondest of their more broadly comic efforts - Raising Arizona, Big Lebowski and this fits right in. If you want Blood Simple or Fargo, this isn't it. But to restrict the Coen brothers in such a narrow way is unfair to their talents. They can do a lot of stuff and that's why each of their movies is a great new adventure and worth seeing.
One thing I really enjoyed was the return to some of the visual, modern slapstick that they used in Raising Arizona in particular. As my wife said later, during the pepper spray scene, you know what's going to happen and it's funny anyway. Go see this movie. -
I can't believe all the positive reviews from the stupid fucks out here. The "I took my kid to see School of Rock, and my kid loved it!" Well hey, who the fuck cares? Am I supposed to be amused that your kid liked it? And somehow, you get off because your Baptist friend liked this movie. This movie sucked ass cuz of the kids, its as simple as that. The only reason I saw this movie was because I was too drunk to realize the sign said "School of Rock" after seeing Kill Bill for my fucking 3rd time. The movie actually started out entertaining, then, oops, they put kids in so they could appeal to all the cock sucking disney fans. I already knew that Jack would end up having the kids do their gay stuff at the end at the battle of the bands. I mean christ, can anyone say Rat Race? That movie was RUINED by the ending, "Hey guys, lets give away all our money to some kids cuz we'll feel bad!" Why do people continue to make comedies into feel good movies? Fortunately for Jack Black, he was actually funny in this movie in the first 10 minutes. Then the kids came and fucked everything up. Why not just give it a "G" rating and let the whole family have a gay time? And Harry, no one cares about your stupid class. You only liked this "Disney" movie because of your gay experiences with your "class buddies." Please take your pedophile review of School of Rock and stick it up your ass. Jack better not fuck up Envy also, cuz that actually looks funny. Fuck, if you want to see School of Rock, why not see Radio too? Then you could completely come out of the closet.
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I just wanted to post my appreciation for this movie. It didn't try overly hard to please any one demographic or to be edgy or ubercool. It just simply is what it is, and it's a good time. It's sort of refreshing. And Harry, I gotta tell you, I read your reviews cause I happen to like your joyfully masturbatory world view, but dude, tighten up a bit. Kill Bill has no business being mentioned here, just as I have found your repeated mention of the Ninja Turtles in relation to Kill Bill just as perplexing. As rude as they are, the talkbackers got a point. Try to stay on the trolly.
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Where I'm at (British Columbia, Canada)this film is actually rated G. After having seen it,I feel such a soft rating is not entirely out of line. There are those who could argue about a few questionable moments, but on the whole School of Rock is perhaps tamer than a lot of shows on primetime television. Even those in what used to be referred to as "the family hour". The sad thing is, when they find out the movie's rated G, young people will probably stay away from it thinking it's just for kiddies. Maybe that's exactly what the ratings board (and by extension, the government) had in mind from the start. Keep our local youth from hearing messages which proclaim the value of thinking for yourself and being an individual, by means of what amounts to a nefarious brand of reverse psychology. Isn't that just like "THE MAN" to do such a thing? Probably your American movie censors are kicking themselves right now for not coming up with such a cunning plan. But watch out...it could happen next time to you!
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RATED A-: God love the genius that came up with the idea that Jack Black would star in a quasi-parodic family love quest that would appeal to the demographics that matter most: cookie cutter suburban chumps and their broods. At least it's a half step up from Orange County: see C+ grade.
RATED B: The kids really make this one. Who could not love young musicians that really play their heart out and bring real soul to the film. God save the kids.
RATED C+: This movie is gay. JAck Black is a poser and deserves to be strung by a rope from the HB pier.
RATED D: ACDC ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!
RATED F: ahha, now you know, but really, now you know, ahha
NR: Kudos to JB for his unbiased tribute to the underpaid heroes that orchestrate and develope each future university student, government worker, restaraunt worker, and hard worker. And obsxure poets. -
Nov 16, 2003 7:43:58 AM CST
Does anyone remember Jack Black playing the bad guy in a skatebo
by theaquabatman
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skaterdude needs to come out of the closet himself...
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...Does Harry always veer off topic in his reviews? In his awful TCM review, he talks about his childhood and meeting several original TCM actors. In Cabin Fever, he focuses on nostalgic homages and doesn't even relaise how bad the movie is. Now in Cabin Fever all I see are comparisons to a completely fucking different movie, Kill Bill. WTF. WTF... W-T-F.
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Because' he's an idiot - and maybe he should fucking design this shitty layout and maybe make a fucking flash animation that is longer than a looped 3 seconds.
He can't write reviews for shit. Harry, no one gives a fuck about your childhood.
I read reviews so I can get people's opinion, so don't tell me to look elsewhere, I have the right to look here.
But I also have the right to critise - and Harry should go back to first grade and learn how to write reviews. Half of them don't make sense, most of the time you just skip like 7 paragraphs because it's fucking bullshit.
Thanks Harry for being in our gene pool. I thank you for the tainted genes.
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