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Ten That Rock The ScreenMar 27 '10 (Updated Apr 11 '10) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Long live rock - Pete Townshend. I am a person of the rock and roll era. The genre was in its early years when I was born. Much to the chagrin of my parents and many other elders, I grew fond of the sounds of the music. It's not that other forms of music don't appeal to me; these are just the sounds of singers from my time, some of whom are my peers. Sometimes, I have felt like a real-life Rob Gordon, the record-loving man played by John Cusack in High Fidelity. I have embraced a great deal of music, and still look for the next great sound. In the music enjoyed by myself and many others, Elvis Presley not only became one of rock's first recording stars, but he became a movie star as well. Rock, ever since, has found a way to the big screen as well as to the popular forms of audio media. Rock songs still hit the charts, and some of that success has translated to the big screen. Just like Billboard magazine, I have a top ten list of rock movie favorites. Before I get to the Top Ten, I have ten other rock films worthy of viewing. Help! (1965) and Yellow Submarine (1968) are two amusing capers featuring The Beatles. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) is an amusing mix of rock and science fiction. The Buddy Holly Story (1978) celebrates the life of one of rock's early casualties. The Kids Are Alright (1979) is a fun look at the music of The Who. Stop Making Sense (1984) is an interesting blend of Talking Heads music and visuals. Jack Black poses as a teacher and enlists his class in his plan for stardom in The School Of Rock (2003). Once (2007) is the story of a street musician who finds a muse who encourages him pursue music as a career. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) is a funny parody of rock and the rock biopic with a great performance from John C. Reilly. Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson play the title roles in Soul Men (2008), the tale of two feuding singers on a wild cross-country trip to pay tribute to a colleague who has died. Now, to paraphrase Casey Kasem, let's start the countdown. 10. The Last Waltz (1978). The Band and the Fillmore West said goodbye with a 1976 Thanksgiving night concert. Plenty of other musical friends joined the farewell, including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Diamond, and the Staples Singers. The Band recounts their years together in words and music, and their music friends added great songs as well. Martin Scorsese may be best known for dramas, but here he shows his passion for music. 9. Rock 'N Roll High School (1979). This is a comedy set at Vince Lombardi High School, where a new principal wants to crack down on student behavior, and blames rock and roll for the school's problems. The revolt against the principal is led by Riff Randall, a big Ramones fan who hopes the band will make a stop by her school when they stop in town on their concert tour. The band does more than that for Riff. This is a hilarious send-up of the rock movies of the fifties, with spirited performances by the Ramones and the cast. 8. Almost Famous (2000). Cameron Crowe wrote and directed this movie, based on his experience as a young reporter for Rolling Stone. Patrick Fugit stars as William Miller, a teen on the road with an up-and-coming band. Along the way, he meets the band and some of their followers, including the enticing Penny Lane, played by Kate Hudson. As he gets the story, he has to check in with his concerned mother, played by Frances McDormand. The film is an affectionate tribute to rock music and its many facets. 7. Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock And Roll (1987). One of rock's pioneers gets a special 60th birthday celebration with the help of musical director Keith Richards. Playing the bash with Berry are noted performers such as Eric Clapton, Etta James, and Linda Ronstadt. Director Taylor Hackford also includes a look at Berry's personal life - at least as much as Berry will allow. 6. This Is Spinal Tap (1984). Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer play the clueless and fictitious British hard rockers as they celebrate twenty years together with a new album and tour. Rob Reiner directs and plays the documentary filmmaker following their every boneheaded move. While the band has a hard time understanding many things, they at least know not to take up drumming for the band. 5. Ray (2004). Jamie Foxx gives an Oscar-winning performance as Ray Charles, one of America's most beloved singers and musicians. He never let physical limitations affect his ability to grow as a musician and a businessman. The film also shows Charles as a man with problems that could have destroyed him. Taylor Hackford makes a movie worthy of Charles's status as a music legend. 4. The Blues Brothers (1980). John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as Jake and Elwood Blues, a pair who love music as much as they invite trouble. Following their parole from prison, they reform their band in the hopes of saving the orphanage where they were raised. In order reach the stage, they have to avoid the police, the Nazis, and Jake's jilted ex-fiancee. Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Cab Calloway are also a part of the comic and musical escapades. 3. Woodstock (1970). Three days of peace and music are wonderfully captured in this Oscar-winning documentary from Michael Wadleigh. The music festival brought a host of talent, from Joan Baez to Jimi Hendrix to Sha-Na-Na. Nobody expected that some 500,000 music fans would come to the New York dairy farm of Max Yasgur. Wadleigh not only captured the music, but plenty of moments from the crowd. Wadleigh even goes to split screen for some sequences. This movie continues to set the benchmark for rock concert films. 2. High Fidelity (2000). John Cusack stars as Rob Gordon, a record shop owner whose life is a series of Top Five lists. After his latest relationship comes to an end, he revisits his most memorable romantic disasters, and wonders why each failed. Meanwhile, he makes the effort to reconcile with the woman who just left him. He also revisits other aspects of music he has enjoyed, and begins to understand he has much to share. This is one of Cusack's best performances as he shows what it's like to be obsessed by music. Jack Black has a memorable supporting role, and Bruce Springsteen has an amusing cameo. This movie, by the way, was the very first movie I reviewed on Epinions. 1. A Hard Day's Night (1964). This was the year the Fab Four finally broke through in the United States. In the middle of a year of remarkable success, the Beatles made their film debut, and added movie success to their achievements. They play a movie version of themselves, trying to make it to a TV appearance in London. They have to deal with screaming fans, pushy managers, and Paul's meddlesome grandfather (Wilfred Brambell). There is plenty of good humor and great songs to make this film the rock film against which I measure all others. The Beatles showed themselves to be as engaging on film as they were on record. Their work has drawn the interest of several generations of film and music fans. To finish on a different note, thanks to all who have been a part of my Epinions experience over the past ten years. I hope you have learned as much from me as I have from you. The complete list of films is an entry in The Good Movies EpiGuide3 hosted by captaind. Other good movies and rules for this write-off can be found here - http://www.epinions.com/content_5387100292 Thanks Dave.  |
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