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.
