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All-Time Favorite Rock Films (Fiction)
I was reading the other day a piece lamenting the lack of great films made about baseball. The same could be said for rock & roll -- although a few do stand out. Here are my fave fictional rock films:
1. This is Spinal Tap. No explanation needed.
2. 24 Hour Party people
From the beginning of the film, when the Sex Pistols' pivotal gig at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall was expertly re-created, I knew I was in the hands of some filmmakers who loved rock and roll. A brilliant, wildly entertaining film, packed with laughter, music and emotion.
3. That Thing You Do
The most joyous film ever made about popular music, it gets all the details right. The scene in which the band celebrates hearing their song on the radio was one that must have played out in towns across America during the 60s, and never fails to make me smile. And the theme song is pure pop magic.
4. American Hot Wax
Sure it's plenty corny, but, in re-enacting Alan Freed's early live rock shows it presents some of the greatest artists ever in spectacular fashion. Dig live performances from Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Screamin' Jay Hawkins and more.
5. Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Blistering film featuring an amazing performance by co-writer/director John Cameron Mitchell. Tragic and triumphant in equal parts, this story of a transsexual rock singer will stay with you a long, long time.
6. Hard Day's Night
The Beatles really could no wrong back in the day, 'eh? Their first crack at cinema results in a stone cold masterpiece.
7. Quadrophenia
Unlike the far-too-over-the-top-for-my-tastes Tommy, Quadrophenia treats the source material (and oh, what source material!) with utmost respect, and fleshes out Pete Townsend's vision marvelously. Bonus points for providing filmed evidence that Sting was, once, really, really cool.
8. Rock and Roll High School
Frankly, it would have a been a disappointment if the Ramones ever tried to make a "serious" film. They were a comic book come to life, so it's fitting that their cinematic souvenir is utterly, utterly ridiculous. I can'\t help but smile whenever the boys are onscreen. Plus, P.J. Soles. Am I right, fellas?
9. School of Rock
Apart from being quite funny, thoroughly entertaining and filled with cool music, School of Rock deserves kudos for throwing a rock and roll lifeline to a young generation that was being overrun by lameness. This was many a young un's first ticket into rock and roll, and will serve future generations equally well.
10. Walk Hard
John C. Reilly is a genius, and his turn as Dewey Cox - an amalgamation of Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Elvis, Brian Wilson and god knows who else -- is something to behold. This film gleefully destroys all the cliches found in music biopics so thoroughly one wonders if they'll ever be used again. Here's Dewey connecting with the Beatles in India:
11. The Blues Brothers
An inspired bit of nonsense that includes absurd car chases, James Brown as a preacher, Aretha Franklin as a waitress, Cab Calloway laying down Minnie the Moocher and two white blues guys on a mission from God. Nothing not to like here....
Honorable mention:
Rutles - All You Need is Cash
Almost Famous
High Fidelity
The Great Rock & Roll Swindle
OK, that's my list. What've you got? (and let's keep this discussion to fictional fims -- no concerts or documentaries...)
1. This is Spinal Tap. No explanation needed.
2. 24 Hour Party people
From the beginning of the film, when the Sex Pistols' pivotal gig at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall was expertly re-created, I knew I was in the hands of some filmmakers who loved rock and roll. A brilliant, wildly entertaining film, packed with laughter, music and emotion.
3. That Thing You Do
The most joyous film ever made about popular music, it gets all the details right. The scene in which the band celebrates hearing their song on the radio was one that must have played out in towns across America during the 60s, and never fails to make me smile. And the theme song is pure pop magic.
4. American Hot Wax
Sure it's plenty corny, but, in re-enacting Alan Freed's early live rock shows it presents some of the greatest artists ever in spectacular fashion. Dig live performances from Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Screamin' Jay Hawkins and more.
5. Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Blistering film featuring an amazing performance by co-writer/director John Cameron Mitchell. Tragic and triumphant in equal parts, this story of a transsexual rock singer will stay with you a long, long time.
6. Hard Day's Night
The Beatles really could no wrong back in the day, 'eh? Their first crack at cinema results in a stone cold masterpiece.
7. Quadrophenia
Unlike the far-too-over-the-top-for-my-tastes Tommy, Quadrophenia treats the source material (and oh, what source material!) with utmost respect, and fleshes out Pete Townsend's vision marvelously. Bonus points for providing filmed evidence that Sting was, once, really, really cool.
8. Rock and Roll High School
Frankly, it would have a been a disappointment if the Ramones ever tried to make a "serious" film. They were a comic book come to life, so it's fitting that their cinematic souvenir is utterly, utterly ridiculous. I can'\t help but smile whenever the boys are onscreen. Plus, P.J. Soles. Am I right, fellas?
9. School of Rock
Apart from being quite funny, thoroughly entertaining and filled with cool music, School of Rock deserves kudos for throwing a rock and roll lifeline to a young generation that was being overrun by lameness. This was many a young un's first ticket into rock and roll, and will serve future generations equally well.
10. Walk Hard
John C. Reilly is a genius, and his turn as Dewey Cox - an amalgamation of Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Elvis, Brian Wilson and god knows who else -- is something to behold. This film gleefully destroys all the cliches found in music biopics so thoroughly one wonders if they'll ever be used again. Here's Dewey connecting with the Beatles in India:
11. The Blues Brothers
An inspired bit of nonsense that includes absurd car chases, James Brown as a preacher, Aretha Franklin as a waitress, Cab Calloway laying down Minnie the Moocher and two white blues guys on a mission from God. Nothing not to like here....
Honorable mention:
Rutles - All You Need is Cash
Almost Famous
High Fidelity
The Great Rock & Roll Swindle
OK, that's my list. What've you got? (and let's keep this discussion to fictional fims -- no concerts or documentaries...)
Views: 435
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Roy Anderson on -
Ladies and Gentlemen The Fabulous Stains.
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Permalink Reply by Stevie Nicotine on -
I just rented this a few months ago after not having seen it since the '80s. Wow! It still had a hell of an impact.
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Permalink Reply by Heikki on -
Well, well, well. There are so many and you already listed some of 'em. Let's make a different list in no specific order and with only three entries. All gems, sort of.
1. Still Crazy. About not getting old but rock. Or perhaps about both. A bit sad movie. Anyway, really enjoyed that. Including the fictious soundtrack.
2. School of Rock. About raising Rock'n Roll Children. Great fun everytime. Jack Black excels.
3. High Fidelity. Believe it or not - about us. About geeks who write lists like this. That hurt, didn't it. The book is even better. I read it first. When reading I was wondering how on earth did the novelist know me so well.
Nick Hornby - a pseudonym for Old Nick? That would explain the inside information, perhaps. Coincidentally, Jack Black again. Teenage angst included.
But not even Jack Black succeeds everytime. Absolutely fantastic Tenacious D project on record turned out to be not so great movie when visuals were added. IMHO. Parental advisory. Explicit lyrics.
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Permalink Reply by Jon Bard on -
Yeah, the Tenacious D movie didn't quite cut it (great opening scene w/Meat Loaf and Dio, though). However, the 15 minute shorts they did for HBO are freaking hilarious. Well worth picking up on DVD.....
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Permalink Reply by Stevie Nicotine on
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Still Crazy is one of my all-time favorite films!!! I seriously wish Strange Fruit were a real band (and if Bill Nighy ever did front a band, I'd be there in a second)!
And I also agree about the Tenacious D movie.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Fitzpatrick on -
Still Crazy is one of my favorite films of all time. great soundtrack ('what might've been' is just glorious!!!!)
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Permalink Reply by Heikki on
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Mike, Do you by any chance have solo records by Jimmy Nail. I quite like 'em, too.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Fitzpatrick on
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i don't - but now that i know to look for em..... thanks for the tip!!
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Permalink Reply by maximum jack on -
No love for The Rocker . . . on this site!?!?!?
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Permalink Reply by maximum jack on
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Here's another one that hasn't been mentioned:
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Permalink Reply by Heikki on
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A couple of additions I recalled having on DVD.
Rock Star (supposedly loosely modeled after Judas Priest). Have seen it couple of times - alone and with my kids. Second time was better. How's that?
In Flame. Starring Slade but story is fictious. Still in drawer.
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Permalink Reply by steve catterall on -
Stardust : David Essex, Adam Faith, Keith Moon and Dave Edmunds (also doing all the music)
The Prequel - That'll Be The Day was also great - with Ringo and Billy Fury in it too.
And for a biopic - Anton Corbijn's Control, about Joy Division is exceptional
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