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...)