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'Rock School', like the excellent Channel Four TV series with the same name and irrepressible Gene Simmons, is a documentary about teaching kids to rock, although, unlike the series and the Jack Black film, it's an after-school affair where the young ones actually want to be there and ... Read review
At some point in their lives, most everyone dreams of becoming a rock star: feeling the ... more
roar of the crowd; basking in the adoration of legions of fans; experiencing the adventures of life on the road. Now imagine fulfilling that fantasy as a child. Welcome to Rock School. First time feature documentary filmmaker Don Argott traces the ups-and-downs of the Paul Green School of Rock Music, a unique institution founded in Philadelphia in 1999, dedicated to teaching children ages nine through 17 the ins-and-outs of rock and roll. That's rock and roll kids. NOt hip-hop. NOt Britney. Not Limp Bizkit. But a thunderous roll call of musical greats: Led Zeppelin. Pink Floyd. Black Sabbath. Carlos Santana. Frank Zappa.
Music Sales Drums Rock-School.Rockschool is about playing the styles of music you love the ... more
most. This companion guide contains examples of the exercises you will encounter in a Rockschool exam, covering all levels from grade 1 to 8. With 2 CD`s.(english)
Postage & Packaging:refer to website Availability:in stock
Rocks Stars. Guitar Gods. Kids. At some point in most everyone'slife, we dream of becoming ... more
a rock star: feeling the roar of thecrowd; basking in the adoration of legions of fans; experiencingthe adventures of life on the road. Now imagine fulfilling thatfantasy as a child. Welcome to First time feature documentary filmmaker Don Argotttraces the ups-and-downs of the Paul Green School of Rock Music, aunique institution founded in Philadelphia in 1999, dedicated toteaching children ages 9 through 17 the ins-and-outs of rock androll. That's rock and roll, kids. Not hip-hop. Not Britney. NotLimp Bizkit. But a thunderous roll call of musical greats: LedZeppelin. Pink Floyd. Black Sabbath. Carlos Santana. Frank Zappa.Rock School follows an entire season of classes, in the processestablishing school founder, director, and self-proclaimed"berlord" Paul Green as one of the most complex, contradictory,and unforgettable characters in recent films. A whirling dervish ofmanic, pinball-machine energy, Green is at once sensitive andverbally abusive; generous-spirited and mercilessly critical. Astornado-like as his tantrum-filled teaching style can be, however,Paul's commitment to his student's goal of achieving musicalgreatness is never in doubt. Paul's thorny relationship with hisstudents is the true subject of Rock School. For while the sight ofnine-year-olds performing Black Sabbath songs outfitted in fullheavy metal regalia is charming, Rock School goes deeper: posingtough questions about the nature of prodigal talent and flamed-outyouth. Is Paula failed guitar God himselffostering his students'gifts or inhibiting them? Is he living vicariously through hisstudents? Or using the school to fulfill the rock and roll dream ofsuspended adolescence? Filmed cinma vrit?to provide an intimate portrait of thisone-of-a-kind instructor and his eagerly aspiring students, RockSchool reaches its climax in Bad Doberon, Germany, where the Schoolof Rock Music honor roll is invited to perform the music of FrankZappa. This special festival dedicated to the prog-rocker's oeuvrefeatures Zappa legends such as Ike Willis and NapoleonMurphy-Brock. . .and the kids prove they can rock with the verybest of them. A meditation on talent and teaching, Rock School is acelebration of youthful promise and steadfast dreams. It is also akick-ass music movie that should be played loud! Rock School isdirected by Don Argott and produced by Sheena M. Joyce and DonArgott Special Features: Commentary with director Don Argott Deleted Scenes
Advantages: Rockumentry! Disadvantages: The Peter Pan of rock!
...and head of the 'best rock school in Philadelphia' (and the East Coast, according to the maestro), has modelled himself on Jack Blacks manic creation or vice versa, such is the similarity of these two headbanger's. Both, while wanting to teach the kids to find their "inner rock star" when schools out, bring other human qualities to the table, something Mr Barford my old music teacher never did. I was lumbered with the Triangle in primary ... ...essential ingredient of being a rock star. You can't help but not secretly admire this guy as he does get the best out of them, but not too shy to say if they have it or not to their face, Gordon Ramsey style!
The kids...
The Collins twins-two identical five-year-old blonde bombshell surfer boys with floppy fringes-don't seem to have much talent but just enjoy shouting a lot into the microphone, encouraged by their ... more
It's hard to work out if Paul Green, the hyperactive star of this 'rockumentry', and head of the 'best rock school in Philadelphia' (and the East Coast, according to the maestro), has modelled himself on Jack Blacks manic creation or vice versa, such is the similarity of these two headbanger's. Both, while wanting to teach the kids to find their "inner rock star" when schools out, bring other human qualities to the table, something Mr Barford my old music teacher never did. I was lumbered with the Triangle in primary school to keep the posh kids in tempo in the more expensive string section. Well it was either that or the Recorder. I wonder who decided that the ubiquitous and monotonous Recorder was the best musical instrument to inspire kids.
'Rock School', like the excellent Channel Four TV series with the same name and irrepressible Gene Simmons, is a documentary about teaching kids to rock, although, unlike the series and the Jack Black film, it's an after-school affair where the young ones actually want to be there and learn to play instruments. This is not something forced on them. Neither is it parents off-loading their brats for some time out in the evening for nookie, the precocious students, aged between 7 and 17, getting the chance to do what they want in their down time. The schools social mix is easy going, no class or race left out, the only qualification a love of music.
The star of the movie is not the kids and their talent- precocious 'CJ' really rocking out at 11 years young on lead guitar-but Paul Green himself. The Peter Pan like character, a middle aged rocker (with the spread) that never grew up, is living the dream vicariously through the kids that have no choice but to look up to him. His teaching method is very much carrot and stick, but garners quiet respect from his students of mixed ability and attitude, the later an essential ingredient of being a rock star. You can't help but not secretly admire this guy as he does get the best out of them, but not too shy to say if they have it or not to their face, Gordon Ramsey style!
The kids...
The Collins twins-two identical five-year-old blonde bombshell surfer boys with floppy fringes-don't seem to have much talent but just enjoy shouting a lot into the microphone, encouraged by their mum who also wanted to be a lead singer. Then there's 'CJ', the kid with the super fast fingers on the Gibson Sunburst. Then we have oddball but intelligent Will, only there for the company, enjoying teasing Paul when he's in a bad mood, his intellectual inferior it seems, but Will having zero musical ability to counter that ego, quickly assigned to play bass guitar. Our other star is Maddi, the female all-rounder that knows she's good and so needs to be regularly picked on and 'checked' by Paul. Teacher doesn't hold back when someone misses a chord or mucks up the intro, be it a slightly hammy rant to camera. If this school was in California I'm sure he would have his ass sued off!
What happens at rock school...
Not only does he teach the 100 or so kids to rock out but also gets them gigs. One lot attempt some Sabbath at pub gig whilst others are assigned to far trickier tasks. Being a serious Frank Zappa fan he teaches them more sophisticated chords, banning anyone playing Cheryl Crowe or Purple Rain behind his back.
For most of the film we see the build up to the kids attendance at Zappafest', a big German tribute festival for the great jazz rocker himself. The kids are flying over to be on the bill and have been practising some tough songs. Anyone who knows Zappas stuff will be aware of its pretentious and complex intricacies.
Any good?
If you enjoyed School of Rock and the Channel Four series then this is somewhere in-between. Some may snarl at Greens occasionally bullying style but if you look through his antics then it really is just that--and act in front of the camera and for his kids to let them know he cares for them deep down and wants the best for them. The students are not as annoying as you would think and the final concert in Germany gives you a really warm feeling that we can all achieve if we put our minds to it, Paul's tag-line all along. But this is an American show so everyone on camera is looking to impress, including the kid's mums.
Advantages: entertaining Disadvantages: not educational, not suitable for children as swear words are constantly used, very promotional
...worth it.
What is Rock School about:
Basically, about a school, where teachers teach 9 to 17-year-olds how to play the guitar, sing and hopefully become a rock star and make Paul Green (the owner of the school) rich. Now, I would say that's a story that could be told in 15 minutes. So what's there to say in another 1 hour and 15 minutes? The answer is: nothing.
When you watch Rock School, it's like you watch a neverending ad. The kids are kinda ... ...copy of movie School of Rock , only it's extremely boring, repetitive and not cute at all. And I have never seen a more obvious promotional campaign in my life.
The sound and picture quality are not great. In fact, they're really bad. There's no extras. However, you have subtitles, if that helps.
As much as I tried to like this documentary, it's impossible. Paul Green is not the saviour of proper rock, as he likes to describe himself. He may be ...
velvet202 05.05.2006 (12.05.2006)
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Advantages: Plot is Different Disadvantages: Couldn't Watch it a few times!
I have decided to review 'The School of Rock' film having recently watched it. The School of Rock is an American film released in the United Kingdom on February 6th 2004. The film comes under the comedy and musical genres. This film was directed by Richard Linklater and stars Jack Black. This movie is a PG. Running time of this movie is one hundred and eight minutes (twelve minutes short of two hours),
Wannabe rock star , Dewey , is 'sacked' from his band and because he has many bills to pay and is down in the dumps , he feels he needs to get out there and find a job. So , he becomes a substitute teacher at a private school. What will happen when Dewey takes his 'rock and roll' attitude to the private school ? Watch School Of Rock To Find Out!
On first impression , this film didn't look my cup of tea at all. My friend had the DVD ...
I have to admit that when I sat down to watch school of rock on DVD last night, I had a performed idea of what to expect. I expected to hate it, after all, the main star was Jack Black, and hilarious singer though he might be witty his band tenacious d, I have never had any real respect for him as a comedy actor.
I'm glad to say though, that I didn't hate the film (would have made for a crappy night if I had) and that I was pleasantly surprised by it. Okay, it was immature, imbecilic, and full of crude double entendre, but it was also hilarious and came accompanied by in my opinion one of the best soundtracks to a movie in a long time.
Blacks character is Dewey Finn, a fat, lazy wannabe rocker who lives by scrounging off his weedy brother Ned Schneebly, a substitute teacher. Ned's domineering girlfriend is getting fed up with this ...
Advantages: An excellent funny movie - great performance by Black Disadvantages: I'm NEVER impressed by DVD extras anyway
In order to decide whether you want to bother reading the rest of this opinion, let me say state three salient points about ?School Of Rock?.
a) It?s American
b) It?s got loads of kids in it
c) It?s got a happy ending
Don?t get me wrong ? there?s nothing wrong with any one of those three in isolation ? it?s the combination that might put you off.
For those who haven?t stuck their fingers down their throats and gone to the bathroom, here?s the rest of it.
I saw ?School Of Rock? a few weeks ago at the cinema, and now, thanks to the wonders of importing from Canada, I?m in possession of the DVD, albeit a Region 1 version. Apart from having different censorship systems, I honestly can?t see why the R2 version would be very much different once available. It?s rated PG in Canada and PG-13 in the USA, commenting on ?Some Rude ...
Documentaries & Biographies - Entertainment Documentary
Classification
15 years and over
Production Year
2005
Running Time
1 hour 33 minutes
Plot
The true story that inspired the 2003 Richard Linklater-Jack Black hit THE SCHOOL OF ROCK is shown in its real-life documentary form here. The Paul Green School of Rock Music in Philadelphia is showcased, inviting viewers to witness the unique personalities of Green and his rockin' students who range in age from 9 to 17. Musical talent abounds and the kids prove it when they travel to Germany and perform complex Frank Zappa tunes at the Zappanale Festival.
The true story that inspired the 2003 Richard Linklater-Jack Black hit THE SCHOOL OF ROCK is shown in its real-life documentary form here. The Paul Green School of Rock Music in Philadelphia is showcased, inviting viewers to witness the unique personalities of Green and his rockin' students who range in age from 9 to 17. Musical talent abounds and the kids prove it when they travel to Germany and perform complex Frank Zappa tunes at the Zappanale Festival.
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