... Yet, like the puppyish Dewey, 'School of Rock' is loveable despite its obvious flaws.
[108 minutes. www.schoolofrockmovie.com for movie information and the 'Help Dewey in his quest for the Ultimate Stage Dive' game.]... Read review
Turbo-charged comic Jack Black shakesSchool of Rockto its foundations, wailing with ... more
born-again metalhead passion as Dewey Finn, a guitarist who gets kicked out of a band because he grandstands too much--or, to put it another way, enjoys himself. Throug...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Turbo-charged comic Jack Black shakesSchool of Rockto its foundations, wailing with ... more
born-again metalhead passion as Dewey Finn, a guitarist who gets kicked out of a band because he grandstands too much--or, to put it another way, enjoys himself. Throug...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Original UK Mini Quad; Rolled Poster; Poster Condition: New; Size: 16 x 12 inches approx. ... more
All our items are despatched from the United Kingdom. Starring - Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman, Manufacturer: MoviePostersDirect
Postage & Packaging:£2.50 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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
School Of Rock - School of Rock "Your head your mind your brain..." - Film Excerpt ... more
Substitute - The Who Under Pressure - David Bowie Touch Me - The Doors "Normal kids" - Film Excerpt Sunshine of Your Love - Cream Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin Set You Free - The Black Keys Edge of Seventeen - Stevie Nicks Heal Me I'm Heartsick - No Vacancy Ballroom of Mars - T. Rex "Those who can do..." - Film Excerpt My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg) - The Ramones TV Eye - Wylde Rattz Growing on Me - The Darkness It's a Long Way to the Top - School of Rock
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:3-5 working days
PPV Medien, Drumheads, DVD School Of Rock: DVD and note sheets, Using 4 examples the ... more
basics of rock drumming will be explained, The Groove step-by-step, Songs of AC/DC,Jimi Hendrix Experience,Green Day and Rage Against The Machine, Explanations on coordination,independence,timing and phrasing, For beginners, Running time 98 min, In German langauge
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PPV Medien, Guitar Songbook with DVD Vol.1, School Of Rock: Key riffs from 4 ... more
songs,includes 32-page songbook and playalong backing tracks; How to play rock: rhythm guitar, lead guitar,style studies,riff playing,drop D,fingerpicking, power chords, blues scale, pentatonic scale, bends,slides and much more;Step-by step instruction with renowned rock guitarist Thomas Blug;German language. In standard notation and TAB
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Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Christopher Ettridge, Victor McGuire, Emma Amos, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Elizabeth Carling
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
...of the local $15000-a-year prep school phones to offer Ned work as a substitute teacher, Dewey sees an easy way out of his financial difficulties at least. Posing as Ned - what a shame he never learned to spell his friend's surname! - and presented with a class of ten-year-olds, he assigns the kids to permanent playtime, thinking he's got himself an easy gig, and sets about the task of finding a new band for the upcoming competition.
... ...that he has a group of gifted musicians right under his nose. They may be totally square and still in possession of their milk teeth, but once he's convinced them to swap cello for bass guitar he reckons the Battle of the Bands is as good as won.
Although he starts out with purely selfish motives, when the kids get enthused by the magic of rock Dewey begins to grow fond of his preppy little charges. As for the youngsters, the point ... more
Dewey Finn's life has hit, if you'll pardon the expression, rock bottom. He's been fired from his own rock group mere weeks before the crucial Battle of the Bands contest, just when he was convinced they were on the verge of making it big. Plus, housemate and former bandmember Ned Schneebly, who's 'sold out' for a proper career and a bossy, uptight girlfriend, is hassling him for the rent.
When the principal of the local $15000-a-year prep school phones to offer Ned work as a substitute teacher, Dewey sees an easy way out of his financial difficulties at least. Posing as Ned - what a shame he never learned to spell his friend's surname! - and presented with a class of ten-year-olds, he assigns the kids to permanent playtime, thinking he's got himself an easy gig, and sets about the task of finding a new band for the upcoming competition.
Overhearing the children in a music lesson, however, Dewey realises that he has a group of gifted musicians right under his nose. They may be totally square and still in possession of their milk teeth, but once he's convinced them to swap cello for bass guitar he reckons the Battle of the Bands is as good as won.
Although he starts out with purely selfish motives, when the kids get enthused by the magic of rock Dewey begins to grow fond of his preppy little charges. As for the youngsters, the point of entering the contest ceases to be grades and gold stars and becomes 'sticking it to the Man'. And who's the Man? Authority - personified by their headmistress, Miss Mullins.
Despite its Parental Guidance certificate, I felt this film was one for the adults. It's mercifully free from jokes about poo! and sick! and other perennial sources of kid-flick hilarity; in fact it's difficult to spot anything that would offend anyone, though parents may be alarmed by the idea of an unqualified slob passing himself off unchallenged as a teacher. Grown-ups will enjoy the scene in which kids who dig Puff Daddy and Christina Aguilera are given Blondie and Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon to study for homework, and the complicated rock family tree scrawled on the blackboard; the younger generation just won't get it. I suppose if you're really lucky a taste for ancient rock history might rub off on them, but I wouldn't count on it.
Tubby, gurning Jack Black as Dewey dominates the movie, hamming it up and rocking out. His overblown performance is in keeping with his character, though. Whether it's the physical comedy of a stage dive gone wrong or a line delivered with superb comic timing, he gives a great performace as a rather childish man who manages to establish a rapport with the very grown-up children.
Joan Cusack (sister of John and voice of Cowgirl Jessie in Toy Story 2) is Principal Rosalie Mullins, feared by staff and pupils alike. As the plot develops we realise that she is not the one-dimensional hate figure she appears, and there's even a hint of unlikely romantic tension between Mullins and Dewey. Cusack makes the most of her limited screen time, and is very convincing in her portrayal of an Iron Lady with an insecure and harried woman peeking out through the cracks in her armour.
It's difficult not to like the kids. Although they're playing the privileged offspring of rich parents, none of them is the least bit bratty. The members of the band are all trained musicians in real life, and their genuine skill and enthusiasm really shows as they play their allotted instruments. Even the obligatory Child You Love To Hate, class factotum and champion gold star winner Summer, is good at what she does, and has an inevitable conversion to the cause of rock when she finds her true talent as the band's manager.
Worth a mention is Mike White, who also wrote the script, as the very ordinary Ned. A man who's trying to leave his wild past behind but may be missing it more than he lets on, he is wonderfully weak, trapped between the strong opposing personalities of his girlfriend and his best friend. A bit of a drip perhaps, but you know that, like Summer, he will come good in the end.
Not being into the heavier side of rock, I had my doubts about enjoying the music itself. I needn't have worried; although the hero's taste leans towards AC/DC and Black Sabbath, the soundtrack features The Who and Cream, and the nerdy no-mates with a knack for classical piano is introduced to the joy of synth via the opening bars of 'Touch Me' by the Doors. As for the original numbers by Messrs Black and White, they are pure fun; laugh out loud as Dewey performs a heartfelt number about band betrayal and overdue rent. The grand finale is everything you would expect from a feelgood film about rock music, right up there with Bill and Ted's 'God Gave Rock And Roll To You' - and I was humming that one for months.
Although the comparison has been made, Dead Poets Society this ain't. The morals are clearcut and simple - kids need to have fun, pushy parents are a pain, rock music rules - but they aren't shoved in your face. There are few heavy emotional scenes, though shy singer Tomika has a moving heart-to-heart with Dewey about her weight worries. The children's various issues (control freak dad, bullies, being unpopular) are dealt with very easily, leaving a lightweight, lighthearted affair which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Sure, it pans out exactly like every film ever made about a group of kids working together for a big project, be it a rock band, a play or a baseball game. The children, too, are the usual grab bag of stereotypes - bossy little girl, geeky little boy, fat kid with hidden talent, rebel - and the plot arc is as inevitable as that of a Greek tragedy: despair, inspiration, setback, success, setback, triumph, disaster, triumph, disaster, more triumph. Yet, like the puppyish Dewey, 'School of Rock' is loveable despite its obvious flaws.
[108 minutes. www.schoolofrockmovie.com for movie information and the 'Help Dewey in his quest for the Ultimate Stage Dive' game.]
...moments are supplied by the school principal, Miss Mullins, ably played by Joan Cousak. She is very straightlaced, but Dewey discovers the way to get her to loosen up is to buy her a beer and get Stevie Nix on the jukebox! The transformation is incredible!
The film also seems to take a bit of a tongue in cheek look at the over the top actions of some musicians. This is particularly noticeable when Dewey is trying to get his more classically trained ... ...exaggerate their arm movements as they play! All these is against a backdrop of some really good musical influences - Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple to name just two!
So overall, I do recommend this film, mainly because it is very funny, but also because of its slightly more serious moments too! Jack Black is always very entertaining to watch and all the children are great too! I certainly felt uplifted after watching this, and hopefully you will ...
kingfisher111 05.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of School Of Rock (DVD)
Advantages: Great performance from Jack Black, a real feelgood factor Disadvantages: Some of the child actors are a bit wooden
...comedy performances as the uptight school principal Rosalie Mullins. Wound tighter than clockwork frog, she looks so twitchy that you expect her to develop some kind of tic. She also spends most of the film with a face that could sour milk at fifty paces, so it’s an incredible relief when her character finally lightens up, even if it’s only enough to nervous rather than neurotic. She’s essentially playing a stereotype, but she does it with verve ... ...which is a feat in itself.
Mike White makes a suitably nerdy Ned Schneebly; a good guy labouring under the yoke of his domineering girlfriend, played with pitch perfect bitchiness by Sarah Silverman. Something tells me that a lot of the children were cast for their musical skills rather than their acting ability – most of them are obviously playing their own instruments. There are a few touches of teak in the ensemble, but overall it’s a good showing ...
afy9mab 29.02.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of School Of Rock (DVD)
Advantages: AN ideal film to sit and watch with young children/family members Disadvantages: Aimed at a younger audience, not funny, unmemorable in general
School of Rock was written by Mike White and directed by Richard Linklater. It was released back in February 2004.
****Story line****
Dewey Finn (Jack Black) is an amateur guitarist following his dream of becoming part of a successful rock band. Being a “musician” Dewey lives on the bread line and continuously struggles to pay the bills and other everyday life costs. After being booted of his band Dewey hits rock bottom and crashes on the sofa ... ...at college Ned shared the same dream as Dewey, however he grew up and came to the realisation that it was not going to happen. Consequently he became a supply teacher.
Ned applies a bit of pressure and in desperation to get a bit of money behind him Dewey takes a job (that was intended for Ned) as a supply teacher at a local private school.
During a music class Dewey realises his class is full of talented musicians and whilst they are all classically ...
yackers1 08.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of School Of Rock (DVD)
Advantages: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack, adorable children, music, hilarious! Disadvantages: plot is kinda weird, stereotyped kids
...and shows up at the school to start the "gig." As you may have guessed, hilarity ensues. While normal ten-year-olds would be ecstatic to have a substitute teacher who let them have recess all the time and didn't expect them to do any work, these preppy children actually want to learn, especially the class know-it-all Summer (Miranda Cosgrove). "Class, I'm hungover," Dewey says. "Does anyone know what that means?" "You're drunk?" one kid replies. ... ...the lessons in cultural literacy begin. Dewey teaches the children to appreciate rock music and how to "stick it to the man." Although Dewey cares about the children (he really is quite sweet with them), he also uses them to further his own rock dreams. Neglecting all other lessons, Dewey leads the class in a project: to form a group and win the Battle of the Bands. Along the way, Dewey teaches the kids important lessons in life, but in a refreshingly ...
OKkaraoke 06.02.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of School Of Rock (DVD)
Advantages: hilariously funny, brilliantly acted, totally enjoyable Disadvantages: couple of mild sex/drug references, so not suitable for very young kids
...job at a posh private school (illegally, as you do), that the whole thing really starts to kick off. On discovering that the kids he's teaching are incredibly skilled musicians, Dewey comes up with a plan to get him into Battle of The Bands - to form a Rock Band with the kids, and pass it off as their latest project. Everything has to be kept a secret from the other teachers at Horace Green School, especially the strait-laced, uptight Miss Mullins ... ...the kids important roles in his rock band, from guitar-players to roadies, drummers to groupies, and so on. I won't spoil the rest of the plot, but I can promise a bundle of laughs and thrills, plus the odd hitch along the way!
The main reason why this film is so good is Jack Black. I'd never seen him act before this, and was totally overwhelmed by his comic ability. Everything about him is hilarious - his facial expressions, his delivery of lines, ...
l0z04 06.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of School Of Rock (DVD)
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Advantages: cool outfits, the actual band were in the film Disadvantages: cheesy, ott, only really for Ramones fans
I got given this dvd for Christmas around 6 years ago. I recently found it in my dvd collection so I thought I would watch it again.
Rock?n?Roll High School is a comedy/musical and is set in 1980 in a school in America. The main story is based around one of the pupils, Riff Randell. She is a very big rock?n?roll fan, especially music by The Ramones. Riff tries to bring music to the school and pupils by taking over the schools speaker system and playing Ramones music through it, and also by changing the music tapes in her gym class.
The new head teacher of the school is convinced that rock?n?roll music is bad for the pupils and that it rots their brains. She has conducted her own experiments on a mouse which we see exploding due to the ?rockability? of The Ramones music. I found the performance of the head teacher really annoying, she ...
Advantages: entertaining Disadvantages: not educational, not suitable for children as swear words are constantly used, very promotional
I gave this a try because I'm a member of a DVD rental service and my DVD list was getting short. Let me tell you, it wasn't worth it.
What is RockSchool 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 RockSchool, it's like you watch a neverending ad. The kids are kinda cute and talk about how Paul Green and the RockSchool changed their lives, how much Paul Green challenges them, how much they like Paul Green, how much Paul Green has already taught them, etc. And that's happening in between Paul Green screeming and swearing ...
velvet202 05.05.2006 (12.05.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Rock School (DVD)
Advantages: Rockumentry! Disadvantages: The Peter Pan of rock!
It's hard to work out if Paul Green, the hyperactive star of this 'rockumentry', and head of the 'best rockschool 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.
'RockSchool', like the excellent Channel Four TV series with the same name ...
thedevilinme 31.10.2009 (07.11.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Rock School (DVD)
It's always been Dewy Finn's dream to win the 'battle of the bands' but with his best friend Ned quitting rock to make a living as a professional substitute teacher/hen-pecked-boyfriend and his sell-out band mates dropping him from the line up, things don't look too good. Forming a new band of his own seems the only way to go.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT; TECHNICOLOR DIST. SERVICES
Release date
12/07/2004
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
PHE 8432
Barcode
5014437843234
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Commentary By Actor Jack Black And Director Richard Linklater, Commentary By The Kids From The School Of Rock, Lessons Learned In The School Of Rock, Jack Blacks Pitch To Led Zepplin, School Of Rock Music Video, Kids Video Diary, MTV Diary Of Jack Black, Web Site Archive, Theatrical Trailer
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround English
DVD Description
SCHOOL OF ROCK is a hilarious romp that parents will enjoy as much as their children. Jack Black stars as Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who doesn't seem to be rocking much of anything these days. Kicked out of the band that he started and about to be kicked out of his apartment, Dewey pretends that he's his roommate Ned Schneebly (Mike White) in order to take a job as a substitute teacher. Arriving at an ultra conservative--and ultra expensive--prep school, Dewey manages to fool the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). Soon, he finds himself in a classroom with a bunch of fifth graders. Obviously, Dewey has no intentions of teaching these kids anything, but when he discovers that a handful of them are talented musicians, a light bulb goes off in his head. Determined to enter the local battle of the bands and win $25,000, Dewey embarks on his greatest mission of all: Teaching these kids how to rock! Director Richard Linklater (DAZED AND CONFUSED, WAKING LIFE) delivers his most universally appealing film with SCHOOL OF ROCK. Written specifically for Black by screenwriter/actor White, this outrageously entertaining crowd-pleaser elevates Black to superstar status.
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