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Rock School (R)





Release Date: June 3rd (NYC-Loews 68th & B'Way and Loews 11th & 3rd), by Newmarket Films.

BASIC PREMISE: A documentary about a music teacher who forms a rock band with a group of kids.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: If you liked The School of Rock with Jack Black, you will be somewhat entertained by this documentary. Paul Green is just as loud and obnoxious as Jack Black was, but unfortunately he comes off as vulgar to the point of being creepy--not so likeable. He needs anger management. The music is great, especially if you lika Frank Zappa. The kids are all talented in their own way--some of them are rebellious and lazy while others are better-behaved. When they go abroad to compete in a concert, that is when the movie really begins to be suspenseful. But the preparation scenes are dragged out too much--they are redundant and boring at times. Nonetheless, the rock fans will thoroughly enjoy the music. SPIRITUAL VALUE: This documentary could have been so much more had Paul Green not been so unlikable. His aggressive method of teaching is interesting at first, but it eventually appears to be rather Draconean. Yes, the kids do learn to play well, but their victory is not worth their abusive journey. They just don't seem to have fun during their training, so neither does the audience. One of the band members even gets kicked out of the band and isn't allowed to join any other music group--even if her heart belongs there. That just feels sad rather than inspiring. Perhaps this is simply the harsh realities of being in a rock group, but unfortunately it doesn't amount to anything thought-provoking.

INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: Paul Green's method is too obnoxious and aggressive.

NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 5

THE BOTTOM LINE: There is plenty of great music and talented kids, but the teacher and his method of teaching both become too irritating to be as inspirational as it could have been.

RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: Rock music fans: Movie Theater (2nd Run) Everyone else: TV


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