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apocalypsosAnd I started ranting in my head about a few things. So now you have to suffer. :)
*********
Before the movie, there was a public service announcement featuring a Hollywood set decorator that basically said, "Please don't pirate movies. The little guys don't make any money." See, now that's how you present an argument about this issue.
But what I was thinking was this.
If I want to see a movie without alteration or interruption, I have loads of options. If I really want to see it on the big screen, I can go to a matinee when it's cheaper. I can rent a movie I haven't gotten to see yet at a Blockbuster or I can borrow it from the library if it's an older movie. I can buy it on DVD when I can afford it, or if I can't afford it, I can wait for it to come on pay-per-view and order it or I can watch it on HBO.
If I want to read a book, I don't want a pirated copy of the 'net when it's easy enough (and frankly, more fun) to go to a library and borrow one or go to Borders, buy a chai, and read in the cafe without anyone having fits.
Someone tell me where I can rent a CD.
How about from whom I can borrow Jack Johnson's new album without shipping being involved? Where I can listen to Coldplay's newest song without it being bookended by the loudmouthed ramblings of some radio DJ. Where I can hear recordings of new bands that the library doesn't have on CD and frankly has never even heard of.
********
Don't give me that look like I'm pathetic. I like getting to the movies a half hour early and get pissy if we get there too late. I like being able to go to the movies without worrying about the reactions I have.
The reason I'm here alone is not because I have no friends. The reason I'm here alone is that everyone's got a great artistic love in their life, and mine has always been film. Even the stupidest films stir up emotions in me that you wouldn't believe. Life Is Beautiful made me cry for a half hour. Monty Python and the Holy Grail has me dying with laughter. The last hour of The Color Purple breaks my heart every single time.
So stop giving me those pitiful fucking looks from down the aisle when I'm sitting there all alone. Your church may be elsewhere, but mine's got AMC and Cinemark splashed across the front of it, so back the frell away. Sheesh.
********
I think we all know that Jack Black doesn't look like a rock star. He just is one. He can sing, and he knows how to perform on a stage. He's one of those guys who's such a natural at it, that he knows what looks bad on stage and can mock it effectively.
That's what works in this film ... that, and the kids. His character has to convince some of these kids that it's not what you look like or who you know, but the talent you have and the love you have for music that counts. If he were played by anyone else, it'd be more difficult -- although not impossible -- to believe that sentiment. But coming from Jack, it feels personal when he tells the shy fat girl that her looks don't matter when she has such a beautiful voice to share with the world -- after all, look at someone like Aretha Franklin, or, as he points out, himself.
Is the story predictable? Well, yes. Anybody who's seen the trailer can tell how the movie goes from beginning to end. But 'School' is a prime example of how to take the predictable and make it genuinely fun. (The audience I was in cheered and clapped after the Battle of the Bands contest that ends the movie.)
Now, the kids ...
Here's the thing. 'School of Rock' is rated PG-13. Why? Beats me. A few mentions of the word "ass", a word kids these days can't possibly have not heard before, and a passing reference to "getting wasted" when the kids are asked by Jack's character what rock is all about. That's it. So why is it rated PG-13, especially considering that from what I could see, half of the audience was not only children, but mostly under 13? It doesn't make sense to me, seeing as this movie not only shows kids how you don't need good looks to be cool, it also shows them what good music really is.
As for the kids, they're incredible. They're not actors here, these are trained musicians, and they're damn good. You've got Zach on lead guitar, Freddy on drums, Lawrence on keyboards, and Katie on bass (I want to be Katie when I grow up! *squee*), and they sound like a real band. Hell, they sound better than half the crap that's on MTV. (Jack makes a passing dig at MTV in the movie, which got a good laugh.) And the girls playing the back-up singers all have amazing voices, but Tomika, the shy fat girl? The girl can blow.
(Not only that, but the kids who aren't in the band are a hell of a lot of fun, too. My two favorites were Summer, the bossy band manager, and Billy, the costumer. I like Billy. He's going to be Carson Kressley when he grows up. ;))
Dude, see this movie. I haven't laughed this hard all year long. And check out Apple Trailers and click on the link to watch the 'School of Rock' music video.
********
Okay, considering that tomorrow is International Fic Feedback Day or whatever, and I can't work on my original story until November 1, I suppose I shall go see if I can pump out Chapter Four of 'Lightness' tonight.
*********
Before the movie, there was a public service announcement featuring a Hollywood set decorator that basically said, "Please don't pirate movies. The little guys don't make any money." See, now that's how you present an argument about this issue.
But what I was thinking was this.
If I want to see a movie without alteration or interruption, I have loads of options. If I really want to see it on the big screen, I can go to a matinee when it's cheaper. I can rent a movie I haven't gotten to see yet at a Blockbuster or I can borrow it from the library if it's an older movie. I can buy it on DVD when I can afford it, or if I can't afford it, I can wait for it to come on pay-per-view and order it or I can watch it on HBO.
If I want to read a book, I don't want a pirated copy of the 'net when it's easy enough (and frankly, more fun) to go to a library and borrow one or go to Borders, buy a chai, and read in the cafe without anyone having fits.
Someone tell me where I can rent a CD.
How about from whom I can borrow Jack Johnson's new album without shipping being involved? Where I can listen to Coldplay's newest song without it being bookended by the loudmouthed ramblings of some radio DJ. Where I can hear recordings of new bands that the library doesn't have on CD and frankly has never even heard of.
********
Don't give me that look like I'm pathetic. I like getting to the movies a half hour early and get pissy if we get there too late. I like being able to go to the movies without worrying about the reactions I have.
The reason I'm here alone is not because I have no friends. The reason I'm here alone is that everyone's got a great artistic love in their life, and mine has always been film. Even the stupidest films stir up emotions in me that you wouldn't believe. Life Is Beautiful made me cry for a half hour. Monty Python and the Holy Grail has me dying with laughter. The last hour of The Color Purple breaks my heart every single time.
So stop giving me those pitiful fucking looks from down the aisle when I'm sitting there all alone. Your church may be elsewhere, but mine's got AMC and Cinemark splashed across the front of it, so back the frell away. Sheesh.
********
I think we all know that Jack Black doesn't look like a rock star. He just is one. He can sing, and he knows how to perform on a stage. He's one of those guys who's such a natural at it, that he knows what looks bad on stage and can mock it effectively.
That's what works in this film ... that, and the kids. His character has to convince some of these kids that it's not what you look like or who you know, but the talent you have and the love you have for music that counts. If he were played by anyone else, it'd be more difficult -- although not impossible -- to believe that sentiment. But coming from Jack, it feels personal when he tells the shy fat girl that her looks don't matter when she has such a beautiful voice to share with the world -- after all, look at someone like Aretha Franklin, or, as he points out, himself.
Is the story predictable? Well, yes. Anybody who's seen the trailer can tell how the movie goes from beginning to end. But 'School' is a prime example of how to take the predictable and make it genuinely fun. (The audience I was in cheered and clapped after the Battle of the Bands contest that ends the movie.)
Now, the kids ...
Here's the thing. 'School of Rock' is rated PG-13. Why? Beats me. A few mentions of the word "ass", a word kids these days can't possibly have not heard before, and a passing reference to "getting wasted" when the kids are asked by Jack's character what rock is all about. That's it. So why is it rated PG-13, especially considering that from what I could see, half of the audience was not only children, but mostly under 13? It doesn't make sense to me, seeing as this movie not only shows kids how you don't need good looks to be cool, it also shows them what good music really is.
As for the kids, they're incredible. They're not actors here, these are trained musicians, and they're damn good. You've got Zach on lead guitar, Freddy on drums, Lawrence on keyboards, and Katie on bass (I want to be Katie when I grow up! *squee*), and they sound like a real band. Hell, they sound better than half the crap that's on MTV. (Jack makes a passing dig at MTV in the movie, which got a good laugh.) And the girls playing the back-up singers all have amazing voices, but Tomika, the shy fat girl? The girl can blow.
(Not only that, but the kids who aren't in the band are a hell of a lot of fun, too. My two favorites were Summer, the bossy band manager, and Billy, the costumer. I like Billy. He's going to be Carson Kressley when he grows up. ;))
Dude, see this movie. I haven't laughed this hard all year long. And check out Apple Trailers and click on the link to watch the 'School of Rock' music video.
********
Okay, considering that tomorrow is International Fic Feedback Day or whatever, and I can't work on my original story until November 1, I suppose I shall go see if I can pump out Chapter Four of 'Lightness' tonight.
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no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 02:21 pm (UTC)Amen! I'm very conflicted about pirating movies--and I won't, for the most part, although I don't yell at my brother too much when he does. *g*
Music, however? Most of the music I buy today I would never have known about, let alone heard, if it wasn't for downloading.
For example, I'm going to Tom McRae concert in LA this Thursday. He's British (I think), and I never would have heard of him if not for
That never would have happened without downloading.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 02:38 pm (UTC)*astonished*
Date: 2003-10-04 03:09 pm (UTC)*G*
I'm teasing. And YES! The more the merrier! Support TOMINATION NOW!
*apologies* to trollprincess, as I have just high-jacked your thread.
But...I have tom songs over at my lj...and some other bits. Come on over, I've got brownies!
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 03:15 pm (UTC)--Shannon
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 03:16 pm (UTC)Are they telling the poor things that if people keep pirating the movies, the film industry's going to take its ball and go home? >.>
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 03:25 pm (UTC)Hell, why not? Look what Jack Valenti and the rest of his idiotic cronies did about those Oscar screeners. I think we all know that Return of the King is going to win next year, but little films like Lost in Translation (which I'm dying to see because I've heard it's excellent) and American Splendor aren't going to get the votes they should if some voters can't get access to the independents.
Not only that, but who the hell has time to pack up their stuff, drive to the movie theater, buy your popcorn, get your seats, and in general waste more time than the voters should have to to see every single movie they have to vote on?
I like the set designer ad to a point. Yes, they have to pay the set designer. But come back and talk to me when the lead isn't getting 20 mil plus part of the back end and the director doesn't have a three-picture deal.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 04:08 pm (UTC)*runs off to take advantage of her weekend alone to watch some movies*
:D
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 05:32 pm (UTC)2) Simply put, my friends are asses in theaters. They are the ones who throw things at the screen, who talk on their cellphones, who act like the inconsiderate boors they are during a movie. (Gee, does it sound like I have issues?) Plus, they aren't willing to see say, Casa De Los Babys or Lost in Translation with me. They're only up for the new Adam Sandler schlockfest. So I go to the movies by myself, because movies are a beautiful, holy experience for me and I don't want to be distracted by anything else. The only exception I make is for my mom, because she's mature and quiet and also a card-carrying member of the Church of the "I Watch The Trailers Months Before A Movie Comes Out So I Can Circle The Date on My Calendar And Buy Tickets For A Showing At Least Eight Weeks In Advance" Following.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 05:36 pm (UTC)Frankly, if I can get him into a good movie he wouldn't otherwise see, I feel like I've accomplished something.
I learned when I went to see "Saving Private Ryan" with my parents that they were a lost cause. My mother thought I was nuts because as the Western Union car pulled up to the farmhouse, I burst into tears.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-05 08:38 am (UTC)I loved it.
(OMGTHATDRUMMERKIDIWANTTOMARRYHIMLIEKSQUEE)
no subject
Date: 2003-10-05 09:04 am (UTC)