Rating: 
Summary: Jack Black Steps Out from the Shadow of Tenacious D!
Review: OK, I could go on and on about how much I love this movie, but I will make this brief and to the point. Dewey Finn is a rock star wanna-be who gets kicked out of a crappy band. Out of money and the rent due, he comes up with a great plan to earn money AND win Battle of the Bands! This movie had me, my wife, and our kids rolling on the floor. There is no American Idol, Brittany Spears, bubble-gum pop garbage here. It is all ROCK AND ROLL! Jack Black teaches his students valuable lessons about rocking and the true mission of Rock 'N Roll. This is a movie for the whole family. Just a couple of curse words, no violence, and a great story. If you are looking for more adult Jack Black roles, check out his band, Tenacious D, either in DVD form (The Complete Masterworks) or their debut CD.
Rating: 
Summary: Jack Black as the demented Pied Piper of Rock 'n' Roll
Review: I really had heightened expectations for "School of Rock," because I tend to really like movies where people find an excuse to get up and play songs. Besides, there was such good word of mouth on this film as well and I liked Jack Black's performance at the end of "Shallow Hall." This time around Black plays Dewey Finn, who has been kicked out of the rock band he created because he tends to confuse his commitment to the power of rock 'n' roll with the gratification of his own ego. He cons his way into a gig as a substitute teacher for a fifth-grade class at a private school and as soon as he finds out some of these kids can actually play instruments he start turning them into a rock band. The goal is to go head-to-head with his old group and beat them into the ground at the upcoming Battle of the Bands. He also gives his cherubs an education in rock, mainly because he is so appalled at their lack of knowledge. Granted, there is a certain predictability to the plot here, but "School of Rock" does not fall into a similar trap with the characters. Dewey does not get changed in the process as much as have his eyes opened to what is happening when you really collaborate in creating music and playing in a band. In simpler terms, he starts practicing what he has been preaching. As for the kids, they follow their rock 'n' roll Pied Piper's lead but they also are more than willing to stand up and get in Dewey's face. I actually wanted more of a rock education for the viewing audience. There is a nice little scene where Dewey has laid out a constellation chart of rock groups on the board, but instead of hearing him lecture we get the music on the soundtrack turned up loud. Old viewers will of course recognize the names that Dewey drops throughout the film, but I kept thinking it would be nice if there were a few choice instances where Dewey drove home a couple of key points to the kidlets. In other words, do with words what is done with music when Dewey teaches the kid who plays guitar the riffs for "Sunshine Of Your Love," "Iron Man," and "Smoke on the Water," or the keyboard player the opening of "Touch Me." You can guess what is happening at the end, but that does not take away from the overall sense of fun, especially for younger viewers who will enjoy the fact the kids are all doing their own singing and playing. I have just been comparing such musical grand finales to the end of "Uptown Girls," and I find this one to be okay (the song was not up to the kids). There are some efforts to take advantage of Joan Cusack playing the head of the school, but she really is underutilized (I was expecting more off of the Stevie Nicks reference). These things just underscore not only that "School of Rock" could have been better but that we really would have liked this 2003 film to have made it all the way to the next level.
Rating:
Summary: Great older family film
Review: What I mean by that is, it isn't completely homogenized. You're going to have to talk to the kids after the film to make sure they don't rebel against you. Sure, it has plenty of good messages and humor mixed in there, but it doesn't hold down the subversive spirit of rock, which is envigorating. Certainly the film is humorous and inspirational, but the plotline makes it sound like self-absorbed loafer dupes people into doing something that he couldn't have done himself and is forgiven. In other words, there's such a levity to serious subject matter like this that some people don't even realize how wrong Dewey's motives are. I have to give Jack Black and Richard Linklater credit because I don't think that anyone else could have pulled it off. As for the DVD, it's excellent. It captures the adult perspective of Black in the making of featurette, commentary, MTV's Diary of Jack Black. It also captures the kids who are broad draw for the film in the featurette, Toronto Film Festival Diary, commentary, and a portion of Jack Black's diary contains footage of them rehearsing songs for the soundtrack. This DVD captures all the perspectives that you would like to see as a filmgoer who loves the film, like me. Mike White, thank you for writing this for lovers of Black and Rock. Extra points for acting in the movie as well, you were perfectly cast. That is all.
Rating:
Summary: Sell my guitars? Would you ask Picasso to sell his guitars?
Review: This was a script written for Jack Black... comic zaniness mixed with loads of classic head banging rock and roll. No doubt the hidden basis for this movie was so that Black could play his own music. Writer Mike White (Ned Schneebly in this film) nailed Jack Black (Dewey Finn) to a tee. The story follows Dewey shreading on a guitar solo (just a tad long and over done), and being exiled from the band the very next day. His roommate (Ned) and annoying girlfriend (Patty - played perfectly by Sarah Silverman) get on his case about responsibilities and paying the rent. Dewey receives a phone call at home one day (meant for Ned)... the high priced private elementary school needs a substitute teacher. Dewey acts as Ned - and the fun and musical fusion begin. This movie is a "toast to those who rock!" The main kids in the band, Zack-Freddy-Lawrence-Katie, are all accomplished musicians in their own right and were picked to play their roles for just this reason. Not to mention Joan Cusack was a great pick as Priniple Mullins. Musical tributes to AC/DC and Led Zeppelin abound. If you're a Jack Black fan, as well as a classic rock fan - I guarantee you will truly enjoy this film. Extras on this DVD include often funny commentaries with Black as well as the kids; a short pitch to Led Zeppelin for permission to use a song in the movie, trailers and a music video. Ever since Black was able to let loose in John Cusack's "High Fidelity"... I just look forward to everything he does. This is a great and upbeat movie for all audiences.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Fab!
Review: I'd never heard of Jack Black until I watched this fabulously entertaining movie. Why Black wasn't nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor is a mystery. His performance is phenomenal. I've never seen anything like it. He completely holds your attention, even when he's in the background and what makes him so extraordinary is that his performance is so damned fresh! Some of the ads described him as "Gonzo" comedian but he's much more than that. As the substitute teacher who teaches his bright kids about the history and the love of rock and roll, he conveys a genuine sweetness and tenderness that startles. I watched this movie twice, back-to-back, and will definitely buy it for my permanent DVD library. The down side is that aren't any roles out there for such a wondrous, free-spirited genius like Jack Black. God forbid they do the inevitable sequel. This movie worked on every level and although we know the outcome from the very beginning, it was fascinating to travel that path before The End appeared. The cast and the technical aspects are truly outstanding. But shining brilliantly in the center of it all is this fantastic performer named Jack Black. May he run for President in 2005!
Rating:
Summary: i like it
Review: I really like this movie cos' it's just FANTASTIC!!!
Rating:
Summary: Gotta love the kids.....
Review: When it first came out in theaters I kept saying I wanted to see it, but never did, but when I found out that the dvd was gonna be released I preodered it & 3 months later I got it....I loved it more than I thought I would...the kids did it for me. I like Jack, but it was all about the kids as far as I was concerned & the music too...
Rating:
Summary: Kids Rock
Review: Everything is funny about Jack Black from his facial features to the things that he says, but it isn't all him that makes this movie so wonderful. You learn to love each of the kids that make up the movie, each of them are both adorable and funny in their own way. Jack Black seems to have real chemistry with the kids which shows through in the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A decent movie for the most part....
Review: First, I would like to start off by saying, why does Jack Black feel the need to rip-off Angus Young's school uniform? He also uses a Gibson SG....although not the same kind Angus uses, it's still of cheap imitation. Otherwise, the overall theme of the movie is pretty good. The roles in the movie were played well, except for the kid that played the drums. It seems to me that if you had other "child stars" that were in the cast, then they could have found someone halfway-decent to be the drummer. It makes it seem like it's not important to have a good drummer in a band and they're just there in the background. All I can say is, oh well. What can you expect from movie directors that don't know very much about music in general. As far as Jack Black is concerned, this was one of his better movies I thought. Decent movie. 3 out of 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Great Tunes
Review: I really liked this movie, but I could not give it 5 stars, although I wanted to. Why not? Not up to a five-star standard, even though I really liked it personally. It had a good mix of music, humor, and emotion, but it just wasn't up to par. The soundtrack is decent, especially if you are a Classic Rock lover like myself. Many references to AC/DC and some to other classic acts. It seems like a watered down "Sister Act 2" -- in acting, in drama, in sound. Not bad, just not as good as it could have been.
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