Rating: 
Summary: Purple Haze
Review: Most Jack Black movies would have me running in the opposite direction but, because of the talents of the director (Richard Linklater..."Slacker") and the screenwriter (Mike White..."Chuck and Buck"), I decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did.
"School of Rock" is set in a private grammar school and deals with some important growing us issues: how the general population of school or in life really tends to marginalize those that are different and how parents sometimes disregard the talents and wishes of their children in the quest to get them into a first class college. Mind you that the children in Dewey's (Jack Black) class are approx 10-11 years old!
Dewey arrives on the scene masquerading as a substitute teacher and he thinks that he will be able to just chill and collect a paycheck so that he can pay his rent. What he doesn't bargain for is that he will grow to like his charges and, because of his outsider status and drive to be a rock star, encourages their artistic and more importantly musical talents.
Linklater's films are always full of wit and irony and never sentimental at all so it is no wonder that all of these attributes are intact in his direction of this film; which is a godsend because this stuff could have easily degraded into bathos.
Jack Black is obnoxious, rude and crude but here Linklater and White have anointed him with an understanding and compassion for these children: he's Uncle Buck and Ozzy Osbourne all rolled into one.
"School of Rock" is fun, beautifully directed and written and on top of all of this has a lesson for us all: give your kids some space to be themselves. In fact do everything that you can to encourage them artistically for it is the artists that will ultimately change the world for the better.
Rating:
Summary: Chant Along: "School Of Rock! School Of Rock!"
Review: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2003--Jack Black, the cherubic devil-(man)-child who's actually much more clever than he lets on, has always been a great comedic talent wasted in crappy supporting roles, like the ones he suffered through in "Saving Silverman," "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" and other movies bound for the DVD bargain bin. He even had his very own crap movie, and it was called "Shallow Hal." The only time he was really allowed to shine was in "High Fidelity"-oh, and on that awesome Tenacious D record. But that was then, and this is "The School Of Rock," a near-perfect crowd-pleaser that finally gives Black the chance to show his stuff in a solid leading role. Written specifically for him by the talented Mike White (who also wrote the better than good "Good Girl" and appears here as Black's spineless substitute teacher roommate), the film has a perfect understanding of its star's strengths, and plays them up fantastically. After being kicked out of his gunning-for-a-contract band, Black vows to form his very own successful band and basically ends up slumping around his friend's apartment...until the perfect money-making opportunity presents itself. He receives a call that's actually for his friend, and through a series of deceitful actions, winds up subbing at a snooty prep school for something like $650 a week. At first, he slouches through each day, letting the kids do whatever they want. But then...it hits him...these kids can play music...and well. It's then and there that he gets a sneaky little idea in his head and starts forming that promised rock band out of his fourth-grade students. From there, it only gets funnier, and while it is certainly Black's show, he gets plenty of able support, primarily from the well-cast kids. Even better, the movie industry's very own secret weapon, Joan Cusack, delivers another classic performance without overdoing it or rudely stepping on the star's toes. She plays the mousy school principal with a stick so far up her rear end that she is despised by all of her inferiors, yet she hates being the way she is and admits that it's all the responsibility she has that makes her that way. It's the comedienne's best work since "In & Out," and I really don't think a third Oscar nod for Supporting Actress is out of the question. However, like I said, this one is Black's show, and he delivers a great comedic performance of his own. His Dewy is sweet but never soft, slow but never stupid, and best of all, as mischievous and rock-lovin' as the son of Lucifer. It's about time the world was educated on the full talent of Jack Black, and be sure to learn for yourself. It's called "The School Of Rock." See it. Now.
Rating: 
Summary: Have our standards dropped so low to get these "raves"?
Review: As long as you're okay with a bunch of 10-year-olds joining hands and praying to the God of Rock (with a pretty Church of Satan-like prayer, to boot), then this movie is light and fun family fare. (Hey, at least they're praying, right?)What works about this movie is Jack Black. There is something demented about him that fits his lead role perfectly. You get the sense that he's whacked in real life, and while he might not try to turn prep schoolers into rock stars, he just weird enough to make it possible. But he is also part of what is wrong with the movie (a small part, but still ...). There are moments where he just makes you want to cringe from all his weirdness, like when he sings a song he wrote to the class. It goes on way too long and is, well, creepy. Not good weird, but sad weird. Because like his character in High Fidelity (a much better performance, I think, in a much better movie), Jack comes across like a guy who is, deep down, a sad, alienated loser; a guy who sits in a subway doing word search puzzles--maybe homeless, certainly dateless, and maybe a bit cranky. And smart. As for the rest of the film, the child actors are okay. Nothing to write home about, but at least they're not cringeworthy. The rest of the cast basically mails it in, but that's okay since Jack is a one man army. So raise your goblet of rock and see this thing; you'll be mildly amused. Which is more than okay.
Rating: 
Summary: Just a whole lot of fun.....
Review: I had no intention of seeing this movie. But the trailers intrigued me and the reception at the Toronto Film Festival along with an "A" grading from ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY made me curious enough to go and see it. The only time I've seen Jack Black previously was in SHALLOW HAL and I anticipated that he was going to be the same type of character and kind of a jerk, that the movie would be filled with sight gags and corny jokes. Not so. The humor in this movie comes from the illogical and highly improbable premise of a down-on-his-luck rock musician faking it as a substitute teacher at a prestigious private school. Learning that these kids are learning to play classical music, he gets the idea of teaching them the principles of rock music, and the movie goes from there. The rock musician is definitely an intelligent individual, not a stumblebum or jerk. Actually, he is one who lives for rock music, who has almost a religious fervor for the music and for performing it. And Jack Black is surprisingly good in portraying this. Bottom line: I liked it. It's an unpretentious and fun type comedy that I honestly recommend.
Rating: 
Summary: Jack Black is great, but this movie is terrible...
Review: I don't know what this movie is rated, but it might as well have been G. This movie is a embarrassment to rock 'n roll. I really like Jack Black. He's got a great sense of humor and he's always saying the funniest stuff, but this movie is just not very funny. For the most part, there's a few laughs, but I found myself not laughing at things that were supposed to be funny. I was really trying to enjoy it, but towards the end I gave up. After seeing Jack Black's slap stick humor for an hour, it get's old and that's what this movie completely relies on. We left the theater in a bad mood and my girlfriend said, "I'm not letting you pick the movie next time".
Rating:
Summary: Fun for all!
Review: Let's start with a summary of the movie: Dewey Finn, lead guitarist for 'No Vacancy', shares an apartment with Ned, a mild-mannered rocker-turned-substitute teacher, and Ned's control freak girlfriend. Dewey owes two grand to him in rent money, insisting that the band will win cash in the 'Battle of the Bands'. However, during practise, Dewey is fired from his band for his 20-minute solos and stage-hogging. Dewey then accepts Ned's substituting job at Horace Green, a prestigious prep school, desperate for money. When he overhears the kids in music class, he realizes their talent and attempts to create a band with them. My parents and I enjoyed the movie: any rocker would. With a fantastic classic rock soundtrack including Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Ramones, and even two original songs, it covers all genres of music and will definetly squeeze some laughs out of you. Jack Black's appealing role and fun classes (rock appreciation, rock history, and band practice) take apart rock music, instrument by instrument, band by band, to keep you interested. I'm definetly getting this on DVD. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good time!
Rating:
Summary: Jack Black Rocks & I am actually Thanking Mike White
Review: After seeing the previews of "School of Rock", I highly anticipated seeing it in the theaters. It is the best movie I have seen in the theaters this year and I highly recommend it all fans of Black, Rock, and smiling to head straight to the closest theater playing this fantastic, awesome, and all around wildly entertaining hour and 45 minutes.
Black is hysterically funny. My sides were splitting from laughing so much at his goofy rocker character, Dewey Finn. Especially his eyebrows.
Dewey has just been kicked out of his band and decides to start his own band. The Horace Finn school calls looking for Ned Scheebly (played by the screenwriter of the movie, Mike White) a substitute teacher, Dewey answers the phone. He desperately needs cash to pay his rent so he pretends to be Ned. Now, at this juncture in many comedies, this is where the film should lose much of it's audience. However, Jack Black's antics and wildly goofy behavior keep you.
His students are all in 5th grade, and when he finds out some of them play instruments, his mind and eyebrows concoct a brilliant scheme. His old band is entering a battle of the bands so he decides to create his own pre-teen band and enter the contest as well. The guitarist kid is amazing!!! All the children did a great job, and seemed to be having a blast with Black. He's just a big kid himself after all.
Eventually, he is found out thanks to Ned's annoying and controlling girlfriend played by Sara Silverman. I remember her from "greg the bunny", a very short lived sitcom. We have a film with an uplifting happy ending that sends you home with a smile on your face as you go searching through your c.d. collection for some AC/DC.
Also, I thought Joan Cusack was quite comical as the uptight school Prinicpal. Black works well with both Cusacks(John is High Fidelity) And thanks to Mike White for confirming to me that you aren't a total nutcase screenwriter(also wrote Chuck & Buck and The good girl). You've restored my faith in your work after this charming rocknroll comedy.
Rating:
Summary: To those about to rock....
Review: This is one great movie. I have never been a fan of Jack Black, but things may change because of this gem of a movie. It does not deserve it's pg-13 rating, it is a great movie that kids and adults will enjoy. The kids are adorable and Jack is a master in the School of Rock. If you are a teacher, had a teacher, were a kid you need to see this movie. The music is great the performances top notch. WOW!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: I Love Rock N Roll!!!
Review: Thank you Mike White! (Screenwriter and he also plays the real Ned Schneebly in the movie.) It was so great to hear some classic Rock n' Roll instead of the sex popster's Christina and Britney. I took my 7 year old daughter and she really liked the movie, but of course she thinks that what Britney and Christina turn out is good music. YECCHH!! I grew up with the music Dewey Finn (Jack Black) loves and it was fun to show my daughter what I listened to when I was growing up. She still likes her pop, but maybe as she gets older her tastes will change. I loved this movie! I was a little nervous taking my daughter as this was her second PG-13. I took her to see "Uptown Girls" with Brittany Murphy recently and was so very sorry for it. We had to leave because it was far to graphic for her. She got upset. So, after reading a few reviews for "School of Rock" that stated that it was good for kids of all ages as well as the parents and very funny, I took her. It was fine. They say "ass" alot and one joke about reading between the lines, when he holds up three fingers, but she didn't get that anyway. I wish my husband had come with us too, since he is a major Led Zeppelin fan and plays the electric guitar. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. I think children under seven probably won't like it much. Jack Black Rocks!! Joan Cusack - You feel for her character. I laughed and laughed. I will also be buying this when it comes out on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Great Music , Great Fun , Great family movie
Review: I wasn't planning to see this movie although Jack Black is funny. I didn't know if my kids wanted to see it but was unsure if it would be proper for them. I then read Roger Eberts review and decided to give it a shot since the kids wanted to see it. Good Move This movie works on every level. The music is excellent, the comedy is well timed and well delivered, the kids are, well, kids. (and that makes half the movie right there) This movie will have such cross appeal that it will do a killer box office and it deserves it. I just hope that we don't see a sequel, however given the response of the crowd and the quality of the picture it is inevitable. Watch it AND buy it.
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