Rating: 
Summary: AWESOME FILM ABOUT ICONIC BAND
Review:
Even if your are not a heavy metal fan, METELLICA SOME KIND OF MONSTER (Paramount) is an absolutely mesmerizing epic documenatary that looks at 20 years of the ups and downs of this iconic band. Over 10 hours of extras. This is what documentary filmmaking is all about. And it sounds as great as it looks. Unrated. 140 minutes.
Rating: 
Summary: Keeping it honest: warts and all.
Review: Honesty is what has underlined everything Metallica has ever done.
That's also why -in daring to be seen in a sometimes quite unflattering light- this documentary is as potent and fulfilling as it is. It keeps it real.
No one needs to be even a fan of Metallica to follow the movie and get absorbed in it. Yet,being a life-long 'Tallica fan I not only managed to finally see it when it when it came to my town,but was pleasantly shocked to find out that 'Some Kind Of Monster' co-director Bruce Sinofsky was also there when I was that night back in Oct. '04 to introduce the film and hold a Q & A session after the film was over. Awesome. Just like this movie.
It's a movie about being infallibly human in a superhuman thing called Metallica and living to get to the other side of it all for the positive. This movie literally takes you on a truly fulfilling journey. I recommend it to anyone who appreciates fine filmaking regardless if it's about Metallica or not or whether or not you're into Metallica or not. As I was saying,you don't need to be,but it helps to be even so.
Five stars: for all sorts of moments by moreover for going with bottom-line honesty and not sugarcoating themselves. That's about as Metallica as it gets.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Film, but........
Review: After watching a movie you really start to hate Lars. This movie is all about him. He shares his spotlight in the movie with James Hetfield, but overshadows James all the time.
If you'll be watching this movie, pay close attention to Kirk. He looks like he doesn't have any say in the band at all. But it looks like it doesn't really bother Kirk a whole lot. He just wants to play music, make money and enjoy himself. Now I really understand why Jason Newsted left Metallica. The movie does have some good parts in it with Jason, but they all get overshadowed again by Lars.
You can tell that Lars always acts in front of camera. The rest of the guys do a good job of being natural on camera. Lars is doing a performance of a lifetime. You can really tell that he has a Napoleon Complex. Being short, that man is so insecure with himself that he constantly has to prove something to somebody and that leads to being not natural on camera.
(By the way, I am not pounding Lars because of Napster. I totally support Metallica's actions against Napster)
James Hetfield on the other hand is shown as a very composed guy. It's definitely a new side of James that viewers learn from the film. I got nothing but positive vibe from James throughout the entire film.
But anyway, watch the movie. You'll enjoy it. I really don't understand why this documentary was chosen as a Sundance Selection. Being a huge fan of Metallica, I didn't find this film to be extremely good. It has its great and funny moments, but overall I give it 3 STARS. I liked "Metallica: Year and a Half Part I & II" a lot more.
Rating:
Summary: Makes sense as to why the last album sucked so bad!!!!!!!!
Review: After watching this it gave me a sense why the last album, ST. Anger, can't seem to get past 3 stars. Their worst album to date. I liked the idea that Lars at least talks to Dave Mustane about the break up, i've had alot of resentment for Metallica over Napster and the way Dave was treated!! I hope they can get it together and put together a break through album next time around! I don't see what they saw in the bassist the hired from Ozzy's band, and a strange looking addition the way he plays the base.
Rating:
Summary: Enter Shrinkman
Review: During the first ten minutes I felt pretty much like turning it off, which, is pretty much how I've felt about Metallica for more than a few years. Something compelled me to stay with it and 15 minutes into it I was riveted by watching the inner machinations of a shattered phoenix trying to pull itself out of not ashes, but muck and mire.
Enter Shrinkman (sorry boys) in the form of a psychiatrist named Phil who starts opening doors the boys seem intent on keeping shut . . . indeed, James slams a few shut. Like voyeurs we're invited to watch egos dashed, pretension shattered, raw nerves at the fraying point and more than a little whining, self-pitying and prima donna posturing as the Metalliboyz grow older and are forced to cope with an ever changing music industry as well as life itself.
One of the most moving moments is a confrontation/reconciliation with Dave Mustaine. A misty eyed Mustaine lays out plain and simple the pain he endured in the years since he (literally) got thrown out of the band. Watching an uncomfortable Lars try to come to terms and his full comprehension and realization of that decision - for good or ill - is stuff that cannot be scripted, cannot be acted it is life.
To their credit they come out alive, stronger, wiser and full of hope, acceptance and promise. What this remarkable documentary captures is akin to watching the dead come back to life. This is raw, inspiring, powerful stuff, and in its own way, something of a miracle.
Rating:
Summary: Guts!
Review: I went with four people to see this film. Two (myself included) were Metallica fans and the other two were not. The film opens like some sort of MTV expo piece with James Hetfield riding in his tricked out vintage roadster and Lars Ulrich laying on his couch with his Basquiat hanging on the wall. Not even five minutes go by and it shows the group, minus recently departed Jason Newsted, in therapy discussing their concern that they have about embarking on recording their first album in five years. Little did they know that it would take two years to make. What you get is a riveting, profound and at often times very funny documentary.What I really applaud the band for is this: They bought the rights to the documentary so that they could have a say in the final cut. Instead of glossing over scenes that aired the dirty laundry of the band, which is what you would think they would do in a case like this, they let it all out.
And not in a counter-culture, rebellious, grandstanding kind of way either. It's sincere and thats what makes the film work. James Hetfields door slamming, Lars' watery-eyed confrontations and Kirk unable to make declarative sentences does not put them in the best light, but it makes them real.
They confront their demons head-on with therapist Phil Towle and producer Bob Rock tow. Die hard fans might roll their eyes and laugh at prospect of the band in need of a shrink. Trust me, stick with it and don't let it scare you away from the theatre. Most of the time it is hilarious and at the bands expense. Lars Ulrichs father is a scream and when one of the toughest metal bands try to communicate with one another in their new found "therapy lingo" it comes across as comical and awkward as you might think. And yes, they talk about Cliff's death and the Napster ordeal as well. They also visit Jason Newsted and (bonus for fans) Dave Mustaine. My friend and I could pick out the Metallica fans from the documentary fans in the theatre when Dave popped up. This movie is not solely for fans should not be missed no matter what your preference in music or your opinion of the band. Non-fans, as my other friends will attest, will enjoy this as well.
This year there has been great year for documentaries and this is one that should not be overlooked in the mix.
Rating:
Summary: Heavy Metal ain't easy but it's necessary
Review: It doesn't take a fan to appreciate this movie. Rich and famous people have problems just like you and me. They may have it made but they are human also. The Mighty Metallica is not just a machine, it is comprised of men. It has tons of extras to boot!
Rating:
Summary: Therapy?!
Review: Most documentaries on musicians rarely rise above the level of an episode of VH1's Behind-the-Music. They are either self-congratulatory puff pieces or tabloid fodder that dwells mostly on salacious aspects. Granted, the recent documentary, Dig is one of the rare exceptions. Residing somewhere in the middle is Metallica: Some Kind of Monster. This documentary chronicles the band's rocky road of making and releasing the album St. Anger. For a band that had a reputation of controlling every aspect of their careers (including the notorious battle against Napster), it was somewhat of a surprise that they would allow two documentary filmmakers, Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, to show them warts and all.
The first disc features two audio commentaries. The members of Metallica are on the first one and fall into the trap of watching the movie as opposed to commentating on it. Things pick on the second commentary track with the filmmakers, Berlinger and Sinofsky. The filmmakers recount many stories behind the doc and provide a good inside look at how it was put together, including their own internal strife that mirrored the one between James and Lars. As the filming went on Berlinger and Sinofsky closely identified with their subjects and what they were going through.
The second disc features 28 additional scenes with some of them including optional commentary by Berlinger and Sinofsky. There is also a lot more footage of the band working on St. Anger as well as a good bit where Lars finally tells off Dr. Phil and Kirk goes to traffic school.
"Festivals and Premieres" features footage of the filmmakers and the band participating at Q&A sessions for various film festivals, including Sundance. It is interesting to see the band clearly enjoying this new venue and how they view the film after some time as passed.
"This Monster Lives" is 13 additional scenes, including an alternate version of the meeting between Lars and Dave Mustaine.
Also included is a music video with footage from the documentary.
Finally, there are filmographies for the filmmakers.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting Documentary
Review: Not a big fan of Metallica's music, I have great respect for all that they've accomplished throughout their career. I approached this documentary as a big music fan with an intense interest on watching how musicians/bands work behind the scenes when creating an album. Not only does "Some Kind of Monster" display that, it also displays a band that has lost a longtime band member, hired a therapist to help them "work through" their problems, and had their lead singer/lyricist admit himself into rehab. If watching all this unfold sounds like it would keep you interested, then pick this up!
There are many great things about this movie. Namely, it's not a vanity piece where each member of Metallica is made to look like they are gods. Instead, each member is seen in different lights. The viewer respects the fact that James Hetfield's new work schedule after getting out of rehab has to slow down a bit, but feels drummer Lars Ulrich's frustration at someone else putting a limit on his creative timeline. It's very interesting to behold. What makes matters even more interesting (and I'm sure many of Metallica's fans will disagree with me) is that here is a band going through a tremendous amount of inner turmoil and very hard work all to complete a new album...and the resulting music/lyrics are really not that good. I've said I wasn't a fan, but I can appreciate and understand why other people like Metallica. With the music that was created for "St. Anger"...the magic just doesn't seem to be happening.
This is a film not only for Metallica's fans, but also any fans of music who enjoy watching creative minds/struggles at work. Packed with great extras as well. A+
Rating: 
Summary: An Absolutley Wonderful Comedy - Two Thumbs up
Review: This is an absolutely wonderful comedy starring James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich with Kirk Hammet in a riveting supporting role . This is comedy at its best. Three prima donnas who've got the world by the balls complaining about how difficult life is. The three most vain , self absorbed , egocentric men ( men ? ) in rock and roll. I'm a huge fan of Kill Em All , RTL and MOP , but im sick and tired of hearing these three whiney washwomen complian about everything from Napster to Jethro Tull. Grow up boys ... there are a growing number of us fans who are absolutley disgusted ( and amazed ) at seeing three grown men act like 12 year olds girls. Do ya think you could possibly take your faces out of your handkechiefs long enough to put a decent album out ?
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