Customer Reviews

Great World of Sound

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Maybe it's just that I spent years in the music business but I found this to be one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen in years. Where did they get all these musical acts? Absolutely authentic and amazing. Nobody seemed like they were acting. Was much of the movie improvised? I don't know. It's funny, sad, and has the ring of truth throughout.

Up until now, Craig Zobel was known for just one thing: being one of the writers of the children's book that would eventually spawn Homestar Runner, the wildly successful Internet cartoon series. But you won't find any of the site's obtuse humor and pop-culture references in his directorial debut, "Great World of Sound." Instead, you'll find a subtly nuanced drama/mockumentary hybrid about the trials and tribulations of a pair of talent scouts working for a record label that may be less than trustworthy. Kene Holliday delivers a wonderful performance that would've been Oscar worthy had the film received more exposure. Pat Healy does a terrific job as well, and the banter between the two characters is very well-written.

If you're expecting a laugh-out-loud comedy a la "Office Space," look elsewhere. If you want a satirical look at the repercussions of living in a vast wasteland of "American Idol" wannabes, then "Great World of Sound" is highly recommended.

Great world of sound was in theaters for exactly one week in New York City. This is a horrible shame. Purchase this film so that more like it can be made. Incredibly low budget documentary mixed seamlessly with a touching narrative about flawed people. Kene Holliday gives the performance of his life, and Craig Zobel proves himself a great dirctor on his first feature.

Length:: 0:41 Mins

This movie is about the greyness of ethics as much as music scam artists. Watching this film is a delight. It brilliantly has you rooting for no one but everyone.

I really don`t get how some people considered this movie "hilarious". Maybe the first 10 minutes have funny spots, but after that don`t wait for laughs - unless you`re laughing at other people`s sadness.

A grim movie, quiet and that develops slowly and smoothly, making little things seem so important and sometimes devastating - as they are in life, I guess.

I don`t see this as a movie about "the music industry" either. it`s so much more than that. They could have written it to take place anywhere that it wouldn`t make that much of a difference (but probably would weaken it a little). To me it's about life, how people have hopes, and how others take advantage of that in so many ways.

As I said, a sad movie, but moving, subtle and beautiful.

I laughed throughout this entire movie. Some of its subtle humor, and I think rewatching it will make it even funnier. There's stuff I'm sure I didn't catch the first time around. And Pat Healy and Kene Holliday definitely need to be paired up again in another movie. If not a sequel, then something. Although I'm game for a sequel, I'll watch Martin work any job. Make him a record exec (ah-ha, promotion) in charge of cleaning up music piracy (doh, demotion) .

People seem to either love or hate "Great World of Sound." Some people respond to the part traditional film, part mockumentary format of the movie.

I admit that the premise is wonderful--two guys who need jobs get wrapped up working as "producers" for a record label called Great World of Sound. They audition people looking to be discovered and then require money as the artist's financial commitment. They don't deliver anything other than a crappy recording session; in essence, they swindle unsuspecting artists into giving away their money.

It's a sad yet interesting premise, and its interest is compounded by the fact that the artists auditioning are real people coming in to make it big. They don't appear to know that it's a movie. They actually think they're auditioning for a record label. And then the guys hit them up for money.

As a movie, however, Great World of Sound falls flat. Frankly, it's boring. The actors are good, and the premise is good, but the film would have been a lot better had it been a completely scripted film and did not involve the non-actors. Those parts are simply boring. Even the rest of the movie was slow, but it still had humorous parts.

I hesitate to call this a comedy, though, for I don't remember laughing at all. As a version of American Idol, it works, but it really doesn't critique the American Idol culture. Sure, everyone wants to be a star, even when they're not that good. Maybe they're even willing to pay for it. But don't we already know that from watching American Idol?

Length:: 0:14 Mins

I cannot imagine who would find this delightful. Watching layers of losers try to take advantage of another group of losers was not fun, it was disheartening. I felt sad when it was done. If I was supposed to laugh at the inept and delusional musicians, I sure couldn't. They were mostly well-meaning and earnest people, sometimes overbearing but generally just young and not wanting to wait tables for their whole lives.

No need for a long review. I felt soiled at the conclusion of this film. Not amused. Not entertained. Not informed. Just slightly bored and overwhelmed with pity for those vultures who prey on their weak and needy neighbors.