Product Details

• Actors: Joe Berlinger, Dan Braun (II), Stefan Chirazi, Erica Forstadt, Mike Gillies
• Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: January 25, 2005
• Run Time: 141 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (171 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0006IIKS0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,390 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Metallica - Some Kind of Monster" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With voyeuristic intensity, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster explores the intricate connections that are created, nurtured, and challenged between members of a long-lasting band. That this intimate odyssey of group therapy and self-discovery involves Metallica--the most successful heavy metal group of all time--is just one reason this film is so uniquely fascinating. Having proven their documentary skills with Brother's Keeper and Paradise Lost (which included Metallica in its soundtrack), filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky spent two years with Metallica as the band survived the defection of long-time bassist Jason Newsted, struggled to record St. Anger, and recruited $40,000-per-month "performance enhancement coach" Phil Towle to counsel members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett as they confronted alcoholism, creative obstacles, and themselves in an effort to determine the viability of Metallica's future. With sincere hope, honest discussion, and the hiring of new bassist Robert Trujillo, Metallica battle their personal and professional demons, showing the vulnerable side of a business that thrives on raging testosterone. The effort pays off for everyone involved, especially the fans: Like the ultimate backstage pass, Some Kind of Monster is a healing journey into the hard-beating heart of rock & roll. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

Featuring the most successful heavy metal band of all time, METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER offers a revealing and exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the legendary band as they confront personal demons and their relationships with each other while recording their Grammy-winning album, St. Anger.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enter Shrinkman, February 4, 2005

By 

G P Padillo "paolo" (Portland, ME United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Metallica - Some Kind of Monster (DVD)

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting for fan and non-fan alike, November 13, 2005

By 

M. Gregory (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Metallica - Some Kind of Monster (DVD)

Very good documentary that will appeal to anyone with a keen interest in the inner workings of a rock band. Equal parts redemption story and kitchen-sink drama, "Metallica - Some Kind of Monster" is an honest but self-indulgent look into the private world of multi-millionaire rockers who, at the end of the day, simply cannot communicate their love and respect for each other, and the band they have made so famous.

Band leader James Hetfield, fresh out of rehab, constantly locks horns with "I-just-wanna-play-rock-n-roll" drummer Lars Ulrich, and spends most of his time fretting over his self-imposed 4-hour per day work schedule, and whether he even wants to be in the band anymore. Ulrich meanwhile fakes interest in Hetfield's mental recovery, the farcical "lyrics-by-committee" approach to the new record, and seems happiest when his multi-million dollar collection of modern art goes under the hammer for record prices. Guitarist Kirk Hammett equivocates on most of the key decisions and discussions, but comes off as a straightforward guy just wanting the best for his band and his buddies. All of which, much to Metallica's credit, is captured mercilessly by the camera crew. This includes the most bizarre aspect of the film, in which an ever present middle-aged Dr. Eugene Landy-type, hired by the band for $40k per month to help guide and mediate their feelings towards one another, presides over most of the discussion, and hilariously tries to ingratiate himself into the band in a creative capacity. He is clearly a chancer, despised by Ulrich in particular, and living on borrowed time. The scene, in which even Hetfield himself has had enough of this pseudo-guru, and tries to fire him, is perhaps the most uncomfortable in the whole film.

Coming off best are producer Bob Rock - clearly the voice of reason, and clearly the only person respected by all the band - who gently draws out of Metallica the record they want to make, and new bass player, Robert Trujillo, whose audition sparks the first genuine musical camaraderie in the whole documentary. His arrival seems the perfect denouement to the film as Hetfield and Ulrich's two-decade friendship is refreshed, and they begin to see new potential and meaning to playing in their band. Recommended.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Film, but........, February 9, 2005

By 

S. Sokolinsky "deliverance" (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Metallica - Some Kind of Monster (DVD)

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.