Product Details

• Actors: Joe Berlinger, Dan Braun (II), Stefan Chirazi, Erica Forstadt, Mike Gillies
• Directors: Joe Berlinger, Sinofsky, Bruce
• 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
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: January 25, 2005
• Run Time: 141 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0006IIKS0
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,218 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  #3 in	Movies & TV > Music Video & Concerts > Artists > Metallica
  #33 in	Movies & TV > Music Video & Concerts > Hard Rock & Metal

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

96 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guts!, July 9, 2004

By	Tyler Tanner (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

15 of 15 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 7 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 (REAL NAME)

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.