Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Long live rock!" in a Terrific Documentary, September 2, 2005
In the eyes of parents, teachers should be role models that help point students in the right direction. This guiding quality in teachers comes with much responsibility, as children have a naïve perception of society where the teachers become one of the major sources of knowledge and wisdom. Some of this responsibility rests within the professionalism of the educators, as it will help provide a healthy and enlightening environment for students. On occasion, it even seems like teachers must be on a level close to divinity, or sainthood. Paul Green who founded and runs the Paul Green School of Rock Music illustrates a defiant opposition to the parents' perception of the teaching profession.
"I am probably not qualified to teach" is one of the first things that the colorful character Green states in Rock School. His persona will undoubtedly raise some eyebrows, as he frequently swears in the presence of the students whose age ranges between nine and 17. He even goes to the depth of openly discussing Satanism with the students, which will certainly create some heated debates. There are also moments when he becomes very confrontational with the students where he screams and swears. He is the opposite of Jack Black's character that the audience can find in School of Rock (2003). Despite these qualities of Green, the students return with a deep burning desire to the school to practice and hone their musical talents.
The school of rock has an internal hierarchy where the students climb, as their skills improve. With the progress of the students skills Green intensifies his attention to those with exceptional talent while he nurtures those who are struggling. There is not a single student who seems to disappear in the crowd of the 120 students who attend the music school, and he never turns his back on any student regardless of talent. Green's sense for perfection also seems to rub off onto the students, as he demands the students to play whatever piece they are practicing with precise skillfulness. And if the student does not produce what is expected they quickly learn that a skipped practice is a missed opportunity.
The endless hours of practice lead up to the season when the students perform their acquired skills on stage. Two of the recitals include an introductory Black Sabbath show and a performance to pay their respect to the Guitar Gods. In addition, the best students are given the opportunity to travel to Germany and perform in the Zappanale festival for Frank Zappa fans from all over the world. During these performances, the audience gets the opportunity to see the students shine, as their skills emerge and they recognize their own progress in an overwhelming flood of applause.
One of his students says, "He is different around parents", about Green, which suggests that Green is aware of what is socially acceptable. Yet, the audience will recognize a behavioral tendency that many would not appreciate from their children's teachers. It is obvious that he is not always a role model. Many would consider Green dangerous and even damaging to the children. Yet, the students both love and hate Green, as he pushes them to improve. And it is not to the final test when the students truly discover the gift that Green has bestowed them. Jimmy Carl Black, the drummer in Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, recognizes Greens efforts to whom he pleads "I hope you continue this, man."
It is with mixed feeling that the audience will see Green and his attempt to make musicians of the children. There are moments where the audience will drop their jaw on the floor, but it is not always for the same reason. At times the film induces laughter, and in others seriousness. This is certainly an intriguing documentary, which will give many reasons to argue what is right, or wrong, in regards to education. Regardless, it is obvious that Green succeeded with what he was sent out to accomplish with the highest mark. So remember, "Long live rock!"
|
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Zappa fans, check this out!, February 15, 2006
I rented this movie under the advice of a coworker and was a little bothered at first because it seemed to drag on with no real direction. One thing I did like was that the teacher set Frank Zappa's music as the highest bar to reach at the school. In the end the kids get to go to Germany and play at a Zappa fest called "Zappanale". Napoleon Murphy Brock joins the kids (between nine and seventeen years old) for "Inca Roads". And they do a fantastic job! If you are a Zappa fan I think you would probably enjoy this movie as much as I did. Just stick with it to the end.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Making the Future of Rock'N' Roll., September 21, 2005
Guitarist and former aspiring rock star Paul Green, founder and director of Philadelphia's "The Paul Green School of Rock Music" wants to Give You the Gift of Rock! And how. What started as music lessons for 17 young people at his apartment every week is now an after school program with a faculty and over 120 9-17-year-old students enrolled. In "Rock School", filmmaker Don Argott explores the dynamics and accomplishments of this unusual school through interviews, concerts, and daily activities with Paul Green and a handful of the students. Paul Green's overbearing, manic personality drives this film and bears the responsibility for keeping the audience hooked. His goals for his students are to "get them as good as possible" and to "get them on stage in front of as many people" as possible. But his methods are unconventional and startling at first. Paul is a foul-mouthed, elitist, egomaniac. He berates the students, makes fun of them, and challenges them...with surprisingly good results.
Don Argott has chosen an eclectic group of students to follow, from beginning children to expert young adults. We get a picture of how the school operates and to what ends through interviews with students, parents, and with Paul. Tucker and Asa Collins are 9-year-old twins who struggle to learn drums and guitar and perform Black Sabbath. Madi Diaz-Svalgard is a multi-talented musician and vocalist always at odds with Paul. Teenagers Julie and Eric Slick seem unruffled by Paul's methods and influenced by his ideas. Will O'Conner is a morose young man, consumed with self-pity, with no apparent musical talent, but he acts as a kind of intellectual foil to Paul. The school's star pupil is 12-year-old guitarist C.J. Tywoniak, who is just plain extraordinary. Rock School's most accomplished musicians specialize in Frank Zappa, and they were invited to play the 2003 "Zappa Now" (Zappanale) festival in Bad Doberon, Germany. The film follows them there, and we get to see them play, which is a treat.
Some might be put off by Paul Green's methods, but they're as much the essence of "The Paul Green School of Rock Music" as the music is. At least Paul could never be accused of patronizing his students. He might not be an interesting character if he were not so self-aware. "My ego's as big as the universe," he says. "So if I couldn't be the best guitar player, I invented something new so I could be the best at it." This film shows us how "The Paul Green School of Rock Music" strives to be the best rock school and to produce the best musicians. Paul Green is going to get his name in "Rolling Stone" magazine one way or another. If it seems like there isn't enough footage of the students playing in this film, it is because the filmmakers could not get or could not afford the rights to many songs. Films shot with handheld DV cameras can be a grating at times, and I would have liked to see more commentary from the school's faculty, but "Rock School" is an engaging look at some talented young musicians and their manic mentor.
The DVD (Columbia/Tristar 2005): Bonus features include 20 deleted scenes, a theatrical trailer (2 minutes), and an audio commentary with director/cinematographer Don Argott, producer Sheena Joyce, and editor Demian Fenton. Argott, Joyce, and Fenton discuss their editing decisions, the film's structure, their shooting style, their experiences filming, and talk about the people in the film. Their enthusiasm for the music and the project really come through in the commentary. Subtitles for the film are available in English.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
See all Editorial Reviews
