Rescuing the ailing artistic reputation of classic rock music, Richard Linklater’s School of Rock successfully reignites the passion for heavy guitar solos and expressive vocals amongst youth. Dewey Finn, the protagonist of this comedy takes us on a journey of discovery as he aspires to become a rock legend, through whatever means it takes- even if it means using school kids. The true essence of ‘rock n’ roll’ is unravelled through this film as we explore the school students discovery of a newfound passion and witness tween spirit and rebellion. In the world of rock music, there are usually two types of fans - the casual admirers, and the amped up, wild fanatics. But few of them understand the true meaning and zeal of rock n’ roll as the …show more content…
With a compelling plot, charming cast, and excellent delivery, making the film worth repeated viewings. Hence, I rate this film a 10/10. This raucous crowd pleaser will constantly keep you on the edge of your seat as it gives a nostalgic glimpse into the world of classic rock. It’s almost impossible to find a fault in this story that promotes kids going to school, learning to play an instrument, and being educated on the history of rock …show more content…
It’s witty script proposes an audacious path towards self-realisation and the reality surrounding achieving your dream, all while maintaining excitement in every scene. It becomes evident breaking the rules while following passion to pursue dreams can be highly destructive. This is further embodied throughout the film, each detailed scene picking up decaying band posters plastered on the walls, and unmercifully highlighting the slovenly mess Dewey lives in - as he does “in the name of rock n’ roll.” Although, through this we come to realise enduring problems helps develop strength of character and strengthens our confidence in the expectation of dreams coming true. School of Rock’s upbeat and rhythmic soundtrack accompanies this, complete with ardent guitar solos and enticing vocals. The film’s admiration for classic rock music from the 70’s and 80’s is profound and contagious. School of Rock thrillingly confirms Dewey Finn’s motto, that one great rock show truly can change the world. For all audiences- from young to old- there is no individual that School of Rock’s exploration of passion and becoming apart of a legacy bigger than yourself, will not resonate with. Viewers will experience a burst of rare freshness and vitality as well a surge of inspiration after watching the film, therefore I highly
What makes Grease and Footloose an all-time classic musical film to watch is the way they easily appeal to teenagers then to teenagers now. The catchy tunes, stunning john Travolta in grease, same relatable plots in footloose, along with the wild dance moves in both movies is what makes these two films ironically very similar. Both of the main protagonists in this movie move to new areas, where new influences effect not only their teen romance, yet as well as affect their ability to avoid unwanted people and the sense of being and outsider. However, grease and footloose are taken place in a high school setting where the relationships of each individual is changed due to the social influences brought by their peers. The relatable struggle of peer pressure in today’s society is exactly the same struggles portrayed in the past and in which is shown vividly in these to movies. Peer pressure was inevitable to all the characters; grease showed how the negativity of peer pressure effected Danny and Sandy while Ren and Ariel in footloose showed how peer pressure can have a positive influences throughout their relationship.
Rock n’ roll gave people the voice they did not have in the early years. As the genre of music became more wide spread, people actually began to speak out. Altschuler touches on the exploration of how the rock n' roll culture roughly integrated with replaced and conflicted with preceding cultural values. Many of these values were very touch topics. Besides black civil rights, sexuality were one of the most sensitive t...
...bility to depict rites of passage and coming-of-age scenarios. Frith writes, “…youth music is socially important not because it reflects youth experience (authentically or not), but because it defines for us what ‘youthfulness’ is” (Frith, 143). The soundtrack is still effective because it not only captures the spirit of the times, but also because it captures the concept of youthfulness. The film uses songs that it knows to be classic hits, songs with which the public is still very familiar, even thirty-four years later. It is able to do this with the music that transcends generations and with the plotline to which many people can relate.
“I viewed each of the films at least once…taking notes on the role of the teacher, peer relations, among students, relations between students and adults, student attitudes toward schoolwork, extracurricular activities, the role of the family, the resources of the school, the use of violence and drugs, exploitation of sexuality (4).”
In Rock- The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Yorke provides a chronological approach to rock and roll from 1877- 1974. Although it is not extremely detailed, a general overview of each year’s music is presented. Throughout the book, many descriptive summaries of individual artists may be found along with classic pictures.
Aside from its acting, the other major influence which Mean Streets had upon American film-makers was through it's use of a rock n' roll soundtrack (almost perfectly integrated with the images), and in its depiction of a new kind of screen violence. Unexpected, volatile, explosive and wholly senseless, yet, for all that, undeniably cinematic violence. The way in which Scorsese blends these two - the rock and roll and the violence - shows that he understood instinctively, better than anyone else until then, that cinema (or at least this kind of cinema, the kinetic, visceral kind) and rock n' roll are both expressions of revolutionary instincts, and that they are as inherently destructive as they are creative. This simple device - brutal outbreaks of violence combined with an upbeat soundtrack - has been taken up by both the mainstream cinema at large and by many individual `auteurs', all of whom are in Scorsese's debt - Stone and Tarantino coming at once to mind.
George Helmholtz, as the head of the music department at Lincoln High School, is very determined with his regular students and the gifted musicians of the band. Each semester and year at school he dreams of “leading as fine a band as there was on the face of the earth. And each year it came true”. His certainty that it was true was because he believed there was no greater dream than his. His students were just as confident and in response, they played their hearts out for them. Even the students with “no talent played on guts alone” for Helmholtz.
Rock ‘n’ roll and 20th Century Culture According to Philip Ennis, rock ‘n’ roll emerged from the convergence of social transformations which resulted from World War II (Ryan 927). Despite its pop culture origins, rock music is arguably one of the strongest cultural factors to develop in this century. Artists such as Lennon, McCartney and Dylan defined the emotions of a generation and, in the last decade, it as even been acknowledged by members of the establishment which it hoped to change as a major influence in the country. In order to understand how rock went from a sign of rebellion to a cultural icon, it is necessary to understand where it came from.
In this film we see many typical high school behaviors such as cliques, cattiness, and popularity (or lack there of) issues. Many scenes in this movie have an array of stereotypes. Sometimes they are clearly stated and others just seen through attitudes of the actors/actresses character. Also through out we follow the main clique “the plastics” and they have this image they have to uphold. Be perfect, skinny, the best at everything, and in sync with everything they do; or they wont uphold their status. I chose this film because I think it shows a lot of what we have learned in this course and how it is in real life. Clearly the film is exaggerated but much of
Goldstein, Patrick. “Parents Warn: Take The Sex and Shock Out Of Rock And Roll.” Los Angeles
In closing, the undoubtable influence of music, more specifically of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society is responsible for a number of changes to the status quo. These range from sexual liberation and racial desegregation all culminating with other influences to create an intergenerational identity. Despite the desperate attempts of older generations to smother these influences, these changes ultimately shaped the years that followed, molding the country into what it is today. Along the way these changes as well as individual involvement in them has also eased the lives of many through empowerment and a feeling of community and purpose. Despite a lull and renewal Rock ‘n’ Roll continues to serve as an agent of influence and change in today’s youth culture and continues to burn in the heart of past generations of loyal fans.
McLeese, Don. “The Spirit of a Rocker.” New York Times. 18 October 1987. Web. 11
When Rock arrived on the music charts in the 1950's, a merging of African-American and White music, it made a huge impact on society. As a general rule I am not heavily into music, but I was drawn to Rock for some inexplicable reason. It is just the music I like. This genre will be difficult to write about because the origin of Rock is unclear; there are traces of Rock's style back into the 19th Century. It is also a very broad subject and I will have to compress a lot of information into as few pages as possible. Be that as it may, Rock is, in my opinion the best music genre on the charts.
The music we know as rock and roll emerged in the mid-1950s, although its advent had been on the horizon for at least a decade. A quarter of the American population moved during World War II, and that brought southern, rural, sacred and secular traditions into new contact with urban based music and audiences. The product of many regional musical scenes and independent record labels, rock and roll emerged in Memphis, Los Angeles, Shreveport, New York, Detroit, Baltimore, and dozens of other cities. It was, in historian Charlie Gillett’s words, the Sound of the City.
With continued encouragement and motivation, Dewey starts to gain the trust of his skeptical and untrusting class. Throughout the movie you witness the transformation of each student as they learn to eliminate the “voice of criticism” and start believing in themselves. For example, Tomika, a shy and insecure girl who was afraid to sing in front of her peers because of fear she would be teased about her weight, blossoms into a courageous backup singer who rocks it out on stage at the Battle of the Bands concert. The nerdy keyboard player Lawrence, who Dewy calls “Mr. Cool”, also learns to emerge from his shell and find his inner groove.