State of Rock (2008) Reviews

• Amazing, haunting, mesmerizing

  nullenfoid2008-12-13

  I was lucky enough to catch this incredible documentary at the Mammoth, CA film festival and had no idea what I was in store for especially when that guy Constantine came on screen. I didn't realize until the Q & A with the filmmakers afterward that it was shot long before he did whatever he did on American Idol. This is a haunting, dirty, gritty insider documentary that you can't get out of your head and really goes deep into the REAL life of struggling wannabe rock stars and those who gave it up and those who never would nor should. It follows a band in New York (Brooklyn, I think) that apparently was just about to make it when the lead singer took off, but it also has unforgettable interviews with people that have had varying degrees of success in and out of the rock industry. This one roadie (Brucie?) they interview and follow around is great. A guy that used to be in a band who is now a businessman because of the Jerky Boys telling you all the inside stuff that goes on that you never hear about. One of the singers that I thought was really good who suddenly just starts singing an acoustic song later in the film that I still can't get out of my head. And I won't give it away, of course but the ending is so poignant and straightforward that there were actually people tearing up in the theater. Forget any of the glitzy, way-too-slick MTV fake "rockumentaries" out there (sorry Scorsese) that just glamorize everything for the sheep. If you want to see what it REALLY takes to make it in the rock and roll world, SEE THIS MOVIE!!

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