School of Rock (Linklater, 2003)

"School of Rock" is a very predictable film. It's a comedy, where a guy (mind you, a guy who has failed at life thus far, but will be turned around by the love of children by the end of the film) pretends to be something he's not, is found out after the charade goes bad and is removed. But everyone still love him for who he is ... and he's welcomed back into a compromise and everyone's happy.

All that aside: I absolutely love this movie.

The man with a crappy life is Dewey Finn (Jack Black -- the man), a failed rock star down on his luck. Short on his rent, unemployed and recently kicked out of his band, Dewey has hit rock bottom. But Dewey hatches a brilliant scheme to pose as a substitute teacher. It's an easy gig -- watch a bunch of brats for a few hours and get paid $650 a week to do it. But Dewey finds something else in that classroom -- the heart of rock n' roll.

"School of Rock" is a wonderfully entertaining film, with great comedic performances from Black, Joan Cusack and Sarah Silverman. It's one of the best "kid" movies to come around in years. However, it's very loosely a kid's film. It's rated PG-13, and it's a little raunchier than your average Disney fodder. But it's by no means inappropriate -- in fact, I'd say it's vastly more enjoyable for the family because of the rating. The kids get a good laugh, and the parents get a good chuckle.

It's a very accessible film. Definitely a top-notch foray into the world of rock n' roll.

The Final Verdict: 8/10