I adore this movie. It is so well crafted. From the writing, the casting, music selection, etc. Every time I watch it, it's still just as great as the first time seeing it in the theater.
The film does a fictional band incredibly well, which is not always easy to pull off (That Thing You Do! is another successful attempt that comes to mind).
One of the best rock themed movies of all time written by a Hollywood legend. Crowe wrote and/or directed amazing films like Jerry Maguire, We Bought a Zoo (criminally underrated), Vanilla Sky, Singles (one of my favorite movies of the 90s), Fast Times at Ridgemont High and one of my all-time favorite movies, Say Anything, maybe the best, smartest teen movie ever.
Cameron Crowe was married to Nancy Wilson and the soundtrack credits go to her. The great thing is, like most of us, she's a real fan as well as being in the biz. She really did a magnificent job. The soundtrack matches the storytelling very well.
Yeah, 2wice he shows up. First, at the Hyatt (Riot) house and later at the road manager's poker game as Humble Pie's manager (Fun fact: he was a co-founder of Humble Pie)
@@nellgwenn She actually wrote all of the soundtrack music - the music that are not performed as formal 'songs'. She does the soundtrack for several of his movies and it's SO recognisable to me now. The best example is the scene where Penny gets on the plane after she ODs and William is running down the airport saying goodbye to her hand in the window. Sorry I took so long to respond, Nell.
My favorite moment in this film is when that secondary "Band Aid" finds herself on the phone with William's mother, and gives a great little impromptu speech that is actually very sweet and more or less accurate -- basically saying that he's a good guy with a good head on his shoulders, and his mother should maybe recognize and appreciate that just a little more than she does at that point. I also love the portrayal of William 's mother. She's a fascinating depiction of a mid-'70s liberal, liberated woman who also has some very retrograde opinions about the counterculture that she sees surrounding her. She'd never vote for Nixon, but she thinks rock 'n roll is dangerous. It's a nice mixing of stereotypes that nevertheless feels totally realistic and individual.
great description of William's mother. Frances McDormand is so thrilling in her ability to convey everything you are saying here-and to do so with hilarity right underneath. I end up LOVING her as a character even with or especially because of all of these contradictions. well said. thanks for posting.
So happy you got to this one, Gents. Three small things I love in this film - when we see Stillwater playing Fever Dog, San Diego is taped on the band's monitors, Jason Lee's subtle eyebrow raise at 31:25 to try to make sure Leslie knows Russell has been with Penny, and Jason Lee again, as Jeff Bebe, yelling to the Gods "Is it that hard to make us look cool?" all while wearing a Jeff Bebe Band t-shirt with his face on it. Keep up the good work!
Patrick Fugit is an underrated actor. "Lock the gates" guy is comedian Marc Maron. Unrelated but if you haven't seen Dazed and confused, Empire Records, or Lost in Translation, i recommend them for the channel. "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
In my opinion I think this is one of the best coming of age movies I've seen. But as a record of rock bands it kind of annoys me. Parts of the story needed to be eliminated to get a PG rating, I can understand that. But a story about a rock band no. You never hear or watch them rehearse, or practice, or even going over songs. They just roam around. I don't know how it works when your true life story intersects with other people's true life story. That's the part that really irks me. I laugh when they get to the part where Russell gets electrocuted. Because that happened to Jimmy Page in Tempe, where I live. And to have someone come in and tell them if they had kept playing they could have sued ASU. And then saying you owe the record company more than you got just makes me laugh. Oh how I wish they got someone to play Peter Grant. That would have been perfect. I did like Phillip's Lester Bangs character. I thought that was the most compelling relationship in the movie. I also loved his mom. I could have hung out with her all day. I would love a follow up to where he learns how to deal with those ridiculous rock stars. If you like coming of age movies one of my favorites is Dick (1999) It's a comedy. The coming of age of two best friends played by Michelle Williams and Kirsten Dunst. It takes place in Washington D.C. with Watergate as the backdrop. Imagine Harry Sheerer as G. Gordon Liddy and Will Farrell as Bob Woodward. You guys love The West Wing so much I think you would enjoy the ride. I highly recommend it.
Elizabethtown is a film that I like some isolated bits well enough, but when stitched together to form the movie, I just find the end result extremely annoying.
I remember when it was released (Crowe was running high at the time after this and Jerry McGuire), and the overall sense of disappointment audiences and critics were reporting.
I really liked Elizabethtown. It was just an offbeat little film perfectly made for me. I also like a film called safety not guaranteed with Aubrey plaza. Another little sleeper that really lives up to the the expectations of Independent studio. Plus I mean you got Mark duplas working on it so there's that too.
I haven't seen it, but I do have friends who also kind of liked it (they said they were most bothered by the manic pixie dream girl trope, who I think was played by Kirsten Dunst).
I adore this movie. It is so well crafted. From the writing, the casting, music selection, etc. Every time I watch it, it's still just as great as the first time seeing it in the theater.
The film does a fictional band incredibly well, which is not always easy to pull off (That Thing You Do! is another successful attempt that comes to mind).
Agreed. I love this movie.
One of the best rock themed movies of all time written by a Hollywood legend. Crowe wrote and/or directed amazing films like Jerry Maguire, We Bought a Zoo (criminally underrated), Vanilla Sky, Singles (one of my favorite movies of the 90s), Fast Times at Ridgemont High and one of my all-time favorite movies, Say Anything, maybe the best, smartest teen movie ever.
I haven't seen most of those, but as a kid, I love Fast Times (although I was too young to really understand a lot of it).
@@watchthiswithjoeandkevin6 If I had to pick 2 of those for you to react to (if you haven't seen them already) it'd be Singles and Say Anything.
He actually toured with the Allman Brothers at age 15
Yep. And Greg Allman was his "elusive interview."
In a million years, I never would have guessed the Allman Brothers.
@@watchthiswithjoeandkevin6 Haha.
@@watchthiswithjoeandkevin6 and Led Zeppelin. I think he said it was Jimmy Page on acid at the teenage house party lol
Cameron Crowe was married to Nancy Wilson and the soundtrack credits go to her. The great thing is, like most of us, she's a real fan as well as being in the biz. She really did a magnificent job. The soundtrack matches the storytelling very well.
The band cast members actually learned how to play their instruments & sing, taught by Peter Frampton (who also wrote the original music)
I am SO mad I didn't recognize Frampton in his cameo. :)
Yeah, 2wice he shows up. First, at the Hyatt (Riot) house and later at the road manager's poker game as Humble Pie's manager (Fun fact: he was a co-founder of Humble Pie)
I thought his wife, Nancy Wilson wrote some of that music.
@@nellgwenn She actually wrote all of the soundtrack music - the music that are not performed as formal 'songs'. She does the soundtrack for several of his movies and it's SO recognisable to me now.
The best example is the scene where Penny gets on the plane after she ODs and William is running down the airport saying goodbye to her hand in the window.
Sorry I took so long to respond, Nell.
The Tiny Dancer scene is iconic Hollywood.
I adored it. Truly.
I really didn't like that scene. I thought they could have picked a better Elton John song.
@@nellgwenn you're insane.
@@jthomann71 I just never really liked that song. I thought Blue Canoe would have been better.
@@nellgwenn Tiny Dancer is one of the best songs he ever did. Nobody but you thinks Blue Canoe would be a better song for that scene.
One of my top 3 comfort movies of all time
It really is a nice warm-blanket kind of movie, isn't it?
Lester Bangs, real guy, THE writer of his generation on rock
I read a little about him after we watched. Legend.
Strong contender for the top 20 films of all time. Easily in the top 50.
REALLY rewatchable, too.
My favorite moment in this film is when that secondary "Band Aid" finds herself on the phone with William's mother, and gives a great little impromptu speech that is actually very sweet and more or less accurate -- basically saying that he's a good guy with a good head on his shoulders, and his mother should maybe recognize and appreciate that just a little more than she does at that point.
I also love the portrayal of William 's mother. She's a fascinating depiction of a mid-'70s liberal, liberated woman who also has some very retrograde opinions about the counterculture that she sees surrounding her. She'd never vote for Nixon, but she thinks rock 'n roll is dangerous. It's a nice mixing of stereotypes that nevertheless feels totally realistic and individual.
great description of William's mother. Frances McDormand is so thrilling in her ability to convey everything you are saying here-and to do so with hilarity right underneath. I end up LOVING her as a character even with or especially because of all of these contradictions. well said. thanks for posting.
Agreed. Frances McDourmand's character was fantastic. Equal parts sympathetic and frustrating. Just great work.
@@watchthiswithjoeandkevin6 Cameron Crowe's mother was actually on the set.
So happy you got to this one, Gents. Three small things I love in this film - when we see Stillwater playing Fever Dog, San Diego is taped on the band's monitors, Jason Lee's subtle eyebrow raise at 31:25 to try to make sure Leslie knows Russell has been with Penny, and Jason Lee again, as Jeff Bebe, yelling to the Gods "Is it that hard to make us look cool?" all while wearing a Jeff Bebe Band t-shirt with his face on it. Keep up the good work!
Thanks! This was a perfect role for Jason Lee, and I think he is the perfect 70's-period actor.
Patrick Fugit is an underrated actor.
"Lock the gates" guy is comedian Marc Maron.
Unrelated but if you haven't seen Dazed and confused, Empire Records, or Lost in Translation, i recommend them for the channel.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
Peter Frampton is a lot of the guitar work being played...
It's so great that he got to have a cameo in the film as well.
28:53 The guy on the left, who wins Penny? Peter Freaking Frampton ♥
I KNOW! I can't believe I didn't recognize him!!
Mans always got the big sugar free Red Bull.. respect
For sure. I just stick to coffee!
almost famous is great
i am a golden god line was epic
Kate was nominated but did not win the Oscar
Thanks! For some reason, I thought she had won.
Great reaction.I love this movie
I wonder what band this might be based on. Um, all of them?
Apparently it was largely based on Crowe's time touring with the Allman Brothers.
@@watchthiswithjoeandkevin6 There are some Alice Cooper moments, and of course Led Zeppelin.
In my opinion I think this is one of the best coming of age movies I've seen.
But as a record of rock bands it kind of annoys me. Parts of the story needed to be eliminated to get a PG rating, I can understand that. But a story about a rock band no. You never hear or watch them rehearse, or practice, or even going over songs. They just roam around.
I don't know how it works when your true life story intersects with other people's true life story. That's the part that really irks me.
I laugh when they get to the part where Russell gets electrocuted. Because that happened to Jimmy Page in Tempe, where I live. And to have someone come in and tell them if they had kept playing they could have sued ASU. And then saying you owe the record company more than you got just makes me laugh. Oh how I wish they got someone to play Peter Grant. That would have been perfect.
I did like Phillip's Lester Bangs character. I thought that was the most compelling relationship in the movie. I also loved his mom. I could have hung out with her all day.
I would love a follow up to where he learns how to deal with those ridiculous rock stars.
If you like coming of age movies one of my favorites is Dick (1999) It's a comedy. The coming of age of two best friends played by Michelle Williams and Kirsten Dunst. It takes place in Washington D.C. with Watergate as the backdrop. Imagine Harry Sheerer as G. Gordon Liddy and Will Farrell as Bob Woodward.
You guys love The West Wing so much I think you would enjoy the ride.
I highly recommend it.
Elizabethtown is a film that I like some isolated bits well enough, but when stitched together to form the movie, I just find the end result extremely annoying.
I remember when it was released (Crowe was running high at the time after this and Jerry McGuire), and the overall sense of disappointment audiences and critics were reporting.
loved vanilla sky. you're crazy.
Sorry. I am just never a fan of the "it was all a dream" stories.
One of the most overrated movies ever. Hudson didn’t deserve an ounce of her nomination.
Not everything is for everyone. We thought it was spectacular.
I really liked Elizabethtown. It was just an offbeat little film perfectly made for me. I also like a film called safety not guaranteed with Aubrey plaza. Another little sleeper that really lives up to the the expectations of Independent studio. Plus I mean you got Mark duplas working on it so there's that too.
I haven't seen it, but I do have friends who also kind of liked it (they said they were most bothered by the manic pixie dream girl trope, who I think was played by Kirsten Dunst).