Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster (R)

[Footix]

I've seen a ton of rock documentaries before, and this one's probably my favorite now.

It's directed by the guys who did "Paradise Lost", and is totally compelling from start to finish. You don't really have to be a Metallica fan to appreciate the insight & intimacy this film shows, and the amount of access the band gave the filmmakers is either a testament to their commitment to "keeping it real" to the fans, or sheer lunacy to show such personal stuff to the world.

The movie primarily focuses on:
--the affect of Newsted quitting the band and the search for a replacement
--the rehab & recovery of Hetfield
--the making of St Anger while dealing with the 2 points above
--the influence of a band mediator/psychologist on keeping the group together

Particularly cringeworthy was a scene where Lars meets Dave Mustaine personally for the first time since tossing him from the band, facilitated by the mediator.

Also amazing (to me anyway) was that the band showed a ton of footage showing Bob Rock piecing together much of St Anger on ProTools from clips from "jam sessions". Elektra made such a big deal about the record being cut "live", but that's a totally misleading statement. The film showed much of the songwriting process (the whole album was conceived in the studio), and it's funny to see where some of the ideas for seemingly "deep" songs really come from.

The version I saw was about 160 minutes long, and I'm told it's not going to be cut down much by the time it gets it's proper theatrical release in July. The film was so interesting to me, that the time totally flew by.

http://www.somekindofmonster.com

[nicodemus]

Particularly cringeworthy was a scene where Lars meets Dave Mustaine personally for the first time since tossing him from the band, facilitated by the mediator.

Now, THAT I want to see.

[Footix]

Now, THAT I want to see.

It's way creepy, and Mustaine comes off particularly pathetic. I can't beleive he signed off on letting that scene be in the movie.

[nicodemus]

It's way creepy, and Mustaine comes off particularly pathetic. I can't beleive he signed off on letting that scene be in the movie.
As much as Mustaine seems to give the middle finger to everything else in the world, every interview I've ever seen with him about getting the boot from Metallica he seems genuinely sad and bitter.

[Deuteriumoxide]

As much as Mustaine seems to give the middle finger to everything else in the world, every interview I've ever seen with him about getting the boot from Metallica he seems genuinely sad and bitter.

Because instead of being in Metallica, he stayed being Dave Mustaine...

third rate. :D

I can't wait to see this documentary... I heard about if a few months ago but then forgot. Thanks for reminding me.

Is Jason in it much?

Ha I just saw the Now Playing part... it looks like i'll be waiting for this to come out on DVD.

[slipknotter]

It's way creepy, and Mustaine comes off particularly pathetic. I can't beleive he signed off on letting that scene be in the movie.
I read on Spin that Mustaine actually tried to have that scene taken out, so I guess he knows he's an asshat. Although on his defense, a couple of Megadeth albums were pretty decent.

[Footix]

Is Jason in it much?

Ha I just saw the Now Playing part... it looks like i'll be waiting for this to come out on DVD.

Yeah, without giving it away, Jason's a big part of the movie. Lars' fascination with Echobrain is really interesting.

My screening was a weird mix of media wonks and Metallica fans, and at one point in the movie, Jason's explaining why he quit the band...his one line answer brought yells of agreement and a couple "******** yeah!"'s from the fans' area, much to the enjoyment of the critics in the crowd. I'll not ruin the moment in the film for you by quoting it here.

The "Now Playing" section of the website only lists film festivals it's playing now or very soon...it should open pretty wide in late July.

[Deuteriumoxide]

Yeah, without giving it away, Jason's a big part of the movie. Lars' fascination with Echobrain is really interesting.

My screening was a weird mix of media wonks and Metallica fans, and at one point in the movie, Jason's explaining why he quit the band...his one line answer brought yells of agreement and a couple "******** yeah!"'s from the fans' area, much to the enjoyment of the critics in the crowd. I'll not ruin the moment in the film for you by quoting it here.

The "Now Playing" section of the website only lists film festivals it's playing now or very soon...it should open pretty wide in late July.

awesome. thanks.

[Footix]

It's open now in NYC & LA....last weekend it had a better per-screen gross than Spiderman 2.

[YanksFC]

Just saw the preview last week. I'm not a fan of the band, but this flick looks too good to pass up.

[chad]

at one point in the movie, Jason's explaining why he quit the band...his one line answer brought yells of agreement and a couple "******** yeah!"'s from the fans' area, much to the enjoyment of the critics in the crowd. .

How about putting it in spoiler tags? I don't want to sit through the movie.

Also, it's possible that Peace Sells' riff will last longer in pop culture than any Metallica riff (and I much much prefer old Metallica to any Megadeth). So Dave gets something.

[srd....]

i didnt know about this show you've really wet my appetite now cant wait to see it......

[Malaga CF fan]

Good interview with the directors at the Onion AV club this week.

Check it out...

The Onion AV club interview (http://www.theonionavclub.com/feature/index.php?issue=4028)

[skipshady]

Just saw the preview last week. I'm not a fan of the band, but this flick looks too good to pass up.
Same for me. Saw the preview earlier this summer and it looked great.

[655321]

Wish the exception of Ride the Lightning and Garage Days Re-revisited, I haven't given two craps about Metallica since they absolutely ruled my middle school skateboarding days. However, I've heard only good things about this doc. I think the guys who did "Brothers Keeper" did this, no??

[Footix]

I think the guys who did "Brothers Keeper" did this, no??

Yes, and also the "Paradise Lost" docs.