Judy (2019) - Capital Zellweger comeback drives winning biopic

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+ Best Biopic of the Year + Best Comeback Actress of the Year: Renée Zellweger

Zellweger in a moment of serene calm as the title character of Rupert Goold's Judy on this simple poster

Judy Garland is a cultural icon by 1969, - but she is also a single mother of two, who is broke. Her way to secure a home for them, she believes, is a concert engagement in London without them.

Judy is written by Tom Edge (The Crown (2016-17)), based on Peter Quilter's (Saving Jason (2016)) play End of the Rainbow (2005), and directed by great English filmmaker Rupert Goold (True Story (2015)).
The story almost eerily resembles the story of one of last year's best pictures, Jon S. Baird's masterpiece Stan & Ollie (2018), detailing Laurel & Hardy's English tour in their career's fall.
The England that Garland travels to is more than a decade later, in the grips of 'flower power', anti-authority outlooks and a young generation with little regard for the past and its cultural heroes; she still can strike up sizable crowds of the bourgeoisie and gays, who have adored her for decades. In one of the film's winning sequences, Garland exits the grand Talk of the Town concert hall to find two men waiting in the dark for her autograph. The violence of so many films have instilled a natural wariness and premonition towards men lurking in the dark, but this scene culminates movingly in the couple's apartment, where Judy bonds with two of her doting, loyal gay fans.
Critics will point out that there are so many films of artists in the autumn of their careers like Judy, and there are, but that is because there are many human and poignant true stories about artists in the autumn of their careers. And Judy is another one, about one of the most fascinating and talented stars of the 20th century. Her final weeks and death were indeed sad, pitched against the glory and joy her singing and performances gave so many, but the film also shows how her personality was shaped by love for her children, how she was a rare and consummate singer and performer, and how she battled despair, disappointments and addiction with humor and intelligence.
Making the film, - carrying it, in fact, - is Renée Zellweger (Chicago (2002)), who inhabits the unique artist with incredible orchestration of her frame, movement and expression. Zellweger's Garland is mannered, nerve-ridden, often on-edge; watch footage of Garland from the period, and you'll see that she was a lot like this. Zellweger also doesn't shy away from the unattractive sides that would be missing, had they been whisked from Judy, SPOILER for this is not a portrait of Garland young and at the height of her career but in the weeks leading up to her tragic drug overdose death at age 47 in 1969.
Supporting actors of note are Rufus Sewell (The Legend of Zorro (2005)) as Judy's ex-husband, whose detrimental effects on her fiscal situation are only hinted at, and Finn Wittrock (La La Land (2016)) as Garland's last husband, Mickey Deans.
Judy also features seamless hair, makeup and prosthetics magic as well as great costumes.
Don't miss Zellweger's performance on a big screen.

Related post:

Rupert Goold: 2019 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

2019 in films - according to Film Excess

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: Unknown
Box office: 31.1 mil. $ and counting
= Uncertain
[Judy premiered 30 August (Telluride Film Festival, Colorado) and runs 118 minutes. Shooting took place in London, England, from March 2018 - ?. The script takes few creative licenses, (SPOILER among them are the finishing joint concert hall singing of Over the Rainbow), and is generally faithful to facts from Garland's life. Garland's iconic actress-superstar daughter Liza Minnelli has stated that the film did not "approve or sanction" the film and won't see it. The film opened #7 to a 2.9 mil. $ first weekend in 461 in North America, where it peaked at #6 and in 1,627 theaters (different weeks) and has grossed 21.5 mil. $ to date. The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets yet are the UK with 8.1 mil. $ and Australia with 0.9 mil. $. The film is set to open in several more major markets, including Italy, Germany, France and Spain, from November - February 2020 and is a hot contender for Oscar nominations. If made on a likely 20-30 mil. $ budget, the film still has some way to go before turning profitable. Goold does not have his next project announced yet, and the same goes for Zellweger. Judy is certified fresh at 83 % with a 7.02/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Judy?

Splinter (2008) - Solid effects alone don't a great horror make

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Splintery growths protrude from the disgusting hand on this gore-promising poster for Toby Wilkins' Splinter

A sweet young couple on anniversary camping decide to give up their plans for the night for the easier option; a motel. But on their way there, they are upheld by a less sweet criminal couple with engine problems. Then a scary monster attacks!

Splinter is written by Ian Shorr (Rigged (2008)) and Kai Barry (Juko's Time Machine (2011)) and directed by feature-debuting Toby Wilkins (Devil's Trade (2007, TV-series)).
Despite a good-looking monster and solid gore effects, - often pretty gross ones, - Splinter never becomes a good horror, because it seems the majority of the energy - and budget - behind it have gone into this area of the film. Neither the plot, which almost all plays out at a gas station, or the four not too engaging or interesting characters impress, and the film's overall style seems visibly restrained by budgetary concerns.
There doesn't seem to be any deeper meaning behind the horrors of Splinter, and they made me yawn more than shiver, regrettably. Splinter is thankfully short, though.

 

Related post:

 

2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III] 

2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II] 

There are no relevant Splinter videos available at Youtube, so here is a video of Wilkins' birthday party during his work on Teen Wolf (2011, TV-series)

Cost: Unknown
Box office: 491k $
= Uncertain - but likely a mega-flop
[Splinter premiered 31 October (USA) and runs 82 minutes. Shooting took place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The film opened #81 to a 9k $ first weekend in 4 theaters in North America, its peak there, where it played only one more week and grossed 14k $ (2.9 % of the total gross). It was shown on the HDNet Movies satelite channel 3 days prior to the theatrical release. The biggest 3 of the film's 7 original release markets (a re-release was done in Bolivia in 2012) were Turkey with 152k $ (31 %), Venezuela with 84k $ (17.1 %) and UAE with 78k $ (15.9 %). The film's budget has not been publicized, but it made on a likely, low 1 mil. $, the film would count as a mega-flop. Wilkins returned with The Grudge 3 (2009). Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire (2010-14)) returned in The Killing Room (2009). Splinter is fresh at 74 % with a 6.31/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Splinter?

Sex and the City (2008) - Parker & Co. return with delightful gusto in King's great debut

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In giant, glittering pink types, this simple poster for Michael Patrick King's Sex and the City promises more of the unabashed feminine escapism that was the TV-series' trademark

  
Carrie and Big, the New York society writer's long-time on/off handsome boyfriend, negotiates their way to a wedding, which is prepared by Carrie; but something goes wrong, and both of them and friend couple Miranda and Steve break up.

Sex and the City is written and directed by feature-debuting Michael Patrick King (Good Advice (1994, TV-series)) and is the movie continuation of the same-titled 1998-04 hit TV-series, which King also wrote for and executive produced.
Yes, this is fluff and totally ridiculous in many ways, but if you stick with the film past its first twenty minutes, I bet you won't want to leave it for its following two hours.
The four regular stars are all back in enthusiastic top shape in a fine, rousing, ultimately touching story, which seems to round off two of the most important relationships from the series perfectly.
Kim Cattrall (City Limits (1984)) is fabulous and delivers several of the film's funniest moments as Samantha, who also seems to move on somehow as a character, although whereto is unclear. Sarah Jessica Parker (Miami Rhapsody (1995)) is simply wonderful as Carrie and acts every moment real and to-the-bone.
The production is fittingly flamboyant and delicious to behold in terms of cinematography, design and locations. - But it is especially the costume department that deserves praise, headed by Patricia Field (He's My Girl (1987)), because the outfits contribute in making Sex and the City extra exciting, wild, funny and worth seeing.

Related posts:

Michael Patrick King: Sex and the City 2 (2010) - F the haters, love the fantasy 

2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]  

Mr. Big proposes to Carrie in this clip from the movie

Cost: 65 mil. $
Box office: 415.2 mil. $
= Huge hit (returned 6.38 times its cost)
[Sex and the City premiered 12 May (London, UK) and runs 145 minutes (a 151 minute extended cut also exists.) Cattrall was critical of a film immediately after the series' conclusion. HBO co-financed the film with Time Warner sister company New Line Cinema. Shooting took place in California, including Los Angeles, and in New York from September 2007 - January 2008. More than 300 outfits were used in the film. It opened #1 to a 57 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it spent another week in the top 5 (#4) and grossed 152.6 mil. $ (36.8 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 52.2 mil. $ (12.6 mil. $) and Germany with 27.1 mil. $ (6.5 %). Roger Ebert gave the film a 2/4 star review, translating to 3 notches harder than this one. King returned with Sex and the City 2 (2010), the hit movie's sequel, which also featured the 4 stars. Parker returned first in Did You Hear about the Morgans? (2009); Cattrall in The Simpsons (2004-09) and theatrically in The Ghost Writer (2010); Cynthia Nixon (Little Manhattan (2005)) in Lymelife (2008); and Kristin Davis (Mann & Machine (1992, TV-series)) in Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends (2004-09)) and theatrically in Couples Retreat (2009). Sex and the City is rotten at 50 % with a 5.55/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Sex and the City?

Shelter (2007) or, Surfing Out of the Closet

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A bright seaside setting, bared chests and bedside gay romance is promised on this poster for Jonah Markowitz's Shelter

Zach is a breakfast chef, who makes some street-art on the side and tries to keep the peace with his unsatisfied girlfriend, when his good friend's big brother shows up and sweeps him off his feet.

Shelter is written and directed by debuting Jonah Markowitz (Hung Up (2003, short)). It is a low-budget indie, which plays out among Californians, who are a bit stuck in their lives but still have to get out surfing and being on the beach on an almost daily basis, which makes them very hard to relate to for me at least.
Zach's sister is very unreasonable and adds some opposition to the story for a while, but fatally for Shelter, the two actors who play Zach and Shaun, the guy he falls for, don't have much chemistry or attraction cinematically.
Shelter is well-meant but seen better elsewhere before and after its release, essentially a banal coming-out movie.

Watch a trailer for the film with Spanish subtitles here

Cost: 0.5 mil. $
Box office: 142k $
=  Mega-flop (returned 0.28 times its cost)
[Shelter premiered 16 June (Frameline Film Festival, San Francisco) and runs 88 minutes. Shooting took place in 21 days in California, including Los Angeles. The film grossed 142k $ in North America and does not have listed grosses from any other markets. Markowitz has not directed a feature since but has moved more into production design. Trevor Wright (Special Ed (2005)) returned in Vacancy 2: The First Cut (2008); Brad Rowe (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2005, TV-series)) in 4 TV credits prior to his next theatrical acting credit in National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007). Shelter is rotten at 58 % with a 5.72/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Shelter?

Synecdoche, New York (2008) - Kaufman's depressing, pretentious debut, eerily tied to Hoffman's tragic real-life end

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A bizarre, manipulated version of a Manhattan cityscape - with a Zeppelin floating through its overcrowded sky, - makes up this interest-building poster for Charlie Kaufman's Synecdoche, New York

New York theater director Caden experiences that his wife leaves him to go to Berlin with their daughter. He ventures on new relationships and a mammoth play set in a warehouse, which he works on for 40 years!

Synecdoche, New York is written and directed by Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich (1999, screenwriter)) in his directorial debut.
The debacle of Synecdoche, New York starts with Philip Seymour Hoffman's (Red Dragon (2002)) insufferably anguished performance as Caden, which in an uncanny way presages the great actor's own real-life drug-fueled death in 2014: Caden is staging Death of a Salesman, which is the devastating play that Hoffman was actually acting in, when he let his demons get the best of him, resulting is his drug-fueled death in 2014. Furthermore Caden's therapist in Synecdoche, New York asks him, why he killed himself: "I don't know", he answers. Hoffman's lead character is also a hypochondriac, highly involved in his own bowel movements and seemingly incapable of experiencing joy.
Synecdoche, New York is a long row of absurdist scenes, (Samantha Morton (Sweet and Lowdown (1999)) lives in a burning house, for instance), where actors overtake each others' roles, - which is understandably confusing, - while audiences like me will find themselves either zoning out or downright falling asleep.
An impressive amount of work has been done to erect this blown-up pile of ideas, which never becomes a satisfying whole. It is a film about death and death anxiety, essentially, but Kaufman breaks his nose on Synecdoche, New York and looks pretentious.

Related posts:

Charlie Kaufman: 2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III] 2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]
Anomalisa (2015) or, Depressed Adult Male

2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III] 

2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]  
Adaptation (2002) or, Charlie Kaufman's Fictional Life (writer)
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) or, The Gong Show Killer (writer)
Being John Malkovich (1999) - Jonze, Kaufman and Malkovich's great triumph (writer)

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: 20 mil. $
Box office: 4.3 mil. $
= Box office disaster (returned 0.21 times its cost)
[Synecdoche, New York premiered 23 May (Cannes Film Festival, France, in competition) and runs 123 minutes. Kaufman started the project with past collaborator Spike Jonze as an untraditional horror film project, which drew on the things that scare the two artists. The title is a play on Schenectady, New York, where much of the film is set. Shooting took place in New York from May - August 2007. The film opened #30 to a 172k $ first weekend in 9 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #21 and in 119 theaters, grossing 3 mil. $ (69.8 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 875k $ (20.3 %) and Italy with 187k $ (4.3 %). The film won 2/3 Independent Spirit nominations among other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 4/4 star review, translating to 5 notches higher than this one. He later made it his #1 film of the 00's, and even said it was a strong contender for his all-time Top 10 list. Kaufman returned with How and Why (2014, TV movie) and theatrically with Anomalisa (2015). Hoffman returned in Doubt (2008); Morton in The Daisy Chain (2008); Michelle Williams (Suite Francaise (2014)) in Mammut (2009); Catherine Keener (The Real Blonde (1997)) in A Summer in Genoa (2008). Synecdoche, New York is fresh at 68 % with a 6.75/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Synecdoche, New York?

Seed of Chucky (2004) - Mancini's gender-fluid horror-comedy is a weird trip

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An extreme eye closeup, - with semen cell retina details, - and a hilariously bent tagline distinguish this game poster for Don Mancini's Seed of Chucky

Deceased killer dolls Chucky & Tiffany have a gender-fluid son/daughter, who is searching for its parents - in Hollywood.

Seed of Chucky is written and directed by Don Mancini (Child's Play (1988, screenplay)), whose directing debut it is. It is the 5th film in the Child's Play/Chucky franchise.
It is a far out and really strange sequel, which is filthy enough to have been made by John Waters (Mangus! (2011)) himself, who actually has a funny role in it.
Jennifer Tilly (The Haunted Mansion (2003)) is funny in the film in a performance packed with self-irony.
Seed of Chucky's story is obscure and surprisingly difficult to really understand. In its intro sequence Chucky's sperm cells are seen entering a doll's vagina. - Weird!

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: 12 mil. $
Box office: 24.8 mil. $
= Flop (returned 2.06 times its cost)
[Seed of Chucky was released 12 November (USA) and runs 86 minutes. Universal Pictures, the studio behind the previous 3 films, rejected the script as "too gay." Focus Features jumped in instead. Quentin Tarantino passed on a role as himself. Shooting took place in Los Angeles, California and in Bucharest, Romania from November 2003 - March 2004. The film opened #4, behind holdover hit The Incredibles and fellow new releases The Polar Express and After the Sunset, to an 8.7 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it left the top 5 in its 2nd week and grossed 17 mil. $ (68.5 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were Spain with 1.9 mil. $ (7.7 %) and Mexico with 1.1 mil. $ (4.4 %). Roger Ebert gave the film a 2/4 star review, translating to a notch harder than this one. Mancini returned with Curse of Chucky (2013, video), the next in the franchise, which went on with Cult of Chucky (2017, video, also by Mancini), before it was rebooted to cinemas with Child's Play (2019) and a coming TV-series. Brad Dourif (Pulse (2006)) returned in The Devil's Due at Midnight (2004, short), Chucky's Family Vacation (2004, short) and theatrically in Drop Dead Sexy (2005); Tilly in Chucky's Family Vacation, Li'l Pimp (2005, video) and theatrically in The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005). Seed of Chucky is rotten at 33 % with a 4.46/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Seed of Chucky?

The Station Agent (2003) - A little star is born

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+ Best Independent Movie of the Year + Best Dramedy of the Year + Best Shooting Star Actor of the Year: Peter Dinklage

Sundance awards and critical praise helps sell this poster's promise of decent, good, bright, grown-up company, for Tom McCarthy's The Station Agent

Fin's boss at the model train shop passes away and leaves a closed up train station in New Jersey to Fin, who decides to move there, where he encounters two new friends.

The Station Agent is written and directed by great New-Jerseyite filmmaker Tom McCarthy (The Cobbler (2014)), whose debut it is.
It is a small, 'good time' story with 4 delightful actors. Peter Dinklage (A Case of You (2013)) is excellent as Fin, and the film gives insight into the life as a little person. It also deals with train fascination and friendships. Bobby Cannavale's (Blue Bloods (2010-11)) character lacks some information; namely, how does he survive on selling hotdogs and coffee in virtual no-man's-land?
The Station Agent is built with warm humor and pleasant scenes with something at stake. It is a fine little picture.

Related posts:


Tom McCarthy: 2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]
2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]
2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]  
The day after the day after ... the Oscars 2016
Spotlight (2015) - McCarthy puts an admirably bright and sober light on one of the major crimes of modern history

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II] 

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: 0.5 mil. $
Box office: 8.6 mil. $
= Mega-hit (returned 17.2 times its cost)
[The Station Agent premiered 26 January (Sundance Film Festival, Utah) and runs 90 minutes. Shooting took place in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in August 2002. The film opened 55 to a 57k $ first weekend in 3 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #20 and in 198 theaters (different weeks), grossing 5.7 mil. $ (66.3 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 0.9 mil. $ (10.5 %) and New Zealand with 0.5 mil. $ (5.8 %). The film won a BAFTA, 3/4 Independent Spirit award nominations, 2 National Board of Review awards and 3 prizes at Sundance. Roger Ebert gave it a 3.5/4 star review, translating to a notch better than this one. McCarthy returned with The Visitor (2007). Dinklage returned in Tiptoes (2003), Cannavale in 3 TV credits before Shortcut to Happiness (2003); Michelle Williams (Lassie (1994)) in Dawson's Creek (1998-03)) and theatrically in A Hole in One (2004); and Patricia Clarkson (The East (2013)) in Dogville (2003). The Station Agent is certified fresh at 94 % with a 7.97/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of The Station Agent?

The Skeleton Key (2003) - Hudson and co-stars fuel suspenseful Louisiana mystery

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+ Best Louisiana Movie of the Year

Kate Hudson has seen better real estate than on this poster for Iain Softley's The Skeleton Key

A nurse working in a hospice in the Louisiana swampland discovers that something isn't as it should be at her workplace...

The Skeleton Key is written by Ehren Kruger (Scream 3 (2000)) and directed by Iain Softley (Backbeat (1994)).
The Skeleton Key is about Hoodoo magic, - a mix of African religious practices and beliefs brought to America by slaves, - and ghosts. It doesn't reinvent the spoon, but it does have good building of suspense, and Kate Hudson (You, Me and Dupree (2006)) is good as the protagonist. John Hurt (The Hunting of the Snark (1987)) and Gena Rowlands (Tempest (1982)) add substantial interest and weight with their performances.
The Skeleton Key is a good little mystery chiller with fine local musical choices but too much flickering CGI use.

 

Related posts:

 

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II] 

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

Softley gives an interview here on the red carpet for his latest film, Curve (2015)

Cost: 43 mil. $
Box office: 91.9 mil. $
= Flop (returned 2.13 times its cost)
[The Skeleton Key premiered 29 July (Spain, UK and Ireland) and runs 104 minutes. Shooting took place in Louisiana, including New Orleans, and in Los Angeles, California from April - October 2004. The film opened #2, behind fellow new release Four Brothers, to a 16 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it spent another week in the top 5 (#5) and grossed 47.9 mil. $ (52.1 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were Germany with 5.9 mil. $ (6.4 %) and Mexico with 4.7 mil. $ (5.1 %). Roger Ebert gave the film a 2.5/4 star review, translating to a notch harder than this one. Softley returned with Inkheart (2008). Hudson returned in You, Me and Dupree (2006). The Skeleton Key is rotten at 37 % with a 5.26/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of The Skeleton Key?

School of Rock (2003) - Best school movie ever!

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+ 2nd Best Movie of the Year

+ Best Big Hit Movie of the Year + Best Breakthrough Performance of the Year: Jack Black + Best Music Movie of the Year

Jack Black in a wide split as the rocking teacher with the cool students on this Rolling Stone magazine-styled poster for Richard Linklater's School of Rock

Dewey Finn is on the verge of getting kicked out of his friend's apartment, because he doesn't make any money, so he assumes his friend's name and takes a substitute teacher job at a private school, where he starts teaching rock.

School of Rock is written by Mike White (Orange County (2002)) and directed by Richard Linklater (The Newton Boys (1998)).
Jack Black's (Cradle Will Rock (1999)) comical and musical genius is used to its fullest in White's brilliant script, which Linklater stages with his usual rock-steady hand. The child actors all as one act their little butts off, - musically as well, - and Joan Cusack (Where the Heart Is (2000)) is wonderful as the inhibiting (but good at the bottom) school inspector.
School of Rock is hilarious, touching and the biggest spreader of joy cinematically for years. It is also a pure-hearted, unique rock movie. The energy is undeniable. Dead Poets Society (1989) go home! - School of Rock rules!

Related posts:

Richard Linklater: 2014 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED IV]  
2014 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]
2014 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]
2014 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]   
2014 in films - according to Film Excess 
Boyhood (2014) or, Colored Mirror
Before Midnight (2013) - Linklater, Hawke and Delpy's Before trilogy comes to a tender, incisive and chilling end 
2011 in films - according to Film Excess 
Top 10: The best true story movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Bernie (2011) - Linklater, Black and Hollandsworth's incredible true-crime dramedy
A Scanner Darkly (2006) - Dick and Linklater's drug-infested vision of the future  

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II] 

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

Dazed and Confused (1993) - Linklater's stoner youth nostalgia is a blast

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: 35 mil. $
Box office: 131.2 mil. $
= Big hit (returned 3.74 times its cost)
[School of Rock premiered 9 September (Toronto International Film Festival, Ontario) and runs 109 minutes. Shooting took place in New York, New Jersey and in Los Angeles, California from December 2002 - ?. The film opened #1 to a 19.6 mil. $ in North America, where it spent another 2 weeks in the top 5 (#2-#4) and grossed 81.2 mil. $ (61.9 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 19.2 mil. $ (14.6 %) and Australia with 6.2 mil. $ (4.7 %). It became the highest-grossing music-themed comedy of all time until overtaken by Pitch Perfect 2 (2015). The film was nominated for a Golden Globe, a Grammy and other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 3.5/4 star review, translating to a notch harder than this one. Sequel plans fell through, but a same-titled stage adaptation premiered on Broadway in 2015, and a same-titled TV-series adaptation ran 3 seasons from 2016-18. Linklater returned with Before Sunset (2004). Black returned in 5 TV credits and a music video before his next theatrical performance, in Envy (2004). School of Rock is certified fresh at 91 % with a 7.74/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of School of Rock?