Rock School (2005) Online

As an old rock&roll road dog who played for years and later went into production and management of younger rock bands, I think this movie has a lot to say on many levels.

I'm not going to comment on a review as such BUT the internet TV view listing I saw when I went to see if it was going to play again said that these kids had gotten good "dispite" the way the teacher had gone about doing it...

To me it's funny how a little rough language towards the kids says somehow the teaching method was a failure.

Without giving away anything about the movie I will say this: I remember going to a school as a young child where I was in a talent show. I rehearsed for weeks and won!...After it was over I realized that EVERYONE had won something.....all 50 kids!

I was placated into thinking that was how life worked, then wham, the reality of musical life hit me when I went on the road in the real world.

Let's face it, people as a rule (and young people in particular) are basic under-achievers. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of "frustration love" to make it all click.

Music itself is a passion, not a method, and rock music even more so than most.

As a parent myself I would suggest this movie to anyone who has a musically inclined child not matter what genre' they wish to pursue.

Competition is within ones self, not against everyone else. If the fire of music is in a child it will come out if handled right, if not, then thats OK also, but don't let it just die as a faint ember of creativity...fan it into a full flame of artistic expression.

I must admit that if seeing Paul in mid rant were my only knowledge of him I would share other's concerns about his teaching methods. But let's face it, he was playing to the camera and 6-9 months worth of interactions were condensed down to the most entertaining cursing sessions. You could see the counter balance to the rants, in the end sequences there was much affection expressed all around.

But, lets focus on the film here; it is funny, moving and shows what kids can do when expectations are high. Go and see this film, if you like to see kids amaze you, and surpass their teacher.

Rock school is not for all kids, it has been a source of great growth - both musical and personal for one of my kids, but I know that it would not be the right fit for his sibling. So for those of you who are stuck on why any parent would pay to submit their child to this "abuse", I would say that in reality many different wonderful teachers ( including Paul) are involved with this school and just as this movie will enhance an evening, this school is enhancing many lives.

Very few votes so far, but I can't understand why they're so low. This is an excellent, throughly entertaining documentary that lets you make your own mind up about a very interesting individual's teaching methods, and the results he gets.

I guess a lot of people just didn't approve of Paul and, as such, have given low ratings to register their disapproval. Idiots. How would you have come to feel so passionately about him if you hadn't seen such and insightful documentary? Speaking of which, this is one of the best I've seen in recent times. A love of the music involved will enhance your enjoyment I suppose, but it's not really about that. Check it out.

First off, I'm a huge fan of documentaries. A lot of times I really enjoy them but am slow to recommend them to friends as broad appeal is sometimes limited. (American Movie being a huge exception). Rock School is just great, both as entertainment and certainly succeeds as a documentary. I would like to address the heavy handedness that others reviewing this film seem to take at the Zappa-heavy content or the tearing apart of Paul Green, the namesake of the Paul Green School of Rock. It is true that there is a lot of Zappa, a lot of fiery temper, and some harshness from the man himself. I guess I would ask those who attack the film with low ratings (because of the man) if they have ever had crowds bow down in front of them in a foreign country after performing so well? This film succeeds in its ability to deftly pull you into the reality of the school. You meet the kids, the instructor, and some parents and are constantly and linearly drawn to what feels like a very organic conclusion. I was very impressed at the rate at which you identify with the kids and the parents, and the ability of the director to edit in such a way to provide just the right amount of emphasis. Paul Green is completely right in his teaching technique. Paul Green is completely wrong in his teaching technique. Doesn't matter. Rock School is extremely entertaining and very interesting and compelling because of one thing Paul says early in the film... "It's easy to be a novelty act, a bunch of kids playing rock, but the goal is to do it very well..." The kids can indeed play. I especially enjoy the confession that "The Guitar teacher and the Guitar Player inside me are always at odds, as a teacher I want to make them better, but the player doesn't like that at all". The best part of the documentary is the way there is the prodigy juxtaposed with the sad emo kid, who was my favorite character... each has his own relationship to the instructor and each has a different outlook on life, on music, and on the school. I especially enjoyed Will O' Conner's (sad emo kid) candor in addressing a newspaper article in which he was misquoted. I felt that Mr. Green was indeed hamming it up in parts, but it didn't hurt the documentary at all. In fact, the character and role he has created for himself is one I find fascinating. I think and genuinely believe he cares about those kids. And wants them to succeed. And refuses to grow up. And gets results. The film itself is 1.78:1 and looks great, sounds great. Those of you used to docs looking and sounding sub-par despite being great (I'm looking at you, Paper Clips) and having genuinely fascinating moments but being very unevenly paced (Spellbound) will find this fresh and fun. The performance footage shown is just enough. Not so much you feel it's there to artificially pad the run time, and not so short you can't get a feel for their talent. The interviews are well placed, well directed, and very well edited. There are a lot of moments in the movie where you'll wish it were longer... but not so much you feel cheated. A good documentary is one, in my opinion, has got to show equal parts of an obvious passion for the subject material and those the camera capture as well as the courage to be honest. In today's land of multi-movie propaganda lectures, this is a great relief from the Greenwalds and the Moores... they could learn a lot from the masterful pacing and invisibility of Don Argott. You forget this is a documentary entirely... there is no agenda. Andrew Jarecki's BRILLIANT Capturing the Friedman's is one of the slight few other examples I can think of that play that card so well. Here it's raised to an art form. The exception being the last minute or two of the film that really tie it together in a very nice way. Kudos all around, I'll be keeping an eye out for more from Mr. Argott.

I wish there had been something like this when I was younger rather than my 70 year old music teacher who had no idea what was going on in the music I was listening to at the time other than the certainty that "that's not music that's just loud banging and screaming!" It's one thing to understand notes and technical aspects of being a musician but an understanding of attitude, performance, vibe, etc is a necessary trait that most music instructors lack. I got a kick out of watching him treat the kids as peers instead of condescending to them. Great finale as well. I really dug the movie. Teaching kids to rock is a noble calling indeed :) Can't wait to see it again when it comes out proper.

I actually am a student at the school of rock, the movie should be released in theaters sometime in march. Paul can be a dick sometimes, but he isn't as bad as the film portrays him to be, i think he kind of over reacted when the camera was around just for show. but otherwise this movie is great and shows through everything the students go through. it's all worth it to play in front of crowds with thousands of people to. it's gonna be really cool to see how people react to the film, or if it even gets out of select theaters, students got to record a soundtrack with actual artist like the last living ramone, and Ozzy Osbourne. And napoleon from project object, Frak Zappa's band.

Anytime I learn something new about teaching, I feel my day has been made. Don Argot's documentary, Rock School, did that for me today. I watched a gifted Paul Green take a group of 9 to 17 year olds in his Paul Green School for Rock Music in Philadelphia and make them into a band playing Black Sabbath, Santana, and a Zappa that an audience bowed to at a German Zappanele concert.

I learned that you can abuse learners with profanity dominated by variations of "f---" ("Don't f---ing make mistakes!") and reality about their inadequacies ("You mess up once and I'll f---ing punch your face out.") and keep your job while your students achieve undreamed of results.

Green's cherubic visage, sincere love of the young, and obsession with making the right music are all ingredients of his success, which is crystallized in the memorable performances of his charges: CJ can play almost perfect guitar even sitting down with a bone malfunction, Madi sheds her dorky Sheryl Crowe bit to sing with original style, and young twins Asa and Tucker can do spot on Ozzy Osborne imitations.

Unlike old fictional chestnuts such as To Sir with Love, Mr. Holland's Opus, and Dead Poets SOciety, which purport to show the gifted teacher at work, this documentary honestly shows the flaws and virtues of a dedicated facilitator living only to see his pupils excel.

Rock School may have too much music and not enough insightful conversation and narration, but at least I could witness the artistic process at work. "If it wasn't for rock school, I'd probably be dead," says one student deeply hooked by the school's charismatic leader and unmitigated success. Teeners tend to exaggerate, but in this case it's certain he'd be spiritually lost without this unreal world of eccentric achievement, an after school activity like no other.

Rock on.

The hard part about writing this review is separating my feelings about this man (Paul Green), his school (The School of Rock in Philadelphia), and the documentary about both (Rock School). Paul is an arrogant, selfish, and demeaning man, but his school produces some incredible talent, and the movie that director Don Argott made is clever, witty, and downright funny.

Paul Green's "School of Rock" has 120 students, ages 9 through 17, who learn to play everything from Black Sabbath to Frank Zappa, and most importantly, Paul gets his students on stage and teaches them how to perform like a rock star. But he's horrible. He's like Simon Cowell in that really mean and insulting kind of way. But perhaps that kind of cruelty pushes them to work even harder and practice more to perfect their craft. He does everything that any other teacher today would instantly get sued for – he curses at them, yells at them, makes them cry, hits them, tells them that they "suck," and asks them if they love Satan (he does that to pump them up for the Black Sabbath concert they're about to put on).

It's endlessly amusing to watch 9 year-olds wear all black, smear eyeliner all over their eyes, draw crosses on their foreheads, and write "OZZY" on their knuckles. And to see their mom doing all that for them is even funnier! The coolest moment of Rock School, however, is when the very top students are flown to Germany to play at "Zappanele", the largest Frank Zappa Festival in the world, and they perform with an original member of Zappa's band. Then, to have the original band member, plus the entire Zappanele audience, blow before them in praise (literally bowing!) was out of this world! Not every music student gets an experience like that.

Argot does a great job at showing us all sides of Paul Green's personality. I hate him in one scene and love what he does for these kids in the next. If Rock School does anything, it will make you want to get off your butt and start practicing…what ever it is that you love. You'll want to pick up an instrument, or start painting, or get back to studying. This movie makes you want to be the best at something, and it makes you want to work for it.

I'm puzzled by some of the reviews I have seen. How many documentaries are over before you know it and leave you wanting more? I found it pretty amazing what these kids are capable of as well as how this all seemed to come together by accident. Paul Green teaches his students with a great deal of passion and more importantly has the respect for both their ability AND their potential ability. How many kids get to share the stage with actual rock icons? Some people seem put off by the "tough love" thing that is part of the instruction but it seemed to me that the only time he got impatient was when it was obvious that certain kids weren't trying their hardest. Besides, you can't really argue with teaching kids that they can get where they want to by working at it.

I am surprised that so much of the negative response to the movie revolves around Paul's antics. If you watch the movie, with your eyes open, you can see that everybody is laughing through most of Paul's more volatile moments. If you are one of the people who is down on the movie because "I wouldn't let him do that to...", clearly they don't belong there. The truth is that Paul knows who can and can't take it and adjusts accordingly.

The other criticism is generally... Does CJ really get anything from the school. I am one of CJ's biggest fans. Lets get that out of the way right now. But without the school, that allows him to play with equally talented people, he may be just like so many of the best guitar players that I have known.... the best guitar player in town in a local garage band with a revolving door membership that may get to play to the local drunks on Wednesday night for beer. Through his association with Paul, he has been to Zappanale, completed a west coast tour, been featured on MTV and played in more places than I can count. They do very well for each other.

I will say that the movie was more than I expected going in... but I would have liked to see more of the Sabbath show.

Whenever I watch a documentary, I am amazed that the subjects are so candid with cameras rolling. "Rock School" was no exception to that rule. This was the story of a young man (he acts like a big kid) who teaches kids (ages 5-17) how to be rock and roll musicians. He is quite enamored with Frank Zappa and other groups of the 60s and 70s; less so with any more contemporary acts. Many of the kids are misfits who find their place at the Rock School. However, the teacher has quite a foul temper and there are many scenes where he is losing his cool with the kids and quite frankly ridiculing them or cussing them out. As a musician, I have dealt with people having similar personalities, and even though the teacher in this film insists that he inspires the kids with the temper tantrums, I have found that I generally do NOT play better when someone is screaming at me. I concluded that if I had a child at this school, he or she wouldn't be there very long! However, the film itself is worth a look; as a documentary it is informative and entertaining.

This is the only DVD I have had so far that I have not managed to watch all of (and I've had Alone in the Dark!).

After an hour of this American fool yacking on about how great he is and how well he can teach these children (apparently by shouting at them, humiliating them and being generally abusive)I couldn't take any more.

It is simply one guy on an ego trip, he even states that he hates it if any of his pupils get better than him.

A complete waste of time, would not have been made if it wasn't for the success of School of Rock, and shouldn't have been anyway.

This could have been very interesting but the film maker wanted to talk about "the characters" in the school and the school director (who comes off as a 40 y.o. peter pan with ADD and a foul temper) rather than the obviously hard working and gifted musicians that make up the "star group" of the school. That is a pity because they could have had for once a documentary about kids finding their way rather than losing themselves but the filmmaker went rather with the caricatural: -the genius overachiever (the good) -there's the tortured teenager (the bad) -the 9 year old twins who would not know what a beat (or singing in tune) is if it came up and hit them in the head (the comic relief) -the school director who spends his time screaming and berating these kids like it's boot camp time in full metal jacket (bare in mind these kids are between the ages of 9 and 17)- (the ugly) - Even after their triumph at the Zappa fest you don't see him once high five a kid or give him or her a compliment. Mind you that might be on purpose: You get the feeling that the filmmaker had a rather set agenda and wanted the characters to be seen in a manichaean fashion. There is a lot of editing. Overall not worth the watch unless you want to spend your time reading between the lines.

I love the guitar. I like rock music. I love seeing teenagers fulfill their dreams.

I could not stomach watching this horrible teacher, Paul Green, crush kids spirits, cursing them, ripping instruments out of their hands, throwing them out of the room, making fun of students who obviously have depression issues, ridiculing them both in front of them and behind their backs. And the ridiculousness of it all is that he says he's not qualified to teach, but he's just a "really good teacher". It comes naturally to him.

This man shouldn't be NEAR children, much less having parents pay him for his influence. And as for the statement he makes, "You know, I mean, it wasn't just like, 'Well, since my band didn't make it, I'll teach guitar and be all bitter.'" Um... I think it was.

As for the quality of the documentary itself, it was average. Nothing apart from the skin-crawling teacher made it that interesting. There were a lot of very talented kids, and there seemed to be plenty of qualified music instructors in this show. This teacher seemed to be the glaring immature problem in this situation.

The problem with this movie for me, watching it with my 6-year-old daughter, was that this absolute jerk running the show clearly has no idea about what rock and roll is as I know it. It's about individuality, not conformity. It's about DIY, not this-foot-here-that-foot-there. I kept thinking about Dana Rohrabacher or some other such conservative jock-fascist chameleon, using their obvious rock/pop music knowledge to advance the most un-rockin' conformist agenda possible. Or Sonny Bono. Sure, there are those of you who think that musical rebellion knows no politics, but when you aren't at least a libertarian, when you're truly in the conservative jock headspace, your attitude and danger are as safe and salable as mayonnaise. Zappa would've known this asshole for what he is. A mean dick-head coach, whose only concern was that championship. Listening to this jackass put down '3-chord flannel' rock, I can only assume he meant Nirvana. A band whose converse he wouldn't be worthy to lick if they would have ever allowed anyone to lick their shoes.

I still get my mailbox money from my music days--we had a lot of fun and I'll always be grateful for the recording and tours. But to see everything I love polluted down to a competitive sporting event--really turns my stomach. I said it years ago and I'll say it again now, "F*ck you, coach!"

No one at Sundance had the temerity to ask director Don Argott if he began his documentary of the real-life School of Rock before or after Jason Black's eponymous comedy became a smash hit. In any event, it is fascinating to meet Paul Green, the school's founder, up close and personal. Green is a 30-something adolescent that has never recovered from his dream to be a rock star. So he lives his life vicariously through the kids, teaching them, getting them gigs and trying to mold his place as the greatest developer of young rock 'n roll talent in the world. (It's a nice moniker, but probably doesn't impress the chicks nearly as much as "Rock Star.")

Imagine if you will parents paying good money for an after-school program where their children learn the music,history and culture significance of bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Metallica. Watch Mom join in the fun by dressing up her nine-year-old boy like Ozzy Osbourne, with a fake cross tattoo on his forehead? (Being something of a traditional parent, Mom couldn't quite be convinced to allow her child to wear the pentagram and other satanic symbols he requested, but it was a close call.)

Student Council this is not. But it must be worth it, right? Some of these kids can make their Stratocaster riff like Jimmy Page. And if they're lucky, maybe they can even be rock stars some day, which I'm sure will make them model citizens and bring unbridled happiness and contentment into their lives.

Pardon the cynicism. I do love rock 'n roll. And the fact is, this is an entertaining film that flies by—which is a little unusual for a documentary. The kids seemed to like and respect Green, and I think he genuinely cares for them. But as a parent, I can't say that I'd wish the lifestyle on my kids. And I couldn't help but have a sick feeling hearing Mr. Green launch into profanity-filled tirades, or hearing some of the kids return fire.

I'm sure that some good comes out of the experience. But at what cost?

Here we are taken inside Paul Green's School of Rock. Why are we taken in there? I don't know. The man himself is an obnoxious, immature wannabe who stopped trying to be and who know finances his life on the money paid by parents who want their kids to be rock stars or to find a new outlet or learning environment. This is no learning environment, at least no in the traditional sense. From what is shown, all the viewer can gather is that those who are already gifted are given the best opportunities and those who struggle are left to struggle but as long as the money keeps coming in, they can stay in the school to be shouted at and verbally abused. The documentary maker really failed for me in that he really made no point at all and failed to really question or press Paul Green at all. So we are guided through a time when some students are preparing for a Frank Zappa festival in Germany. We see toward the end that Mr. Green has no problem taking limelight and applause at the festival's end but what had he really contributed? Frank Zappa may have been revolutionary to some but his music is mostly aimless for me, rather like this film. I shall never watch it again, ever!

This was a well made Film. Nice editing work. The subject matter was interesting - with lotsa' "colorful" characters - However - it was really really sad to hear all these kids talk about being a "Rock Star"...as if that's what Rock music has come down to. All the kids are pretty rotten musicians - they seem more interested in being famous rather than writing good songs...and the Teach doesn't help either - he's more interested in being a "famous" teacher than actually inspiring the kids to follow their own muse and create their own thing. With a lot of practice these kids will grow up to be good Wedding Band/Bar Band Musicians - but that's about it. I guess kids who are truly interested in making music wouldn't join a school for it anyhow - so no harm done ... and it is pretty funny watching the kids butcher and mimic classic rock. You can't teach passion, and you can't learn creativity - but it can be encouraged - and it doesn't seem like this Rock School is a good place for that. Then again it's better than nothing at all.

As a die-hard classic rock fan, I absolutely love this movie! "Rock School" is a movie that every future rock star should see.

The person I was most amazed at, was 12-year-old CJ. I've never seen so much talent in a young boy. When he was at the Zappalan festival, everybody was bowing to him at the end of his performance.

Will, Asa, and Tucker also had potential in music.

Paul Green is a really good teacher when you think about it. Even though he can go off sometimes, it's usually for a good reason. I like people that know what real music is.

In other words, everybody go see that documentary. 10 out of 10.

I'm a bit late seeing this, but after seeing that Paul Green jerk I just had to vent my spleen. What an ARSEHOLE! He was obviously only teaching the school to sate his gargantuan ego, to feel superior to 9-year-olds about musical talent, and to dump on kids who deserve better. This guy needs to be banned from teaching ANYONE, if he insists on screaming abuse at kids who want to learn to play an instrument. Paul, go start a cult in Oregon, and when it's time for the Kool-aid, make sure you are first in line at the punch-bowl, you low-life. I actually liked watching this film, despite being appalled at the big baby teacher who felt so important that he put down depressive teenagers to elevate himself above them. What a sad little man he is.

I don't know if it was intentional or not, but I, and most of the audience laughed at this one all the way through. The suicidal kid reminded me of one of my exes. I think people have judged this film a bit too harshly for what it is.

It plays out almost like a mockumentary. I would say if you liked The School of Rock, this is its bastard cousin, filled with profanity and a guy who starts screaming and then says he needs more coffee. I have to praise the editor for linking those bits together.

I got into this movie for free, so I would say if you have the means to get into the movie for free, you should. It is definitely an eye opener.

This is my first review ever, please be gentle....

This movie gives hope to a new generation of music lovers, real music, not the crap the monopolizes the radio stations today. Paul Green, while some of his antics aren't typical of music teachers, really gets through to the kids. I really enjoyed how the movie was well rounded, not just focusing on the best highlights, but also showed how he used positive and negative criticism to motivate the students, as well as their reactions to it. I enjoyed how it followed the students, those with exceptional talent and those who really enjoyed music (but lacked in the natural talent department). The culmination of the film (seeing how the film doesn't thrive on a what could happen type ending, I don't think this is a spoiler, if anything I would think it would make people want to see the movie), a performance of the most talented students at a Frank Zappa tribute festival. Wow, what talent! They really brought people to their knees. CJ will make your jaw drop. Overall I would say this movie really made me want to dive back into music. The movie is inspiring and optimistic. With talent like this, they really make you believe that Rock and Roll will live forever.

Bon jour. I am attending the Cannes Marche du Film and just saw this. It is really good. It is much better than the Jack Black movie which I could not stand. Although, I must admit that Jack Black as Paul Green was perfect casting.

If you have any recollection of 80s hard rock, I think you'd like this. These kids do a great job with Billy Idol, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and Zappa.

I am a fan of documentaries and enjoyed Rock School. I didn't think it was as good as Dogtown & Z Boys (which I loved). But, if you enjoyed Spellbound, you will probably enjoy Rock School.

I hope it gets picked up for wide distribution.

Well-intentioned with a couple of superb shots, but the real star is C.J. Tywoniak, the guitar prodigy, not Paul Green. I feel the filmmaker should have been more open to the documentary's organics and he would have seen this. I wish the camera had followed C.J. backstage, doing his homework, more of his parents, etc. And much, much more of his playing. Looking back, I feel ripped off a little. That kid has GOT to be headed for legendhood.

I waited and waited for the payoff -- the Germany concert -- which was good, but by then I was ticked off at the stuff in between. Made me wait too long and I lost interest.

All in all, 20 or 22 minutes of story ironed out into an hour and a half. Great kids, tho.

Rock school (more like a platform for a frank Zappa fan). not much rock other than Zappa. I love Zappa don't mistake it. I saw the film over a month ago so I don't recall the teachers name, however I think he is a idiot, i have to give him credit for being different...and sharing his love of music with kids but its outbursts seamed like a mimic of the classic "rock" artist. rebel, outcast, temper...the guys not on the road with frank Zappa, hes teaching music to kids. tough love works yes, but not in every case. I have been playing guitar for thirteen years, and as a guitar player I am sensitive, had a teacher treated me like that I would have whacked him upside the head with my guitar. Anyway There is a part where the ass**** teacher is playing a blues type jam, and had said he hates it when a student is better then him, well it seams that is easy cause he sucks, he had no licks, no soul and no vibrato...then the film seams to play him up as the "mentor" when your ear can tell you he blows.... what grounds then does he have for yelling at the kids, when his own playing fails to impress..The one kid I hope keeps rocking is the 12 year old who at the end plays a amazing solo, kids got it....(teacher don't) thats all oh yeah, most adults who act like the butt monkey teacher end up profiled as weird........aside from the yelling I act the same way its fine, however I play a meaner blues and I am not as much of a honker as said butt monkey....Ps I know my grammar sucks, then again this is not about me........Peace movie fans M.Run