A `BANDWAGON' RIDE OF FRESH ROCK REALITY.Byline: Amy Dawes Daily News Film Critic A lead singer who's so self-conscious that he practices in a closet. A drummer who has nothing to say but won't shut up. A claustrophobic guitarist who can't deal with spending days on end in a van. And a bunch of songs about a mysterious person named Ann, whom no one else has met. These are some of the ingredients in first-time filmmaker John Schultz's ``Bandwagon,'' a droll droll adj. droll·er, droll·est Amusingly odd or whimsically comical. n. Archaic A buffoon. [French drôle, buffoon, droll, from Old French drolle , fresh low-budget comedy set in the thriving Southern college music scene. R.E.M., the B-52's, the Squirrel Nut Zippers The Squirrel Nut Zippers are a Chapel Hill, North Carolina based Jazz band formed in 1993, who applied punk's DIY aesthetic to early 20th century American popular music. The band's name comes from the Squirrel Brand's Nut Zippers, a peanut and caramel candy for sale since the , the Connells, Vic Chesnutt Vic Chesnutt (born on November 12 1965 in Jacksonville, Florida) is an artist (singer-songwriter) resident in Athens, Georgia. He is a quadriplegic professional musician. and others all got their start in Southern college towns in the '80s and '90s. ``Bandwagon'' is the first fictional movie that authentically captures the feel of that experience. There's no grand plan among the guys, just four misfits finding that they click when they're together making music. But Schultz, a former drummer turned filmmaker, knows just what he's doing, laying out a charming, surprisingly mature tale that finds low-key humor amid the high hopes and hard knocks hard knocks pl.n. Informal The practical experiences of life, including hardships and disappointments: "He hadn't grown up in the school of hard knocks. of the rock 'n' roll rock 'n' roll: see rock music. road. By focusing on his hapless but determined characters and avoiding melodrama, Schultz eschews the cliches of other music movies. Like ``The Commitments,'' this is the story of where the journey leads for the vast majority of rockers who attempt it - to self-discovery and scattered personal triumphs more often than fame and glory. Charismatic performances from all four fresh faces in his cast and original songs (penned by Boston musician Greg Kendall) that are actually good enough to give this fictional band a shot at success help make ``Bandwagon'' a real gem for music lovers. THE FACTS The film: ``Bandwagon'' (not rated). The stars: Kevin Corrigan, Steve Parlavecchio, Lee Holmes Lee Holmes (born 2 April 1987) is an English football midfielder who currently plays for Derby County. Holmes is widely tipped to play top level football in the future. He has recently returned to Derby County having completed a loan spell at Bradford City in League One. , Matthew Hennessey, Doug MacMillan. Behind the scenes: Written and directed by John Schultz John Schultz (born September 28, 1938) is a former Australian rules football player, who played for the Footscray Football Club in the (then) Victorian Football League (VFL) and is one of the club's greatest players. . Produced by Schultz and Alyson Poole. Released by Cinepix Film Properties. Running time: One hour, 39 minutes. Playing: Laemmle Sunset 5, West Hollywood; Festival Theater, Westwood. Our rating: Three Stars. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Kevin Corrigan, left, and Doug MacMillan are budding rockers in ``Bandwagon,'' the chronicle of a new band on the college scene. |
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