DVD REVIEWS 'SCHOOL OF ROCK' IN SESSION.Byline: Rob Lowman Entertainment Editor People first started noticing Jack Black for his scene-stealing antics in films like ``High Fidelity'' (2000), even though his resume shows that the 34-year-old has been around awhile, with roles in non-comedies like ``Waterworld'' (1995) and ``Dead Man Walking'' (1995). Who knew? In Richard Linklater's ``School of Rock,'' Black pretty much steals from the script and plot. In others' hands, the story of an irresponsible 30-something slacker - Dewey Finn (Black) - still living the rock 'n' roll rock 'n' roll: see rock music. dream (illusion, actually) might have been mildly amusing. When Dewey is in desperate need of money, he takes a temporary position at a private school under false pretenses False representations of material past or present facts, known by the wrongdoer to be false, and made with the intent to defraud a victim into passing title in property to the wrongdoer. . His job is teaching a group of snooty but musically gifted fifth-graders. Appalled at their lack of musical taste and ignorance of rock, Dewey launches into a re-education program, complete with power guitar chords. It's here that Black - with his crazy body language and manic patter pat·ter 1 v. pat·tered, pat·ter·ing, pat·ters v.intr. 1. To make a quick succession of light soft tapping sounds: Rain pattered steadily against the glass. - shines, making him one of the funniest comic presences on the screen in quite a while. Blake Edwards may have wanted proof that he could have made the ``Pink Panther'' movies without Peter Sellers Noun 1. Peter Sellers - English comic actor (1925-1980) Sellers . But ``The Son of the Pink Panther'' with Roberto Benigni (yes, the ``Life Is Beautiful'' guy, who is an Italian comic actor) is a rather dull affair. It was Sellers' brilliant comic timing that made Inspector Clouseau so memorable. And it's Black's comic instincts that make ``School of Rock'' an irresistible joy to watch. Whether in the future Black continues to succeed and shows the versatility of Sellers remains to be seen, but for now he clearly knows how to use his talent. Alas, ``Rock'' has the inevitable feel-good ending of a mainstream comedy, but until then Linklater - who's known for quirky, independent works like ``Waking Life'' - keeps the saccharine sac·cha·rine adj. Of, relating to, or characteristic of sugar or saccharin; sweet. to a minimum. Besides, by then - after Black's wild-man turn - there is little you'll begrudge be·grudge tr.v. be·grudged, be·grudg·ing, be·grudg·es 1. To envy the possession or enjoyment of: She begrudged him his youth. See Synonyms at envy. 2. the film. ``School of Rock'' (Paramount; $29.99) includes commentary by Black and Linklater, commentary by the kids from the film, Black's pitch to Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin, English pop music group formed in 1968 by guitarist Jimmy Page (1944–), singer Robert Plant (1948–), bassist John Paul Jones (1946–), and drummer John "Bonzo" Bonham (1948–80). , a music video and MTV's diary of Black. Rob Lowman, (818) 713-3687 robert.lowman(at)dailynews.com |
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