Bandslam (PG)

Film

Musicals

Bandslam.jpg

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>5/5
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Time Out says

Tue Aug 11 2009

The marketing for this film might make it look like a bad trawl through a ‘Fame’-meets-‘High School Musical’ dirge of unremitting awfulness, yet despite a join the-dots feelgood scenario and an overlong running time, Todd Graff’s ‘Bandslam’ turns out to be an unexpectedly pleasing treat for teenagers. Although ostensibly about preparations for a US college’s hotly contested Battle of the Bands tournament, the film’s real nucleus is the burgeoning will they/won’t they relationships that form between a nerdy teenage musicologist-cum-manager with a fixation on David Bowie (Gaelan Connell), a luscious Linda Ronstadt lookalike (Vanessa Hudgens) and a tall blonde bombshell (Alyson Michalka).

‘Bandslam’ is far from exceptional, but is saved by decent character development, a cluster of engaging performances and several amusing deadpan moments. Better still, a knowingly hip ‘School of Rock’ attitude to what constitutes good musical taste, coupled with a flock of seminal vintage and indie tunes, edge it towards something a little more agreeable than the majority of today’s generic, pop-laden teen romcoms. And besides, any film that ends with Wilco’s ‘What Light’ is fine in my book.

Author: Derek Adams

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Release details

Rated:

PG

UK release:

Wed Aug 12 2009

Duration:

111 mins

Cast and crew

Screenwriter:

Todd Graff, Josh A. Kagan

Cinematography:

Eric Steelberg

Cast:

Vanessa Hudgens, Gaelan Connell, Charlie Saxton, Lisa Kudrow, Ryan Donowho, Alyson Michalka

Director:

Todd Graff, Scott Porter

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 5/5 (7 ratings)

  • This amazing captures the interest of teenagers all over the world because of it's stellar casting, believable and imaginative storyline and it's true tribute to music. Throw in some beautiful direction, interesting set and a sparkling script, and you have one heck of a movie! Oh, sorry... I thought you were asking me to review School of Rock! Who is this terrible Vanessa IWannaBeMrsEfron Hudgens? Go away! Your dirtying my TV screen!

    Weepie Tue Jul 27 2010
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • omg stop the arging this is supposed 2 be a film review site jeezo i loved the film btw

    hunnybee Thu Oct 1 2009
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • soree

    twilight4eva Tue Sep 15 2009
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  • Just leave me alone alright

    Hannah Fri Sep 11 2009
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • Just shut up ok!

    twilight4eva Thu Sep 10 2009
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  • Twilight4eva - u don't have any right to tell me my opinion is wrong. everyone is entitled to their own opinion and just because I don't agree with you it doesn't make me wrong. I still think that Bandslam is a great movie and I don't even like twilight. You can think what you like about bandslam but you shouldn't be critisising other peoples opinions

    hannah Tue Aug 25 2009
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • I loved this film hi hannah! listen twilight4eva u obv like twilight and i do to but bandslam is brill sooo dont diss!

    caitlin Mon Aug 24 2009
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  • This film woz crap u r wrong hannah i thought it woz awful!

    twilight4eva Mon Aug 24 2009
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  • I don't care what anybody said but I loved this film. Vanessa was good at acting and I would definetely(?) go and see this film again. I can't wait for it to come out on dvd and I think it should have done a lot better in the film charts than it actually did. i really want to go and see it again before it finishes and I know I am repeatng myself but I don't care 10/10 The best film I have seen this year

    hannah Mon Aug 24 2009
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • listen people who put bad comments about Bandslam.i thought it was great and it was funny . 11/10

    india and georgia Sat Aug 22 2009
    Rated as: 5/5
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