This can either be a documentary or a concert movie- either that involves a musician or band in a prominent role (e.g. Rock and Roll High School). I had to pick 3: 1. Hard Days Night (The Beatles)- Genuinely funny- doesn't need a lot of dialogue to convey its humor- they are actually fairly decent actors- and the music is excellent. 2. The Wall (Pink Floyd)- had a significant impact on me as a kid. Even if you think the music's overblown, it's visually striking and meaningful in places. 3. Stop Making Sense (Talking Heads)- one of the best concert movies. Builds up from 1 man and 1 guitar to a full-blown band. The Talking Heads are fun to watch.
what makes me think this is going to turn into another HS Musical thread? btw: anyone else get to see C0cksucker Blues--Robert Frank documentary on the Rolling Stones--at the Tower Theater in ~1987. It's only allowed to be shown when Frank is present.
All of the above, plus: I think a lot of the rock comedies really get a lot of the spirit of rock and roll better than the documentaries which often seem kind of dull.
Pump Up The Volume (BBC documentary on dance music) Spinal Tap Metallica - Some Kind of Monster (documentary) I'll be sure to check out the Talking Heads movie.
Spinal Tap would be my choice as "best," with "No Direction Home" (documentary epic) in close competition, if we can consider it a R&R movie. Hedwig is a real dark horse candidate there. The movie actually Rocks.
Two of my top three (Don't Look Back, The Last Waltz) have already been mentioned. Here's the one that hasn't: Quadrophenia
I love that flick. It reminds me a bit of some of the things I did a few years earlier than the time frame covered by Crowe. The director's cut is even better, if you haven't seen it. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was terrific and right on target with saying the kid had missed most of the era.
