We salute the debut of Rainn Wilson's ''The Rocker'' with our list of the greatest, most rebellious, rawkin'-est films ever, including ''The Last Waltz'' and ''Purple Rain'' (but, sadly, not ''The Rocker'')
By Simon Vozick-Levinson
Aug 20, 2008
(EW.com)
THIS IS SPINAL TAP (1984)
One of the first fake rockumentaries and still the funniest by far. It helps that the Tap's tunes, while thoroughly ridiculous in content, are actually kinda terrific. (Like you've never air-guitared to ''Stonehenge''?)
THE LAST WALTZ (1978)
The Band were such an electrifying live act that a documentary capturing any of their shows would be well worth watching. But one directed by Martin Scorsese, with guests including Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, and a merrily slurring Van Morrison, at The Band's final performance of all time? Instant classic.
PURPLE RAIN (1984)
Prince was already a major star after the success of 1982's 1999, but this semi-autobiographical movie and its killer soundtrack cemented his place as an all-time genius. It's an odyssey through the bizarre paradise that was Prince's brain at the peak of his powers just sit back and enjoy the ride.
KURT & COURTNEY (1998)
Did Courtney Love have Kurt Cobain murdered? That's a pretty nasty accusation, and it's one of many in this controversial documentary about grunge's first couple. If nothing else, it's got plenty of fodder for the Love-haters out there.
By Simon Vozick-Levinson
Aug 20, 2008
(EW.com)
THIS IS SPINAL TAP (1984)
One of the first fake rockumentaries and still the funniest by far. It helps that the Tap's tunes, while thoroughly ridiculous in content, are actually kinda terrific. (Like you've never air-guitared to ''Stonehenge''?)
THE LAST WALTZ (1978)
The Band were such an electrifying live act that a documentary capturing any of their shows would be well worth watching. But one directed by Martin Scorsese, with guests including Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, and a merrily slurring Van Morrison, at The Band's final performance of all time? Instant classic.
PURPLE RAIN (1984)
Prince was already a major star after the success of 1982's 1999, but this semi-autobiographical movie and its killer soundtrack cemented his place as an all-time genius. It's an odyssey through the bizarre paradise that was Prince's brain at the peak of his powers just sit back and enjoy the ride.
KURT & COURTNEY (1998)
Did Courtney Love have Kurt Cobain murdered? That's a pretty nasty accusation, and it's one of many in this controversial documentary about grunge's first couple. If nothing else, it's got plenty of fodder for the Love-haters out there.