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Movies / On DVD / The Rocker
The Rocker

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The Rocker (2008)

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Reviews Counted:117

Fresh:46

Rotten:71

Average Rating:5.1/10

Consensus: With a predictable and lightweight story, the earnest efforts of the cast are squandered by The Rocker's bland script.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for drug and sexual references, nudity and language.

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:17-10-2008

Synopsis: Slovenly drummer Robert "Fish" Fishman (THE OFFICE's Rainn Wilson) is booted out of his 1980s hair metal band, Vesuvius, right as they're signed to a big label, crushing his dreams and leading to a... Slovenly drummer Robert "Fish" Fishman (THE OFFICE's Rainn Wilson) is booted out of his 1980s hair metal band, Vesuvius, right as they're signed to a big label, crushing his dreams and leading to a 20-year stretch of office park employment. A second chance comes in the form of his overweight teenage keyboardist nephew (Josh Gad) who needs an emergency drummer for his band's gig at the prom. It's an odd match--an '80s metal guy in a teen emo-lite band (their name is A.D.D.)--but he's soon offering fatherly counsel to fatherless boy singer Curtis (Teddy Geiger), giving hair gel tips to the foxy bassist (Emma Stone), and working to get the band a club gig. Soon A.D.D. is signed to the same label as Vesuvius, poised for major MTV-stardom, all leading to a big arena spot as the opening band for the dreaded Vesuvius. Fish needs to overcome his tantrum-throwing ways and step up to the kit, if he wants to impress Curtis's hot mom (Christina Applegate) and outrock his former colleagues. A cross between rock star fantasia à la SCHOOL OF ROCK and the Will Ferrell School of man-child comedy, THE ROCKER benefits from tight editing and pretty decent songs. Real-life musician Geiger saves some rough stretches with his easygoing charisma, while Peter Best (the drummer dropped from the Beatles and hence the quintessential "dumped drummer") makes a cameo. It's directed by Peter Cattaneo of THE FULL MONTY [More]

Starring: Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Jeff Garlin, Teddy Geiger

Starring: Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Jeff Garlin, Teddy Geiger, Emma Stone, Josh Gad, Jane Lynch, Jason Sudeikis, Howard Hesseman, Bradley Cooper, Lonny Ross, Will Arnett, Fred Armisen

Director: Peter Cattaneo, Anthony B. Richmond

Director: Peter Cattaneo
Screenwriter: Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky
Story: Ryan Jaffe
Producer: Shawn Levy, Tom McNulty
Director: Anthony B. Richmond
Composer: Chad Fischer
Studio: Fox Atomic

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for The Rocker

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101 - 118 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

In yet the umpteenth arrested development manchild comedy, Rainn Wilson lets his inner Jack Black out with a good dose of Will Ferrell style body barement and mines some laughs out of a largely forgettable film.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
08/19/08
Laura Clifford
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews

A pox on the house of the individual who first told Rainn Wilson he was a funny man. For the inconsiderate moose that decided to open their trap and inspire this actor, I wish them the same discomfort I suffered while watching The Rocker.

Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com | comment 5 Comments
08/19/08
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
BrianOrndorf.com

A wealth of creative talent can't alter the fact that Rocker is merely a passable goof-off, and one less challenging or fun than a night spent playing Rock Band.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
08/19/08
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Slant Magazine

Appeals to the part of you that dreams of stage diving, counting groupies and trashing hotel rooms.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
08/19/08
Matt Pais
Matt Pais
Metromix.com

A great cast, solid writing, some poppy head-bopping tunes and a story full of warmth and laughs often makes up for its sometimes predictable high concept plot.

Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
08/18/08
Edward Douglas
Edward Douglas
ComingSoon.net

It is a goofy and amusing late summer film with more than enough laughs to recommend it.

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
08/18/08
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper

It’s depressing when the best thing you can say about a comedy is that its second-rateness is pleasantly in sync with its unmagnetic hero.

Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
08/18/08
David Edelstein
David Edelstein
New York Magazine

I guess if you like Rainn Wilson alot, you might enjoy it. But I find his humor flat and tedious. I can't believe this is from the Oscar-nominated director who made THE FULL MONTY.

Full Review Source: Sin Magazine | comment Comment
08/18/08
Austin Kennedy
Austin Kennedy
Sin Magazine

An uneasy mixture of raucous Will Ferrell farce and kid-friendly Disney Channel teen teleflick that never gels.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
08/18/08
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

What has happened to Cattaneo (Full Monty)? His new formulaic comedy about second chances and comeback in the rock world recycles elements from School of Rock, Spinal Tap, Tenacious D, and it's not even a good star vehicle for talented comedian Wilson.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
08/17/08
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

The only brazen thing about the film is how shamelessly it rips off School of Rock.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
08/15/08
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly

This satire about an aging heavy metal drummer finds a good comic rhythm.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
07/28/08
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There's enough innocent charm and dumb optimism here to pad the movie's lighthearted pokes at humor.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
07/27/08
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

[A] well-crafted, feel-good satire.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment 1 Comment
07/23/08
Peter Debruge
Peter Debruge
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is pre-packaged entertainment, a product designed to give bored teenagers something to watch on a Friday or Saturday night when steamy summer nights are getting longer and Labor Day is just around the corner.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
07/22/08
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

It's modestly entertaining, occasionally funny, and generally agreeable. I just don't think Wilson should quit his day job yet.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment 3 Comments
06/17/08
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

Rainn Wilson has already been typecast as "that weird, crazy guy" in every role he plays, but he seems capable of more.

Full Review Source: ReelzChannel.com | comment Comment
06/17/08
Jeff Otto
Jeff Otto
ReelzChannel.com

It’s exactly the kind of film that I’ll forget having ever seen by the time Summer is over and that’s too bad as I do love the premise of the film and I’m a fan of Rainn Wilson.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment 4 Comments
06/17/08
Don R. Lewis
Don R. Lewis
Film Threat
 
 
101 - 118 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6
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