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Movies / Upcoming / Bandslam
Bandslam

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Bandslam (2009)

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Reviews Counted:87

Fresh:70

Rotten:17

Average Rating:6.4/10

Consensus: Bandslam is an intelligent teen film that avoids teen film cliches, in an entertaining package of music and coming-of-age drama.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some thematic elements and mild language

Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Theatrical Release:12-08-2009

Synopsis: Disney Channel superstars Vanessa Anne Hudgens (High School Musical 1 & 2, High School Musical 3) and Alyson Michalka (Phil of the Future, pop duo Aly and AJ) join Gaelan Connell (Chocolat), Scott... Disney Channel superstars Vanessa Anne Hudgens (High School Musical 1 & 2, High School Musical 3) and Alyson Michalka (Phil of the Future, pop duo Aly and AJ) join Gaelan Connell (Chocolat), Scott Porter (Speed Racer) and Lisa Kudrow ("Friends") in the music-driven comedy BANDSLAM. When gifted singer-songwriter CHARLOTTE BANKS (Michalka) asks new kid in town WILL BURTON (Connell) to manage her fledgling rock band, she appears to have just one goal in mind: go head-to-head against her egotistical musician ex-boyfriend, BEN (Porter), at the biggest event of the year, a battle of the bands.

Against all odds, their band develops a sound all its own with a real shot at success in the contest. Meanwhile, romance brews between Will and SA5M (Hudgens), who plays a mean guitar and has a voice to die for. When disaster strikes, it's time for the band to make a choice: Do they admit defeat, or face the music and stand up for what they believe in? --© Summit Entertainment [More]

Starring: Gaelan Connell, Vanessa Hudgens, Alyson Michalka, Lisa Kudrow

Starring: Gaelan Connell, Vanessa Hudgens, Alyson Michalka, Lisa Kudrow, Scott Porter, David Bowie

Director: Todd Graff

Director: Todd Graff
Screenwriter: Josh A. Cagan, Todd Graff
Story: Josh A. Cagan
Producer: Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas
Studio: Summit Entertainment

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Reviews for Bandslam

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81 - 88 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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There's no edge, but if you're young enough to not know the original version of I Want You To Want Me, Bandslam may have charms enough to tickle your tweenage heart.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
08/12/09
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

Thanks to co-writer/director Todd Graff, who made the quite terrific Camp a few years back, Bandslam avoids being as clichéd as it sounds, and actually adds some real emotion and realistic drama.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine Australasia | comment Comment
08/12/09
Sara Klein
Sara Klein
Empire Magazine Australasia

Though not entirely naff, this teen film’s casting of Vanessa Hudgens is clearly an attempt to get High School Musical fans on board, but overall this is a charming effort.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
08/12/09
Julian Shaw
Julian Shaw
FILMINK (Australia)

Todd Graff's film is written with a desperate cleverness that clamors for attention over the brainless against-the-odds music-competition plot.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
08/11/09
Nicolas Rapold
Nicolas Rapold
Village Voice

A charming eye-roller with a nice streak that goes deep.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
08/10/09
Amy Nicholson
Amy Nicholson
Boxoffice Magazine

This savvy, music-fueled high school comedy really rocks.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
08/10/09
Michael Rechtshaffen
Michael Rechtshaffen
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An awkward, earnest, almost irresistible indie.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment 1 Comment
08/10/09
Rob Nelson
Rob Nelson
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

With its combination of high energy music, a terrific young cast (with the relatively youthful Lisa Kudrow as a mum) and its well structured screenplay, Bandslam is an above average coming of age dramatic comedy

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment 2 Comments
08/08/09
Andrew L. Urban
Andrew L. Urban
Urban Cinefile
 
 
81 - 88 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5
all

Latest News for Bandslam

August 13, 2009: Critics Consensus: District 9 is Certified Fresh
This week at the movies, we've got an alien nation (District 9, starring Jason Cope and Sharlto Copley); a high school musical (Bandslam, starring Gaelan Connell and Vanessa... More...

August 13, 2009: Box Office Guru Preview: District 9 Invades Over Crowded Frame
With summer almost out of gas, studios toss five more contenders into the ring in hopes of catching moviegoers that just haven't had their share of multiplex entertainment yet.... More...

August 10, 2009: Updated: The New Moon Teaser Trailer Teaser; Is 14 Seconds Enough for Fans?
It's one thing to announce a trailer debut and have fans furiously mark their calendars, DVRs and web browsers at the ready. But when a studio can cause a frenzy by announcing a... More...

July 13, 2009: Check out 8 Bandslam video clips and interviews with Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens, Gaelan Connell, and Lisa Kudrow Opens in new window
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