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Bandslam (2009)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
14 August 2009 (USA) morePlot:
A new kid in town assembles a fledgling rock band -- together, they achieve their dreams and compete against the best in the biggest event of the year, a battle of the bands. full summary | full synopsisNewsDesk:
(243 articles)
I Am Sgt. Rock (From JoBlo. 9 November 2009, 7:26 PM, PST)
Big Home Video releases Rock On, Jodhaa Akbar on Blu-Ray
(From BusinessofCinema. 4 November 2009, 1:18 PM, PST)
User Comments:
It's corny, it's predictable, and I liked it! more (17 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Alyson Michalka | ... | Charlotte Banks (as Aly Michalka) |
 | Vanessa Hudgens | ... | Sa5m |
 | Gaelan Connell | ... | Will Burton |
 | Scott Porter | ... | Ben Wheatly |
 | Ryan Donowho | ... | Basher Martin |
 | Charlie Saxton | ... | Bug |
 | Lisa Kudrow | ... | Karen Burton |
 | Tim Jo | ... | Omar |
 | Elvy Yost | ... | Irene Lerman (Cello) |
 | Lisa Chung | ... | Kim Lee (Keyboards) |
 | J.W. Wright | ... | Dylan Dyer (Glory Dogs Guitar) (as J.W. Wright II) |
 | Blair Bomar | ... | Megan |
 | Casey Williams | ... | Ms. Wittenberg |
| Maggie Maye | ... | Kyra 17-1 |
 | Jennifer Blair | ... | Kyra's Friend |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for some thematic elements and mild language.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
111 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (FotoKem)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
USA:PG (certificate #44174) | Ireland:PG | UK:PG | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | South Korea:12 | Netherlands:AL | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Singapore:PG | Mexico:A | Australia:PG | Hong Kong:IFun Stuff
Trivia:
Gaelan Connell was cast 2 weeks into the rehearsal process, with only 2 full days of rehearsal left before filming commenced. moreQuotes:
Will Burton: So, how big is this whole bandslam thing around here?Sam: Texas high school football big.
more
Soundtrack:
Stuck In The Middle moreFAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersIs "Bandslam" based on a book?
Is Vanessa Hudgens' character named "Sam" or "Sa5m"?
more
more (17 total)
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Will Burton, has just moved to a new school. On his first day, he meets Sa5m (the 5 is silent), finding out about an event called Bandslam, a competition for local bands to win a record deal. Charlotte is forming a band, and decides to make Will the band manager...
On paper, Bandslam shouldn't work as well as it does. The story is predictable, it's very clichéd, and in places corny. The plot also has a number of plot holes in it. But despite all this, it is very enjoyable, and very well done.
One of the key reasons for this is the script. Co-written by the director, Todd Graff and Josh A. Gagan, the script takes time to flesh out it's main characters, although in parts the character Sa5m does feel under-written, but this could be due to scenes being edited out. There are twists to each character, which helps explain their actions, especially towards the end. Graff as director handles the material well, right up to the musical finale.
The cast are pretty good too. Vanessa Hudgens is the one getting most attention due to the High School Musical movies, does okay as Sa5m, an outsider. Aly Michalka, as Charlotte is better, but as I said, I think this is due more to her part being written better. However the real stand-out performance is from Gaelan Connell as Will. Lisa Kudrow gives good support as his mother, and in fact there isn't a bad performance in the movie.
The songs themselves aren't that bad, if not entirely memorable, which in a movie about a music contest is important.
At a time when the bigger summer block-buster movies are sacrificing character for visuals, it's good to see a movie that while not setting it's sights very high, gives it's movie proper, rounded characters. It deserves huge credit for that. In fact the best complement I can give this movie, is that it has a John Hughes vibe to it.
And that isn't a bad thing at all. Go enjoy.