The barely hyped Bandslam must settle for simply being the best American movie this summer.
10 Comments
08/19/09
Bandslam (2009)
80
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:88
Fresh:70
Rotten:18
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.
Theatrical Release:Aug 14, 2009 Wide
Box Office: $5,205,343
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... [More]
Starring: Gaelan Connell, Vanessa Hudgens, Alyson Michalka, Lisa Kudrow
Director: Todd Graff
Reviews for Bandslam
I would have had much more interest in this film if the cinematographer would have just handed the camera over to Vanessa Hudgens and turned her loose alone in her hotel room.
08/14/09
Instead of the vapid drivel you'd expect from their Disneyfied crowd, Bandslam turns out to be a charming (and well-soundtracked: Hello, Wilco!) little parable for the tween set about first crushes, friendship and like, duh, the power of music.
08/13/09
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
08/08/09
Whenever the music is playing, it's tough to fight the urge to rock out right in your theater seat.
08/14/09
Tidy, heartfelt direction by Todd Graff (“Camp”); astute song references; and a David Bowie cameo transcend the formula underpinnings and keep Bandslam buoyant, gratifying and, yes, rocking.
08/14/09
Director Todd Graff does have a keen understanding of kids in the world of performing arts, as he shows here and in his earlier and better film Camp.
08/14/09
Top CriticAn awkward, earnest, almost irresistible indie.
08/10/09
Top CriticLisa Kudrow interview: Following her 'Friends' fame, you now get the sense that she's splitting her time between TV work, various films and perhaps most important mothering. Work on 'Bandslam' is now much like real life for her.
08/13/09
Surprisingly tolerable teen fare with hints of the wit and warmth that the late John Hughes once brought to the genre.
08/14/09
The movie has a few good tunes and some charming comic dash, at least at first.
08/14/09
A charming eye-roller with a nice streak that goes deep.
08/10/09
Surprisingly watchable despite the formulaic teen format.
08/13/09
Laugh-out-loud funny, with less sugar and more teen spirit than the likes of High School Musical.
08/14/09
Graff has wonderfully captured not just the emotional havoc of adolescence but its passionate belief in music as a life-changing force.
08/14/09
Todd Graffs coming-of-age musical comedy may hardly be original, but the secret is all in the mix: sweet enough to please the kids, while acerbically downbeat enough to keep the attention of any accompanying adults.
08/14/09
My 6 year old enjoyed it. I guess I would just like a little more effort from the filmmakers. Maybe worth a DVD rental, though.
08/16/09
These are characters that make mistakes, they redeem themselves, and they grow throughout the course of the film.
08/17/09
There is really just a lot to like here.
08/17/09
manages to be energetic, entertaining, and surprisingly mature
08/13/09
Latest News for Bandslam
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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 
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