'School Of Rock'
(Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman, Mike White / PG-13 / 92 mins / Paramount)
Overview:Dewey Finn (Jack Black) just got fired from his own rock band. To make matters worse, his roommate (Mike White) is being hounded by his girlfriend (Sarah Silverman) to get Dewey to cough up the rent money he owes. What's a guy to do? In this case, Dewey pretends to be his roommate to make some extra bucks substitute-teaching. Over the course of several weeks, he takes a class of private-school students and molds them into a rockin' band.
Verdict: Quite simply put, 'School Of Rock' is a family film that's alive and well-acted and smart and perceptive and funny — and totally rocks! The spirited magic of rock 'n roll turns a formula story into something original, heartfelt, and resonant. The cinematic equivalent of a near-perfect three-minute pop song, the film's young stars (ALL of which could play their instruments!) shine like children on the big screen have not done for many a year! 'School Of Rock' is a very funny for-kids-of-all-ages delight that should catapult Mr. Black straight to the top of the A-list of Hollywood funnymen. Where he belongs, for sure!