Apologies if this has been covered before (the "Search" function on the Org is out of action today, so I can't check).

Those of you who have seen Metallica - Some Kind of Monster, what are your thoughts and opinions on it?


I personally thought it wasn't as in-depth or probing as I had been led to expect, but still had some priceless moments.


Whaddya think....?

I'm about to watch it this weekend sometime, so I'll let you know.

After watching this, it is clear that Jason Newstead made the right move by leaving the band. I do have to admire them for having the guts to realease a documentary that makes them look like a bunch of whining headcases. The scenes with Dave Mustaine are truly pathetic and the band shrink scares me. It is a good film, however; well worth the rental price.
[Edited 2/24/05 6:42am]

Stax said:

The band shrink is, indeed, very scarey. Mind you, anyone who can wear such hideous jumpers and shirts with no shame must know a thing or two about mental strength and fortitude of spirit

I agree about the whole Jason Newstead thing too - seems like all the things that pissed him off and held him back were changed as soon as he left the band, such as joint songwriting and recognising the equal value of everyone in the band - man, it must piss him off double to think that they couldn't be like that with him, but as soon as he goes it all gets sorted out.


I read a lot of comments from Dave Mustaine before I saw the film, saying he felt like it had been edited to make him seem like the bad guy and a whiney cry baby. Personally, I felt that he came across as fair and honest. Though I don't necesarily agree with what he was saying, I think he comes away from the film with more credibility than Ulrich.

What really strikes me from Some Kind Of Monster is how they seem to really struggle to come up with the album - I get the distinct impression that their well of ideas is drying up very quickly.


...and St Anger does little to alter that opinion

RocknRollDave said:

Yep, I agree with all of these points.

Stax said:

co-sign to all that. i had fun hating lars through the whole movie, just like i thought i would, and the whole band just came off like a bunch of sad, middle-aged, poshed-out used-to-bes. still, it's a really fascinating documentary. you kinda get the idea the band knows how pathetic they are, but they have tons of money and families and everything they could possibly want, so they don't really give 100% of a shit.

I really appreciate everyone's comments. I haven't seen this film yet, but I do love Metallica and I'll be checkin' this out soon.

Anxiety said:

Sad but true, erm, to coin a phrase....




.

Anxiety said:

You're awesome, man. Now I can't wait to see it.

This thread is cracking me the fuck up. RocknRollDave, Stax and Anxiety are making me want to go see the movie...on the other hand, I get the feeling it'd be much funnier to just listen to the three of you talk about it.

FunkMistress said:

You should rent it. Like Anx said, it is fascinating.

FunkMistress said:

Or you could just move back home and live with your parents and watch intently next time they have an argument - it's pretty much the same thing, I guess


Middle aged people arguing


Man, Sex and drugs and rock n roll all the way, baby!

RocknRollDave said:

....cue crunching guitars

DER-der-DER-da-na-na-na-na-na!!! DER-der-DER-da-na-na-na-na-na!!!

minneapolisgenius said:

RocknRollDave said:

I'm listening to it now.

This movie is hilarious. Kirk really seemed to be the glue holding that band together, Lars and James came off as kind of aloof and flaky.

The scenes with Dave Mustaine are classic, I laughed so hard I was in tears. The auditions were a hoot too, watching a bunch of out-of-work aging rockers going for a job interview was comical.

Lars dad seemed cool as hell, they should have just brought him into the band lol.

Tom said:

Interesting that you see Kirk in that way...

I always thought he was kind of on the side lines, just waiting to do what he was told.




Piss poor guitarist too, imo.


Probably the most balanced and nicest of the three of them too. Rob The New Guy seems way ahead of them in the personality stakes too. Cool guy, very cool guy.

RocknRollDave said:

I had to subtitle this movie so let's say I know it like the back of my keyboard. I thought it was good overall - it shows the dynamic behind what being in a band is all about. It's like a marriage of sorts, except with 4 personalities instead of two to contend with. I thought Kirk came off like he was extremely grounded - Lars was a spolied brat (not sure if it was in the film or the deleted scenes, but he was at a little b-day party for Kirk and whined about the fact that he never gets a b-day party! ) They should substitute Lars with his Dad in the band I rather liked seeing James go through a personal transformation and come out the other side somewhat enlightened. The shrink they hired seemed at times ineffectual, but I guess he did get them to confront one another and get all their feelings out in the open.

I'd totally recommend this film - it's really entertaining and lends some insight to the kind of relationship an enduring band has with its members.



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[Edited 2/24/05 9:38am]

RocknRollDave said:

I agree with what you said about Kirk. He seems way too passive. Can this make please say something, about anything??

The scenes with Dave were good because he was being open and honest. Does that make a man seem weak? I think he showed his softer side, so now people are saying he's a wuss, whatever.

I liked when Lars told James off! I give anyone props for having the balls to speak up to someone, especially when they're big and intimidating like James.

dancerella said:

Well, I think some saw him as a bit whiny, because in spite of the success of Megadeth, he still had a huge chip on his shoulder about being ousted out of Metallica. Clearly he wasn't the strongest member of the group to begin with - so I didn't have that much sympathy for him. It's like he wanted to blame Lars and James for all his problems. He'd been holding on to that grudge for years! I thought Jason had a bigger ax to grind with James being so controlling.

DiminutiveRocker said:

I see your point. He should be happy and grateful for all of the success he's had with megadeth. He really hasn't gotten over being kicked out of the band.

Sorry , but can't these guys just play rock !
And i mean the kind up until "The Black Album"
not that soft shit they started playing later

Though I'm not a big Metallica fan now, I was for a period in time. I've heard good things about this, even from non-fans, so I'm going to give it a try soon. Netflix will deliver it in a few weeks.

Tom said:

I liked the audition scenes too. It was fun watching a bunch of "pretty good" bassist trying to play way above their ability. Metallica can still throw it down, when they want to, and most of the would-be's were working hard to keep up. Trujillo nails it, however, and it is obvious in the film. It was also fun to see Trujillo's reaction when the band told him they were going to give him a million bucks in good-faith money.

How do you all feel Bob Rock comes across from this film?



I think he seems like a long-suffering, all-round good guy who just had to keep his mouth shut and be all diplomatic whilst the band were basically dicking him around during the album.

JACKAL said:

I know it's cliche to say this, but I loved Metallica up until right after the Black Album. That seems to be the general consensus with Metallica fans.

I still have to see this movie though.

This thread made me listen to Metallica all day yesterday though. I'm off to crank up "Whiplash" now.....


[Edited 2/25/05 4:17am]

minneapolisgenius said:

And Justice For All killed it for me. When a band starts blowing themselves up on-stage (even accidentally), its the begining of the end, in my book.