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Rock School

Play trailer Poster for Rock School R 2005 1h 32m Documentary Music Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
81% Tomatometer 78 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
For incorrigible instructor Paul Green, the three "R's" of reading, writing and arithmetic take a backseat to rocking out, and he actually has his own curriculum set up to help precocious youngsters do so. Indeed, at The Paul Green School of Rock Music, the ultimate goal is learning to wail on guitar like Robert Plant or strut around like Mick Jagger. But getting to that stage means developing discipline and grace under fire, and most important of all -- surviving Mr. Green's tutelage.
Rock School

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Boasting an entertaining and eccentric cast of characters, Rock School lives up to its name.

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Critics Reviews

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Stella Papamichael BBC.com 08/23/2005
4/5
It's like Spinal Tap, only shorter. Go to Full Review
Geoff Pevere Toronto Star 07/08/2005
2.5/4
So overpowering is Green's outsized, needy, arrested-adolescent personality (while you initially suspect he's playing for the camera, the blas attitude of his students suggests he really is like this), it throws the movie off-balance. Go to Full Review
Liam Lacey Globe and Mail 07/08/2005
2.5/4
Their playing is terrific, but there's little doubt the kids are fulfilling Green's fantasy rather than the other way around. Go to Full Review
Paul Dale The List 04/26/2019
3/5
Filmed verité-style, Argott's film can hardly lay claim to the greatness its subjects clearly aspire to. Most of the time it comes across as a kind of amateur version of The Bad News Bears. Go to Full Review
Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com 04/15/2009
B
For all of his questionable methods, Paul Green gets results that are revealed when he takes a group of students to perform the difficult music of Frank Zappa at a Zappa festival in Bad Doberon, East Germany. Go to Full Review
Lisa Ann Cockrel Christianity Today 10/02/2006
3/4
Watching the students band together to rock -- and the faces of the audience and participants when they realize what these kids are capable of -- is a joy. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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04/16/2012 a heartwarming tale of a man who yells at children :D. but seriously this movie *gasp* rocks! kids learning the ways of rock, plus frank zappa stuff so it's a winner in my book See more 03/25/2012 Green's lack of self-control and methods are a little disturbing, but I enjoyed seeing the kids do well. Mostly I loved seeing the brilliant and reserved CJ, who looks like someone destined for fame, and Will O'Connor, who in the end was so articulate and wise for his age... See more 11/03/2010 Those who loved 2003â(TM)s School of Rock and want to see a documentary about almost the same thing, youâ(TM)re in luck. Rock School (almost the same title even) features a real life school of rock and documents the events of all involved, impressing the viewer constantly with the talents of these young musicians. As we are taken behind the scenes from start to finish in their journey to being rock stars (at least thus far), we are given a better understanding of what these dedicated musicians go through to achieve victory. Paul Green is given the most spotlights in this nifty documentary as he takes the gold for forming this school, which inspires young (as young as elementary school) musicians to join their band. As many of them have experienced personal problems previously (one loser who reveals his low intelligence and suicide attempts stands out), membership in this school not only gives them a chance to showcase their talent, but builds loads of self esteem! Though it was not only a great idea from the start, this talented group takes their dream to the national level and even wins awards. Making it a dream come true and more than they could ever bargain for. As this one got a straight-to-DVD release, it did not obtain quite as much recognition as it deserved, which is quite a shame as it is the kind of film which warms your heart and may make everyone inspired to chase their wildest dreams. We also get a chance to know each cast member one on one and find out how they came to be where they are, and many of their stories give them even more credibility. Knowing that this is a true story makes it even more treasured. Definitely a quality documentary to be viewed by all movie buffs at one time or another. See more 08/01/2010 Very powerful and moving, but it also rocks hard. See more 07/29/2010 way better than school of rock See more 07/18/2010 If you give your children to a man like this, don't come crying to me on America's Most Wanted later. See more Read all reviews
Rock School

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Movie Info

Synopsis For incorrigible instructor Paul Green, the three "R's" of reading, writing and arithmetic take a backseat to rocking out, and he actually has his own curriculum set up to help precocious youngsters do so. Indeed, at The Paul Green School of Rock Music, the ultimate goal is learning to wail on guitar like Robert Plant or strut around like Mick Jagger. But getting to that stage means developing discipline and grace under fire, and most important of all -- surviving Mr. Green's tutelage.
Director
Don Argott
Producer
Don Argott, Sheena M. Joyce
Distributor
Newmarket Film Group
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 3, 2005, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Sep 13, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA)
$58.2K
Runtime
1h 32m