Rock Star

Director: Stephen Herek

Overview

Loosely inspired by the true story of the heavy metal band Judas Priest, this music industry fable from director Stephen Herek is based on a script by actor-turned-writer/director John Stockwell. Mark Wahlberg stars as Chris Cole, a wannabe rock star who works by day as a copy machine repairman and by night as the lead singer of Blood Pollution, a Pennsylvania tribute band that imitates the best-selling heavy metal rockers of Steel Dragon. Although he's supported by his girlfriend Emily (Jennifer Aniston), Chris is devastated when his friends kick him out of the band he founded. His humiliation doesn't last long, however, as Chris soon learns that he's been tapped to replace the lead singer of Steel Dragon, literally becoming a rock star overnight. Chris soon has everything he's ever wanted but is disappointed to discover that being a superstar isn't everything it's cracked up to be. Rock Star was produced under two other titles, "Metal God" and "So You Want to Be a Rock Star."

Product Details

Release Date:	09/08/2009
UPC:	0883929084968
Original Release:	2001
Rating:	R
Source:	WARNER HOME VIDEO
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:46:00
Sales rank:	12,189

Special Features

Closed Caption; ; Feature-length Audio Commentary by Director Stephen Herek ; Making-Of Featurette Backstage Pass; ; Everclear Rock Star Music Video; Theatrical Trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Mark Wahlberg	Chris `Izzy' Cole
Jennifer Aniston	Emily Poule
Timothy Spall	Mats
Timothy Olyphant	Rob
Dominic West	Kirk Cuddy
Jason Bonham	A.C.
Jeff Pilson	Jorgen
Zakk Wylde	Ghode
Jason Flemyng	Bobby Beers
Dagmara Dominczyk	Tania
Michael Shamus Wiles	Mr. Cole
Beth Grant	Mrs. Cole
Matthew Glave	Joe Cole
Stephan Jenkins	Bradley
Blas Elias	Donny
Nick Catanese	Xander
Brian Vander Ark	Ricki
Rachel Hunter	A.C.'s Wife
Jamie Williams	Mason
Deborah Leydig	Marjorie
Heidi Mark	Kirk's Wife
Ursula Whittaker	Actor
Kristin Richardson	Samantha
Keith Loneker	Roadie #1
Sami Reed	Amber
Kara Zediker	Marci
Kevin Ryder	Cream Reporter
Gene 'Bean' Baxter	Melody-Maker Reporter
Gregory Hinton	Bouncer
Sonya Stephens	Nurse
Kirk Enochs	Fan #1
Trevor Rabin	Composer

Technical Credits

John Stockwell

John Stockwell	Screenwriter
Wayne Beauchamp	Special Effects
Mat Beck	Special Effects
Sharon Bialy	Casting
George Clooney	Executive Producer
Toby Jaffe	Producer
Robert Lawrence	Producer
Mike Ockrent	Executive Producer
Chris Palermo	Stunts
Steven Reuther	Executive Producer

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Rock Star
1. Nailing It [3:55]
2. Livin' the Life [1:59]
3. Stand Up Concert [2:29]
4. Battling Bands [2:29]
5. Big Brother [2:44]
6. "I'm in a Band" [1:21]
7. Pierced (Are You Ready) [2:00]
8. Get a Grip (Stand Up) [6:18]
9. Where the Talent is [3:57]
10. Someone Else's Lines [2:29]
11. Cuddy Calling [4:18]
12. Dragon Lair [6:09]
13. Audition [3:02]
14. Vocal Secret [2:33]
15. Coronation [2:44]
16. Bloody Blood Pollution [4:00]
17. Living Proof [2:30]
18. Good Time Allowed [7:15]
19. Wake Up [2:50]
20. Rock Star's Girls [3:55]
21. See You in Seattle [3:36]
22. Live the Life [4:27]
23. "We're Done" [5:25]
24. Steel Dragon Thing [3:43]
25. Wife Story [4:03]
26. Stand Up. . . and Exit [5:11]
27. His Own Music [4:48]
28. Outtake End Credits [5:36]

Menu

Disc #1 -- Rock Star
Play Movie
Special Features
Cast & Crew
Mark Wahlberg Is Chris "Izzy" Coles
Jennifer Aniston Is Emily Poole
Produced by Robert Lawrence lll & Toby Jaffe
Written by John Stockwell
Directed by Stephen Herek
Executive Producers: Steven Reuther, George Clooney & Mike Ockrent
Commentary
Backstage Pass
Music Video "Rock Star" By Everclear
Theatrical Trailer
Scenes
Languages
Spoken Languages
English
Français (Dubbed in Quebec)
Subtitles
English
Français
Español
Subtitles: Off

Editorial Reviews

As VH1's Behind the Music upgraded the status of hair bands like Def Leppard and Bon Jovi from public embarrassment to source of nostalgia, the appetite grew for a movie like Rock Star. Director Stephen Herek doesn't disappoint in this first mainstream attempt to cast pop metal as a modern period piece, using equal parts Almost Famous, A Star Is Born, and This Is Spinal Tap for a likable, if superficial brew. Herek proves himself as much a fan of rock bravura as a critic of its shallowness, perfectly capturing trademark elements like the overblown sets and the interchangeable lead singers. Mark Wahlberg, playing another naif run through the glamorous wringer in a decade-defining epic (see Boogie Nights), has the natural swagger to pull off the role effortlessly -- even if his own musical roots were in popular hip-hop, a fact teased during the closing credits. Jennifer Aniston is a little too self-aware to seem like a real rock chick, but she displays far greater subtlety than one would expect from a television actress, elevating the role above obviousness. Most of the supporting performances, including a superlative Timothy Spall, also reflect enough nuance to avoid cliché. The film offers all the formulaic moments one would expect, but that doesn't make it any less fun to see hotel furniture glued to the ceiling and other apocryphal moments yanked from rock biographies. The fact that Steel Dragons is comprised of real musicians from that era, composing and performing new and utterly believable anthems, adds to the authenticity. The end shift to Seattle even previews the 1990s in a way that's simultaneously earnest and tongue-in-cheek -- very much like these metal gods themselves.