By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Bruce Sinofsky | Joe Berlinger
Country: united_states
Year: 2004
Running time: 135
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387412/combined
Michael says: “One of the measures of a successful documentary, for me, is making me interested in a subject or subjects that I never in my wildest dreams would have thought to be interested in. Heavy Metal music, and more precisely, Metallica, is such a subject. In fact, roughly 45 minutes into this 2 hour, 20 minute film, I was thinking, well, this may be a well made film, but really, I just don’t care about these headbangers. Imagine my surprise about an hour later when I realized I was absolutely fascinated
with this band and the journey they went through.
“Now, as stated above, I’m not a fan of heavy metal (this despite the fact that I actually saw Metallica in concert back in the late ’80’s – a very unsettling experience – due to the coercion of a good friend). In fact, I find its posturing and excess pretty silly. Therapy can come across as somewhat silly as well, especially when you’re not involved, but merely watching from the outside. In 2001, when Metallica bassist, Jason Newsted, quit the band, the band hired a therapist to counsel them and help them get into the right frame of mind to record their next album. At about the same time, filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, started making this movie (both movie and album took nearly two years to shoot/record). So, while remaining band members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammet immerse themselves into the psychological and emotional minefield that are therapy and making an album, the view gets to see it all unfold… and some of it is a little silly. But surprisingly, a lot of it was actually quite moving and certainly heartfelt.
“Berlinger and Sinofsky’s camera crew are there for several uncomfortable encounters, as the band members root around in their psyches trying to make ‘an aggressive album, using positive energy.’ It’s not easy. Especially when lead singer Hetfield checks himself into rehab without warning in the middle of recording not to return for nearly a year. There’s even a fascinating scene after Hetfield’s return when the band talks to the two filmmakers as they try to decide whether or not to continue making the film.
“So, sure, I still think heavy metal is a little silly, but this film actually plugged me into its energy for a little while, Especially seeing the creation of ‘an aggressive album, using positive energy.’ I think the guys in Metallica really put themselves in a vulnerable position in this film, in an effort to make things better. I’m not sure what it will do for their careers, or their personal lives, in the long run, but it was certainly an entertaining movie. And one, ironically, that didn’t feel like it’s 135 minute length. 4 1/2 cats
P.S. What is it with rock & roll docs? First GIGANTIC (A TALE OF TWO JOHNS), then DiG!, now METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER? I think I’m hooked!”
Bruce says: “For twenty years Metallica often topped the charts and was the number one arena attraction around the world. Selling high energy, deafening sound, raspy vocals, and raw sexuality they drank their way across the country to get through the ordeals of being on the road and not particularly liking one another. They were always drinking and looking for excitement, ‘waking up in a strange bed, next to a strange person.’ This is not an atmosphere conducive to emotional growth. Through the course of METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER we come to realize how severe a toll the rock star’s life has on one’s inner development.
“Three members of the group James Hetfield (lead vocals), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Kirk Hammett (lead guitar) have been with Metallica from the start. Cliff Burton, the original bass player, died in a freak accident in Sweden in 1983. Jason Newsted replaced Burton but was kicked out of the band prior to 2001. Bob Rock, the band’s recording manager, temporarily fills in until a new bass player is auditioned for their tour.
“In 2001 the band decides to go back to the studio to record another album, make this film and hire Phil Towle, a $40,000 a month therapist, to help ease the tensions among the members. The band’s big problem is the relationship of Hetfield and Ulrich. They write the songs. Both are moody and petulant. Hetfield has a severe drinking problem and Ulrich has an irascible personality. They are openly hostile towards one another. Hammett throughout the film remains in the background where he claims he is most comfortable. He spends time on his Northern California ranch and takes up surfing which curtails his drinking. Hammett claims he spend time trying to downplay his ego and make it smaller, a concept alien to Ulrich and Hetfield.
“At times it seems the new album will never happen. The film covers a period of about three years during which Hetfield spend an entire year in rehab and recovery. He has many self-doubts and concerns about being able to write songs and falling off the wagon if he goes on the road. Meanwhile, Ulrich sues Napster and creates great animosity among the Metallica fan base and he sells his art collection at Christie’s for over $13 million dollars. Ulrich and Hetfield both have started families and bring their small children to recording sessions, adding a new dimension to the studio environment.
“When he finally returns to the studio, Hetfield limits his work day to four hours and has control issues when the band wants to work longer, without him. Throughout all of this Ulrich and Hetfield express their deep, dark feelings in therapy sessions. It is fascinating to see how many of their songs evolve from the anger and frustration of their therapy dialogue. Finally, the ‘St. Anger’ album is finished and they go on tour. Once again they are back on top. METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER leaves a surprisingly good aftertaste considering I’ve never been a fan of their music. 3.5 cats”
Rob says: “Detractors would have a far easier time of making Metallica/Spinal Tap comparisons that stuck if the California rockers were as short on talent as their fictional British counterparts. Very few such similarities exist, however, as filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky prove in this titanic new documentary. The duo, who were granted a first-ever license of Metallica’s music for use in their chilling PARADISE LOST (1996), had full access during the recording of the album that would become 2003’s ‘St. Anger.’ Far more than the mere promotional piece that was originally intended, Berlinger and Sinofsky dig deeply not only into the creative process, but the intricacies of these hard rock vanguards. They also leave no stone unturned, covering subjects as uncomfortable as the rifts with ex-members Jason Newstead and, incredibly, the grudge-holding pout-master Dave Mustaine of the once-competing shadow-dwellers, Megadeth, as well as the death of bassist Cliff Burton while on tour in Europe in 1986. The Napster flap is addressed without spin, as is the group’s reputation for alcohol abuse, thus the nickname, ‘Alcoholica.’ Its weighty 141 minute running time is a bit much to ask of an audience — even the devout — but since this film will find the bulk of its audience on DVD this fall, it, like the fact that ‘St. Anger’ is not Metallica at their best, is unimportant. Score: 4 cats