Kings of Rock - Tenacious D (Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny) 
U.S.A.
2006
Opening 8 Feb 2007
Directed by:
Liam Lynch
Writing credits:
Jack Black, Kyle Gass
Principal actors:
Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Jason Reed, Ronnie James Dio, Troy Gentile
Musician KG (Kyle Gass) and his apprentice JB (Jack Black) must fend for themselves after KG’s parents decide that he is old enough to face the world without their financial assistance. This is questionable, considering the state of KG’s living quarters and his own personal appearance, but yes, the parents have no choice. Heavy metal music is the world of the two overweight friends, and they dream of winning first prize at a contest in Al’s Bar. While discussing the recipe for writing the perfect song, they compare pictures of rock greats such as Jim Morrison, Marilyn Manson, David Bowie, etc., on the covers of Rolling Stone Magazine. They discover a common denominator, namely, the same guitar pick in the hands of these successful musicians. A rock historian (Ben Stiller) tells the story of this pick of destiny (POD) and how it originated from a tooth of Satan himself (Dave Grohl, the lead singer of Foo Fighters). JB and KG are now on a mission, Blues-Brothers-style and spare no effort to retrieve this pick from the Rock and Roll History Museum.
This very fun, off-the-wall, politically incorrect, film supposedly tells the story of the band Tenacious D, which really does exist. It was founded in 1994 by Black and Gass who met at the Actors’ Gang (theater ensemble founded by Tim Robbins). Jack Black, with his wild antics and grimaces, is perfect as an anti-rock star who aims to outwit Satan and scramble to fame with a vengeance. Gass complements him perfectly. Both are extremely talented, not only as actors, but as musicians and composers, having written 16 of the 24 songs on the sound track. The Who comes in with two songs. The R & R history museum is not the real one in Cleveland Ohio, but was recreated on set in great detail. There are appearances by Tim Robbins, Meat Loaf, JR Reed, Ned Bellamy, and Ronnie James Dio (front man of Black Sabbath and Dio), Paul F. Tompkins (stand-up comedian) and Colin Hanks. This is a four-star film for viewers who don’t mind bad taste, e.g., jokes which refer to body parts. If you are squeamish and can’t bear to hear the word “dude” even one more time, forget it. The rest of you will laugh at nonsense and forget your cares for a few hours. (Becky Tan)
