Product Description

No Track ListingSystem Requirements:The film that Spin calls "as worthy of a place in the rock-doc pantheon as Don t Look Back and Gimme Shelter" is an intensely intimate look at one of the biggest hard rock bands of all time. Some Kind of Monster takes you inside the studio and into the psyches of Metallica as they record their Grammy-winning album St. Anger while battling their way through addiction fatherhood backlash from fans and near-total disintegration during the most turbulent period of their twenty-year history. Jam-packed with bonus features this rock n roll psychodrama is unlike anything you ve ever seen!Format: DVD AUDIO Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS Rating: NR UPC: 097368863743 Manufacturer No: 886374

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12152 in DVD
• Brand: METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER (DVD AUDIO)
• Released on: 2005-01-25
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .30 pounds
• Running time: 140 minutes

Amazon.com
With voyeuristic intensity, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster explores the intricate connections that are created, nurtured, and challenged between members of a long-lasting band. That this intimate odyssey of group therapy and self-discovery involves Metallica--the most successful heavy metal group of all time--is just one reason this film is so uniquely fascinating. Having proven their documentary skills with Brother's Keeper and Paradise Lost (which included Metallica in its soundtrack), filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky spent two years with Metallica as the band survived the defection of long-time bassist Jason Newsted, struggled to record St. Anger, and recruited $40,000-per-month "performance enhancement coach" Phil Towle to counsel members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett as they confronted alcoholism, creative obstacles, and themselves in an effort to determine the viability of Metallica's future. With sincere hope, honest discussion, and the hiring of new bassist Robert Trujillo, Metallica battle their personal and professional demons, showing the vulnerable side of a business that thrives on raging testosterone. The effort pays off for everyone involved, especially the fans: Like the ultimate backstage pass, Some Kind of Monster is a healing journey into the hard-beating heart of rock & roll. --Jeff Shannon

DVD features
The bonus features included in this two-disc set are well worth the time and attention of any fan of Metallica or filmmakers Sinofsky/Berlinger. It contains 40 additional scenes, and while the film itself doesn't suffer for their absence, there are interesting perspectives to be gained. Standouts include James reminiscing about his difficult childhood, a Hawaiian-themed birthday party for Kirk, and a look at Lars's childhood haunts in Copenhagen. There are also scenes of the band promoting the film at various festivals, a music video (mostly comprised of footage from the movie), two trailers, post-film interviews with Metallica, and a thorough directors' commentary describing the hurdles this movie jumped on its way to the big screen. The band commentary track is a touch slow to get cooking, but the boys have already revealed so much that one can hardly blame them for having little left to say. --Leah Weathersby

From The New Yorker
A documentary by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky about life off the road, and off the rails, for the mega-selling metal rock band. The filmmakers worked for almost two years, during a turbulent and disturbing time in the group's long career. When egos clash during the recording of a new album, the group's label hires a high-priced therapist to sort through the conflict (as time goes on the therapist takes himself so seriously he ostensibly becomes part of the band). The movie captures sometimes funny, sometimes uncomfortable scenes of the creative process, and also includes interviews with old and new band members, as well as the seemingly obligatory lead-singer-in-rehab scenario. And, while it can be argued that all of this is the norm for a high-end rock-and-roll life style, the film works hard to demystify the multimillionaire band, showing them as a bunch of guys, embarrassingly exposed, like teen-agers on a first date. -Bruce Diones
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

interesting portrait of has-been rockers
Let me agree with everyone who thinks Metallica's best music is far, far behind them. I also agree with everyone who thinks one or more members of the band are self-important or whiny.

I think those things help make this documentary great. It's far more interesting to see an aging, past-its-prime gang of rockers dealing with issues like family, keeping clean, and learning to talk with people you disagree with instead of shouting, walking out, punching, or self-medicating, than it would be to watch a bunch of drunk and high 20-somethings live the sex, drugs and r&r fantasy. These are weak, flawed men, just like all men. Possibly more so than usual, as they are artists, and artists are (neccessarily) a little more sensitive and introspective than the average person. Notice I didn't say BETTER people, or NICER people, possibly the exact opposite. At times I got a headache, feeling like I was in the room with them during one of their painful b****-sessions with Combover Guy, and I consider that good filmmaking. Not only did I feel like I was actually there, but I was involved with the characters deeply. Not to sat I was rooting for them, just personally involved. That's a powerful illusion for a film to create, and a rare one.

They might kid themselves and eachother, but I don't think they're kidding the camera. It seems like a very genuine portrayal. And as much as many of you rip on them for their weaknesses, try to imagine how heroic and manly YOU would come off with cameras following you around for two years. I admire them for exposing themselves like this, it took guts.

Good Rock Documentary
I thought this was a pretty cool documentary. It was entertaining even if you aren't a fan of their music. It was cool watching the guys interact and try to hold it all together thru all the b.s. that has come into their lives and into their group dynamic.

I recommend it.

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster
An engrossing portrait of one band's journey to personal hell and back, Berlinger and Sinofsky's "Monster" makes for fascinating viewing regardless of personal musical tastes. The central drama concerns the animus between recovering addict/lead singer Hetfield and arrogant drummer Ulrich, but the appearance of relatives and old bandmates keeps things at a cathartic pitch. Even Towle gets twisted around when the band decides he's gotten too embedded. Revealing and entertaining, "Monster" is a soul-searching rock'n'roll story like you've never seen.