Product Description

Featuring the most successful heavy metal band of all time, METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER offers a revealing and exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the legendary band as they confront personal demons and their relationships with each other while recording their Grammy-winning album, St. Anger.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6590 in DVD
• Brand: Par
• Released on: 2005-01-25
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: 1.20 pounds
• Running time: 141 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

Guts!
I went with four people to see this film. Two (myself included) were Metallica fans and the other two were not. The film opens like some sort of MTV expo piece with James Hetfield riding in his tricked out vintage roadster and Lars Ulrich laying on his couch with his Basquiat hanging on the wall. Not even five minutes go by and it shows the group, minus recently departed Jason Newsted, in therapy discussing their concern that they have about embarking on recording their first album in five years. Little did they know that it would take two years to make. What you get is a riveting, profound and at often times very funny documentary.

What I really applaud the band for is this: They bought the rights to the documentary so that they could have a say in the final cut. Instead of glossing over scenes that aired the dirty laundry of the band, which is what you would think they would do in a case like this, they let it all out.
And not in a counter-culture, rebellious, grandstanding kind of way either. It's sincere and thats what makes the film work.

James Hetfields door slamming, Lars' watery-eyed confrontations and Kirk unable to make declarative sentences does not put them in the best light, but it makes them real.
They confront their demons head-on with therapist Phil Towle and producer Bob Rock tow. Die hard fans might roll their eyes and laugh at prospect of the band in need of a shrink. Trust me, stick with it and don't let it scare you away from the theatre. Most of the time it is hilarious and at the bands expense. Lars Ulrichs father is a scream and when one of the toughest metal bands try to communicate with one another in their new found "therapy lingo" it comes across as comical and awkward as you might think. And yes, they talk about Cliff's death and the Napster ordeal as well. They also visit Jason Newsted and (bonus for fans) Dave Mustaine. My friend and I could pick out the Metallica fans from the documentary fans in the theatre when Dave popped up.

This movie is not solely for fans should not be missed no matter what your preference in music or your opinion of the band. Non-fans, as my other friends will attest, will enjoy this as well.
This year there has been great year for documentaries and this is one that should not be overlooked in the mix.

Enter Shrinkman
During the first ten minutes I felt pretty much like turning it off, which, is pretty much how I've felt about Metallica for more than a few years. Something compelled me to stay with it and 15 minutes into it I was riveted by watching the inner machinations of a shattered phoenix trying to pull itself out of not ashes, but muck and mire.

Enter Shrinkman (sorry boys) in the form of a psychiatrist named Phil who starts opening doors the boys seem intent on keeping shut . . . indeed, James slams a few shut. Like voyeurs we're invited to watch egos dashed, pretension shattered, raw nerves at the fraying point and more than a little whining, self-pitying and prima donna posturing as the Metalliboyz grow older and are forced to cope with an ever changing music industry as well as life itself.

One of the most moving moments is a confrontation/reconciliation with Dave Mustaine. A misty eyed Mustaine lays out plain and simple the pain he endured in the years since he (literally) got thrown out of the band. Watching an uncomfortable Lars try to come to terms and his full comprehension and realization of that decision - for good or ill - is stuff that cannot be scripted, cannot be acted it is life.

To their credit they come out alive, stronger, wiser and full of hope, acceptance and promise. What this remarkable documentary captures is akin to watching the dead come back to life. This is raw, inspiring, powerful stuff, and in its own way, something of a miracle.

Lars a classic Sociopath
What this documentary revealed to me is that Lars Ulrich the band's drummer is a classic sociopath. Lars runs the show and you'd best not cross him. He has no empathy for James Hetfield's struggle with alcoholism and treatment. When Hetfield comes back with limited availability, he discovers that Lars has been working on things behind his back. Uncomfortable, he expresses to Lars that he would like them to review the tracks together. Very understandable. However, not for Lars. Lars proceeds to give Hetfield a speech accusing him of being selfish and controlling. Isn't that the Pot calling the Kettle black!

After 20 years together, doing everything there is to do, making millions upon millions, Lars just can't profit off the other members enough. And when they say or do something that is against his plan, Lars convinces them they are the problem.

So in another disgusting scene we get to watch Lars selling his paintings for millions. Not to mention trying to throw young fans in jail and fineing them for downloading his songs (a la Napster). It's clear that this man is a sociopath, exploiting all around him, in his quest for world domination.

Please also let me give insight into the REAL reason he kicked out Dave Mustane early in the band's career. After understanding Lars character and watching the scenes between him and Dave Mustane, it is clear he didn't kick him out of the band because of Dave's drinking problem. He kicked him out because Mustane posed a threat to Lar's control and power.

Lars M.O. thrives on exploiting, manipulating, and confusing other people. It is easy for him to do it to Hetfield, their producer, and Kirk Hammett, as is evidenced in the film. He can't do that with Mustane. While watching the exchange between Lars and Mustane, I noticed several things. One Mustane is very bright, stands up to Lars, and is clearly not confused or afraid of him. He quickly understands Lars game and calls him on it. He doesn't get intimidated and presents as a real leader. The only thing I was wishing he would have said to Lars is "Lars tell me the REAL reason you kicked me out".

In Lars mind 20 odd years ago, he must have posed a serious theat to his power within the band. His pathology dicates that he must control everyone in the band so he can exploit them to get them to do his bidding. He couldn't do that with Mustane. AND Mustane is a leader with a lot of Charisma. So what he does is make a big deal of Mustane's drinking problem and use it as an argument to get rid of him. The other members being not so bright are easily persuaded. And there he goes. Notice how Mustane kept telling Lars that he never "warned" him. Yes that's because Lars had to get rid of you quickly. It wasn't about having the most talented and charismatic members, it was about keeping the members that he could control and getting rid of the ones he couldn't.

I can't wait for the next Metallica film. I hear the title is going to be. Lars Ulrich as RICHARD III....