The Rocker (2008)

"Somewhere beyond the recesses of time and space, two podcasters salute those about to rock (and also their shorts)."

 

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman dust off their VH1 energy drinks and headbang their way through The Rocker (2008). This Rainn Wilson-led comedy attempts to channel the chaos of rock 'n' roll and the quirkiness of mid-2000s TV stars but ends up haunted by the ghost of School of Rock. Join us as we dive into why this film didn't crack the top 10 at the box office (or our hearts).

 

Major Cast and Crew

• Director: Peter Cattaneo
• Writers: Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky, Ryan Jaffe
• Main Cast:
  • Rainn Wilson as Robert "Fish" Fishman
  • Emma Stone as Amelia
  • Josh Gad as Matt
  • Teddy Geiger as Curtis
  • Christina Applegate as Kim
  • Jane Lynch as Lisa
  • Jason Sudeikis as David Marshall

 

Film Synopsis

After being kicked out of the band Vesuvius on the eve of their big break, drummer Fish Fishman (Rainn Wilson) spends decades nursing his bruised ego. When his nephew’s garage band needs a drummer for prom, Fish dusts off his sticks and gets a second shot at rock glory. With a lineup of familiar faces, cringeworthy laughs, and an unrelenting amount of sweat, The Rocker charts a chaotic path through its music-comedy mashup.

 

Episode Highlights

• The many ghosts haunting this film, including School of Rock and VH1.
• Emma Stone’s standout performance as the band’s coolest member.
• Rainn Wilson’s endless antics and whether his Fish character rocks or reeks.
• The baffling amount of talent in minor roles (hello, Jane Krakowski and Demetri Martin).
• Fox Atomic’s brief and bewildering run as a studio.

 

What’s your favorite fictional band from a movie? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

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