Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll

[prettyxcool]

In today's Evening Standard, the film critic gave it 4 stars out of 5 and named it Film of the Week.

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll is a farrago of brilliant nonsense and surprisingly moving
By Andrew O'Hagan, Evening Standard 08.01.10

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/film/revi ... onsense.do

[chrisballans]

Firstly Hi (this is my first post) and secondly thanks to all you peeps out there gettin great codes for free films.

Really enjoyed this film, even though i wasnt too up on the subject matter, and loved Andy serkis throughout. probably going to get shot though and ruin my cred for saying that lots of his songs reminded me of Chas & Dave which is definitely not the image he was after haha.

Got to also add that it was Freeeezin in Sheffield Cineworld on Wednesday when i saw this and will be takin extra layers next week (was tempted to get up and dance to some of the tunes just to warm up, but probably would of been thrown out).

Anyway, thanks again

[elski]

I went to see this on Wednesday having had the previous nights screening cancelled (and if Tuesday nights had gone ahead I think I might well have walked out as I wouldn't have spent money on transport to get to it). As it was I arrived at the cineworld, feeling cold with a headache so I tried to b*y a hot chocolate to warm me up and hoping the caffeine would kill the headache. but they said their hot drinks machine wasn't working but I could b*y one from their cafe-bar upstairs except I couldn't take the drink out the area and it was already 6:25pm!

On to the film, I've vaguely heard of his name but never new anything about him whether he was a writer or musician and knew absolutely nothing about his life. and after this film I don't feel any wiser! It seems like a film where you have to know something about him to understand it and since I didn't was completely lost. In the first half hour I just couldn't stay awake so I kept dozing off, but unless they were putting up loads of text while all the noise was going on I don't think I missed any explanations. Half an hour in I tried to decide whether to walk out or not and decided I may aswell stay seeing as I'd gone all that way. I tried to fall asleep again but couldn't so had to stay awake through the rest of it. I don't mean to put anyone off as people have said it's a marmite film and I think if you are a fan or just know who he was/ what he did, it'll probably make a great deal more sense! It seems strange that they have decided to exclude so many people though.
I feel it's a shame as I was hoping to be introduced to this era of music but I haven't. I enjoyed The Story of Anvil even though I'm not into heavy metal but the story was well told where I got to like and feel for the characters. In this film I didn't get attached to any character or care what happened to them. I left just after they put up the black&white pictures and I assume that was the credits rolling but I didn't want to miss a tram and spend 20 mins waiting in the freezing cold for the next one.
Also I don't know how much havng a headache and feeling so tired played a part but I can only give a subjective view. Hopefully another film will be made about his life one day that's more accessible, I'd still be willing to watch that.

2/10

[Beate]

Awww, poor elski! I have been to films with a headache and it either killed it or I forgot all about it during the film but if you don't like the film it's certainly not going to help, especially if you are tired and cold as well. I agree with you, The Story of Anvil was an endearing film.

[pcRock]

Poor, elski! I'm glad I ended up not going to the screening in the end. It had been snowing the entire day in my part of town and I thought it would be chaotic to go to the West End and back. I don't know anything about this musician either.

I agree with you and Beate. I guess that even if you're not into heavy metal, you empathise with the band member's of Anvil. I felt so sorry for those guys that I ended up going to their gig in London a couple of weeks after the preview screening.

[bevvy]

On to the film, I've vaguely heard of his name but never new anything about him whether he was a writer or musician and knew absolutely nothing about his life. and after this film I don't feel any wiser! It seems like a film where you have to know something about him to understand it and since I didn't was completely lost. In the first half hour I just couldn't stay awake so I kept dozing off, but unless they were putting up loads of text while all the noise was going on I don't think I missed any explanations. Half an hour in I tried to decide whether to walk out or not and decided I may aswell stay seeing as I'd gone all that way. I tried to fall asleep again but couldn't so had to stay awake through the rest of it.

The film jumps backwards and forwards in time. The various dates came up on the screen. If you missed these it would not make much sense. There are also several scenes - like the one with him in an iron lung that rely a lot on visuals - not much dialogue. No wonder you found it difficult to follow!
On a different note, I found myself having to look away from the screen and close my eyes because I was sat at the front and the camerawork made me feel nauseous did anyone else have this problem or is it just me?

[Beate]

I closed my eyes entirely through all the scenes in the van as they were too hectic. And yes, the dates came up on screen, but it still didn't make too much sense.

[the fox]

Saw this on Wednesday at Cineworld Nottingham. I’d heard of Ian Dury but not the Blockheads, how strange. Thought the whole thing was weird but then again he was too. The only song I knew/remembered was ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’ but had no idea who had sung it. So glad i didn’t p*y to see this.

[anakin]

I tried to fall asleep again but couldn't so had to stay awake through the rest of it.

Brilliant! :)

[Spanner]

i used to cry whenever i saw ian dury and the blockheads on top of the pops as a child, he just plain scared me. (then again so did queen's 'crazy little thing called love' when they has all the legs sticking up through the stage) maybe this left an emotional scar which led to my 'pants' moment. sorry if i caused offence, it wasn't intended, but this just wasn't my bag man.