Jack Black Weekend

Comedy Genius, Rock God, Love of My Life….for a weekend.

Last weekend the man was in town playing at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall. I was too broke to get a ticket and I presumed it was the same show I saw in Manchester in June, when Monsieur Black and Señor Gass rocked my socks off!

In honour I had a Tenacious D weekend on the sofa (and a few Wii breaks – I haven’t forgotten my French healthy life plan).  Of course John Malkovich is my favourite all time actor but with all the arty stuff and serial killing exploits, sometimes I need laughter in my life so step forward The Black!

I started the morning with my third favourite all time film and my favourite all time comedy – School of Rock.  If Dewey Finn was my music teacher and Eric Cantona my French teacher I would be a Rock Star living in Paris now.  This film is 9 years old and I’m still telling people to ‘Step Off’. In my option and probably the Grinch and Child Catcher would agree with me, the kids in this film are actually very good and not annoying unlike most child actors.  Sarah Silverman is vile as Dewey's evil nemesis his best friend’s girlfriend Patty and of course the role of rock music lover Dewey was the role Jack was born to play. I wonder if School of Rock 2 will ever be made.

 

I had a short break before my duties as my sister’s unpaid taxi driver (listening to Rize of the Fenix much to her friend’s annoyance), enough time to watch Friends Series 9 episode 15 ‘The One With The Mugging’ starring the brilliant musician and straight man in this comedy ‘Rock-God’ double act Kyle Gass, who played Phoebe’s friend who mugged Ross.  

Back to the sofa and next was High Fidelity: I love Barry; he is my dream (fat) man. He isn’t in the film much but he does steal all the scenes as the rude record shop co-worker.  Barry is the Usain Bolt of comebacks…he is so quick! And Sonic Death Monkey would be a close behind Tenacious D in the ultimate Jack Black Band.

 

Half way thought the day and time for more music, with Tenacious D's Pick of Destiny, sometimes when I watch this I think is this what Bill and Ted would be like middle-aged. Pick of Destiny is my joint favourite musical along with South Park the Movie (Uncle F**ker a musical masterpiece). Not much of a storyline, but who cares it’s the history of Tenacious D, a good film to watch when you want to rock and relax - Nothing to think about.

Early evening now, could I squeeze one more before Wannabee Factor? ‘That’s my condish!’ Gulliver’s Travels is a funny family film and after hours of swearing and rocking in Pick of Destiny it was a nice change.  I did watch this in 3D at the cinema, the only bit of 3D I remember was Jack's belly coming out of the screen.  I don’t remember reading the book, but I’ve seen a few TV programmes or films in my life to understand the story and even thou this version was very good, I don’t remember previous Gullivers singing ‘WAR’ at the end of it. As a wannabe travel writer, I don’t think I will be taking any advice from Jack’s Gulliver – this film is NOT a How to Manual.

Ok this isn’t the Gulliver’s Travel trailer, but it’s very funny.

Yes -this review is very biased but Jack Black isn’t free from a crap film or two – Margot at a Wedding and Envy: hours of my life wasted and the DVDs will be heading to eBay very soon.

Sunday
No time for movies, as I was stalking Tenacious D outside the Wolverhampton Civic Hall. It wasn’t a wasted day as I did meet Tenacious...or maybe it was D.  Jack why didn’t you come and meet the fans? And Kyle thank you for being so cool and spending time with your paying public.

Jack Black Rocked My Socks Off! Tenacious D at 02 Apollo Manchester

Sunday night usually consists of a crappy reality TV show or a really good British crime drama, but Sunday 10^th June consisted of heavy metal music, Jack Black, Kyle Gass, a squid and a giant inflatable penis. Yes Tenacious D was rocking the Apollo.

I had seen ‘The D’ 6 years ago at Birmingham NEC (aka LG Arena for non Brummies); they were very funny and followed the Pick of Destiny movie storyline and with it being December it was like an alternative pantomime with lots of swearing. It’s not every day you watch a band consisting of the Anti-Christ, Colonel Sanders and Charlie Chaplin.  This time around it was the same band without their fancy dress and the gig felt more intimate as the 02 Apollo Manchester is a lot smaller than the NEC and thanks to my mobile phone contract we was let in first and managed to get front row.  That’s right people – FRONT ROW!!! I love heavy metal music but I don’t mosh and being the wrong side of 35 surrounded by teenagers, the safety barrier was my new friend.

The D came on around 9 for their hour and half gig, the first 6 songs was from their new album Rise of the Fenix which I had listened to a few times before Sunday (Low Hangin’ Fruit and Roadie my favourites so far). But why is it when you don’t know some of the words you idol give you eye contact!

The it was back to the old stuff I knew the words to.  I loved Kickapoo and Kyle Quit The Band, but my favourites was The Metal as J.B was up close climbing the speakers  in front of us and Wonderboy as I’m sure he was talking to me.  You can’t have a Tenacious D concert without the amazing Tribute and the very rude F**k Her Gently.  My only negatives of the night were it was in Manchester and not Birmingham and that they didn’t perform Pick of Destiny (now my new ringtone – clean version).

I think with all my favourite TV programmes finishing for the summer I think this weekend will include School of Rock, Pick of Destiny, High Fidelity and maybe Gulliver’s Travels.

My socks was totally ROCKED OFF!!!