Movie Of The Day

This Is Spinal Tap is THE great rock movie because it's not only hilarious but it feels legit. It feels so real that a lot of people actually thought Spinal Tap was a real band when it came out.

24 Hour Party People doesn't quite compare to Spinal Tap in that it's a docu-drama (movie geek speak for a fictional drama based on real events - think All The Presidents Men).

But whatever 24 Hour Party People lacks in original content it more than makes up for in filmmaking, acting, and some of the best music ever laid down on celluloid.

Which makes it the SECOND BEST rock film ever made (and hands down the best film of the year in 2002).

Seen through the eyes of Tony Wilson, regional television "journalist" for Grenada Television out of Manchester, 24 Hour Party People is actually about the lives and music of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis, legendary producer Martin Hannett, and Happy Mondays frontman and fucking lunatic, Shaun Ryder.

It starts out in 1976 with the Sex Pistols' fist gig in Manchester (so perfectly re-created by blending actual footage of the gig with actors and sets, you'll stare in disbelief), and from there surges through the most exciting moments in British music right up to and through the Madchester scene of the late 80's and early 90's.

To try and describe the film beyond that is almost impossible. Sometimes we're watching Tony Wilson (played BRILLIANTLY by Steve Coogan) and his merry band of new wave cronies like a fly on the wall. Other times Tony is addressing us, the audience, like he's hosting his own autobiographical documentary. At other times still, he's addressing us as Steve Coogan and making self-referential comments to Tony Wilson in the 3rd person.

Confused? Don't worry. The movie flows and bumps and grinds like the best dance club you've ever been to. One reviewer called it a "joyous romp." And it is, set almost continuously to fantastic music - from Joy Division to the Happy Mondays.

Don't know those bands? Doesn't matter. The film is AMAZING. It has so much energy and is so fun to watch, and is SO GODDAMN FUNNY, that you can't even watch it once. Like Spinal Tap, it requires repeated viewings.

And I haven't even mentioned how many classic quotes there are.

I've got one word for you - "Icarus". If you know what I mean, great. If you don't, that's fine too. It doesn't matter.

But you should probably read more.