Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny A Review

Its tempting to just say this film is a great pick for Jack Black In Search Of Bigfoot Tenacious D fans and leave it at that. But Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny is so much more. Its an hour and a half of creative special effects, outrageous fantasy and dream sequences, hard-rocking music, pop culture references, low-brow humor, guest appearances, and extreme close-ups combined to reveal the origin of the band Tenacious D.

Part music video, part comedy, the story begins with a young JB (Jack Black) belting out the profane lyrics to Kickapoo, (a song written specifically for the movie) while his ultra-conservative family tries to eat dinner. After a lecture, a beating, and the removal of his prized rock star posters, ten-year-old JB leaves for Hollywood to pursue his dream of becoming a rock singer. After a Wild Wild West route, he finally arrives years later at his destination and meets poser KG (Kyle Gass) playing his guitar for spare change on Venice Beach.

The two hook up to work on The Kyle Gass Project, what KG promises will be the best rock band on earth. In their quest for fame -- which includes a big win at a talent show in a dive bar -- they decide to steal a magical green guitar pick housed in the Rock and Roll History Museum. Along the way, they take lots of mind-altering drugs, watch television, indulge their fantasies, and solicit the help of star-struck Lee (JR Reed), a Vampires pizza delivery Supergirl with a serviceable car, but no discernible backbone, and must fight off a mysterious stranger (Tim Robbins) who also has plans for The Pick of Destiny.

In addition to Robbins, other notable stars make brief appearances including Ben Stiller (who also served as an executive producer), singer Meat Loaf, and Fred Armisen and Amy Poehler, both of Saturday Night Live. The film is a New Line Cinema presentation of a Red Hour Films Production written by Black, Gass, and Liam Lynch, who also directed. Raunchy, irreverent, and relentlessly funny, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny is destined to delight Jack Black fans in the theater and attract new devotees once the film hits DVD.

Copyright 2006 Leslie Halpern

For more movie reviews visit: target="_new" home.cfl.rr.com/lesliehalpern/leslie_halpern.htm">home.cfl.rr.com/lesliehalpern/leslie_halpern.htm Central Florida entertainment writer Leslie Halpern wrote the books Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science (McFarland & Company), an analysis of representations of sleeping and dreaming in more than 125 movies and Reel Romance. The Lovers Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies (Taylor Trade Publishing), which reviews date movies and suggests romantic ideas inspired by these films. Both books are available at target="_new" www.Amazon.com">www.Amazon.com and target="_new" www.Barnesandnoble.com">www.Barnesandnoble.com