Rating: NR
Genre:
Culture & Society
Theatrical Release: 07/09/2004(USA
Release Date: 01/25/2005
SubTitles: English/Espanol
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD5.1/DD2
Run Time: 140 Minutes
Flags: Profanity, Substance Abuse (Alcohol, Drugs)
Distributor/Studio: Paramount
Award-winning filmmakers
Bruce Sinofsky and
Joe Berlinger (of the
Paradise Lost films on
HBO) direct
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, a
documentary about
rock stars in therapy. After 20 years of
heavy metal, a few members of
Metallica decide to hire psychologist
Phil Towle to work out some group tensions during the making of their album
St. Anger. Most of the therapy sessions involve drummer
Lars Ulrich and singer/guitarist
James Hetfield, with some input from guitarist
Kirk Hammett. Also included are former band members
Dave Mustaine of
Megadeth and ex-bassist
Jason Newsted. The band works through difficulties in group dynamics, personal demons, and relationship issues. The film shows recording sessions as well as therapy sessions, including the recruitment of bassist
Robert Trujillo. The much-publicized controversies of Internet file-sharing and
Hetfield's drug rehabilitation are also discussed. In 2003,
Metallica released the album
St. Anger on
Elektra Records.
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster was shown at the
Sundance Film Festival in 2004 as part of the American Spectrum competition.
~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide