I love rock ‘n’ roll, and I love rock ‘n’ roll movies. Whether they’re based on the lives of real rockers who lived and loved among us, or fictional characters who get a taste of the rock life, or even rock ‘n’ roll wannabes whose lives are somehow changed through encounters with their rock heroes or the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, rock films rock because they are the story of every man and woman. Movies about the rock ‘n’ roll life cover every theme of the human condition. Fortunes are made and squandered. Love is found and lost and found again. Individual character, strength and resolve are tested to their limits. With that in mind, here are a dozen of my favorite rock ‘n’ roll movies.

1. Almost Famous
Although it was a close call between this movie and #2, I ultimately chose Almost Famous as my top favorite rock ‘n’ roll movie. Maybe it’s because I’m a writer, or because I was a nerd in school, or because I deeply love music but choose to express that love not as a musician, but as a “semi-professional music appreciator.” For whatever reason, I identified with young William Miller (played by Patrick Fugit) and his journey. I love this story. I love that Miller sees his idols stripped bare of their rock star status, but rather than being disillusioned, his life is enriched by the knowledge that they are human beings. I love that he learns through his encounters with his heroes that he is worthy and rocks in his own, unique way. I love that this movie is based on Cameron Crowe’s real story, and that there is out there in the world this person who as a young man worked hard and made his rock dreams come true. And I loved, loved, loved Philip Seymour Hoffman’s portrayal of rock writer Lester Bangs in this film. He inspired me to go out there and read the rock essays of the real Lester Bangs. They are amazing and I highly recommend them! Here’s one of my favorites, How to be a Rock Critic.

2. This is Spinal Tap
I cannot watch this film without losing it. This mockumentary sends up the rise and fall of a fictitious band, Spinal Tap, touching on every rock ‘n’ roll cliche there is. Christopher Guest is a comedy god. If you haven’t seen this movie, (1) what rock have you been living under? and (2) get yourself to Hollywood Video and rent it right now. Or better yet, buy a copy, because you’re going to want to watch it more than once, and this is one movie worth watching in every mode, in other words, with the various commentaries. They are outrageously entertaining in and of themselves. On a scale of 1-10, this film is an 11! (Yeah, I had to go there.)

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