Metallica: Some Kind of Monster

Theatrical Release Date: 2004 07 09 (USA - Limited)

UPC: 097368863743

Studio: Paramount

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:[Profanity, Substance Abuse]

Summary: 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, Rovi

Category: Culture & Society

Awards: Film Presented – Full Frame Documentary Film Festival Best Documentary – Independent Spirit Awards Best Documentary – Independent Spirit Awards Best Documentary – Broadcast Film Critics Association Film Presented – Sundance Film Festival

Features: cc40 additional scenes
Exclusive intimate interviews with Metallica about the film
Highlights from festivals and premieres
Two audio commentaries by the band and the filmmakers
Two trailers
Music video

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster

Format: DVD

Release Date: 01/25/2005

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1, DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 140 Minutes

Sides: 2

Number of Discs: 2

Language(s) English

Subtitles: English,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 -- Metallica: Some Kind of Monster Disc 1
1. Meet the Press [3:41]
2. What Intimacy? [2:03]
3. The Bunker [1:39]
4. Garage Days Re-Re-Revisited [4:19]
5. Breaking the Rules [3:16]
6. Mission Statement [1:53]
7. Temptation [3:34]
8. "F'ing Lame" [3:11]
9. Get 'Em Out My Head [2:41]
10. Exit Light [5:31]
11. Enter Night [1:03]
12. Father Knows Best [4:12]
13. S#%t Sandwich [5:04]
14. The Unforgiven [3:13]
15. "Jason Is the Future" [5:50]
16. Welcome Home [3:54]
17. A Year Later, the Next Day [1:57]
18. Tight Schedule [5:26]
19. Total Rebirth [1:34]
20. Expletive Repeated [2:21]
21. Band Depreciation Day [:58]
22. Attention Deficit [3:22]
23. Goin' Deep Now [3:04]
24. Sell Out? [4:20]
25. Bassists Past [4:58]
26. Shoot Me Again [2:24]
27. The Touring Question [5:41]
28. Turning Point [3:08]
29. Art Rock [5:56]
30. Zoned Out [3:55]
31. The Auditions [3:12]
32. Their Aim Is Trujillo [7:22]
33. Who's in Charge of My Head Today [3:08]
34. My Time [3:51]
35. Madly in Anger [1:57]
36. Coming Down [3:45]
37. On the Road/Credits [2:49]

Perry Seibert

VH1's Behind the Music became a hit television show by trivializing the problems of famous rock stars. Metallica: Some Kind of Monster is just about as strong a reply to that series as one could possibly imagine. Having almost three years worth of footage (including material from intimate group therapy sessions involving the band members) must have made for a nightmare in the editing room; however, directors Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky are confident enough to take their time with the finished film. The viewer slowly learns the psychological makeup of each of the individual members. We see Lars Ulrich's self-absorbed perfectionism and learn how his relationship with his father colors it, Kirk Hammett's passive quest for calm, and James Hetfield's self-destructive qualities as well as his inner-strength in getting clean and figuring out how best to live his life. The genius of the film is how the audience gets to see how each of the three main band members interact with each other, and how they work together as a trio. The effect is so subtle that the viewer may not notice how much they know about the band until the point when Kirk Hammett subtly confronts the other two about how little they listen to him. Although it is a minor altercation, the audience understands how hard it was for Hammett to do what he does, and they understand what the other two are hearing when it happens. Although the psychological insights are the best reason to recommend this film, it also works as a look at how modern rock records are made, and as an endorsement for therapy. Some Kind of Monster reminds the audience that for all the goofy excesses (and the film certainly shows the goofy excess) of celebrity musicians' lives, they are fascinating and complicated three-dimensional people. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Metallica  Composer (Music Score) 
Joe Berlinger  Director 
Joe Berlinger  Executive Producer 
Joe Berlinger  Producer 
Bruce Sinofsky  Director 
Bruce Sinofsky  Producer 
Frank Scherma  Executive Producer 
Echobrain  Composer (Music Score) 
Jon Kamen  Executive Producer 
Metallica  Actor 
James Hetfield  Actor 
Lars Ulrich  Actor 
Kirk Hammett  Actor 
Robert Trujillo  Actor 
Jason Newsted  Actor 
Dave Mustaine  Actor 
Cliff Burton  Actor 
Bobby Rock  Actor 
Phil Towle  Actor 

Country: USA