2freensel
I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.
Catangro
After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.
mraculeated
The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.
Murphy Howard
I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.
sportell
I agree with many comments, the acting can be atrocious at times. But that wasn't the focus of this film. The fact that there's rock songs and artists performing every few minutes is proof of that. So while the acting and plot are weak, it's a great movie to watch for all the different music acts of the 1950s. Pretty cool. Tuesday Weld is cute and her nemesis is enough to hate, even beyond the poor acting skill. She's a conniving little beast and has no qualms about getting the guy she wants, even when it's obvious he doesn't like her. I wasn't impressed with the singing of "Baby" though. I've heard kids sing and do just fine. She was too annoying sounding. Was she actually a big thing at this time? Her voice grated. My three year old doesn't always keep in tune, but he sings better and has a clearer voice. Even taking into consideration the graininess of the soundtrack, she was harsh. Oh well. It's still a film worth watching.
superuser1400
I love this film! The plot is weak, but this film isn't about the plot. It's about music! The music in this film is brilliant! The plot is virtually non-existent, and what plot that exists is wonderfully sitcom-like. Face-it, this movie was made solely for the purpose of show-casing music, But it does very well at it's job. I really don't know what more to say, but let me say this. If you like 50's music, you may like this film. It's a popcorn flick, but a good one. The plot is simple, A girl wants to take a boy to the dance, but cant afford a dress. She comes up with the idea of lending money like a bank, but trouble ensues when the nasty girl she lends the money to, wont give it back. Overall it's a fun popcorn flick!
futures-1
"Rock Rock Rock" (1956): Alan Freed was to Rock and Roll movies what Ed Wood was to sci fi: an idiot. But, I side with Wood - at least he did it for the "love". Freed was creating a market and nothing more. He was the P.T. Barnum of Pop music. Shoving known and unknown singers and other musicians in front of a camera many for the very first time, expecting them to dub a tune many for the first time, and expecting them to have any sort of stage presence, gave everyone the results they deserved. If these films weren't so painfully staged, they could hold up as Rock and Roll documents. As they are, they are laughable, pathetic, embarrassing collections of awkward, amateurish kids who are being scooped up, wagered upon, and thrown away by music industry investors. NONE THE LESS, if you're a fan of movies, this one is so transparent it's entertaining. Watch Alan Freed sell himself with his wide eyed, crap-eating grin as he pretends to be a band leader, or introduce the next act; watch the premier of Tuesday Weld so young she's still a gawky teen - not the beauty of later years - as she dubs songs in the voice of Connie Francis (!); watch countless singers and groups who are getting their one shot and were never heard from again; watch Frankie Lymon lead "his" Teenagers through a couple of their actual hits with slick professional behavior (corny as it was, the entire film is worth their performance of "I'm not a Juvenile Delinquent")
but keep in mind he was 13 years old, in 2 years would be a heroin addict, and 10 years later would be dead of an overdose; watch La Vern Baker do the dumbest song of all time ("Tra La La"); watch Chuck Berry stand on stage like a funky puppet performing "You Can't Catch Me"; watch many others make fools of themselves; and remember that only a year later, Freed would be busted for DJ payola, lose everything, and drink himself to death by the age of 32. There is some good décor detailing, incredibly lame dialog, numb-skulled plot devices, awful acting, and primitive editing
yet, I'm already in the mood to watch it again. I must have a mental problem... like those jerks who tie up traffic by slowing down and rubber-necking a car wreck
ptb-8
This essential time capsule musical from the very dawn of Rock and Roll is really beyond criticism. Many other comments bleat about the quality and the story, but really, would you prefer it did not exist? Is "EIGHT MILE" or (groan) "COOL AS ICE"or (double groan) "GET RICH OR DIE Trying'' a better reminder of their music and time in history? Alan Freed should be almost revered for the work he did in promoting rock and roll in the mid 50s and it is because of him this astonishing record of fascinating music acts of 1955/56 exists. Reacting to it as if it was made today is ridiculous. ROCK ROCK ROCK is a complete world unto itself and made with a keen-ness to entertain and elate through some of the essential music stars of the day. It is also charming. Something none of the other three films mentioned above are or could be in the slightest., given their retarded aggression. ROCK ROCK ROCK is fun and a real surprise. A good complimentary film is the 1976 drama "AMERICAN HOT WAX" which is a bio of Alan Freed with spectacular recreations of the 50s and the Brooklyn Paramount days with Freed causing dancing strife with uptight authorities. Believe it or like it or not.