Stadium Anthems

The first thing coming to mind, already when watching the trailer, was "This is Spinal Tap", one of my absolut favourites. This, combined with a female lead is therefore everything I could be hoping for :)

I think the witty characters are portrayed really well, kudos to the actors! The film is funny and thanks to the awesome soundtrack becomes memorable entertainment. Good directing - a gem of indie filmmaking. Worth watching.

Stadium Anthems takes a familiar subject - the state and fate of the Western music recording industry - and updates the analysis with an original creative vision, a searing tone and a #MeToo heart at its core. The film offers a commentary on both old and new forces at play: the hedonism of the largely male music gods tending to their "sexual ecosystem"; the auto-cue that facilitates mediocre artists; seductions of sensationalist culture; disruptive technology and online music streaming that confronts industry players with cheaper and wider competition; and the eternal struggle between 'commerce' and 'art'.

The script's visceral tone suggests a highly personal take on the development of the mainstream music industry. Indeed, a wonderful surprise at end-credits reveals that writer-director Scott Douglas Brown and the cast variously penned and performed the many original songs in the film; this is film that comes from the inside out.

The film's pulse, then, is vibrant, and also urgent. To the unprepared viewer, the quirky Stadium Anthems at first glance seems open to accusations of trying too hard on gags, but is in fact a sincere and intelligently designed story. Such is the gripping pace and plot craft that smartphone distractions need not apply. There are a couple of unexpected shapeshifter characters who at film's end delivers Stadium Anthems' own vision of hope for art and the music industry...in heartwarming fashion. Go give this film a good long chance.

This is a truly unique film, hard to pin down and very timely for the MeToo era. What sucked me was the witty dialogue throughout the film skewering the music industry lead by self obsessed men who are more id driven beasts than nuanced characters. This is compelling satire that seems so over the top until one considers the recent scandals of Harvey Weinstein et al. making it that much more thoughtful as the audience is left to ponder maybe this isn't so satirical after all. The film is grounded by quotes from famous musicians venting their frustrations with the industry that both exploits and launches their careers.

A bold, unique, raunchy comedy that lays bear our compulsions while at the same time providing wonderful food for thought about the power of music and the industry which props it up, threatens to destroy and slowly adapts to the ever changing marketplace.

This is a film unlike any other i've seen, which is a good thing.

At face value, this is a film that pokes fun at the music business. But there really is so much more depth to it. There's some great music, but the real meat of the film is its philosophical exploration of whether commercial art and music actually have a value. Definitely something to ponder between the laughs.

This is a fun, funny and highly entertaining exploration of the music industry! The female leads were terrific and even though it's a mockumentary/satire, the performances, production values, and music are first rate. Now I wish there was a soundtrack to buy! Definitely recommended!