Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Directors:

Joe Berlinger
Bruce Sinofsky

Release Date:

30 July 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Music

Tagline:

The film that redefines group therapy.

Plot:

A documentary crew followed Metallica for the better part of 2001-2003, a time of tension and release for the rock band, as they recorded their album St. Anger, fought bitterly, and sought the counsel of their on-call shrink.

Plot Keywords:

Rock Band | Recording Studio | Therapy | Art Auction | Record Label

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

James Hetfield	...	Himself
Lars Ulrich	...	Himself
Kirk Hammett	...	Himself
Robert Trujillo	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eric Avery Weiss	...	Himself (as Eric Avery)
Cliff Burnstein	...	Himself
Cliff Burton	...	Himself (archive footage)
Crazy Cabbie	...	Himself
Stefan Chirazi	...	Himself
Dylan Donkin	...	Himself
Erica Forstadt	...	Herself
Gio Gasparetti	...	Himself
Mike Gillies	...	Himself
Lani Hammett	...	Herself
Zach Harmon	...	Himself
Eric Helmkamp	...	Himself
Cali Tee Hetfield	...	Herself
Castor Virgil Hetfield	...	Himself
Francesca Hetfield	...	Herself
Pepper Keenan	...	Himself
Danny Lohner	...	Himself
Peter Mensch	...	Himself
Dave Mustaine	...	Himself
Jason Newsted	...	Himself
Peter Paterno	...	Himself
Scott Reeder	...	Himself
Marc Reiter	...	Himself
Bob Rock	...	Himself
Brian Sagrafena	...	Himself
Skylar Satenstein	...	Herself
Niclas Swanlund	...	Himself
Phil Towle	...	Himself
Myles Ulrich	...	Himself
Torben Ulrich	...	Himself
Jeordie White	...	Himself (as Twiggy Ramirez)
Steven Wiig	...	Himself
Chris Wyse	...	Himself
Joe Berlinger	...	Himself (uncredited)
Dan Braun	...	Himself (uncredited)
Bruce Sinofsky	...	Himself (uncredited)

Directed by
Joe Berlinger
Bruce Sinofsky

Produced by
Joe Berlinger	....	executive producer
Joe Berlinger	....	producer
Michael Bonfiglio	....	associate producer
Rachel Dawson	....	associate producer
Robert Fernandez	....	consulting producer
Julie Fischer	....	post-production producer
Jon Kamen	....	executive producer
Frank Scherma	....	executive producer
Bruce Sinofsky	....	producer

Cinematography by
Robert Richman		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Doug Abel
M. Watanabe Milmore

Production Management
Michael Balabuch	....	post-production supervisor
Cheryll Stone	....	production manager

Sound Department
Michael Emery	....	sound recordist
Jeremy Frindel	....	assistant sound editor
James Jack	....	sound recordist
Andrew Kris	....	supervising sound editor
Eddie O'Connor	....	sound recordist

Visual Effects by
Mitch Paulson	....	digital preview colorist

Camera and Electrical Department
Eli Adler	....	camera operator: second unit
John Behrens	....	camera operator: second unit
Joe Berlinger	....	additional camera operator
Michael Bonfiglio	....	camera operator: second unit
Mike Booth	....	additional gaffer
John Chater	....	additional camera operator
Annamaria DiSanto	....	still photographer
Andrew Eckmann	....	additional gaffer (as Drew Eckmann)
Robert Elfstrom	....	additional camera operator (as Bob Elfstrom)
Ned Hallick	....	additional gaffer
Wolfgang Held	....	additional cinematographer
Brian Heller	....	aerial photographer
Don Lenzer	....	additional camera operator
Robin McLeod	....	camera operator: second unit
Nancy Morita	....	camera operator: second unit
Allan Palmer	....	camera operator: second unit
John R. Priebe	....	additional gaffer (as John Priebe)
Ben Schneider	....	additional camera operator: European crew
Tom Schnitzler	....	gaffer (as Thomas Schnitzler)
Nancy Schreiber	....	additional camera operator
Bruce Sinofsky	....	additional camera operator
Bruce Smith	....	camera operator: second unit
Niclas Swanlund	....	additional camera operator
Kerry Sweeney	....	additional gaffer (as Kieran Sweeney)
Mike Van Dine	....	additional gaffer
Bill Winters	....	camera operator: second unit

Editorial Department
Jennifer Brooks	....	assistant editor
Dave Gargani	....	on-line editor
Joe Gawler	....	digital intermediate colorist
Leslie King	....	assistant editor
Zachary MacDonald	....	post-production
Richie Roefaro	....	post-production
Kristine Smith	....	associate editor
David Zieff	....	supervising editor

Music Department
Chris Robertson	....	additional music clearance

Other crew
Ray Aparicio	....	production assistant
Randall Balsmeyer	....	title designer
Marc Frydman	....	technical consultant
Agnes Gardette	....	production coordinator: @radical.media, Paris (as Agnès Gardette)
Ian Kennedy	....	production assistant
Debra MacCulloch	....	rights and clearances
David Marchetti	....	production assistant
Mads Marstrand Nørfeldt	....	production coordinator: Locomotion, Denmark (as Mads Nørfelt Marstrand)
Sabrina Padwa	....	general counsel: @radical.media
Evan Schechtman	....	technical advisor
Ben Schneider	....	production coordinator: @radical.media, Berlin
Gino Tomac	....	production assistant
Nick Vuchnich	....	marketing assistant
Christian Zak	....	technical director

Thanks
Ray Aparicio	....	special thanks
Guy Pechard	....	special thanks
Steven Wiig	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Radical Media
• Third Eye Motion Picture Company

Distributors

• IFC Films (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• Paramount Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Bio Rex Distribution (2004) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2005) (Japan) (theatrical)
• U Talkin 2 Me (2005) (France) (theatrical)
• CinemArt (Czech Republic)
• Films Transit International (2004) (TV) (non-USA)
• Paramount Filmes do Brasil (2005) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Paramount Filmes do Brasil (2005) (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Donna Daniels Public Relations  publicity
• Elektra Records  soundtrack

Runtime:

141 min | USA:135 min (Nashville Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Finland:K-3 | Australia:M | Czech Republic:12 | Ireland:12 | Norway:A | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Christie's Auction House, Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Radical Media

Trivia:

Former Metallica members Jason Newsted and Dave Mustaine of Megadeth make appearances in this film.

Quotes:

[Metallica is asked to record a radio promo]
Lars Ulrich: Hey it's Lars from Metallica. I'm about to stick 50 grand up your ass...
James Hetfield: ...One dollar at a time.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Zomergasten: (#18.2)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Enter Sandman

Some kind of burnout...

Metallica is indeed one of the most successful heavy metal bands in existence. However, this documentary, Some Kind of Monster, also exposes them to be one of the most bereft. I will leave it to the readers imagination where bereft should be placed. This doco does not give a flattering portrait of the band members. Some Kind of Monster is absolutely unflinching in revealing the underlying psychological dynamics of the band. I give Metallica credit for exposing themselves on camera so brutally.

Much humour comes from the fact that as the band members characters are revealed. They often come off as a real life spinal tap. It is such, that an outsider, who had never heard of Metallica, might perceive this documentary as a mockumentary. Kirk Hammett comes off particularly as a good guy who is just not very clever. Stating that things work themselves out for the better or worse, but they work themselves out. Well duh... Also, after getting some creative lyrical input, all he can add is 'Your lifestyle determines your deathstyle.' Probably one of the dumbest lines that I have heard in a while. Even for a metal band.

The main 'issue' that this doco reveals is that Metallica needs to ride off into the sunset.The three band members are burnt-out and only really making their music for money. All of the bandmembers have moved on and grown up from the angst ridden, angry twenty-somethings that they once were. Hetfield is now trying to be more of a family man. Lars Ulrich is more into art and seems more like he wants to be a dealer rather than a drummer. Even Kirk Hammett, who is the peacemaker in the band looks like he needs to move on. All of these guys would probably be happier if they called it a day and went their separate ways. It would also be easier on their fans, who by my quick glances at amazon, are not happy with Metallica's latest release.

It is not until they hire a new bassist, Danny Trujilo, that a new life in the band seems to appear. The band complains about showing up for practice, for coming up with music. They complain about having to be in a studio. Excuse me? These guys are making millions and they are complaining about having to spend some time in the studio? Oh to be a rock star with over 500 guitars! This lack of enthusiasm only adds to my theory of burn out.

Metallica illustrate how far they are now removed from their macho roots by hiring a therapist. Former bassist, Jason Newstead puts it best by saying how lame it is that they can't sought it out themselves. However the ego's of Hetfield and Ulrich are absolutely rampant and probably need some control through negotiation. Also, their producer is to obsequious to really confront their unbridled self indulgences.

Ulrich is possibly the most irritating man in rock. He absolutely rails against napster. But he also owns an impressive art collection that is worth millions of dollars. The hypocrisy is terribly confronting. This is revealed when he sells the paintings and gets drunk as they are auctioned. Because of Ulrichs grandstanding soapbox routine about napster. The inherent decadence of this scene totally annoys the viewer.

Ulrich talks, talks, talks and then talks some more. He pontificates pointlessly on the beginning and ending of art. Managing to completely sound pretentious. His father also steps in to state that their work just isn't much cop. Absolutely infuriating him! But the thing is he never actually says anything. Vapid, manipulating and annoying. But then Hetfield is a total control freak. The struggle for control of the band is a constant issue between these two characters. The funny thing is that because they are both such control freaks, they accuse each other of having major control issues.

The therapist himself doesn't really seem to do anything except be very serene with being paid 40,000 dollars a week. It is even revealed that he intends to move from his home and set up a base with Metallica. It is plainly obvious that the therapist has observed a major cash cow just waiting to be milked. Eventually the band remove him, but without some major group therapy work first.

What is also interesting is when Dave Mustaine shows up as part of the therapy. A whiny Mustaine bleats about how he was thrown out of Metallica. This is nonsensical because although Megadeth are not as successful as Metallica, they still have sold 15 million albums. When I was a teenage their was always someone wearing a Megadeth t-shirt! What is even more nonsensical is that Mustaines assertion that they are number two. Hey! Maybe back in the eighties Dave! The therapy session between Dave and Lars is never really resolved. Dave moans about being kicked out and Lars is so egocentric, he is incapable of caring.

What is more telling about these guys is the world that they live in. For instance, they are asked to appear on M.T.V's ICON at the end of the doco. They are given a standing ovation in a small M.T.V music studio. This endless adulation that they receive obviously does these guys no good. It is just a reminder to the viewers how artificial the worlds are that celebrities live in.

Overall, this is a very good doco that cuts right to the heart of Metallica. If you are a fan you should definitely see it. If you are not, you should still see it. It is a fascinating look into the lives of Rock Stars and how they are not as bulletproof as they would like to think that they are. As a docu it is excellent and really gives you the 'real' Metallica. 9 out of 10.