Sound City (2013)

A documentary on the fabled recording studio that was located in Van Nuys, California.

Director:

Dave Grohl (as David Grohl)

Writer:

Mark Monroe

Stars:

Trent Reznor, Tom Petty, Mick Fleetwood

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Vinny Appice	...	Self
Joe Barresi	...	Self
Brian Bell	...	Self
Frank Black	...	Self
James Brown	...	Self
Lindsey Buckingham	...	Self
Mike Campbell	...	Self
Tim Commerford	...	Self
Kevin Cronin	...	Self
Rivers Cuomo	...	Self
Warren Demartini	...	Self
Mick Fleetwood	...	Self
John Fogerty	...	Self
Neil Giraldo	...	Self
Christopher Allen Goss	...	Self

Storyline

The history of Sound City and their huge recording device; exploring how digital change has allowed 'people that have no place' in music to become stars. It follows former Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighter Dave Grohl as he attempts to resurrect the studio back to former glories.

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Plot Keywords:

real life | 

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Taglines:

Real to reel.

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Quotes

David Grohl: Why can't it always be this easy?
Paul McCartney: It is.

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Connections

Featured in Chelsea Lately: Episode #7.17 (2013)

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Soundtracks

Southern Man
Written by Neil Young
Performed by Neil Young
Courtesy of Reprise Records by Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Good documentary for music fans though I wish the last half hour wasn't devoted to hints of its accompanying soundtrack.

I've never been a huge fan of Nirvana or Foo Fighters (I do like a few things here and there but overall they're not my thing) but as a person I have a lot of respect for Dave Grohl. He seems like a great guy and it's really cool how he's dipping into film with his directorial debut Sound City, a documentary about the studio which is home to Nevermind, Rumours and all kinds of classics. I had no idea about these connections. I love a good Fleetwood Mac origin story, so although it was a few things I knew, it was still interesting. The first half works as a great chronological account of anecdotes, focusing on acts like Fleetwood Mac and Rick Springfield, and the highs and lows of the company. It really showed how Sound City was unique for its Neve soundboard and makes me want to seek them out. The documentary is shown in a very typically MTV way with its graphics and soundtrack but it makes it very entertaining (even if there's a very irritating use of flashing frames back and forth). However, the last half hour is devoted to the recording of the Sound City soundtrack that Grohl collaborates with artists formerly mentioned and as we only get snippets of each track, it feels like it's simply an endorsement to buy the soundtrack and it knocks the doc down a peg. Still a good start to 2013.

7/10

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 February 2013 (UK)

Also Known As:

Sound City

Filming Locations:

Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$62,842, 3 February 2013

Gross USA:

$422,853

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$521,181

Company Credits

Production Co:

Therapy Content, Roswell Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1