The Rocker Review

Rainn Wilson rocks. He always makes me laugh. Even in spandex. I’ve seen some reviews of this film that weren’t that good, but I liked it. Ok too many bumping the head and bodily fluid jokes. But still funny. Funny lines delivered by funny actors. Maybe I was too close to this film. Maybe since I am four years removed from hosting my last tier 3-cable game show that no one watched, I felt a connection to Rainn’s character “Fish”. Maybe as I write this in the “condo” of the Columbus, Ohio Funny Bone, I think to my brief brushes with success. Like being a “celebrity” contestant on “Lingo”. Yes I have had drinks with Chuck Woolery and Henry Winkler. Well, Winkler was at the free bar at a Game Show Network Media event (not sure why I capitalized media) and we talked for about 3 minutes. But the Godfather of Game Show Hosts (Hosts deserve caps), Chuck Woolery and I Hosted a Karaoke night in Manhattan. Along with Todd Newton and Mark L. Walberg. (The “L” stands for “Listen I’m not Marky Mark. I’m the guy who hosts “The Moment of Truth”) So I felt like “Fish” (not the stoner band) was speaking to me. This film is about a high school band that needs a drummer so they call on Uncle Fish to bail them out. He had given up his dream of rock stardom when he was kicked out of a band 20 years prior. Now he cashes in on the life that he felt he deserved but never had. Being a reckless road dog while the band gets more successful was funny to watch. The supporting cast is all well played like Jeff Garlin, who is the nerdy kid in the band’s Dad. Garlin secretly wants to know the rock star life from behind the suburban dad’s safe zone. Christina Applegate is the hot single mom of the lead singer who is the funny voice of reason. Go see this film. Think of crushed dreams that rise up out of the soil like an old penny in vinegar. (I don’t know what that means, but if you read it fast and don’t think about it you’ll go “yeah, great metaphor Graham”) Rock On!! PALM STRIKE!