Vinyl (2012)

The Worst Film Ever

Such a frustrating disappointment

Stylish but barely mediocre overall

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Vinyl- Director Sara Sugarman/ Written Jim Cooper, Sara Sugarman3/5 By Jonathan L HermittIndependent films are somewhat risky where they can either be a cinema gem or confusingly banal. I took the plunge with an indie comedy and discovered that my precious time hadn't completely been drained, staring into my laptop screen.In a peculiar genre emerges a small, low budgeted British off-comedy, Vinyl, lead by veteran actors such as Keith Allen (Minto) and Phil Daniels (Johnny Jones) and fresh, upcoming pretty boy Jamie Blackley (Drainpipe). Filmed in land of the Welsh, tells the true story of a 1980s band that ignites a media phenomenon by casting a group of young children to masquerade the hit single of the ageing eighties band. Raising awareness upon the issue of image, capitalising obsessed music labels and the ignorance of consumerism; projecting an almost satire objective. A cheeky little tale that manages to maintain one's attention throughout; alongside relevant subplots that plays large contributions to the main plot. Occasionally forced the odd chuckle and included spots of crude humour (the best kind) to give it that British edge. A deeper character development wouldn't have hurt the film, although there wasn't much complexity in the characters unless we dug...dug deep.The acting performances overall were mediocre, however Phil Daniels and Jamie Blackley did stand out from the rest of the group- this could be due to being scripted more speech, but the penultimate scene when both had to dig deep and find those tears was rather indicative of skill. The presence of tears weren't the indication but more the timing and control of the quantity were reflective of the characters and the respected reputation of Phil Daniels and potential of Blackley.Could it better? Of course.Regardless, sometimes that is the sacrifice of a low-budget film- needless to say, the film hasn't won the rights to boast although I wouldn't discard it completely.

This should be one of the "must-see" films of the year. It probably won't be because it doesn't feature any so-called 'stars' of the movie world but don't let that put you off going to see it. A few years ago, Welsh rockers The Alarm fooled the rock industry when they asked a group of youngsters to appear in the video for their new single. The single charted and the real band behind the song revealed the scam to a stunned industry. This is the inspiration behind this film. It's fun, it's fast, it's laugh out loud funny in places - and it features the music of one of the best songwriters (Mike Peters) and best bands (The Alarm). The language is a bit 'choice' in places but it doesn't take itself seriously...and neither should you! It deserves a wide audience. And buy the soundtrack as well!

First saw the actors involved at a Rhuddlan Castle concert in N. Wales a few years ago, where there was a surprise filming for the movie's final scene, and then got to see the preliminary version in the past year where most of the plot was revealed.Have since seen the UK Premiere of the final version at a film festival in Wrexham, followed by the official Gala Premiere with the cast, Director and the band in attendance in Leicester Square.It is mainly based on the infamous 45rpm, which got worldwide press coverage when Mike Peters of The Alarm got airplay for them on age-prejudiced radio stations by pretending to be a latest new band so that their song got listened too rather than instantly condemned because the band were 'all over 30' Many amusing moments and everyone comes through winning at the end to give a feel good feeling.A great range of actors, from the well-known veterans of other classic British films, to newly discovered talents who are now getting good recognition. And the inspirational Mike Peters also gets a cameo appearance Also a great Soundtrack, mostly all from Mike Peters, that fits in well with the film's scenes Really deserves it be a hit, alongside similar classic British movies that might be done on a low budget but have considerable realism .Free Rock and Roll...

I only gave this film one point as zero isn't available. A bunch of z list failed brit actors and a director who can't get employed work have put together a glorified showreel with their mates that only serves to demonstrate why their careers have collapsed. 1980's genre 'comedy' that would have been embarrassing in the eighties, it's not funny, it has no redeeming features. The plot details an ageing pop star who 'fools' the charts into playing one of his records by pretending it's played by a bunch of teenagers! Might have been vaguely relevant twenty years ago when charts were still of interest. Wake up oldies, music thrives on the internet these days and revivals of eighties bands are all the rage. If this failed pop star can't get air time now it's nothing to do with his age it's because he was rubbish in the first place. Take my advice, see something else. Watch paint dry before you waste your life on this rubbish. UPDATE: Here's a message the director sent me! Take this down or I will come to your school and make a show of you. This is destructive and vindictive. Be careful.Character is everything in life.