DVD | Rock School

This documentary revolves around failed rock star Paul Green and his after school music school. Not so much a place to learn music, but more a place to be forced into the rock genre through constant verbal abuse form self taught ‘teacher’ Green.

His approach to encouragement is akin to that of Idol’s Simon Cowell, but where as Cowell has some redeeming features (namely his charisma), Green has no redemption. His school borders on chronic child abuse.

So why bother with Rock School? Well, as a documentary it does a damn fine job of showing the life of Rock School, and the journey that the participants take. It shows that if you’re strong enough to take on Green, he’ll kick you out – for all he wants is to be worshipped – a kind of Peter Pan crossed with a Hitler-ish control freak mentality. He needs the kids more than they need him. They are his wellspring of eternal youth.

Wether intentionally or not, Director Don Argott manages to produce a fairly entertaining documentary that leaves you wanting to give Green a spoonful, not, make that a bucketful of his own medicine. You’ll have to assume that this is the way Green really is as no sane man would do all that just for the camera. You also have to wonder if his tactics really work, as yes, he gets them to play some of the (apparently) most difficult rock music in the world, but is he just creating copycats or nurturing real talent?