Jack Black Performs at Tom Morello’s Mother’s 100th Birthday Party
Jack Black is available to perform at birthday parties. Well, maybe not all birthday parties, but if you’re a rock star and your mother just turned 100, he might oblige. That’s…
Jack Black is available to perform at birthday parties. Well, maybe not all birthday parties, but if you're a rock star and your mother just turned 100, he might oblige.
That's exactly what Jables did for Tom Morello and his mother, Mary, who celebrated her 100th birthday on October 1. The Rage Against the Machine guitarist shared the video below of Black performing with a group of 12 and 13-year-olds at Mary's birthday. (Fun fact: One of the kids performing was Tom's son, Roman.)
Tom captioned the clip, "Mary Morello’s 100th bday celebration featured a stirring rendition of @ozzyosbourne & #RandyRhoads 'Mr. Crowley' performed by @jackblack and a kick-ass band of 12 & 13 year olds! Mary was pleased!"
Tom shared other posts honoring his remarkable mom. One of them was a gallery of photos showing her taking part in various activist activities. He captioned the post, in part, "Two days before my mom’s 100th birthday, she was on the picket line with @unitehere11 striking hotel workers. The next day, she was serving food to the homeless & hungry at @themidnightmission on Skid Row. This retired public school teacher from a family of Illinois coal miners has led a humble yet powerful life."
12 Music Movies Everyone Should Watch
This past week saw the 1995 film Empire Records trend on Twitter thanks to fans taking to the social media platform in celebration of "Rex Manning Day," which falls on April 8th in the film.
Considering this, it got us thinking of other music movies. Some are major hits and some are lesser-known titles, but here are 12 music movies everyone should watch.
'Empire Records'
New RegencyA band of misfits at an independent record store that's dealing with drama AND trying to prevent the store from being bought by a major corporate chain AND the soundtrack is incredible? Damn the man, indeed!
'Almost Famous'
ParamountEasily one of the most iconic music films of all time, 'Almost Famous' earned writer/director Cameron Crowe an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and rightfully so.
'High Fidelity'
Touchstone PicturesA music movie for music nerds by music nerds. Plus, Barry, played perfectly by Jack Black, has one of the best monologues ever when describing Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called To Say I Love You."
'Rock Star'
Warner Home VideoLoosely inspired by Tim "Ripper" Owens who replaced Rob Halford in Judas Priest after he left the band in 1991, 'Rock Star' has an inherent cheese-factor, but it's undeniably entertaining with a stellar soundtrack to boot.
'Airheads'
20th Century FoxThree not-so-bright musicians hold a radio station hostage (with plastic guns, no less) in order for their demo to get played on the air. Surprise! Wackiness ensues! Also, it's just a fun and funny movie that features the best cop joke of all time.
'Sing Street'
Artisan/LionsgateBased in 1980s Dublin, a teenage boy starts a band to win over a pretty girl. Add in a wise older brother to help guide the musical way, and you have one of the best music movies released in the past decade.
'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'
Criterion CollectionThe film adaptation of the hit off-Broadway play that eventually made it to Broadway and was a massive success, 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' follows the story of a trans frontwoman on a quest for fame after all of her songs were stolen to launch the career of a former musical partner and boyfriend.
'Once'
20th Century FoxIt's the classic tale of an Irish street performer meets a classically trained musician and discovers electric chemistry. The film features an incredibly beautiful original soundtrack and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2007.
'Velvet Goldmine'
LionsgateIt's like a glam version of 'Eddie and the Cruisers' but way better! Characters are definitely inspired by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, and the film features the incredible cast of Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Christian Bale, Toni Collette and Eddie Izzard.
'School of Rock'
ParamountIt's the movie that made you wish your substitute teacher was Jack Black and also a reminder of the power of music education.
'The Blues Brothers'
Universal Pictures Home EntertainmentAn obvious choice for this list, but there has to be at least one obvious pick on this list. Frankly, if you haven't seen 'The Blues Brothers,' stop reading this list and find a way to watch it.
'The Commitments'
RLJ EntertainmentThis is the third film on this list that's based in Ireland, and while 'Sing Street' and 'Once' are incredible films, they may not have happened without 'The Commitments,' which follows the formation of a soul band in the working-class neighborhoods of the northside of Dublin. (Side note: Glen Hansard who stars in 'Once' is in 'The Commitments' as lead guitarist "Outspan" Foster.)
