Everything you need to know about TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY …and how it relates to you and the world around you. Includes info on the actors,

Everything you need to Everything you need to know about know about

TENACIOUS D IN THE TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINYPICK OF DESTINY

……and how it relates to you and how it relates to you and the world around you.and the world around you.

Includes info on the Includes info on the actors, director, with news, actors, director, with news, reviews, and photos.reviews, and photos.

Visual ReviewVisual ReviewVisual ReviewVisual Review

visual review bydavid bruce

visualhollywood.com

Comedians/musicians Jack Black and Kyle Gass bring their infamous Comedians/musicians Jack Black and Kyle Gass bring their infamous rock duo Tenacious D to the big screen in the comedy "Tenacious D in rock duo Tenacious D to the big screen in the comedy "Tenacious D in The Pick Of Destiny." The film tells the story of how "The D" became the The Pick Of Destiny." The film tells the story of how "The D" became the self-proclaimed greatest band on earth and is being directed by Liam self-proclaimed greatest band on earth and is being directed by Liam Lynch.Lynch.

SHORT SYNOPSISMovies Contain the

Essence of Being Human

Jack Black Jack Black (a.k.a. "JB", (a.k.a. "JB", "Jables")"Jables") first came to first came to widespread recognition widespread recognition as the sarcastic music as the sarcastic music store worker in the store worker in the Stephen Frears comedy Stephen Frears comedy High Fidelity.High Fidelity.

KEY ACTORS

Kyle Gass Kyle Gass (a.k.a. (a.k.a. "KG", "Kage","Rage "KG", "Kage","Rage Kage“) plays the role Kage“) plays the role of Black's comic foil of Black's comic foil in most of their in most of their comedy routines. comedy routines.

JR Reed (Lee) JR Reed (Lee) acted acted in, wrote and directed in, wrote and directed numerous award-numerous award-winning productions winning productions under artistic director under artistic director Tim RobbinsTim Robbins

Ronnie James Dio Ronnie James Dio (Himself) (Himself)

Meat Loaf Meat Loaf (Bud Black)(Bud Black)

Amy Poehler Amy Poehler (Truck (Truck Stop Waitress)Stop Waitress)

The Cinematic Arts Have the Power to Transform

KEY TALENT

Tenacious D Tenacious D (IPA pronunciation: [tə-nā'shəs (IPA pronunciation: [tə-nā'shəs di]); is an American rock band duo composed di]); is an American rock band duo composed of musician/actors Kyle Gass (a.k.a. "KG", of musician/actors Kyle Gass (a.k.a. "KG", "Kage","Rage Kage") and Jack Black (a.k.a. "Kage","Rage Kage") and Jack Black (a.k.a. "JB", "Jables"). Their music fuses vulgar "JB", "Jables"). Their music fuses vulgar absurdist comedy with rock music; a style that absurdist comedy with rock music; a style that has been described as "mock rock".has been described as "mock rock".

Our Artists Are Our Liberators

Tenacious D's music Tenacious D's music showcases Black's showcases Black's theatrical, versatile theatrical, versatile vocals and Gass' skill in vocals and Gass' skill in playing the acoustic playing the acoustic guitar. Many of their guitar. Many of their songs discuss the duo's songs discuss the duo's musical and sexual musical and sexual prowess, as well as their prowess, as well as their friendship and use of friendship and use of cannabis. Their albums cannabis. Their albums also feature absurd and also feature absurd and humorous sketches. The humorous sketches. The storyteller-style lyrics of storyteller-style lyrics of their songs can be their songs can be compared to lyrics of compared to lyrics of rock opera and power rock opera and power metal bands, like Meat metal bands, like Meat Loaf, The Who, Led Loaf, The Who, Led Zeppelin and Black Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.Sabbath.

ARTIST HIGHLIGHT

Jack Black Jack Black (born Thomas J. (born Thomas J.

BlackBlack))

Jack is an actor, comedian and Jack is an actor, comedian and musician. He is considered a core musician. He is considered a core member of the Frat Pack, a name member of the Frat Pack, a name used by some members of the used by some members of the media for a group of comedians media for a group of comedians active in today's Hollywood films, active in today's Hollywood films, though he is also in demand for though he is also in demand for Hollywood blockbusters and indie Hollywood blockbusters and indie films. films.

Jack Black's acting career began Jack Black's acting career began primarily with prime time TV. primarily with prime time TV.

In January 2006, he became In January 2006, he became engaged to his wife Tanya Haden engaged to his wife Tanya Haden (daughter of the famous jazz (daughter of the famous jazz double bassist Charlie Haden),double bassist Charlie Haden),

Actors are Liberators in Masquerade

ARTIST HIGHLIGHT

Kyle Richard GassKyle Richard Gass

Kyle Richard Gass is an actor Kyle Richard Gass is an actor and a member of the bands and a member of the bands Tenacious and Trainwreck. In Tenacious and Trainwreck. In Tenacious D, Gass plays lead Tenacious D, Gass plays lead guitar and sings backup vocals, guitar and sings backup vocals, and also plays the role of Black's and also plays the role of Black's comic foil in most of their comic foil in most of their comedy routines. comedy routines.

Kyle's acting career also started Kyle's acting career also started at a young age. His first acting at a young age. His first acting gig was a 7Up Gold commercial. gig was a 7Up Gold commercial. Upon graduating from High Upon graduating from High School in 1979, Kyle went on to School in 1979, Kyle went on to attend UCLA where met actor attend UCLA where met actor Tim Robbins, who recruited him Tim Robbins, who recruited him into the Actor's Gang.into the Actor's Gang.

Actors help us: laugh, be happy, cry, get angry, and even think. Can there be any better gifts?

ARTIST HIGHLIGHT

LIAM LYNCH LIAM LYNCH DIRECTORDIRECTOR

He is a musician, puppeteer, and director. He co-created, co-wrote, played the He is a musician, puppeteer, and director. He co-created, co-wrote, played the music for, directed, and produced the MTV's Sifl and Olly Show.music for, directed, and produced the MTV's Sifl and Olly Show.

He directed Sarah Silverman's movie Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic and he He directed Sarah Silverman's movie Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic and he wrote the original music used in the MTV animated series Clone High.wrote the original music used in the MTV animated series Clone High.

Filmmakers are Revolutionaries

Posing as Entertainers

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

There were two earth-shattering events that took place in Los Angeles in There were two earth-shattering events that took place in Los Angeles in 1994: the Northridge earthquake and the birth of Tenacious D, the band 1994: the Northridge earthquake and the birth of Tenacious D, the band headed by Jack Black and Kyle Gass.headed by Jack Black and Kyle Gass.

The two met as members of the Actor’s Gang, an ensemble theatre troupe in The two met as members of the Actor’s Gang, an ensemble theatre troupe in Los Angeles founded by Tim Robbins, where they discovered their mutual Los Angeles founded by Tim Robbins, where they discovered their mutual love of rock and roll. From their first gnarly performance at Al’s Bar in love of rock and roll. From their first gnarly performance at Al’s Bar in downtown Los Angeles, where they performed their only song, “Tribute,” to downtown Los Angeles, where they performed their only song, “Tribute,” to their emergence as the self-proclaimed Greatest Band on Earth, “The D,” as their emergence as the self-proclaimed Greatest Band on Earth, “The D,” as they are known to their legion of fans, has rocked the socks off all who have they are known to their legion of fans, has rocked the socks off all who have heard them.heard them.

Stories are Transforming

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

The two met as members of the Actor’s Gang, an ensemble theatre troupe in The two met as members of the Actor’s Gang, an ensemble theatre troupe in Los Angeles founded by Tim Robbins, where they discovered their mutual Los Angeles founded by Tim Robbins, where they discovered their mutual love of rock and roll. From their first gnarly performance at Al’s Bar in love of rock and roll. From their first gnarly performance at Al’s Bar in downtown Los Angeles, where they performed their only song, “Tribute,” to downtown Los Angeles, where they performed their only song, “Tribute,” to their emergence as the self-proclaimed Greatest Band on Earth, “The D,” as their emergence as the self-proclaimed Greatest Band on Earth, “The D,” as they are known to their legion of fans, has rocked the socks off all who have they are known to their legion of fans, has rocked the socks off all who have heard them.heard them.

Following their professional debut at Al’s Bar, they appeared on the HBO Following their professional debut at Al’s Bar, they appeared on the HBO late- 90s’ sketch comedy program, “Mr. Show” which led to HBO creating late- 90s’ sketch comedy program, “Mr. Show” which led to HBO creating three, halfhour “Tenacious D” shorts featuring the band. They also served as three, halfhour “Tenacious D” shorts featuring the band. They also served as the opening act for Beck, Tool and Pearl Jam, developing their own fan base the opening act for Beck, Tool and Pearl Jam, developing their own fan base along the way.along the way.

All Kids are Born ArtisticWhat is Natural is Essential

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS This extended synopsis will usually This extended synopsis will usually contain at leas 5 slides of informationcontain at leas 5 slides of information

Their live shows have become Their live shows have become legend, the audience made up of “D” legend, the audience made up of “D” devotees who know the words to all devotees who know the words to all the songs – songs that speak of the songs – songs that speak of fame, Kielbasa, Dio, friends, idols, fame, Kielbasa, Dio, friends, idols, drugs, demons and love – carnal drugs, demons and love – carnal and otherwise. and otherwise.

Their 2001 CD “Tenacious D” went Their 2001 CD “Tenacious D” went platinum and was followed by the platinum and was followed by the DVD, “Tenacious D The Complete DVD, “Tenacious D The Complete Masterworks,” which included their Masterworks,” which included their live concert at Brixton Academy live concert at Brixton Academy plus music videos directed by Spike plus music videos directed by Spike Jonze and Liam Lynch, as well as Jonze and Liam Lynch, as well as Lynch’s documentary “On the Road Lynch’s documentary “On the Road with Tenacious D.”with Tenacious D.”

Stories Embody the Essence of Being Human

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

Although Tenacious D in The Pick of Although Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny is described by Black and Destiny is described by Black and Gass as a biopic, some liberties have Gass as a biopic, some liberties have been taken. But then, why wouldn’t been taken. But then, why wouldn’t they be? This is, after all, The D - the they be? This is, after all, The D - the most irreverent of reverent most irreverent of reverent troubadours. troubadours.

The movie begins with 10-year old The movie begins with 10-year old Lil’ JB (Troy Gentile) serenading his Lil’ JB (Troy Gentile) serenading his ultraconservative, very religious ultraconservative, very religious family with a rocking rendition of family with a rocking rendition of “Kickapoo,” a song written expressly “Kickapoo,” a song written expressly for the movie with lyrics that would for the movie with lyrics that would make a sailor blush.make a sailor blush.

Cinematic Story Telling is a Profoundly Humanizing

endeavor.

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

When his father (Meat Loaf), who believes rock ‘n roll is the devil’s work, When his father (Meat Loaf), who believes rock ‘n roll is the devil’s work, unleashes his belt and shows him no mercy, tearing down all of his unleashes his belt and shows him no mercy, tearing down all of his beloved rock posters, JB implores Dio (Ronnie James Dio), one of his rock beloved rock posters, JB implores Dio (Ronnie James Dio), one of his rock Gods, for guidance. Dio reassures him that he is on the right path but he Gods, for guidance. Dio reassures him that he is on the right path but he must leave his stifling home environment and go to Hollywood to “find the must leave his stifling home environment and go to Hollywood to “find the secrets of his art.”secrets of his art.”

Slipping out of the house, Lil’ JB spends the next several years on the road Slipping out of the house, Lil’ JB spends the next several years on the road stopping at numerous towns called Hollywood. JB (Jack Black) finally stopping at numerous towns called Hollywood. JB (Jack Black) finally arrives in rock ‘n roll Mecca – Hollywood, California. arrives in rock ‘n roll Mecca – Hollywood, California. (Watch the movie for more)(Watch the movie for more)

Film making is a Community

Event.

LIFE CONNECTIONS

My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music. --Vladimir Nabokov (1899 - 1977)

““One of the trickiest things with One of the trickiest things with anything that has a cult following, is anything that has a cult following, is that the fans know every line; they that the fans know every line; they have the sounds on their computers, have the sounds on their computers, they use clips on their answering they use clips on their answering machines, they know every word,” machines, they know every word,” explains Liam Lynch. “People love explains Liam Lynch. “People love the D so much they want something the D so much they want something new – but they don’t really because it new – but they don’t really because it isn’t what’s in their head, in their isn’t what’s in their head, in their memory. They want to love what they memory. They want to love what they already know. You have to have already know. You have to have enough familiar things in the material enough familiar things in the material that lives up to their expectations, but that lives up to their expectations, but you also have to give them more. We you also have to give them more. We wanted to stay true to the lore of the wanted to stay true to the lore of the D for the hard-core fans..”D for the hard-core fans..”

Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable. --Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

Art is a Liberating Force

As created beings we bear the hallmark of the creative character of god.To neglect ‘hearing’ the creative artistic voice is deafness to god.

Music has charms to soothe the savage breast To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak. --William Congreve (1670 - 1729)

CRITICAL OPINION

Critics are 55% positiveCritics are 55% positive

The Free Speech Discussion of the Arts is a

Mark of a Free Society

Jack Black and Kyle Gass make something out of almost nothing, but they can draw it out for only so long.Kevin CrustLos Angeles Times

The Heavy Journey to Becoming a Rock God…This jolly rock n roll comedy, sprinkled with amusing one-liners and hilarious sight gags, is a spinoff from the short-lived HBO comedy series starring Jack Black and Kyle Gass.Manohla DargisNew York Times

[It] isn't as fresh or weird as the short films that made Tenacious D cult heroes but does capture enough of their spirit to please fans.By John DeForeHollywood Reporter

FILM REVIEW FROM VISUAL HOLLYWOODTENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY

Los Angeles is a very creative place. I Los Angeles is a very creative place. I loved everyday I lived there. loved everyday I lived there. Outstanding in L.A. are the Outstanding in L.A. are the connections between artists (most are connections between artists (most are “starving” to be sure). But sometimes “starving” to be sure). But sometimes in those connections things happen. in those connections things happen. In the case of Tenacious D it was the In the case of Tenacious D it was the Tim Robbins connection (who Tim Robbins connection (who discovered them) and a lot of discovered them) and a lot of tenacious tenacious effort. effort.

Jack Black’s humor and the talent of Jack Black’s humor and the talent of Kyle Gass make a great team, a true Kyle Gass make a great team, a true pick of destinypick of destiny. .

This is a so-so movie that at it’s best This is a so-so movie that at it’s best moments it celebrates these wonderful moments it celebrates these wonderful moments of moments of Destiny Destiny when people get when people get together and create over coffee in L.A. together and create over coffee in L.A. and a million other places.and a million other places.--David Bruce--David Bruce

Art is the Language of Liberation

connectionsconnections between artists between artists

tenacious tenacious efforteffort

FINDING TRUTH IN THIS PARTICULAR STORY

The main things which seem to me The main things which seem to me important on their own account, important on their own account, and not merely as means to other and not merely as means to other things, are knowledge, art, things, are knowledge, art, instinctive happiness, and relations instinctive happiness, and relations of friendship or affection. of friendship or affection. Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970) Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

The holy passion of Friendship is of The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money. asked to lend money. Mark Twain (1835 - 1910), Mark Twain (1835 - 1910), Pudd'nhead Pudd'nhead

Wilson Nothing so fortifies a Wilson Nothing so fortifies a friendship as a belief on the part of friendship as a belief on the part of one friend that he is superior to the one friend that he is superior to the other. other. Honore de Balzac (1799 - 1850)Honore de Balzac (1799 - 1850)

I am struck by the whole idea of I am struck by the whole idea of friendship that seems to tie this film friendship that seems to tie this film together. In an interview on Radio together. In an interview on Radio One Kyle described Jack as one of One Kyle described Jack as one of his best friends. In addition, Kyle his best friends. In addition, Kyle claims that he is the Godfather of claims that he is the Godfather of Jack's son. Jack's son. --DB--DB

Society is only as free as its arts. Art is the voice of human freedom.

TRIVIA AND NEWS

Jack Black says that the first song he enjoyed Jack Black says that the first song he enjoyed was was Abba's Take a Chance on MeAbba's Take a Chance on Me. Additionally, . Additionally, he attributes he attributes DioDio and and Black SabbathBlack Sabbath, as having , as having influence on him.influence on him.

Jack credits the sound of Tenacious D in part to Jack credits the sound of Tenacious D in part to MeatloafMeatloaf. .

Kyle describes their influences as being Kyle describes their influences as being derived from "big dinosaurs of rock", which, derived from "big dinosaurs of rock", which, according to him, includes according to him, includes Led Zeppelin.Led Zeppelin. In In addition, Kyle lists his influences as being addition, Kyle lists his influences as being Tom Tom Waits, Tony Hawk and Tony Robbins.Waits, Tony Hawk and Tony Robbins.

Tenacious D are supporters of cannabis Tenacious D are supporters of cannabis legalization, and state their views on it in the legalization, and state their views on it in the song, "City Hall,“song, "City Hall,“

Jack said the Iraq War "felt so wrong", as, in his Jack said the Iraq War "felt so wrong", as, in his words, it had "nothing to do with Osama bin words, it had "nothing to do with Osama bin Laden".Laden".

Movie Making is the Convergence of Many Talents and Art Forms

WHY MOVIES ARE SO IMPORTANT

"The meaning of life is the most urgent of "The meaning of life is the most urgent of questions" questions" --Albert Camus (Existentialist thinker--Albert Camus (Existentialist thinker)..

In In “Movies and the Meaning of Life”“Movies and the Meaning of Life” author Kimberly author Kimberly Blessing points out that movies can help us reflect Blessing points out that movies can help us reflect on five of life’s most important questions:on five of life’s most important questions:

1) What is reality and how can I know it? 1) What is reality and how can I know it? 2) How can I find my true identity? 2) How can I find my true identity? 3) What the significance of my interactions with 3) What the significance of my interactions with others? others? 4) What’s the point of my life? 4) What’s the point of my life? 5) How ought I to live my life? 5) How ought I to live my life?

The idea behind The idea behind Visual HollywoodVisual Hollywood is that Movies can is that Movies can and must play an essential role helping us explore and must play an essential role helping us explore the meaning of our existence and our life together. the meaning of our existence and our life together. No other quest is more necessary or important. No other quest is more necessary or important. Movies are powerful. Movies bring personal Movies are powerful. Movies bring personal meaning, and can contribute to a peaceful world. meaning, and can contribute to a peaceful world. Cinematic story telling can be a transforming event.Cinematic story telling can be a transforming event.

Visual Hollywood takes an existential approach to life. We celebrate with human freedom. We use movies and the arts as a means of understanding the human condition and our collective relation to the world around us.

Our basic quest is:

1. To know what it means to be human in the world.

2. The pursuit of human freedom.

To Restrict Creativity is to Restrict the very

Nature of the Creator

visual review byvisualhollywood.com

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