Jack Black

‘This toe-tapping film celebrates the transformative power of music and individuality’

One of the most popular family films of the 21st Century, featuring a standout performance from Hollywood’s biggest comedy stars, is on ITV tonight (Saturday).

The electric Jack Black takes centre stage in Richard Linklater’s School of Rock, which was a huge surprise smash in 2003 and has gone on to become a stone-cold classic.

Black plays struggling rock guitarist Dewey Finn, who is fired from his band and ends up posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After witnessing the musical talent of the students, Dewey forms a band to compete in the upcoming Battle of the Bands, seeking revenge on his old band and the winnings to pay his rent.

However, Dewey’s unique teaching style begins to ignite a passion in his pupils, and they, in turn, start to inspire him. Featuring some amazing performances from the young cast (which includes iCarly’s Miranda Cosgrove), School of Rock also boasts a killer soundtrack and great supporting performances from the likes of Joan Cusack and Sarah Silverman.

School of Rock received a big thumbs-up from critics. It has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which says: “Black’s exuberant, gleeful performance turns School of Rock into a hilarious, rocking good time.” Legendary critic Roger Ebert wrote that the film “proves you can make a family film that’s alive and well acted and smart and perceptive and funny – and that rocks.”

It has gone on to make many ‘best of’ lists since, with Looper ranking it number 41 on its 2024 run down of the ’50 Best PG-13 Movies of All Time’, writing “as a feel-good movie for the whole family, its powerful messaging of championing creativity, self-expression, and the pursuit of passion leaves viewers of all ages with a sense of joy and optimism after every viewing.”

It was also a huge smash at the box office, too, and earned almost four times its budget to become the highest-grossing music-themed comedy of all time, until it was overtaken in 2015 by Pitch Perfect 2.

Cinema fans have been enjoying School of Rock again and again ever since, with one writing: “School of Rock is about nothing but pure joy and constant smiling. I expected a goofy and funny movie, but this is so much more fun and amazing than I expected.”

Another enthused: “A classic movie that delivers everything it promises. A timeless quirky/funny movie with great lessons hidden in its development, suitable for all ages and young audiences. A beautiful way to spend your time.”

A third said: “School of Rock is an electrifying musical masterpiece that strikes a chord with its exceptional cast, infectious energy, and empowering message. This toe-tapping film celebrates the transformative power of music and individuality, leaving audiences inspired and wanting more. Rock on!”

Despite rumours of a sequel that never happened, the film did spawn a hit stage musical and a television series that ran for three seasons.

School of Rock airs on ITV2 tonight (Saturday, January 2) at 6.45pm.

The Holiday is one of the most well-loved Christmas films among Brits. But many fans might not know that one of the film’s most iconic scenes was improvised by cameo star

People have been left baffled after learning that one of the most iconic scenes in festive classic The Holiday was improvised by a movie star in an impromptu cameo performance. For many, Christmas time means watching as many festive films as you can before the year comes to an end, and The Holiday is often cited as one of the best.

This 2006 romantic Christmas comedy stars Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black. The plot revolves around two women, played by Diaz and Winslet, who decide to swap homes for the holidays, crossing continents to escape their relationship woes. However they might not be as unlucky in love as they thought.

The film boasts picturesque country houses, an incredible play tent, plenty of festive cheer, and even cameo appearances from the likes of Dustin Hoffman, star of a plethora of screen gems, including 1967’s The Graduate. However, many fans have been left baffled to learn his surprise appearance wasn’t planned.

In an interview with NBC News, the film’s director, Nancy Meyers, revealed Hoffman’s cameo in the film had come up by accident after the actor walked onto set to say hello to her.

“Dustin was eating at a restaurant next door,” Nancy explained, saying he’d spotted all of the accompanying trailers and trucks outside. “And someone said they’re shooting in the Blockbuster.”

Dustin was told that the film was directed by Nancy, and since their daughters, who were in Middle School at the time, are best friends, decided to walk onto set to say hi. She then recalled Dustin sitting with her for an hour, just watching the shooting and having fun.

The scene they were filming took place inside the Blockbuster film store and sees Black’s character perform a number of iconic scores from different movies to Winslet’s character. “Well, it wasn’t an hour, but it was a long time, when I thought ‘what is wrong with me?” Nancy recalled, saying she invited the star to join the scene.

She said: “We’re talking about The Graduate, do you just want to be in the scene and we’ll just cut you, and you can just, whatever. And he went ‘alright’.”

Nancy went on to explain that she sent Dustin straight into the scene in the clothes he’d worn for this lunch earlier. They also didn’t do his hair or put any makeup on him.

“And he went over there, I had them do The Graduate thing, and he just said ‘can’t go anywhere’, and it was just great,” Nancy explained.

Several people quickly took to the comment section to share their bafflement, as many thought the cameo made the film even better.

“LOVE THIS!!!! Wow what a fun story,” one person said, while someone else wrote: “I love to see Dustin in that scene! It made it look even more realistic.”

A third user said: “One of my all time favourite movies, and yes, he added so much fun to it, seems like a great guy.”

Someone else shared: “I love this story! I walked by the Blockbuster as they were filming this that night in Brentwood! Dustin must’ve been dining at Pizzicotto, next door.”