Unlike Bruce Willis's Bruno incarnation, the Australian rock band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts does not seem to be a vanity project for frontman Russell Crowe (he co-founded the band in 1992, years before L.A. Confidential put him on the thespian star map). But this rockumentary sure is: in fact, one might cynically suggest that Miramax agreed to distribute this to curry Crowe's favor. For no compelling reason, this film (directed, according to the credits, by "Circumstance," and it shows) follows the band from Sydney to London to Texas as they rehearse for an Austin recording session and play a concert to rapturous (mostly female) fans. This Is Spinal Tap is invoked in passing at one point, and the reference seems apt, as the lads--who seem like a decent and musically capable bunch--would no doubt be playing the Outback wedding and bar mitzvah circuit without Crowe's participation. This DVD is loaded with features, but is outrageously difficult to navigate, even with the accompanying instruction booklet (which reads like the manual for a NASA launch--"during the last ten seconds of the Bonus Bonus Texas footage, press Enter to access the 1.5 Foot level"). Except for devout Crowe fans, this trip is hardly necessary. Very optional. Aud: P. (K. Lee Benson)
Texas: 30 Odd Foot of Grunts
(2002) 77 min. DVD: $29.99. Miramax Home Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-7888-4538-1. Volume 18, Issue 3
Texas: 30 Odd Foot of Grunts
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