Posted: Tue., Feb. 12, 2008, 5:28pm PT

Santa Barbara

D Tour: A Tenacious Documentary

 (Documentary)

A Tenacious D presentation. Produced by Jack Black, Kyle Gass. Directed by Jeremy Konner.
 
With: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Tanya Black, John C. Reilly, Jon Stewart, David Letterman, Andy Dick, David Cross.
 
Crisis reveals character, and whatever one may think about Jack Black and Kyle Gass' ironical, long-running rock act, Tenacious D, Jeremy Konner's "D Tour: A Tenacious Documentary" shows the pair to be mensches and loyal friends. Doc fails to show their roots in Tim Robbins' theater company, the Actors Gang, but compensates with an inside look at what happens when the act is on a world concert tour while their big-budget movie, "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny," lays an egg. DVD cult sales should rock.

Opening clip of the D playing in Los Angeles' Pedro's Cafe in 1996 glimpses their modest beginnings, in contrast to their 2005 tour, which includes backup band. Gass frankly admits to Black that he's "not feeling" the band; Black concurs. But they have to forge through, even as bad B.O. news of their clever and inventive feature descends like a dark cloud. High point is Black standing up to David Letterman's staff (who wants Black only), insisting the pair go on Letterman's show together, or not at all. Black wins the fight, and may win more fans as a result.

Camera (color, DV), Konner; editors, James Atkinson, Eric Binns, Konner, Kevin Mayfield; music, Tenacious D. Reviewed at Santa Barbara Film Festival (Real-Markable Stories), Feb. 1, 2008. Running time: 72 MIN.
 


 

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Date in print: Mon., Feb. 25, 2008, Weekly


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