'The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie'
(Nat Wolff, Allie DiMeco, Alex Wolff, et al / DVD / NR / 2007 / Nickelodeon)
Overview: The Naked Brothers Band is a kid rock band that performs surprisingly catchy original songs written by 9-year-old Nat Wolff and performed by Nat, his 6-year-old brother Alex, and young friends Cole Hawkins, Allie DiMeco, Joshua Kaye, Thomas Batuello, and David Levi. And contrary to its name, the band performs fully clothed!
DVD Verdict: This show is Spinal Tap meets The Monkees ... with kids in the place of adults. This is marketed for kids, and it pretty much is for them, but there is a lot going on here that spans age groups. I'm sure many parents get a kick out of it as much as their kids do. I know I do. The writing and dialog is top notch, and the actors actually act like kids, not the usual phoney stuff you see on similar shows, many of which are generally unwatchable. Either Polly Draper really understands them, and/or the kids all have input into the show. They all have good chemistry. Nat's singing is solid, and Alex's dialog delivery is hilarious. The songs are 60's pop/indie style, and for what they are, far more listenable than the horrible Alecia Keys/Justin Timberlake clone stuff you hear on many other shows on the same channel. My one and only criticism is the title. The band originally called themselves the Silver Boulders, which is a much better name for a band. But it's not much of a complaint. I wish the show and Nat and Alex all the success in the world. Keep rockin'! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:
Making-of the movie
"Crazy Car" karaoke movie
Music From the Movie CD
CD Track list: Crazy Car, Motormouth, That’s How It Is
Hardcore Wrestlers with Inner Feelings
Rosalina
www.Paramount.com/HomeEntertainment