Spike Island

As a British person, I felt a personal connection to this film - trust me, it got everything spot on! I liked this film a lot - it was your typical film bout a group of friends going on an adventure (Think Stand By Me if the characters were older and a lot more obsessed with girls and pop rock bands). It was fun, there were lot of laughs. But it was also more than that. It dealt with a lot of issues, subtly at least. The emphasis was on the music, but the underlying angst was there. I can't exactly put my finger on why I enjoyed this movie so much, but there it is: I liked it. Definitely worth a watch, and, of course, a listen to that soundtrack.

Spike Island is the feel-good movie for the summer. Ideal nostalgic fun for anyone really, but especially those who love The Stone Roses, or anyone who loves the 90's, or anyone who used to be in a local rock band or is still in one.

The main protagonists of the story are five lads - Tits, Dodge, Little Gaz, Zippy and Penfold - who have formed a band; Shadowcaster. They have a big love for The Stone Roses and will do literally anything to get into the spectacular Spike Island gig, without actually having tickets to get in.

It's a very entertaining film with a story that is by turns funny, moving and heartwarming. At times it's a bit like Mission Impossible meets Quadrophenia, with a bit of Spinal Tap comedy thrown in; as the boys get more and more devious in their efforts to get into the high-security gig.

There's love, sex, violence, elation and sorrow; great acting, an uplifting summery atmosphere and an awesome musical score. At the centre of it all it's a very human, real story. I absolutely love this film.

I was a teenager in 1990 when this film was set and The Stone Roses formed a backdrop to my angsty early 90s teenage years. The use of music, clothing, hairstyles etc. in this film is very evocative and true to the era and positively influenced my score above what it probably really deserves.

The story itself doesn't really know what it wants to be. Most of the film is light comedy romp, a fun celebration of youth, but after coming to a seemingly ecstatic climax, we get an unexpectedly harsh comedown of an ending. Whilst this improves the film overall, a bit too much drama is injected in too short a time which jars with the tone and pace of rest of the film.

This film is set in England in 1990 and is about a group of friends in a band who desperately want to go to a Stone Roses concert and hand them a demo tape.

The first hour of the film offers very little, although the main character is struggling with his father dying. There seems to just be a bunch of hooligans running around having fun while waiting on a scalper to supply the concert tickets. Once the group actually get to the concert, the film picks up, but is almost over by that point.

The film is worth a watch if you are a Stone Roses fan (I am), an Emilia Clarke fan ( I am) or if you grew up in England in the early nineties ( I did not).

The UK is good at this...creating great cinema. Some of the drivel Hollywood is churning out at the moment (constant re-boots because they have frankly run out of ideas), makes you realise how good the UK film industry is at this game. I enjoyed this film immensely. One reason- I remember the time and music-I was 25 when this film was set, and I remember the big furore around The Stone Roses. I didn't fall for it myself at the time. I was (and still am) a big fan of New Order, and they for me were the greatest Manchester band, but fair play to the fans of the Roses, everyone likes different things. The film is a bright, very watchable, and at times funny experience, each character played very well. The film doesn't always follow the rules of predictability-I won't spoil it, but certain aspects could have turned out differently, but the writers didn't go down that route, and I found it better for it. All in all, if you like The Stone Roses it's a no brainer-see this film. Music fan? See this film. Great soundtrack too. 8/10.