has there ever actually been a decent film containing real-life musicians starring as themselves?

Answer 1

A Hard Day's Night.....The Beatles

Answer 2

Containing or starring? I mean, Coldplay has a cameo in Shaun of the Dead that's pretty good, whole bunch of 'em are in Zoolander, which is really funny, Bruce Springsteen in High Fedility, Amazon Woman on the Moon, but if you're talking about starring as themselves, none that I can think of off hand. Queen Latifah and J-Lo can be good, but I don't think they've ever played themselves. The Tedious D movie could be good or bad, but other than that, I can't think of any.

Answer 3

I don't know if this exactly fits your criteria, but there is an indy flick called Coffee and Cigarettes. Iggy Pop and Tom Waits sit and talk together over - what else? - coffee and cigarettes. But they don't actually play music, just talk about it.

This movie also contains a brilliant sketch with the White Stripes in it - once again, no music - just coffee and cigarettes. Many actors also portray themselves in this film. Cate Blanchette actually plans both herself and her own cousin.

Answer 4

I don't know how decent it was in the end, but I know Eminem made a movie titled 'the eighth mile' if I'm not mistaken.

It was about his life before he became a musician, his life strugles with his family, etc.. He also starred in it as himself.

Decent - Good/Bad : Haven't watched it, but it got good reviews and I think it won an award.
Decent - Vulgar/Clean : It's Eminem, so I imagine it will have vulgarities and possibly indecency in it, not too sure.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 5

"The Jazz Singer" with Al Jolson
I saw this movie for its historical value, but I stayed for its greatness. Because, first talkie or not, this is just a great movie.

I like this interesting story about a boy who abandons tradition and his father who disowns him? I can't think of anything not to like about the movie. It's a fabulous movie, and a film making landmark.

I'd like to comment on someone else's comments now. Someone said this movie was very racist and that's why it was successful, saying,
"Would this film have still been successful if it was just Jolson as himself and not black-faced?
Probably not.
That's because people watched it to make themselves feel better about themselves."

I wonder if this commenter actually saw the movie.

Jolson is only wearing black face for about 15 minutes for a performance. The rest of the movie, Jolson IS himself.

Jolson never plays an African-American as his character in the movie, he just sings a song as one.
Yes, the song is somewhat racist by today's standards, but most of this comment is not valid at all.
In fact, I suspect the comment was written solely based on a glance at the video box cover.

Anyway, if you wanna see a historical landmark in film or if you wanna see a fabulous movie (half-talkie, half-silent), go ahead and see "The Jazz Singer."

Answer 6

Hazel O'Connor played the part of a musician in the cult film 'Breaking Glass'. She wrote and performed all the songs herself. Classic viewing!

Answer 7

The Blues Brothers!
Possibly one of the best films ever made!

Answer 8

The Commitments

Answer 9

british band SLADE srated in a movie called FLAME,it showed all the pretence of getting,selling a band into the top spot.
i was a big slade fan, it never goes away,i still put there music on,and have a lot on CD,s drives the kids nuts.ha
any slade fans out there

Answer 10

Quadraphenia

Answer 11

I watched 'Dig' the other day which was a documentary film about two bands which was actually really good. Of course they weren't required to act...