Even with a terrific soundtrack naturally dominated by The Smiths, Shoplifters of the World is a flat, emotionally inert coming-of-age drama that never worked for me.

Beats is more than a visual or musical showcase, it’s a character-driven one as well, the events of this crazy night back in 1994 not nearly as divorced from today’s protest-charged reality as casual viewers might initially surmise.

If Paul Williams Still Alive does feel a bit slight that has nothing to do with the man himself. A titanic figure in the music industry, he saunters through the film with a relaxed grace that’s mesmerizing.

School of Rock caught me by surprise. It features some pretty big laughs and gets the essence of what makes great Rock ‘n’ Roll timeless.