News & Events
The Music Never Stopped Now Available on DVD - Aug 03, 2011
For those who have not heard, yesterday marked the official release of The Music Never Stopped on DVD. The film is also available now on On Demand and via digital download. If you didn't get the chance to see the film in theaters, or you want to share the story with your friends and family, now is your chance! And even if you've already seen the film, you'll get something new, as the DVD features commentary by director Jim Kohlberg, interviews with author Oliver Sacks and the cast as well as deleted scenes.
MSN's Videodrone blog featured the film as a Hot Pick for the week, quoting the Boston Globe in their review of the film as a "terrifically affecting drama about family bonds, classic rock, and the human brain."
Moviefone blog also highlighted the DVD release in their weekly roundup, so be sure to check out all of their picks
We hope that you enjoy the DVD and special features and that you're now able to share the movie with your friends and family any time, any place!
Thanks for all the continued support and kind words on the film. We love hearing from you and we're excited that the release of the DVD will now allow more of you experience this incredible story.
Updates from the Team - Apr 13, 2011
Hello TMNS fans! We wanted to stop in for a few quick updates. First, thank you so much to those of you who came out for the free screenings and the film opening! We have heard such a positive response from you about the film and have enjoyed hearing your reactions - keep them coming!
The film will continue to show in several markets in the next month, so if you haven't seen the film or your friends have yet to see it, make sure to check theaters near you.
We will announce the DVD release as soon as it becomes available and we're really looking forward to that!
You can stay in touch with us by signing up for our newsletter on the site and as always, become a Facebook fan or Twitter follower for continued updates from the team!
Soundtrack Brings Out Unheard Dead - Mar 16, 2011
With music playing such a crucial role in the film, we are so excited to announce the release of the soundtrack, which you can download on iTunes here.
In addition to three previously unreleased Grateful Dead tracks, including a live "Sugar Magnolia" recorded on February 24, 1971, the soundtrack includes the Dead's "Ripple" and "Touch of Grey," Dylan's "I Threw it All Away" and a new song by The Tulips called "Summer Song."
Director Jim Kohlberg remarks, "Music is such an integral character...I wasn't going to do the film unless we could get the music."Interview with Jim Kohlberg - Mar 16, 2011
Last week, Kamla Bhatt interviewed our director Jim Kohlberg on her show, The Kamla Show.
When asked about making the film, Jim commented that he wasn't sure the film would ever get made until Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead members were on board and supportive, emphasizing the critical role of these artists' music in the film.
Watch the video to find out how Mickey Hart and Bob Weir reacted to seeing the film for the first time.
Huffington Post Film Review - Mar 16, 2011
In a recent review of the film in the Huffington Post, writer Joseph Smigelski takes an in depth look at the film's characters, the relationship between music and the brain that may trace back to the ancient Greeks, and pays particular attention to Oliver Sacks' An Anthropologist on Mars.
Citing his favorite scene as the one where Henry (J.K. Simmons) walks into the record shop looking for something "after 1958 and loud," Smigelski admits to turning into a Dead fan and even listens to "Ripple" while writing the article.
His final words of advice: "Go see it. You’ll love it."
Mickey Hart, Jim Kohlberg on Sirius XM Radio! - Mar 08, 2011
On Monday, March 14 at 3:00 PM Eastern, Mickey Hart will play host on Sirius XM's Grateful Dead Channel. In celebration of the film, Mickey and director Jim Kohlberg will discuss the use and importance of the Dead's music to the film. Following their discussion, you will hear live acoustic tunes from Bob Weir and Mickey Hart's concert at the Sundance Film Festival.
Rebroadcasts will occur on:
Wednesday 3/16 at 9:00 am ET
Friday 3/18 at 1:00 am ET
Saturday 3/19 at 5:00 pm ET
Sunday 3/20 at 10:00 am ET
Be sure to tune in!
Enter to Win Mickey Hart's 1960's Playlist - Mar 07, 2011
Have you ever wondered what Mickey Hart’s favorite 60’s songs are? Look no further than his special iTunes playlist, with all of his must have songs from the 1960’s, that he created in support of the film.
Enter the sweepstakes here and you could be one of 200 winners of an iTunes gift card used to purchase this playlist.
What songs do you think Mickey might include? What songs would you include?
This is Your Brain on Rock - Feb 10, 2011
The Wall Street Journal posted about the film this morning, highlighting the film's appeal not only to independent film fans, but classic rock fans as well. Check out the article and catch another glimpse of the trailer! The Music Never Stopped Trailer: This is Your Brain on Rock
New York Magazine also wrote an article to accompany the trailer and even admitted that the film made them tear up a bit. The Music Never Stopped Trailer: The Grateful Dead Brings Families Together
"If I knew the way, I would take you home." - Feb 08, 2011
Take a look at the final movie poster - coming to theaters soon!
Official Trailer - Feb 07, 2011
We’re very excited to announce that the film’s trailer was released today as a exclusive with Apple!
Check out the trailer here and share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page!
Praise for J.K. - Feb 02, 2011
Dave Karger of Entertainment Weekly wrote a great piece on J.K. Simmons’ standout performance in The Music Never Stopped. Karger writes that Simmons, in this “juicy starring role,” “imbues his character with an understated honesty that’s a pleasure to watch.” We agree!
Check out the article and the video that goes along with it – Jim Kohlberg and cast stopped by the Entertainment Weekly photo studio to chat about the film!
Sundance: 'The Music Never Stopped': Finally, a J.K. Simmons vehicle!
Bob Weir, Mickey Hart Perform at Sundance - Feb 01, 2011
Here is a photo from the Bob Weir and Mickey Hart show at Sundance. Bob played the film's namesake song, The Music Never Stopped, Desolation Row, Victim or the Crime and Easy to Slip, among others. Mickey joined in for percussion on Truckin', The Other One, Sugar Magnolia and more.
Sundance Reviews Roll In - Feb 01, 2011
The reviews from Sundance are in and we’re excited to report the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ll be taking to this blog to share some of the reviews with you, so be sure to check back regularly.
The first we’d like to share is an article by Amy Wilde from the Deseret News, who emphasizes the incredible force of the music in the film. She writes that the music takes hold of the viewer within the first few scenes and “does not let go until the final credits are rolling.” This is one of the foremost intentions in making this film – showcasing the power of music, not only to the characters in the film, but to music fans everywhere. Wilde writes that even if you’re not a fan of the Dead going into the film, you probably will be by the end.
Wilde also writes that parents of teenagers might walk away with a better understanding of how to connect with their teens through music, despite the generation gap, much like Henry and Gabriel. We thought this was a particularly touching takeaway and hope that parents will share this film with their children.
As one of her “best films of the festival,” Wilde eloquently puts into words the film’s theme of connection: Gabriel connecting to his music, Henry connecting to Gabriel, the music connecting the love.
Read the article here: Connecting to Life is the Theme of 'The Music Never Stopped'
Ready, Set, Sundance! - Jan 21, 2011
We’ve arrived at Sundance safely and are very happy to report that the whole place is buzzing with energy, excitement and organized frenzy, making the cold weather slightly more bearable.
We have two very exciting announcements, the first of course that our film premieres in just a couple of hours. The second is the announcement of a rare solo acoustic performance by Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir on Sunday, January 23 at the ASCAP café on Main Street. We are hugely honored to have Bob’s performance tied to the movie and look forward to meeting some of Bob’s – and the film’s – fans on Sunday.
You can keep track of all things Sundance with the Sundance Film Festival 2011 iPhone app and be sure to check out the film’s screening schedule below:
Salt Lake City:
Friday, January 21 at 6:30 PM, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
Friday, January 21 at 9:30 PM, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
Park City:
Saturday, January 22 at 3:15 PM, Eccles Theatre
Sunday, January 23 at 9:00 AM, Yarrow Hotel Theatre
Saturday, January 29 at 6:00 PM, Yarrow Hotel Theatre
Ogden:
Tuesday, January 25 at 6:30 PM, Peery’s Egyptian Theatre
Dr. Sacks Responds to Film’s Adaptation and Acquisition - Jan 06, 2011
Even though Sundance is still a few weeks away, things got off to an early start for us yesterday when the film was acquired for distribution. This news means exciting things for the film, and for its fans, because we’ll be able to share it across an even wider audience. Word & Film had a chance to sit down with the man behind the story (and the research), Dr. Oliver Sacks, to discuss the announcement, Gabriel’s story and its adaptation to film. Sacks, a neurologist, originally published The Last Hippie, the essay that inspired the movie, in his 1995 book An Anthropologist on Mars. Sacks has always been interested in researching music as a tool to understanding links between mind and emotion and found that the film not only spoke to the “almost miraculous power of music to a heal a damaged brain,” but also of the touching bond between father and son. In response to the film’s acquisition for distribution, Sacks remarked, "I am thrilled that this new film, with the music of so many seminal musicians of the 1960s, tells Gabriel’s story in a new way.” Learn more about Dr. Oliver Sacks in the “Oliver Sacks” tab and read his interview with Word & Film at www.wordandfilm.com.
