Artist The Anvil Experience

Much of the early buzz around Anvil! The Story Of Anvil made Sacha Gervasi's documentary about the unheralded '80s metal band from Canada sound like a real-life This Is Spinal Tap. But the film, plays more like the metal version of Chris Smith's American Movie. Frontman Steve "Lips" Kudlow subs in for American Movie's Mark Borchardt as the group's perpetually optimistic dreamer, still chasing a rock 'n' roll fantasy that's out of step with the times. But Kudlow's enthusiasm, and absolute faith in Anvil and his best friend/drummer, Robb Reiner, is charming, even when it seems completely hopeless. At these "Anvil Experience" events, the film usually screens before a live performance by Anvil.

Updated 12/21/2009