Bandslam

Aly Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens (the High School Musical films) and Gaelan Connell star in director Todd Graff's well-received music comedy. Will Burton has just moved with his mum to Lodi, New Jersey. He's a bit of an outsider (his musical influences include David Bowie) but is keen to make friends, and so eagerly snaps up the opportunity to manage former cheerleader Charlotte Barnes's band. She in turn is out to inflict defeat on the band led by her one-time boyfriend Ben Wheatley in the annual Bandslam competition. Will also strikes up a friendship with the more introverted indie-loving Sa5m, leaving his heart divided. The film eschews the typical pitch-perfect blandness often associated with the genre for a more winning warts-and-all presentation of the teens' musical output - and a believable portrait of their lives. Also featuring a cameo from a musical legend who should make Will's eyes light up..