The film that redefines group therapy.

Starring: James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo, Michael Ansaldo, Eric Avery, Uwe Bradke, Cliff Burnstein, Cliff Burton, James Newsted, Dave Mustaine

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I think you control by your absence. I think you control all of this even when you're not here. I don't understand who you are. I don't understand the program. I don't understand all this stuff, okay? I realize now that I barely knew you before. And all these rules and all this shit, man, this is a fucking rock 'n' roll band. I don't want fucking rules." – Lars to James

Why watch this? This honest documentary gives us an inside view at a rock band that confronts its issues.

Plot Summary: Between 2001 and 2003, the heavy metal band, Metallica, endured almost too much. As they set to work on their eighth studio album, St. Anger, they were dealing with fan backlash from the Napster lawsuit, their front man James Hetfield entered rehab for alcoholism, AND, their bassist, Jason Newsted left the group. They hired a therapist, Phil Towle, to help them cope. There are raw, honest exchanges, members walk out, and a new bassist, Robert Trujillo joins. Will the band break or forge through?

Dad's Preview: My love for Metallica was not immediate. In 1988, I saw them at Monsters of Rock in Philly and they looked like twelve-year-olds, however fans loved them. Then a co-worker cut several cassette tapes of their first few albums. There was a unique, rabidly energetic fever to their vibe, which I had not heard since AC/DC. With that, I was hooked. This splendid documentary helps audiences see that these rock gods are as wounded as the rest of us. There is suppressed pain that needs to be dealt with, and frankly some reflective maturation that must occur. I personally think the addition of Trujillo, with his calming presence and new energy, saved the band as much as anything. Regardless, the result was an album that some people hated, yet many, including me, loved. Why? Because its tracks were their dumping ground for all their shit. It's raw and real and, yes, full of Anger. In my book, that makes it a monster to be treasured.

Third Eye Motion Pictures, @Radical.Media; IFC Films