Best Music Movies of 2008

At 14, best friends Robb Reiner and Lips made a pact to rock together forever. Their band, Anvil, hailed as the "demi-gods of Canadian metal" influenced a musical generation that includes Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax. Following a calamitous European tour, Lips and Robb, now in their fifties, set off to record their 13th album in one last attempt to fulfill their boyhood dreams.

A documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three significant rock musicians: the Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White.

Nick cannot stop obsessing over his ex-girlfriend, Tris, until Tris' friend Norah suddenly shows interest in him at a club. Thus begins an odd night filled with ups and downs as the two keep running into Tris and her new boyfriend while searching for Norah's drunken friend, Caroline, with help from Nick's band mates. As the night winds down, the two have to figure out what they want from each other.

When rebellious street dancer Andie lands at the elite Maryland School of the Arts, she finds herself fighting to fit in while also trying to hold onto her old life. When she joins forces with the schools hottest dancer, Chase, to form a crew of classmate outcasts to compete in Baltimore s underground dance battle The Streets.

The story of sex, violence, race and rock and roll in 1950s Chicago, and the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America's musical legends, including Muddy Waters, Leonard Chess, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James and Chuck Berry.

A guy who danced with what could be the girl of his dreams at a costume ball only has one hint at her identity: the Zune she left behind as she rushed home in order to make her curfew. And with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in front of him, he sets out to find his masked beauty.

Martin Scorsese and the Rolling Stones unite in "Shine A Light," a look at The Rolling Stones." Scorsese filmed the Stones over a two-day period at the intimate Beacon Theater in New York City in fall 2006. Cinematographers capture the raw energy of the legendary band.

It's almost graduation day for high school seniors Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Chad, Ryan and Taylor — and the thought of heading off in separate directions after leaving East High has these Wildcats thinking they need to do something they'll remember forever. Together with the rest of the Wildcats, they stage a spring musical reflecting their hopes and fears about the future and their unforgettable experiences growing up together. Will their final show break them apart or bring them together for the greatest moment in Wildcat history?

By the year 2056, an epidemic of organ failures has devastated the planet. The megacorporation GeneCo provides organ transplants on a payment plan - and those who can’t fulfill their plans have their organs repossessed. In the midst of this, a sickly teenager discovers a shocking secret about herself, her father, and their connection to GeneCo.

When Mitchie gets a chance to attend Camp Rock, her life takes an unpredictable twist, and she learns just how important it is to be true to yourself.

Two former backup soul singers, Louis and Floyd, have not spoken to each other in 20 years, and reluctantly agree to travel across the country together to a reunion concert to honor their recently-deceased lead singer. Cleo, a beautiful young woman who is believed to be Floyd's daughter, accompanies them as a new singer.

In this irreverent comedy, a failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama-teacher rallies his Tucson, AZ students as he conceives and stages politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet.

In the 1980s, a drummer is abandoned by his band just before they become rock superstars. Twenty years later, the drummer sees his second chance at stardom arise when he is asked to perform with his teenage nephew's high school rock band.

Scooby-Doo and Shaggy must go into the underworld ruled by The Goblin King in order to stop a mortal named The Amazing Krudsky who wants power and is a threat to their pals, Fred, Velma and Daphne.

Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway is a 2008 film of the final performance of the original Broadway production of the musical Rent on September 7, 2008, with some footage of the closing night celebration. The film had a limited theatrical release between September 24 and 28, 2008, in more than 500 theaters with high definition digital projection systems in the US and Canada. The film is assembled from footage shot at the September 7 performance as well as a day of shooting on August 20. It includes a reprise of "Seasons of Love" featuring both the final cast and cast members from past productions, including the original Broadway cast following the finale of the show proper.

In GLOBAL METAL, directors Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn set out to discover how the West's most maligned musical genre - heavy metal - has impacted the world's cultures beyond Europe and North America. The film follows metal fan and anthropologist Sam Dunn on a whirlwind journey through Asia, South America and the Middle East as he explores the underbelly of the world's emerging extreme music scenes; from Indonesian death metal to Chinese black metal to Iranian thrash metal. GLOBAL METAL reveals a worldwide community of metalheads who aren't just absorbing metal from the West - they're transforming it - creating a new form of cultural expression in societies dominated by conflict, corruption and mass-consumerism.

All self-taught dancer Kate Parker has ever wanted to do was perform with the American Academy of Ballet. But when she doesnt make it after auditioning, she learns that it takes more than precision and perfection to succeed in the dance world.

Celtic Woman’s ‘The Greatest Journey Essential Collection.’ DVD was released in 2008 and features all the tracks most associated with Celtic Woman. This is a definitive collection of the best of Celtic Woman up to the time of release and includes ‘Harry’s Game’, ‘Danny Boy’ and many other favourites.

An introspective documentary which chronicles pop music queen Britney Spears' return to the spotlight after her much-publicized professional and personal struggles. Honest, raw and revealing, the one-hour special shares some of Spears' most intimate moments in the span of 60 days, and gives fans an inside look at Britney in the recording studio and on set filming the music videos for one of music's most triumphant comebacks.

The infamous Gorgoroth gig in Krakow, Poland! Gorgoroth, Norwegian black metal band, drew the attention of the international media in early 2004 after their show in Krakow. They were accused of "offending religious feelings" during the gig, as well as suspected of breaching Polish law concerning the protection of animal rights by using severed and impaled heads of sheep as part of their stage design.

Live from Lexington, Kentucky, USA Keith Urban preforms to a packed house with classic hits like Stupid Boy, Days Go By, I Told You So, Shine and many more.

A celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew." a band that provided back-up instrumentals to such legendary recording artists as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and Bing Crosby.

The Black Parade Is Dead! is MCR's final performance as their onstage characters, the Black Parade. The Black Parade centres around a dying character called The Patient, who reflects on events in his life while he is confronted by Death in the form of his fondest memory, that of his father bringing him to see a marching band. This is based on frontman Gerard Way's belief that death comes to a person in the form of their fondest memory. The band is seen in their Black Parade uniforms throughout the performance, and during the first song "The End", Gerard Way is seen taking the role of The Patient, before tearing off his hospital gown to reveal his uniform.

Utilizing the 1920s jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw, the epic Indian tale of exiled prince Ramayana and his bride Sita is mirrored by a spurned woman's contemporary personal life, and light-hearted but knowledgeable discussion of historical background by a trio of Indian shadow puppets.

From the O2 Arena in London, Backstreet Boys deliver an electric live show with energetic performances of best-loved favorites such as “I Want It That Way” and “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”, as well as new tracks “Inconsolable” and “Helpless When She Smiles,” from the current Unbreakable album.

On tour promoting his 2006 studio album 'Continuum', American pop rock singer-songwriter and guitarist John Mayer performs, consecutively, an intimate acoustic set, a John Mayer Trio blues show, and a full-band concert at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California on December 8, 2007.

Their most ambitious staging to date, Black Symphony is capturing a unique concert at Rotterdam's Ahoy Arena on February 7, 2008. Sold out months in advance, Within Temptation performed to 10,000 fans with the 60-piece Metropole Orchestra and a 20-voice classical choir, as well as on-stage stilt performers, costume changes, and an array of stunning pyrotechnic and lighting effects. Special guests include Keith Caputo (ex-Life Of Agony), Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering), and George Oosthoek (Orphanage)

Continuation of "The History Of Iron Maiden" documentary series, which began with The History of Iron Maiden – Part 1: The Early Days. Band members, crew, friends and associates talk about the period in the band's career which saw the writing, recording and release of the Powerslave album, the following World Slavery Tour and the recording of the Live After Death album.

Muse's live act at Wembley Stadium, 17 June 2007.

Every Little Step follows the plight of real-life dancers as they struggle through auditions for the Broadway revival of "A Chorus Line" and also investigates the history of the show and the creative minds behind the original and current incarnations.

Paul Stanley: ONE LIVE KISS, filmed during his first ever solo tour while supporting his widely acclaimed solo album LIVE TO WIN. ONE LIVE KISS, was shot at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL, on November 6, 2006. Highlights include not only KISS favorites such as "Lick It Up," "Love Gun" and "Detroit Rock City" but also songs from his hit solo album. Backed by the amazing house band from the CBS shows "Rock Star: INXS" and "Rock Star:Supernova," Stanley ignites the stage as he performs his first new songs in more than eight years, including "Live To Win" (Top 10 Classic Rock on the Mediabase Chart), "Bulletproof" and "Lift." "Live To Win" was also pivotally featured in the Emmy-winning "South Park" episode "Make Love, Not Warcraft." The Star Child draws up every ounce of adrenaline and showmanship, leaving nothing behind but a crowd exploding into cheers at near rioting levels.

Pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne plays the hits that earned her legions of screaming fans (and launched a thousand ringtones) on The Best Damn Tour, a full-length presentation of her 2008 concert in Toronto. Opening with monster hit "Girlfriend," Lavigne rocks through every one of her major singles, including "Complicated," "My Happy Ending," and the ubiquitous "Sk8er Boi."

Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough is the first live album and DVD package released on September 16, 2008 by Avenged Sevenfold from Warner Bros. Records. The live DVD features the band's April 10, 2008 hometown show at Long Beach Arena headlining the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour, while the CD contains previously unreleased B-sides that were recorded during the making of Avenged Sevenfold, plus various covers, and other never-before-heard material. The DVD was directed by Core Entertainment's Rafa Alcantara, who also worked on the band's critically acclaimed 2007 road documentary All Excess. On August 15, 2008, a trailer was released by Avenged Sevenfold on their YouTube channel. On September 5, 2008, Avenged Sevenfold released the live version of "Seize the Day" from the DVD through their imeem account. "Unholy Confessions" and "Scream" were later streamed before the release as well.

One of the last concerts to be recorded with longtime members Billy Powell and Ean Evans, both of whom passed away in 2009. Track-listing: 1. Main Menu Page Loop / 2. Song Selection Menu Page Loop (Sweet Home Alabama / 3. Intro (Band Interviews w/Call Me The Breeze) / 4. Travelin' Man / 5. Workin' / 6. What's Your Name / 7. That Smell / 8. Simple Man / 9. Down South Jukin' / 10. The Needle And The Spoon / 11. The Ballad Of Curtis Loew / 12. Gimme Back My Bullets / 13. Tuesday's Gone / 14. Red White And Blue / 15. Gimme Three Steps / 16. Call Me The Breeze / 17. Sweet Home Alabama / 18. Free Bird.

1. Dance Me To The End Of Love 2. The Future 3. Ain't No Cure For Love 4. Bird On The Wire 5. Everybody Knows 6. In My Secret Life 7. Who By Fire 8. Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye 9. Anthem 10. Tower Of Song 11. Suzanne 12. The Gypsy's Wife 13. Boogie Street 14. Hallelujah 15. Democracy 16. I'm Your Man 17. Recitation 18. Take This Waltz 19. So Long, Marianne 20. First We Take Manhattan 21. Sisters Of Mercy 22. If It Be Your Will 23. Closing Time 24. I Tried To Leave You 25. Whither Thou Goest On March 31, 2009, Leonard Cohen released Live In London, his first new recording since 2004’s Dear Heather. This collection available in DVD and 2 CD formats was recorded live on July 17, 2008 at London’s 02 Arena, one of Europe’s largest indoor venues.

'The Final RIOT!' is a live CD and DVD that documents the band in their most intimate moments on tour. On top of the all access documentary footage, an entire 15 song live set was filmed at the Chicago stop of The Final RIOT! Tour, for what the band has called their 'best show ever.' Join millions of Paramore fans around the world as they experience 'The Final RIOT!'

Foo Fighters captured over their two sold-out nights at Wembley on June 6th and 7th, 2008.

Cash's concert at Folsom State Prison in California in January 1968 touched a raw nerve in the American psyche and made him a national hero at a troubled time in American history. Using the stark images of rock photographer Jim Marshall, graphic techniques, archive footage and interviews with Merle Haggard, Cash's daughter Rosanne, band members Marshall Grant and WS 'Fluke' Holland, alongside former inmates of the prison, the film documents this explosive concert, the live album that followed and a transformative moment in the lives of Cash, the inmates of Folsom Prison and the American nation in the troubled year of 1968.

'Road to Revolution - Live at Milton Keynes' was recorded during the Linkin Park's annual Projekt Revolution festival tour at the Milton Keynes National Bowl on June 29, 2008. The concert featured material from all three of the band's albums, as well as songs from their EP, 'Collision Course' with Jay-Z, and elements from 'Reanimation' and Fort Minor's 'The Rising Tied'.

Aspiring super-villain Dr. Horrible wants to join the Evil League of Evil and win the girl of his dreams, but his nemesis, Captain Hammer, stops him at every turn.

This version of "The Nutcracker" gives the classic ballet a tragic spin, with Masha (instead of Clara) now the unloved, unappreciated daughter of the Town Council President. At a Christmas party, Masha is given a seemingly alive Nutcracker by her Uncle Drosselmeyer, and Masha instantly is enchanted with it. The toys come to life at midnight, and after Masha helps the Nutcracker defeat attacking mice, he takes her to his kingdom, where he is later revealed to be a handsome Prince. The Prince and Masha fall deeply in love, but their "happy ending" has a morbid twist not found in any other "Nutcracker".

Anouk gave two concerts for a sold out Gelredome on March 28 and 29 2008. Anouk – Live At Gelredome is a live registration of these fantastic shows.

Tells the story of Larry and Trudie Long, a popular Asian American nightclub act of the '40s and '50s, told through the eyes of their daughter, actress Jodi Long.

A future classic was unleashed in January 1967 as the Doors released their eponymously titled debut album. This documentary in the Classic Albums series takes an in-depth look at the album, with commentary from Bruce Botnick, who worked on the album, and the three remaining Doors--guitarist Robbie Krieger, keyboard player Ray Manzarek, and drummer John Densmore. The three band members also play some of their instrumental parts from the album, offering invaluable insight into how the songs were constructed.

1. Got Me Under Pressure 2. Waitin' For The Bus 3. Jesus Just Left Chicago 4. I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide 5. Pin Cushion 6. Cheap Sunglasses 7. Pearl Necklace 8. Heard It On The X 9. Just Got Paid 10. Rough Boy 11. Blue Jean Blues 12. Gimme All Your Lovin' 13. Sharp Dressed Man 14. Legs 15. Tube Snake Boogie 16. La Grange 17. Tush That Little Ol’ Band from Texas comes up big in ZZ Top: Live from Texas, a concert recorded on November 1st, 2007 at the Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas. The hirsute trio (guitarist Billy Gibbons, bass player Dusty Hill, drummer Frank Beard) has been at it for nearly four decades now.

An inspiring account of Milwaukee's Neil Diamond tribute band/husband and wife singing duo, Lightning & Thunder, and their tragic love story. (IMDB)

Concert film of The Police during the 2007-08 reunion tour. Recorded in concert in Buenos Aires at the beginning of December 2007, it’s released on the band’s original label, A&M, via Universal. Recording the Argentinian leg of the band’s momentous reunion tour, the album captures the three piece in concert, crammed with every hit from ‘Message in a Bottle’, ‘Walking on the Moon’, ‘Don't Stand So Close to Me’, ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’, ‘Wrapped Around Your Finger’, ‘Can't Stand Losing You’, ‘Roxanne’ and ‘Every Breath You Take’, closing with the punk urgency of the first track from their 1978 debut, ‘Next to You’.

Water on the Road is a film released on DVD and Blu-ray by American singer and Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. It documents Vedder's 2008 solo tour, during which he performed Pearl Jam songs, numerous covers, and solo works including songs from the Into the Wild Soundtrack. The film features mostly performances from two shows Vedder performed on August 16 and 17, 2008, at Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. It was released on May 31, 2011.

Come Rain or Shine is an unusually frank and humorous music documentary about the band Genesis getting back together for their first tour in 15 years. Director Anthony Mathile followed the band for nearly a year to create this film which explores the relationship of three band members and the mechanics, decisions, and debacles that go into producing a stadium tour for a legendary band of this scale. This "rockumentary" was released as part of the "When in Rome" boxset, that was released in 2008 as a registration of the live show that Genesis performed in Rome, the last show in their European tour. The camera accompanies Genesis through all periods of tour preparation, from the first rehearsals in New York to the moment in autumn 2007 when the final bars of The Carpet Crawlers fade away.