Texas: 30 Odd Foot of Grunts Movie Review

It would be easy to dismiss Texas as another vanity project for Russell Crowe, and in large part, that's what this documentary is. Chronicling his band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts (aka TOFOG) as they tour to Austin, Texas (and apprently nowhere else), this is a concert movie the likes of which we've never seen before. Keanu Reeves doesn't get this nearly kind of attention for Dogstar, but somehow Crowe is a sensation.

At least among middle-aged women. Say what you will about TOFOG's music (I found it reasonably good, if not terribly original, but what do I know?), it's pretty clear that the TOFOG fan base is women smitten with a rock star they fell in love with in Gladiator and who comes from their own generation.

At 80 minutes in length, only half of that is onstage, the remainder a look at the plane ride from Australia, rehearsals, and countless profanities (usually contained within sports metaphors) used to drum up excitement for the band and motivate them to play a good set. Wait, there's a band? That's right, it's more than just Crowe -- and his antics on stage as he desperately tries to get recognition for them are nothing short of hysterical. One guy even puts on the bras and panties that pile up on the stage, all in a desperate attempt to get attention.

In the end, sure, this is a movie about Russell Crowe, and everyone knows it. Even the press clippings used in the film invariably read "Russell Crowe's band comes to Austin." Few people seem to be real TOFOG fans. Though I guess if there are any of you out there, well, this movie is an absolute, hands-down, must-see.