Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny parents guide

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny Parent Guide

Overall D

Actor Jack Black returns to his not so family-friendly roots as a rocker in Tenacious D--a music group best known for its vulgar and profane lyrics. The movie, The Pick of Destiny, contains equally offensive content as it fabricates an account of Black and his buddy Kyle Gass (who play themselves) going to extreme lengths to become the best band on Earth.

Release date November 21, 2006

Violence B
Sexual Content D+
Profanity D-
Substance Use D

Why is Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny rated R? The MPAA rated Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny R for pervasive language, sexual content and drug use.

Parent Movie Review

If you were introduced to Jack Black as a wannabe Battle of the Bands winner in School of Rock and/or as a kind-hearted monk in Nacho Libre, then you may associate this actor with comedic roles aimed at grade school kids and teens. But that is not where this dynamic and fun performer got his start in showbiz. Thanks to his recent box office successes, Black now has enough celebrity muscle to write and make an R-rated movie that returns to his not so family-friendly roots.

In the beginning, Black and another guy named Kyle Gass, started a rock band after meeting in an acting troupe in 1985. Called “Tenacious D,” the boys had a difficult time gaining much airplay due to the vulgar nature of the lyrics and topics of their songs. However, HBO gave the duo a chance to reach a larger audience in 1997 and 1999 when they made a half-dozen TV episodes of Tenacious D. Eventually the pair released a CD as well.

In this movie, which mirrors their original series, Black and Gass play themselves, under the character names of JB and KG. Here they meet at Venice Beach, where KG plays his guitar for coins. Luring JB into believing he can become a rock star, KG begins a scam using JB as a groupie and drug delivery boy. However, the game comes to an end when KG’s mom calls and says she won’t support the freeloader’s LA apartment any longer. Although KG is crushed, JB convinces him that the two of them can still pay the rent with their music. All they need is the power of a cherished guitar pick, carved from one of Satan’s teeth, that is presently guarded in a rock ‘n roll museum.

The 300-mile road trip to steal the magical trinket, gives the script plenty of time for profanities, vulgar sexual comments and expletives, as well as depictions of recreational drug use played for laughs. For those concerned about satanic depictions, Lucifer himself makes an appearance (played by Derek Mears) along with comments about homosexual relations between the devil and KG.

While Black’s performance is still skilled and energetic, those who discovered him in other more kid-oriented films are certain to agree Tenacious D in ‘The pick of Destiny’ isn’t going to be music to many parents’ ears.

Starring Jack Black, Kyle Gass. Theatrical release November 21, 2006. Updated

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny
Rating & Content Info

Why is Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny rated R? Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny is rated R by the MPAA for pervasive language, sexual content and drug use.

Parents who discovered Jack Black in films like School of Rock or doing voices in animations such as Ice Age or Shark Tale should note this movie is of a very adult nature. Dozens of sexual expletives, discussions about crude sexual behavior, and a man using his clothed erection to disarm a security alarm are only some of the content issues in this film. Satanic symbols, a depiction of the devil and a deal where he will be given a man as his “sex slave” are also included. Illegal drugs are used and depicted in a comedic way. As well, characters commit crimes of breaking and entering and evading police, which result in a high-speed car chase.

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Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny Parents' Guide

Parents with children who follow certain celebrities, may want to take this opportunity to point out and discuss how the same actor may appear in a broad range of movies that are created for very different age groups.

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny movie is February 26, 2007. Here are some details…

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny releases to DVD with the following bonus extras: Commentary by Jack Black and Kyle Gass, fourteen deleted/extended scenes, alternate endings and outtakes, trailers, The Making of The Pick of Destiny, In the Studio, Jump to a Song, a music video and the making of the music video. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, DTS 6.1 ES Discrete and Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), with subtitles in English and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

Jack Black offers great, more family-friendly performances in School of Rock and Nacho Libre. Look for his voice credits in Ice Age and Shark Tale as well.