This is Spinal Tap, Reality Bites to screen at 2019 Tribeca Film Festival

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

"’Spinal Tap’ proves there is definitely a fine line between stupid and clever.”

– Rob Reiner, This is Spinal Tap

Before bands like Tenacious D and The Lonely Island began serving up their unique brands of comedic musical genius, there was Spinal Tap – a trio of influential rockers who defied logic and expectations with every note from within their heavy metal hearts. Today, the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival has announced that it will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of THIS IS SPINAL TAP – the timeless musical comedy led by Spinal Tap bandmates Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer – with a special screening in addition to other events. What could be better than seeing THIS IS SPINAL TAP up on the big screen, once again, you ask? Prepare to throw your horns in the air, my friends, because Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Rob Reiner, who directed the beloved 1984 faux documentary film, will also be in attendance. What's more is that, as Spinal Tap, the trio of actors will deliver a musical performance and behind-the-music conversation, after the screening.

In addition to the THIS IS SPINAL TAP anniversary event, the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival will also present a special screening of REALITY BITES, the Ben Stiller-directed romantic comedy drama centered on a documentary filmmaker and her fellow Gen X graduates who face life after college, looking for work and love in Houston. The 1994 film written by Helen Childress starred Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, Ben Stiller and Swoosie Kurtz, and in my opinion, boasted one of the best movie soundtracks of the early 90s. For real, this record gathered the likes of Dinosaur Jr., Sepultura, Alice Cooper, Salt-N-Pepa, and Green Jelly, just to name a few. It's no SINGLES or THE CROW soundtrack, but yeah, it was money. Following the screening of REALITY BITES, a look-back conversation about the Gen X drama will take place.

In talking about the musically-charged double feature, Paula Weinstein, evec VP of Tribecas Enterprises, said, “From the heavy metal bands of the ‘80s to Generation X in the early ‘90s, ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ and ‘Reality Bites’ didn’t just capture the spirit of their respective times — they helped define them. We’re excited to bring these two films back to the big screen for existing fans and also to introduce them to new audiences.”

Are you ready to turn your Tribeca Film Festival experience up to eleven? Are you prepared to gaze upon the glory of mighty Stonehenge? Could you be Spinal Tap's next drummer? Does reality really bite, or are you simply not living life out loud? These are just a few things to think about before the celebration gets underway. Go forth, my friends, and rock!