The troubled fraternal relationship between songwriters Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, the Oscar and Grammy-winning Sherman Brothers, famous for the iconic hits they wrote for Disney.
WORDS AND MUSIC is the story of one of Broadway's iconic figures: the composer/lyricist of Hello, Dolly!, Mame and La Cage aux Folles. Jerry Herman and an all-star cast, chart his rise from 1950s off-Broadway through all of his smash hits. Featuring never-before-seen footage of original stage performances, and a score full of classic show tunes.
The lives of a group of Hollywood neurotics intersect over the Christmas holidays. Foremost among them, a songwriter (Carradine) visits Los Angeles to work on a singer's album. The gig, unbeknownst to him, is being bankrolled by his estranged father, a dairy magnate, who hopes to reunite with his son. When the songwriter meets an eccentric housewife who fancies herself a modern-day Garbo, his world of illusions comes crashing down.
In the late 1960s, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson stops touring, produces "Pet Sounds" and begins to lose his grip on reality. By the 1980s, Wilson, under the sway of a controlling therapist, finds a savior in Melinda Ledbetter.
Three chipmunks, Alvin, Simon and Theodore, who watch as their home is chopped down by a Christmas tree company. With the boys still inside, the tree is shipped off to the lobby of the prestigious Jett Records, helmed by a slick and conniving record executive named Ian Hawk (David Cross), in downtown Los Angeles. Ian is a former college roommate of Dave Seville (Jason Lee), a down-on-his-luck musician and songwriter who has never given up hope for making a successful career out of his quirky musical sensibilities.
When Dave goes to Jett Records to pitch Ian a new song, he is rudely booted out of the offices. Taking a basket of muffins as consolation, he wanders past the Christmas tree being installed in the lobby. The Chipmunks, smelling the tasty muffins, jump in the basket unbeknownst to Dave, who unwittingly carts them back to his apartment where the Chipmunks secretly install themselves quite comfortably. Despite his misgivings about his new tenants, Dave seizes the opportunity to put together his songwriting skills with the 'Munks unique talents. Their first collaboration, "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" becomes an overnight sensation, propelling the Chipmunks to superstardom. They revel in the rock star perks that follow: album launch parties, limos, flashing cameras, fans and press interviews.
Cast: Jason lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson
Directed by Tim Hill