Tenacious D and the Dixie Chicks know the cost of speaking up – but there’s nothing funny about political violence
Karen Middleton
A bad-taste joke about the Trump shooting shows the old lines of democratic civility are beginning to blur
Tenacious D’s Trump shocker upends a career of perfectly judged musical comedy
Jack Black and Kyle Gass’s duo are on hiatus after an off-colour comment about the Trump shooting – a rare misstep after years of arena-filling antics
Jack Black puts Tenacious D ‘on hold’ and cancels tour after bandmate’s Trump shooting comment
Actor and rock musician says ‘I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence’ after Kyle Gass joked about assassination attempt
May 2024
Tenacious D review – Jack Black’s daft duo are deeply schooled in rock
The actor’s prog-metal spoof band with Kyle Gass hilariously skewer rock cliche – but come from a place of deep love for the genre
March 2024
Kung Fu Panda 4 review – Jack Black and Awkwafina in hurricane of slapstick more miss than hit
The lead pair make a brilliant double act, but the franchise has run out of its signature sweetness and charm
February 2023
How we made
‘Bruce Springsteen was very nervous about his cameo’: Nick Hornby and Stephen Frears on High Fidelity
‘I thought the film was dead. But then one morning my newsagent, a fellow Arsenal fan, gave me a note that said: “Call Stephen Frears.” It was an unconventional approach’
November 2022
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story review – bizarre, one-joke biopic
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story review – Daniel Radcliffe biopic packed with wacky walk-ons
February 2022
Stream team
Bernie: Jack Black soars in Richard Linklater’s brilliant true-crime comedy
Actor is breathtakingly good as a sweet man who befriends a wealthy widow, with deadly results – backed up by Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey
May 2021
School of Rock star Kevin Clark dies in collision aged 32
Jack Black leads tributes to Clark, who played drummer Freddy in the comedy film, saying he was ‘heartbroken’ at the loss
March 2020
High Fidelity at 20: the sneakily dark edge of a comedy about bad breakups
Stephen Frears’ smart adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel of stunted growth remains as compelling as ever with one of John Cusack’s best performances
December 2019
Mark Kermode's film of the week
Jumanji: The Next Level review – an upbeat, frenetic adventure
Jumanji: The Next Level review – Dwayne Johnson ups his comedy game
August 2019
Jack Grey? … Jack White and Jack Black collaborate on new song
The long hoped-for partnership was announced by Black at a concert with his band Tenacious D
September 2018
The House With a Clock in Its Walls review – post-Potter children's fantasy
Jack Black and Cate Blanchett star in this uninspiring tale of a lonely, recently orphaned boy with supernatural skills
May 2018
Amy Schumer and Hollywood’s ‘inner-beauty’ problem
The comic’s new film I Feel Pretty follows the likes of Shallow Hal and Never Been Kissed in its ugly definitions of physical attraction
December 2017
Mark Kermode's film of the week
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle review – a crowd-pleasing romp
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle review – fantasy romp likably upgraded for gamer generation
January 2017
First look review
The Polka King review – Jack Black shines in a weirdly enjoyable film
Jack Black: Donald Trump is like Charlie Sheen on crack
