New Years Rev

Since Green Day burst onto the scene in the 1990s, their sound and success have helped launch a countless number of garage rock bands, each aspiring to channel the group’s energy and attitude. Among the most committed are The Analog Dogs, who want nothing more than to meet Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool. Forcing their way to drop off a demo to their beloved idols in hopes of earning some recognition, they instead get an extremely rare opportunity — to open up for Green Day at their New Year’s concert.

Or so they think. Unbeknownst to them, the opener gig is actually a prank played on them by one of their brothers. Nevertheless, naively optimistic, the young trio set off on the road from Kansas to California, with wide-eyed dreams of being on stage alongside their heroes.

Filmmaker Lee Kirk teams up with Green Day (who are co-producers) to make this love letter to road movies, ’90s nostalgia, and the ecstasy of wanting to rock out no matter what it takes. Over a dozen Green Day songs make up the soundtrack, guiding the path for the drive. With a mix of absurd and charming supporting characters (played by Fred Armisen, Angela Kinsey, Bobby Lee, and Mckenna Grace, among others), we’re thrown right into the journey, not knowing where or how it might end up, but ever hopeful that we’ll have the time of our lives.

CAMERON BAILEY