Before I went to Sundance this year I considered just sleeping in all day and only going to the parties. Ain’t It Cool’s Drew McWeeny gave me some advice: he told me to just get out there and see as many movies as I could. Not because it would make me a better film fan or a smarter person, but because it would make my job easier for the rest of the year.

And he’s been right! A number of the films I saw have been bought and will be coming out in the weeks and months ahead (like The Wackness and American Teen and Towelhead), but I even have the opportunity to talk about the movies which have not yet found distributors. Anvil! The Story of Anvil is, mystifyingly, one of those movies; I LOVED this movie at Sundance, and while I don’t think it’s an award winner, it’s a true audience pleaser.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil is about a Canadian heavy metal band that has been toiling in obscurity for decades now. Their metal peers love them, but audiences and record companies just don’t seem to get it. Despite the fact that the guys in the band have to keep day jobs well into their 40s, they keep plugging along. The documentary follows them as they attempt a European tour, and Spinal Tap will enter your head more than once while watching their hilarious and tragic antics (not for the least reason that the drummer’s name is Rob Reiner).

Los Angelenos will get a chance to see Anvil! The Story of Anvil at the LA Film Festival; what’s more, the screening will be accompanied by performances by ‘Special Musical Guests.’ Anvil played at Sundance and tore the roof off the place, and they were joined onstage by Scott Ian of Anthrax and Slash – imagine who might be joining them when they play in LA.

The show is Thursday June 26th at 8pm, and tickets are a measly 12 bucks – a real bargain for a gem of a movie that needs to get picked up ASAP, as well as a live show. I can’t recommend this one enough, and not just for metal fans – the spirit of Anvil will touch anybody who watches the movie.

Buy your tickets at the LAFF site here.

For movie clips and info, visit the Anvil! The Story of Anvil site here.