Nostalgic views of youth and rebellion

This spring's pure pop treat is a largely autobiographical tale by Cameron Crowe, a superior piece of '70s nostalgia that deals with his own memories of working -- at age 15, no less -- as a rock journalist for (then-cool) Rolling Stone magazine.

His alter ego, William Miller (played adroitly by newbie Patrick Fugit), finds his initiation into the world of backstage bacchanalia and hotel-room hedonism by riding the feathery coattails of groupie Penny Lane (Kate Hudson).

William joins stadium act Stillwater (based loosely on Led Zeppelin) on the road, struggling both to get a coherent interview with the band and to rein in his feelings for Penny, who is smitten with the band's guitarist Russel (Billy Crudup).