As a man who spent decades around musicians -- interviewing them, studying them, worshipping them -- it isn't surprising that Cameron Crowe gets the sheer magnetism of rock-n-roll stardom as well as any man alive. "Almost famous" is a lengthy love letter to both popular music and the people who obsess about the music, a celebration of both the illusions of fame and the less-than-glamorous realities. The music -- both classic rock and a few savvy originals -- is terrific and Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, Jason Lee and a dozen other stars will probably never be better. You'll laugh and if you don't tear up at least a half-dozen times, you have no soul. HOLD ME CLOSER, TINY DANCER...