Change Your Image
bmeister
Reviews
Edgeplay (2004)
Stunning beyond description
The Runaways 2010 movie is somewhat entertaining, but it is just that, a Hollywood movie. It takes tons of liberties with the truth, focuses on the lives of Cherie and Joan, creates aggregate characters, and leaves out some pertinent components of the Runaways history. It is a movie based on the Runaways, it is not the story of the Runaways.
The documentary Edgeplay, by latter day Runaways bassist Vicki Blue, is essential viewing, but be forewarned, this is not some bloated rock star bragging about how many chicks he laid and how many drugs he took. Today's youth likes to talk about "being real", this is as real and raw as it gets, and it is mind-bending.
The most riveting segment is the interview with Sandy West. West is driven upon release from a prison term by Fox to a location where she is interviewed by Blue. She's not fully stable, perhaps even a bit disoriented she asks for permission to smoke a cigarette, becomes emotional in discussing the demise of the Runaways and her own life after the band, and discloses elements of a harrowing criminal life, till she finally breaks down saying "I just wanted to be a drummer in a rock band." The emotional intensity is off the charts. The camera zooms in and the deep lines in her face reflect the harshness of the life she has lived.
At times, the participants ask for the camera to stop rolling, but it appears the camera continues to roll a bit. Currie, Williams (West's mom), and West all had remorse about some of what they disclosed during the taping of the movie and tried to appeal to Blue to not include certain content, so much so that West showed up at Blue's house one night high out of her mind with a gun and a thug accomplice in an attempt to get the tape back from Blue, the LAPD with police helicopters removed West, Blue didn't press charges against West, Blue fled L.A. in lived out in the desert out of fear.
The only Runaway interviewed that does not appear to have not suffered emotional damage is Ford. However, in the past couple years (after this movie was made), Ford's life has taken a bizarre twist and a whole movie could be made just about that.
I cannot overstate how compelling (and disturbing) I found this movie. I've watched it several times, it is so brutal and honest, people disclosing sins and discussing things one would expect them to take to the grave. I can understand why some, such as Joan Jett, refused to participate in the movie due to it's Springer-like qualities at times. However, on Springer, the participants are instructed to act up for the cameras, none of the participants in Edgeplay were encouraged to ham it up for the camera, which is why it is so scary. The circumstances surrounding the making of this movie and the years it took for the film to come to light is a story unto itself.
I generally disdain rock band reunions, find them almost pathetic, but I think the Runaways situation is an exception, and it would be in their best interest to reunite, although Sandy is unfortunately no longer alive. With the renewed interest in the Runaways in the aftermath of Edgeplay, the Runaways movie, and Currie's Neon Angel book, history pertaining to how they were received in 70s is being altered a bit, as if the Runaways were a huge commercial success with critical acclaim heaped upon them. But the Runaways were laughed at and treated derisively in more circles than they were admired in during their time. When I revisit their albums today, they are astounding, particularly when considering they were recorded by 16 & 17 year old musicians on limited budgets, and provide a bridge and glimpse into what was approaching on the music scene. Their first two studio albums and Live in Japan were released before the Sex Pistols "Never Mind the Bullocks". A reunion (if done correctly) would allow them to stake their claim in rock history they so richly deserve that they were denied in the 70s. Also, the Runaways did not make a lot of money during their initial career, a reunion could bring them a windfall of money, that in all fairness, they deserve. (Although I think they're all multimillionaires now anyway). If it is to happen, it would have to be soon, as the clock is ticking.
Sorry for going a bit off track, back to Edgeplay. If you are looking for the traditional trite schlock rockumentary with clips of hit songs and musicians falling all over each gushing with praise, you're not going to find it Edgeplay. There isn't even any Runaways music in it because the rights were withheld (by Jett I believe). I can't think of anything like it I've ever seen for comparison. It is stunning beyond description. I strongly recommend.
Marty (1955)
overrated
I have made many attempts to watch this movie and finally got through it on the umpteenth try. It's not that it's a bad movie, it's just very mediocre. But the Oscar for best movie and best actor (Borgnine)?? I don't get it. "Marty" got the academy award for best picture in 1955 and "East of Eden", "Rebel Without a Cause", "The Night of the Hunter", "The Seven Year Itch", and "Blackboard Jungle" weren't even nominated?? Ernest Borgnine gets the Academy Award for best actor and James Dean isn't even nominated for "Rebel"? "Marty" was not one of the top ten grossing movies of 1955, it might not have even been one of the top 20. The most interesting thing about this movie is that it is a curiosity piece for having the received Oscar for best movie and best actor based upon so little merit.
Zabriskie Point (1970)
Bleeping Awful
I admit, having come of age in the hippie-dippy age, I am a sucker for these kind of movies. I can enjoy some of the schlock of the hippie genre far more than most "normal" people. However, this movie is simply awful in every conceivable way.
Every trite perception of the hippie silliness is presented as gospel, cops kill a young long hair when he peacefully lands a plane. This movie is so horrible that it is not even funny to watch as a goof on the excesses of the hippie drone. It is like a left wing version of Dragnet, except without professional actors. The only reason I gave it two stars was because there are some obscurities of interest on the soundtrack, besides, I couldn't find a selection for negative stars.
No actors, almost no plot, sheeze, barely even a script...you got it, an "art" movie....All this done at root canal drilling slowness, dragging out each meaningless scene just to fill up time.
In a bizarre twist of life imitating art, the star "nonactor" of the movie joined a commune in real life and robbed a bank in Boston, one of his co-robbers was killed and he was sent to jail where he was killed in a suspicious weightlifting "accident".....and just think, he got to leave this behind as a legacy....Oy vey.
Grand Theft Parsons (2003)
What would Gram do?
I cringed all the way through this movie. First of all, the idiotic plot has little to do with Parson's own story. Hollywood has attempted to create a kind of comedy car chase movie. Imagine "Englebert Sings Hendrix".
Do not take anything about this movie to be accurate. The name Parsons in the title and stealing of his body is just used as springboard for a low budget chase movie, a blatant attempt to grab a few bucks from the Parsons legacy and his fan base. Gram's father had long since been dead in 1973, the other global characters are fictional, none of this has anything to do with Grams life or death.
If you are a Gram fan, I advise you to not see this movie. I wish I hadn't. It's saddening to see something special be treated as such disgracing fodder. I'd swear I could hear Gram turning in his grave while the movie was playing. If you are not familiar with Gram's life and legacy, do not take anything in this movie as being representative of Gram.
I cannot say enough bad things about this movie. If Gram were alive and saw this movie, he would kill himself. Then again, maybe he'd be afraid to if he knew this movie were to result.
The Missouri Breaks (1976)
Disappointment city.
As a big fan of both Brando and Nicholson, this film is a major disappointment, especially for Brando. For some inexplicable reason, Brando speaks in a pseudo English accent, dresses almost in drag, and talks to his horse a lot. Brando, renowned for becoming inseparable with the character he is portraying in his great movies, almost appears to be goofing on the movie he is making, by over acting and evolving into an unbelievable character, constantly eating carrots, including with his horse. It couldn't be more obvious that this is an actor trying to be weird. "The Missouri Breaks" is a blemish on the great Brando legacy.
The script is awful, with lines like "Do you want to have sexual intercourse" when Kathleen Lloyd is flirting with Nicholson. Harry Dean Stanton does put in a credible performance.
Difficult to imagine that this was Nicholson's follow up movie to "Cuckoo's Nest. It was a struggle to get through this movie. It's little more than a curiosity piece, only for those that have to see everything Brando or Nicholson have ever done, even if it's a bowel movement.
If it weren't for the star names associated with this movie, it would have been immediately dismissed.
Night Shift (1982)
Mediocre generic 80's material.
Very mediocre pabulum 80s material. I've never been a Michael Keaton fan, and I don't see any reason why the over-the-top silliness of this, his movie debut, should make me one. He portrays a goofy character in an unconvincing way. The plot is trite, the scenes are predictable, the stereotypical Hollywood ending is obvious midway through the movie. The electric piano that plays intermittently throughout the movie is annoying. For some reason, the song "Jumpin Jack Flash" keeps coming up throughout the movie. Shelley Long is OK as the obviously scripted to fall in love with the male lead prostitute just prior to her role on "Cheers". Winkler is miscast by his "Happy Days" buddy Ron Howard as Keaton's straight guy/foil, the conservative man, who of course, even though he is engaged to be married, falls in love with the prostitute, who of course, just happens to live in the apartment next door. There's even the obligatory get-thrown-in-jail-scene.
You've got it.....paint by numbers material.
This is strictly Hollywood formula product. If you're going to watch this movie, you might as well kill a few brain cells in preparation, cause it doesn't require many to sit through this. This movie has no more artistic substance than dog food, dishwasher detergent, or toilet paper, it's just generic schlock material designed for mass consumption. Unless you're a die-hard fan of this 80s genre, you won't be missing much if you miss this one.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
junk
I sat through My Big Fat Greek Wedding on TV and I want the two hours of my life back (actually, it seemed like more) I lost watching this filler material. How this movie ever garnered the attention it received is beyond me.
The overacting, absurd stereotyping, and fake accents are pathetic. The depiction of Greek families living in 21st century America... I'm not Greek and I'm offended.
There is no way to provide any spoilers, as the entire plot of the movie is contained in the title. Everything is predictable and trite. The movie has the substance of a Hostess Twinkie. The characters have the depth and believability of a laundry detergent commercial.
It's a sad comment on the level of movies today, when a formulaic piece of fluff like this gets so much attention.