MovieChat Forums > Edgeplay (2004) Discussion > This will have to do for now

This will have to do for now

posted 19 years ago by jackcarson
3 replies | jump to latest

This is simply an edgier "VH-1: Where Are They Now ?" special. I say edgier because of the trendy jagged editing and bad language, not because of the pretentious title.

I AM an original Runaways fan, since '77. This is NOT the movie I have been waiting for all these years, but it will have to do for now. I'm glad someone in the band made the film, but much of the info. I have already gleaned from Cherie Currie's autobiography and interviews with the other members in the media throughout the years.

I enjoyed some of the candid "home movie" type footage, though the jagged editing made it almost subliminal. And anyone who owns a bootleg copy of the "Live In Japan" video will get a better understanding of the band's visceral power than what they get here. (And anyone who has seen promo videos for School Days or Saturday Night Special - whew, talk about kick ass!) This documentary is hardly the vehicle to persuade the non-initiated into realizing what a great rock and roll band the Runaways were.

Ms. Blue obviously put a whole lot of blood and sweat into this movie, and I appreciate the sincerity from the others. She almost pulled it off without the crucial music. And I was glad the ladies all looked so great, though Sandy sounded as if she's been through the mill (I take it she has). I love them all, though someone should tell Lita that her "ballsy mama, tell-it-like-it-is" routine is simply one house down from "catty." (Catty corner ?)

What we really need is a tell-all bio along the lines of Motley Crue's book that came out a few years back. (Each member will write their own version from chapter to chapter). This way - no distractions with jarring editing ! And then we'll have a real nice updated documentary with real live sounds of the band.

Joan Jett should join ranks - after all, Joan, most of your frenzied Blackheart fans were there because they loved you so much in, and as, a Runaway.

[–] hilljayne 19 years ago

I guess I am one of the few Runaways fans who just really doesn't feel the absence of Joan Jett that much. Mind you, NO Joan was not my favorite member of the band but I am still a Jett fan and of course, she is/was a MAJOR part of the band...but I just truly feel that Vickie pulls it all off in her absence.

One thing I totally love about the film is how Vickie kind of lets us in on each members personality. Like after someone says something she will let the camera linger to kind of think about what has been said and the person that has just said it. It is, in a sense, brilliant filmmaking.

I have some of The Runaways Live In Japan footage and it is absolutely breathtaking. These girls rocked DOWN. It's ashame that they never expereinced commercial success in the States because they rocked. Though I do disagree with Kim Fowley when he says that they are a footnote in rock history. Ultimately, success should be measured by who you have influenced not by record sales...and many a female rocker were influenced by The Runaways. They also helped open the door for female bands which The Go-Go's blew open.

Love it!

Professional Jayne Mansfield fanatic/lover™ since 1980.

[–] jackcarson 18 years ago

Wow, I just watched this movie again after many months, and much more intently I should add. That really made all the difference. Instead of scanning for live footage etc. I listened closely to what each lady was saying.

Enough of the aforementioned negatives (from my September post). High praise to the incisive questions (and answers) to and from the band members. I give this a much higher rating now than I did back in the days. Kudos to the director.

[–] BulmaPunkRocker 10 years ago

I'm a huge Joan's fan, but actually, the only thing I miss is the music.
I think Vicky did an AWESOME job and it's really overwhelming to watch it, all the things this talented ladies went through at such young age...

I don't know what's wrong with Joan. ALL the girls participate on this, even Jackie Fox! Joan is the only one who said no. But now we have that awful biased "The Runaways" Hollywood crap, that did not show the real Runaways at all, it's just Cherie's "damisel in distress" and super heroine Joan Jett. I'm glad Jackie and Lita didn't wanted to get involved.

Please excuse my terrible redaction, english is not my native language.