Prey for Rock & Roll

I really just liked this movie a whole lot. Sure the music wasn't the greatest but I am close to "40" and really can relate to these women. Must be my generation that went through Punk Rock, New Wave and Goth era that really got this movie. It just goes to show you you're never too old to dream and if your my age you're far from a poser instead we old folks deserve our respect for making a scene that people still try to emulate to this day. Have fun watch this movie and just be yourself. Thats what I got from it and I just really dig women with their style and panache. Always will and when you see someone that feels so strongly about their craft it makes it even better. This is far from just some average movie that glorifies the hardcore scene it makes it personal and non glamorous in a realistic way.

"Prey for Rock and Roll" sticks B-movie diva Gershon in the spotlight of yet another B-flick as the lesbo lead of an all-girl small time club rock band. This slice-of-rock-life look at the aging rock musician almost works but can't seem to avoid those oh so very Hollywoodish excursions into lesbian sex, sex for drugs, rape, revenge, etc. More music and fewer gratuities and this could have been a reasonable representation of the plight of the aging rocker, the narcotic-like hold music has over the musician, and the trade-offs and sacrifices they make for their art. However, when all is said and done, "Prey..." plays out like just another B-flick wannabe. Recommended for rockers and Gershon fans. (C+)

I was interested in this movie because of the "do your dreams have to die because you are over 40?" angle, but was completely blown away by the total quality of the movie. I'm not a huge rock fan so much (preferring jazz), but this movie made me a believer in the power of rock and I swear I am now going to regularly devour the entertainment listings in the "L.A. Weekly" with hopes of catching Cheri Lovedog (who wrote the autobiographical script) and I will be lining up at the Dragonfly or wherever with the rest of the explosive fans if she is still performing and I sure hope to God she is. Cheri--as you know better than most, dreams are eternal and age is a cipher. Maybe with this movie, you have made it like you deserve.

The music is hot and the women are even hotter--but there are no boundaries between the music and the women. Tender and tough all in the same package, those women are true stars. And these are no cookie-cutter characters, not by a long shot, and every single one of them is interesting to the max and were portrayed as not only very real, but people you have to care about despite how tough they come across--or maybe BECAUSE they are so tough, because no matter what life throws at them, they measure up to the challenge. They're fighters and survivors and I count that as an inspiring thing.

Probably my favorite character was "Faith," played by Lori Petty, although the entire cast was outstanding (and I have a tender place in my heart for Animal) but I have now firmly placed Gina Gershon at the head of the "sex is sex, I don't care which body parts you've got" list on which she was the charter member after her role in the movie "Bound". If I ever am asked why I won't explain whether I am gay or bi or whatever-the-hell, all I have to say is "Gina Gershon" and I hope that explains it all. This movie is the answer to so many questions I didn't even know I was asking. For those who love the power of music, for artists, for men and women, for the older and the younger, and for people everywhere just trying to love and to make it in life with as many pieces as possible, go see this film. I guess that includes everybody!

Prey for Rock and Roll is a great movie for anyone who likes to rock, especially women who have grown up admiring the likes of Joan Jett, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Lita Ford, Chrissie Hynde, or any women in the predominantly male music industry who have taken control of their music rather than allow themselves to be molded into the industry's "male fantasy" of a female musician. (Britney Spears, are you listening?) But it's not a movie only for women -- I saw PFRR with a guy, and he loved it. We are looking forward to the soundtrack coming out -- great music. Just to balance out my comments, my very small criticism is that once or twice (and only once or twice) a line sounded a little canned or flat, but I tend towards overanalyzing in that regard. (I won't say which lines so I don't give the movie away.) But overall the dialogue was great, very real, with a lot of humor also thrown in. The interactions between characters were great for building them up beyond 2-dimensions. (For example, Jackie's relationship with her mother made Jackie's character more interesting, Tracy's relationship with her boyfriend made her boyfriend more interesting -- a role that could have otherwise easily have been a caricature instead of a character. Ivan Martin was also great in the role.) I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone ready for a movie that balances the heavy (harsh aspects of life) with the light (finding the humor in life and following your dreams).

I've always thought of punk rock as the most pure variant of what 'rock and roll' really is. Anarchy, chaos, pure violent emotion. Basically we are going to say what we came here to say and f*ck you if you don't like it.

In this film we are treated to those who would dare to devote some or all of their lives to the creation and perpetuation of this form of musical expression. We see how life and all its harsh realities are synthesized into musical form. This film is not a simple 'band chasing a contract stereotypical Hollywood rubbish' though I think that is how its marketers are trying to falsely spin it. This film is about each character and how they influence and are influenced by the music they create. Punk rock isn't pretty, thoughtless or safe music and the characters depicted in the film aren't either. We see both the humor and the tragedy that makes that humor possible in each of the characters lives (and there is plenty of each). Also, the lifestyle of those who choose to 'pray' at the alter of rock and roll pay a price. I think the double almost triple meaning of the title of the film says it all. Perhaps one really must suffer for ones art.

Basically, everything about the film is extremely well done from writing to the cast, direction, music, costumes, etc... Its obvious that this was a work of love for all involved. That being said this film isn't for everyone and there is plenty for people to hate and fear. If you're one of those unfortunate few who sympathize with the title of this review then you have more problems than I can help you with because Gina Gershon is hot no matter who she is kissing!

Overall Rating 9/10

oh, and f*ck you!