Joey le rocker

I am telling you right now; that this is one of the most fantastic films ever made. I remember seeing it on HBO just as other people did. I would have to say that this is the one film that I was truly inspired by. May be my views would change if I saw it again. I have not seen the movie in over ten years, and the problem is that I can't find it anywhere.

This was a very good movie showing what has happened to some of the old stars of the Doo Wop era, and what happens near the end, I have actually seen at doo wop concerts. I Have the movie on VHS, and cannot wait for it to be available on DVD.

It may not say so in the film credits or be listed under "filming locations" but the school scenes in "Joey" were filmed at my high school - Jericho High School on Long Island, during the winter of 1983. I was Class of '84 and some of my classmates have minor roles, including Stu Lowitt as "Richard." Our gym teacher, Mrs. Schwartz, has a silent but memorable role.

I remember this being filmed during my junior year, and never really knew what became of it. Apparently it wasn't released for nearly 3 years, and even then, it must have had an extremely limited theatrical run, followed by late-night cable purgatory. It's virtually impossible to find now - don't hold your breath for the DVD release - but I recently tracked down an out-of-print VHS copy on Ebay.

It's far from a great film. Cheaply made, badly acted, poorly written - I still don't know why Joey is supposed to be such a rebel, other than he wears shirts with the sleeves cut off. I do have to admit it has its moments. The soundtrack isn't bad, especially the song "Tonight All Night." The dinner-table fight between Janie and her mother is one of the more realistic that I've seen on film. This film is also notable for the wimpiest-looking street gang in cinema history, the Lunatics.

Claimed as a "story of a rock & roll rebel", JOEY misfires on being influentially dramatic, because it's too silly and cartoonish. Which is good, since the 80s teen phase needed some high-enough diversion. This might have sounded like another one of those "afterschool" specials that came on television, but it promises to be amusing. It is also a winning story, as we see a young high-school boy give his best shot at the music scene while struggling with the true father-and-son relationship. The music is a little poor in translation to 80s standards, but they sound as if they're familiar. You might spot a couple of legendary artists in this one, for their benefit in contributing to the "doo-wop" rock category. JOEY isn't bad as teenage fodder, but it might leave you expecting a better movie.

Joey is your typical cheesy 80's movie, but nevertheless is one of my favorites. It deals with a young guy finding love and mending a broken relationship with his father. A sub plot is the father putting his life back together in the aftermath of his wife's death. If you like Do-wop music, Joey has a good bit of it.

I don't remember Joey ever being in the cinema. I saw it as a high school kid on HBO and have probably watched it 20 times since. Joey truly is a cheesy movie, but it is also very much a feel good movie. If you're not a big fan of the 80's, Joey probably isn't for you, but if you are it is definitely a must see.