Edgeplay

"'Jail bait' rockers The Runaways tell their own tale -- their hopes, dreams and eventual implosion due to incessant media hectoring, infighting among the band members and chronic drug use. Directed by Victory Tischler-Blue, the film shows what it was like for six teenage girls to gain notoriety in an era hostile to female musicians. Includes live performances, a special appearance by Suzi Quatro and new songs by Quatro and Lita Ford."

Note the most important line in this review from Netflix: "shows what it was like for six teenage girls to gain notoriety in an era hostile to female musicians."

Finally, someone who is telling it like it was. That's it in a nutshell. Thank God (some of) those times have changed... on second thought, have they? The whole new crop of girls have probably gone through exactly the same thing. Christina Aquilera, Britney Spears, Beyonce, Rhianna, what's the difference, really? Some things never change. And worst of all, we do it to ourselves. We imprison OURSELVES. We buy in to the promise of "fame and fortune," and to "be somebody." That's all it takes for the devils of the world - the Kim Fowley's of the world - to capture one's soul and "make them mine."

Fowley was their notorious manager who practically destroyed these girls, stole their money, hearts and soul... yet these girls have somehow managed to survive. Bravo to them for telling their true tale even at this late date. The truth will set you free!

Pretty incredible film. Glad I never got trapped; at least not in that world. I escaped by the skin of my teeth and the Grace of God and all the angels above. Somehow I made a slightly different choice and somehow survived. All it took was "NO" at the moment of truth, the moment of commitment, and the Devil had no hold. And then some pretty fast running! Hahahahahah to all the Kim Fowleys of the world - and a big middle finger holding straight up!

Ten stars for this film, and the women themselves have my GREATEST ADMIRATION. Bravo to you ALL!

A satisfying documentary about the all-girl rock group, The Runaways, made by former Runaway Vicki Blue. Where the recent movie THE RUNAWAYS (2010) felt like something of a white-wash of the story, this is the more informative work in comparison and is certainly recommended viewing for fans. Much of the dirty details are presented here, and we have former band members Cherie Currie, Sandy West, Lita Ford, and Jackie Fox all separately interviewed. So is former manager Kim Fowley. It's unfortunate that Joan Jett declined to participate, but strangely the film still works as a treasure trove of information even without her input. Due to rights issues we only get to see The Runaways performing two cover songs, and most of the soundtrack is courtesy of Lita Ford's solo music and Suzi Quatro tunes. But it's no matter, as the real meat of the production is in the juicy stories the girls relate to us. There are short snippets of some late Runaways footage which is not usually seen that leaves you aching to see more. Filmed in 2004, the parting thoughts are quite unsettling in retrospect when we witness drummer Sandy West pouring out her guts about her fondness for her old band and the regret she feels that they never reunited; tragically, West contracted lung cancer in 2005 and died in 2006. *** out of ****

Although I'm not a big fan of the Runaways, I'm very interested in this era of the Los Angeles music scene (being too young and stuck in Wyoming at the time). Like the big screen doc. "End of the Century" about the Ramones, this gives a good background of the scene and era and like other reviewers have said is miles ahead of VH1 canned nostalgia crap.

It was interesting to see the band members now. I always thought of Cherie Currie as a drugged-out, bleach-blonde piece of pedophile bait (who reminds me more of that uber-sleazy 70's hit "Hot Child in the City" than any song she ever personally sang). Well in middle age she looks healthy, VERY attractive, and surprisingly intelligent and well-spoken. Lita Ford is the same as she's always been, and Joan Jett was conspicuous in her absence. They interviewed pretty all the other, more obscure band members, but I would have liked them to talk more about some of the other figures in the nexus of the Hollywood music and low-budget movie scene--i.e. Cheryl "Rainbeax" Smith, a famous groupie and drive-in movie actress who sometimes played drums for Joan Jett (and died recently), and Sondra Currie, another actress and the older sister of Cherie and Marie.

The documentary was not all nostalgia though. It danced around some lurid claims of verbal and possibly sexual abuse involving the bands scummy manager. In addition, to showing how sleazy the music business can be, the documentary also shows how irresponsible parents can be in turning their children over to somebody who's supposedly going to make them famous (a moral lesson perhaps?). Mostly though this gives a good sense of the era and will probably please fans of the band. Not as good as "End of the Century" perhaps but better than anything you'll see on VH-1.

Talking about 'Edgeplay', it's a two-edged sword! I'd like to start with what I disliked: 1) the camera work. Can't the guy hold still for a minute? Shaking the camera up and down and sideways maybe nice for 5 minutes of MTV interviews, but using that style for a 110 minutes documentary is nerve-wracking. 2) A documentary about a band without playing one song of their own material? Must be a first time. Instead, we get stuff from Suzi Quatro and Lita Ford's solo albums in the background. 3) Naturally, the absence of Joan Jett is a big problem. She wants to make her own Runaways picture in 2009, maybe after that we'll get a more complete view of the story.

I'm glad I took the time to watch 'Edgeplay', nevertheless. Especially Cherie has many interesting things to say (and yes, she looks better now than back then). I liked that they interviewed the mothers of Cherie and Sandy as well - understandably, they must have been afraid of what was going on with their daughters far away from home, and nobody every talks about things like that because it's not 'cool' or some stupid reason like that. The picture 'Edgeplay' paints of Lita Ford doesn't omit the dark sides, apparently she is not famous for her patience and self-control. Watching Sandy (the last opportunity before her untimely demise) is touching. Alright, so 'Edgeplay' is interesting for fans to know more about the unique band, but it leaves many viewers unsatisfied, I guess.

I never would have thought that the behind the scenes goings on were like what was explained in this film. I always thought that these girls had it made in the shade. My head spun when I listened to Cherie Currie's depiction of life in the Runaways. But what really brought me to tears was Sandy West's struggle in life. She went from from a teen rock star to a life of crime and prison. Why? What happened to her? She was such a great drummer and had so much potential.

The ending of this film is so completely unexpected and chilling. It made me cry. It made my blood run cold. I can't recommend this film more. If you love rock and roll - see this film: Edgeplay: a film about the Runaways.

Great job Victory!!!!!!!!!!!!