The Runaways [Blu-ray]

Remembering the Runaways’ music brings one straight back to the mid-Seventies when the idea of an all-girl rock band was quite an unbelievable concept to most. Rock & Roll was a "Boy’s Club" and girls certainly didn’t pick up electric guitars and launch the type of lyrics ground out in the Runaways’ smash hit “Cherry Bomb”. These girls were all teenagers with lead singer Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning) being all of Fifteen years. They had bravado for sure, along with attitude, tremendous drive, ability, gumption and ultimately was the springboard that gave rise to the solo, ground-breaking career of Joan Jett (Kristin Stewart). Jett, who is featured here in this particular biopic, has hit and held super-stardom throughout the decades and even to this very day. I remember The Runaways' music breaking out during my high school years along with some of the Punk rockers that they held court with as The Ramones and The Sex Pistols. Not only could these girls sing, they picked up and played their own instruments in true rock & roll form while pushing their lyrics, along with their gender, to the limit. At first, a novel concept put together by Jett in San Fernando Valley, CA to form this band with only girls who could play and sing by themselves. She approaches the quite flamboyant, repugnant, but, mesmerizing Kim Fowley (a perfect Michael Shannon) - who steals each of his scenes - and Jett sells the concept.They were the blazing new act to hit and chart on a meteoric rise. Fowley couldn’t wait to capitalize on the girls' raw talent while quickly getting them signed on Mercury Records. They were 'primed for the pickings' as he had a ready and able rocker in Joan Jett on guitar to get and keep the band on track. The rest of the band could play their instruments as well while in no time they were cruising along together with Jett's eager efforts; Lita Ford (Scout Taylor-Compton), the experienced lead guitarist - who actually gave a thumbs-up for the actress to represent Lita as well as possible in the film; Sandy West (Stella Maeve) on the drum kit, and, the original bassist, Jackie Fox, who was renamed “Robin Robbins” for the biopic and portrayed by Alia Shawkat ('Arrested Development'). Due to unshared reasons for this film, she was actually a composite of All of the changes in bass guitarists for the extent of the band. Each member rounds up "The Runaways" original all-girl lineup. Now they only needed the perfect front person, a “sex kitten” replete with that certain “jailbait” look to sell the band. Easily settling on an avid David Bowie enthusiast, Cherie Currie, to basically shove out in front for her come-hither good looks and with the added bonus that she can sing.Cherie is a little hesitant at first and constantly barraged by Fowley, but rapidly able to punch out those lyrics as needed. With the copious amounts of drugs, vodka, exploitation in the press, and with the definite lack of ANY adult supervision on the road, these girls were shoved into the car and overly ready to hit that open highway. To the tunes of an incredible soundtrack throughout which overflows with "The Runaways’" own music (some sung by Stewart and Fanning) among other greats such as 'The Stooges', 'The Sex Pistols', "The Glycerine Queen" herself, (Jett's idol) - 'Suzi Quatro', some Solo 'Joan Jett' along with 'David Bowie' among several more pieces of ear candy (Lillian Berlin). Directed by Floria Sigismondi who also adapted the screenplay from the autobiography named “Neon Angel” by Cherie Currie. The lead role in the film is Currie's story and how she views her life in the band as the film is seen through the viewpoint of the book and the collaboration of her along with Joan Jett (however Stewart comes dangerously close to stealing this film from Currie as she morphs into a convincingly perfect Joan Jett). There is a lot of background about Cherie and her sister, Marie's (Riley Keough) lives as her mother, a former actress portrayed by Tatum O’Neal, is off in Indonesia with yet another new boyfriend. Leaving the girls to their own devices, and the concerns of their blighted alcoholic father.Unfortunately, there is not very much, to anything, of a backstory about Joan Jett to be surveyed over as I began to think that she was the more interesting of this duo concerning the band itself. I realize this is from Currie's point as has been mentioned. Kristen Stewart gives an amazing and beguiling portrayal of Jett possibly for just appearing out of nowhere to speak of at the beginning bringing along her mannerisms, facial expressions, posturing and even her attitude which made her famous. Both Stewart and Fanning are Superior in showing how it must have been to be on the very shy side of womanhood and off on tour in a foreign country (Live in Japan recordings) while going through what they did right here in the states too. Michael Shannon could not have been anything shy of 'purely mesmerizing' in the part of Fowley as the deviant user and abuser. This is quite a good, gritty and raw biopic of the ‘first females’ of sex, drugs, and Rock & Roll. One's great rise and the other's demise from the band. *If you would like to find out what did happen to the entire rest of the band, there is a wonderful documentary out named, "Edgeplay" which describes all the band went through too. Joan Jett did not appear - per request - in this documentary.

Our Dear Hannah Dakota Fanning, When I first learned you were going to sing in a rock and roll band, I thought "Awesome!". I can't help but think Britt's love of music and her compassionate roles of troubled girls influenced you to take on this formidable project based on the book "Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway" by Cherie Currie, whose character you so brilliantly depict. (i.e.: Brittany Murphy formed her own band in the 1990's, she had rock and roll parents and clashes with young Dakota(2003) who is into classical music in the magical "Uptown Girls" - The Special Edition DVD is a must have! - plus Britt is in "8 Mile" and "Tom Petty". ) Yes Kota, I remember your much acclaimed depiction of a troubled girl influenced by the music of Elvis Presley in "Hounddog" (2007).I think it's neat you are friends with Kristen Stewart, just 4 years older than you. Both of you were in "New Moon" (2009) and as the ambitious guitarist/songwriter Joan Jett in "The Runaways"., (a ground breaking, all girl mid-1970's band) the two of you bond very close as you as Cherie become a bona-fide rock goddess.. So close the two of you feel secure enough to engage in experimental sex with each other(Edgeplay, a 2004 tell all expose by actual band members gives us a lot more details on the Runaways.) The other members of the band have their moments. Michael Shannon as Kim Fowley is a raw, propelling energy whom pushes you girls beyond your comfort zone to be sexy and tough. He redeems himself by getting the Runaways a record deal.I think you do an admirable job of capturing the conflicts Cherie experienced, especially about her home life Your acting is natural, unforced and intense. You mesmerize us with your eyes. Your dramatic acting reminded me of Natalie Wood in "Inside Daisy Clover" (1965) Kudos to Kristen also whom showed great talent in her riveting portrayal of her character.. Both of you sing well (there is no lip syncing in the "Runaways").I think you are living up to the expectations of your friend Britt, whom has graced our life during our lifetime and is considered to be one of the greatest talents of her generation. I look forward to reading your memoir our dear Kota.Our Dear Kristen Stewart, Well, to begin with, you totally convinced me you are a very talented "wild one". Michael Shannon as Kim Fowley really is the luckiest "dog (whatever)" to star in this biopic with Dakota Fanning and you and help you as Joan Jett put together The Runaways - a ground breaking first all girl rock n roll mid-1970's band that got signed and came out with albums - The Runaways, The Runaways Queens of Noise and Live in Japan.I simply adored your exuberant energy on and off the stage. I love the way you bonded with Dakota as Cherie Currie as you two meet in the club and hang out together after her audition to be the band's lead singer. You joyfully jumped up and down in one scene while walking with Kota.I love the way you try and protect Kota from Fowley and try and keep the band together as she is aggressively promoted as the Rock Goddess. The love between Joan and Cherie was a lot deeper than the kissing and experimental sex they engaged in together while on the road. Another sign you two were very close is when Cherie faints just after you jump in her face about promoting her crotch instead of the music. I got totally upset seeing Kota bummed out in the shower and then falling down just outside the elevator. I really gasped! It was adorable when you got in bed with her at the hospital.I emotionally squirmed as you became enraged and turn on Fowley when Cherie finally walks out on the band in the middle of a recording session. I was touched by your pain as you confront Cherie in the hallway as she walks out. I had the thought that since Cherie came from an acting family that she felt compelled to get the acting bug out of her system. Of course, she was very troubled about her family and addicted to drugs by this time.I loved the way you put together "Love is Pain" while soaking in the tub. I had the feeling "Love is Pain" and "Crimson & Clover" reflected the love you two had for each other. You work through this pain and throw everyone in your place out and go about your music and eventually form Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.Dakota and you both gave strong, dramatic performances as well as the rest of the band. Stella Maeve was adorable as Sandy West - the most talented drummer of her time. The other band members had their moments on the stage and in the recording room.The director kept up the pace and gave us 70's nostalgia with the music and clothing.I recommend to everyone the DVD for the commentary and the extra features on The Runaways.

I love this movie and for some reason,I couldn't find my DVD when it came out. I reordered it and finally I can relieve one of the best movies about an all female band that created Joan Jett and Lita Ford. They're two of my favorite rock artists that are still harassed in 2024.

Arrived on time and in excellent condition

Good filmGreat story line and well actedGood to watch if you are interested in the runaways music

Acheté il y a quelques temps, j'ai testé ce blu ray ce week-end après avoir vu sur le site "blu ray défectueux" qu'il y avait un problème avec ce disque. Effectivement, il ne passe plus. Aucun lecteur ne le reconnaît. De plus en plus de blu ray connaissent ce type d'anomalie. Cela devient inquiétant pour toutes les personnes voulant se constituer une vidéothèque haute définition digne de ce nom. J'ai recommandé ce film mais en DVD. Cela ne veut pas dire qu'il n'y aura pas de problème car certains DVD deviennent également illisibles au bout de quelques années.

Film fantastico. Da vedere nella vita. Finalmente la storia di una delle band piú iconiche degli anni 80, ma che purtroppo in italia non ha avuto lo spazio meritato perchè composta da donne. Da vedere per capire quello che ci siamo persi.

Ein eher Film. Die Voraussetzungen waren zwar gut - ich liebe The Runaways, ich mag Kristen Stewart und auch Dakota Fanning. Es wird verzweifelt versucht, mit dem Film zu polarisieren, genau diesen Tabubruch einzufangen und in neue Gewänder zu kleiden - aber dieser Versuch scheitert kläglich. "The Runaways" plätschert mehr oder weniger belanglos vor sich hin, da können die beiden Hauptdarstellerinnen noch so authentisch spielen. Macht eigentlich keinen Spaß.