Sex & Drugs & Rock and Roll Cinema

Ever since “Rock Around The Clock” brought rock and roll into the theatres, writers and directors continue to feed our insatiable appetite for celebrities....and in this case, musical celebrities.

Over the past few months I’ve noticed quite a growth in music themed films. So much so, it has almost become an industry in itself. Musical biopics have been around for decades. Films like “This Is Spinal Tap” showed us how it could be done, documentary style, with a completely fictitious band. But recently, films such as “Ray” and “Walk The Line” have given us such top drawer productions as to receive numerous critical accolades, including Oscar winning performances.

Now, there’s a good chance many of these films I've highlighted will not make it into theatres in America, but I thought I’d offer up the trailers all in one place for everyone to peruse, despite that. Many may show up “direct to DVD”, so consider this a first look to entice you at your local video store. In case you were wondering, the rating beside the title comes from the current imdb.com rating, as of today.

So, pop up some popcorn, crank up the volume on that computer, and get ready for some rockin' “Coming Attractions”.

The Runaways 7.5/10
Directed by Floria Sigismondi
109 minutes

Currently in theatres in North America, this coming-of-age biopic is based on Cherrie Currie’s book, “Neon Angel”. Personally, I think that would have been a better title than just “The Runaways”.

The synopsis from imdb.com says it best:
The Runaways (Neon Angels) is based on lead-singer Cherie Currie's book 'Neon Angel' - a reflection of her experiences as a rock star, but also delivering a strong anti-drug warning to teens and others. David Bowie's "Space Oddity" serves as a metaphor for the narrative-- a slow countdown, a surreal but spectacular rise to fame, then alienation and burnout - a long long way from home. The movie chronicles THE RUNAWAYS from 1975 - 1977; formed by teenage girls living near Hollywood, CA., and heavily manipulated by their manager Kim Fowley as 'jailbait rock' (all the girls were 16 or younger when the band recorded their first album). The band ultimately succeeds on their own merits as musicians, becoming the first all-girl rock-band to ever break into the world of arena-filling hard rock acts.

Director Floria Sigismondi cut her teeth on a number of those surreal Tea Party videos before being noticed by David Bowie and Sheryl Crow who came to her for her creative eye.



Telstar: The Joe Meek Story 6.3/10
Directed by Nick Moran
119 minutes

Back to the early Sixties for this one, and the true story of the production of The Tornados and their rise to rock and roll stardom through their world famous hit, Telstar.

Actor Nick Moran’s sophomore effort at directing appears none too shabby. The reviews have been quite favourable in this tale of Joe Meek, the tone-deaf homosexual songwriter/ producer responsible for not only “Telstar”, but The Honeycomb’s “Have I The Right?” and Eddie Cochran’s “Just Like Eddie”, which was originally covered by German teen idol, Heinz.

This tale of their meteoric rise and fall also includes a cameo by Kevin Spacey, as Joe Meeks’ financial backer, a role the critics have not warmed to.

Unlike the North American audience, the film may find a warmer place in the hearts of the Brits, who grew up with the band. Needless to say, the trailer looks intriguing. Released last summer in UK theatres, it will most likely appear on these shores as a Direct-to-DVD release, if ever.




Nowhere Boy 7.4/10
Directed by Sam Taylor Wood
98 minutes

Also taking place in the Sixties, this film (billed as “the untold story”) takes us back to Liverpool and the trials and tribulations surrounding the life and times of an adolescent John Lennon. As usual, we see the highs and lows. We see the arguments and the love with his Mum and his Aunt, tearing down his self-esteem, as he recovers and finds himself as he decides to be a musician.

There have been a few biopics based around The Beatles, mostly made-for-TV, but the high IMDB rating seems to set this one apart. Directed by Sam Taylor Wood, whose earlier work, “Love You More” copped the 2008 Palme D’or at Cannes for Best Short, amongst numerous other awards, shows a maturity here when given a bigger budget production to work with. "Love You More" revolves around two London teenagers that meet in a record store looking for the new Buzzcocks’ single. It even has it's own webpage!

It appears Mr. Wood is a director to watch, since the critics have been raving around this, his latest.




Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll 7.2/10
Directed by Mat Whitecross
115 minutes

The late Seventies/ early Eighties were a DIY decade, where punk rock rose up from the ooze of the underground to becoming a mainstream alternative. This film chronicles one of punk rock’s wild childs, Ian Dury.

Stricken with polio, he battled for respect rather than pity, through a tumultuous career. The choice of Andy Serkis for the lead role is perfect, something that did not go unnoticed by critics, as he was nominated for Best Actor awards - even winning one. From Gollum in “Lord of the Rings” to Jennifer Garner’s fey boss in “13 Going On 30”, Serkis continues to challenge himself with his assortment of roles. A supporting cast that includes Ray Winstone is icing on the cake.

Again, let’s hope this one makes it across the pond.





Gainsbourg (Vie heroique) 6.9/10
Directed by Joann Sfar
130 minutes

Serge Gainsbourg can do no wrong, it seems. His life was spent pissing off people, seducing women, creating French pop music that has seemed to influence generations of musicians to this day, and he is still considered an icon.

The film takes us from his childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, through the successful Sixties, until his death in 1991. Chronicle here, is his contact with celebrities along the way including Jane Birkin (with whom he fathered his now-famous daughter, Charlotte), Brigitte Bardot, France Gall, director Claude Chabrol, and Juliette Greco.

More than just director Joann Sfar’s vanity project, despite being both writer and director, it became one of 2010 most anticipated films. The story was also based around a graphic novel written by Sfar.

The film makes it's US premiere this month at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Apparently, it is already showing in Quebec cinemas here in Canada. There is a US blog dedicated to the film here.

I would love to present you with a subtitled video of the trailer, unfortunately, the one that existed has been removed by Canal Plus on copyright grounds. But I do have this teaser trailer available, which shows almost nothing but the actor playing Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin. He is, however, the coolest cigarette lighter ever.