I wasn't very familiar with the work of Floria Sigismondi until I found out she wrote and directed the 2010 film The Runaways. Some excess web surfing catered me in my curiosity of this person and I was able to stumble across some information that I found to be pleasantly surprising, for example Floria has also directed some music videos for artists such as Marilyn Manson ( "Tourniquet"), Christina Aguilera ("Hurt" and "Fighter"), The White Stripes ("Blue Orchid") and Incubus ("Talk Shows on Mute" and "Megalomaniac").
Pulled in right? I was... and so I decided to watch The Runaways and see how her talents are as a filmmaker and I was indeed pleased with the outcome. The film is based after the book Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway which was written by lead vocalist Cherie Currie. The focus of the film is within the relationship between Cherie and Joan Jett during the formation of the band and until Cherie's departure of the band in the late 70s. The cinematography alone is enough to keep you interested throughout the film I sincerely feel this film is a must see and depicts the life of a rockstar...stereotypes included.
What stunned me the most though was Kristen Stewart's performance of Joan Jett's character. Now don't get any ridiculous ideas, I am not a "Twihard" fan in fact I am quite the opposite. I see Kristen Stewart as a mediocre actress and even with all the money this girl is making off of it she refuses to smile and this in fact adds to my dislike of her character and so on. But, believe it or not, I feel she did an excellent job portraying Joan Jett's character in The Runaways... kind of a 'surprise, surprise' feeling since Stewart is angry enough as it is but at least this time she used that anti-hollywood platform and transformed it into the ultimate rock and roll chic vibe that made me say to myself 'wow I kind of think you're a better actress than I gave you credit for'.
With that being said, The Runaways has made its way up the charts of my movie likes list and had me downloading some classic Joan Jett songs. My dream of being a rockstar will live on. Thanks to this film I hold my Guitar Hero controller with pride and sing along to "Cherry Bomb" like it's the last song I'll ever sing.
check out the trailer here --->
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39qrViRxCqw
Enjoy! :)
I went to see Joan Jett at Harborfest a few years ago. She could still rock. My friends and I loved the show. I've seen previews for this movie for a while now, but haven't watched it. I think your blog might give me the extra push I needed to finally watch it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I was happy to see that I'm not the only one that's so critical of Kristen Stewart. I don't usually care too much about the actress as an individual, but MAN! I can barely stand to watch Stewart in interviews on tv and when she gives acceptance speeches at awards shows. She's so painfully awkward in a very unnatural way. It's like she has to work at it to be that annoying.
Awesome write-up! I have heard a lot of good things about this movie, I might have to check it out. I am a huge fan of "rock" movies, so this seems like one worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteI am kind of neutral about Kristen Stewart's acting abilities. She does seem to be very unhappy though ahha
Gotta admit...I'm curious to see this now, mainly because of your take on Kristen Stewart...I can't stand her as an actress. Sure she's perfect for the role in Twilight: mediocre, doesn't care, completely unemotional and has no mind of her own. But I don't see her being successful at all outside of this. Although...I liked her in one movie, or at least I believe it was her. "In The Land of Women" (which I of course only bought because I'm in LOVE with Adam Brody)...but she was decent in that. Anyways...I think I might actually check this one out.
ReplyDeleteAs most, I'm not a big Stewart fan, however I am a fan of Dakota Fanning, so I think that she would probably do a great job as the lead character. This is one of these films I missed out on this year, but I hope to catch it soon. Also a Guitar Hero aside, thank god that you can sing along so you can rock out, have I ever wanted to break the controller rock and roll style, yes. Have I... not going to say.
ReplyDeleteI looooved this movie. I was super creeped out by the fact that Dakota Fanning was in it (given that just a few years ago, she was in The Cat in the Hat...it's just not an easy transition) but it was a good job on Stewart's part. I didn't think the role was much different than her portrayals in other roles, and probably was just an extension of her own angry personality (it seems), but at least her type-casting has worked out for her. Great to see a female director getting some publicity as well.
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