Velvet Goldmine

Platform shoes, boas and glam rock; this movie has it all AND Ewan McGregor. 

Velvet Goldmine directed by Todd Haynes is a fictional story loosely based and intertwined with real life people and events. Instead of a docudrama, it is more of a homage to the short-lived, yet extremely influential glam rock period and its cohorts. 

Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays a convincing rock-star on the rise. His character has elements of Bowie and Marc Bolan (T. Rex), which mirror their change from folk-based guitar to rock gods. The more apparent similarities to these rock legends are the costumes, hair, make-up and glitzy live performances. Ewan McGregor portrays a raw character that is very similar to Iggy Pop. It is when Ewan and Jonathan's characters meet, that the story has influences of Lou Reed's life immediately after the Velvet Underground. The film has a clever way of twisting all of these real-life stories and mixing them with fiction to create an amalgamation that is fun, glamorous and tragic.

The costumes in this film are incredible. I am a huge fan of the glam rock style, so for me this film is pure heaven. There are platform shoes, fitted long jackets, outrageous wigs, feathered boas, colored hair, leather pants, glitter make-up, etc. Another great element of the film is the music. The soundtrack is filled with actual glam rock songs from the period, along with original music made for the film.   

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Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls

"This is my happening and it freaks me out." Any movie with this line HAS to be great.

Beyond The Valley of the Dolls was written by Roger Ebert and directed by Russ Meyer. It is not a sequel to Valley of the Dolls, although originally it was somewhat inspired as such. There are similarities between the two films (young girls trying to make it famous, the corruption of the entertainment business, drugs, parties, Hollywood, etc); however Beyond is far more edgy and weird. 

The story centers around a girl rock band who go out to Hollyweird and hit it big. Along the way they use friends, sleep around, get naked and play one song concerts. It's a tough life going to parties, getting high and having sex with multiple partners; but these dolls quickly adjust to their new roles as rock goddesses. 

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Smithereens

New Wave movie that captures the East Village in the early 80's. What's a homeless, female rockstar to do?

Smithereens was directed by Susan Seidelman; who went on to direct Desperately Seeking Susan. Both films are similar in some ways (quirky story, female lead, backdrop of East Village in the 80's, etc) but Smithereens is more gritty and raw. The film's edgy quality gives it a realistic feel and it captures the energy of the down and out, yet up and coming art/music scene that was taking place in the East Village during the early 80's.

 

The main character is Wren (Susan Berman) who is determined to be a star in the downtown scene. Richard Hell (punk icon who sang Blank Generation) also stars in the film as a East Village rock star with a major attitude. Wren is an opportunist and latches on to anything that might help her get ahead on her road to fame. 

The film is a wonderful snap shot of the 80's East Village music, art and fashion scene that influenced a generation. Smithereens truly takes you back in time to the exciting energy of the scene with all of the grit and grime of downtown NYC. Warning - this movie will make you run out and buy a pair of checkerboard sun glasses!

I first saw Smithereens on Night Flight; which was an awesome TV show that showcased a variety of New Wave movies and videos. Night Flight had a profound impact on my life and the movies they showed have a special place in my nostalgic heart. Some of the other great films that Night Flight aired were: Rude Boy (with The Clash), Breaking Glass (with Hazel O'Conner), and Ladies and Gentleman the Fabulous Stains (with Laura Dern). 

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