Music
Store



 Location:  Home » Music DVDs » Edgeplay - A Film About The Runaways  
Music Home

  • Music Lyrics
  • Top 10 Music
  • New Music Releases
  • Music News


  • Movie Store
  • Book Store
  • Game Store
  • Software Store
  • Tool Store
  • Shopping Mall
  • Categories
    Music
    MP3s
    Music DVDs
    IPod/MP3 Players
    DJ Equipment
    Musical Instruments
    Subcategories
    Grade Level
    Preschool
    Kindergarten
    Elementary School
    Middle & High School
    College
    Post-Graduate
    Related Categories
    • General
    Documentary
    Genres
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • General
    Music Video & Concerts
    Genres
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • General
    Pop
    Music Video & Concerts
    Genres
    Movies & TV
    • General AAS
    Pop
    Music Video & Concerts
    Genres
    Movies & TV
    • General
    Rock & Roll
    Music Video & Concerts
    Genres
    Movies & TV
    • General AAS
    Rock & Roll
    Music Video & Concerts
    Genres
    Movies & TV
    • Jett, Joan
    ( J )
    Actors & Actresses
    Custom Stores
    Specialty Stores
    • ( E )
    Titles
    Custom Stores
    Specialty Stores
    Movies & TV
    • Pop
    The Music DVD Sale: Over 970 DVDs as Low as $7.99
    Custom Stores
    Specialty Stores
    Movies & TV
    • Rock
    The Music DVD Sale: Over 970 DVDs as Low as $7.99
    Custom Stores
    Specialty Stores
    Movies & TV
    • Movies & TV on DVD and Blu-ray Disc Trade-In
    Specialty Stores
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • DVD
    Format (binding)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • Full Screen
    Picture Format (format)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • Unrated
    MPAA Rating (feature_browse-bin)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • US & CA DVDs: Region 1
    Region (feature_two_browse-bin)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • 2000 & Newer
    Decade (feature_three_browse-bin)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • English
    Original Language (theme_browse-bin)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • Dolby
    Special Editions (feature_four_browse-bin)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • Standard Edition
    Special Editions (feature_four_browse-bin)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • Grade Level (feature_five_browse-bin)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • Dolby
    Audio Type (feature_six_browse-bin)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • DVD
    Custom Format (binding)
    Refinements
    Movies & TV
    Video
    • General
    Vocal Pop
    Pop
    Styles
    Music
    • General
    Rock
    Styles
    Music
    • General
    Soundtracks
    Styles
    Music

    Edgeplay - A Film About The Runaways

    Edgeplay - A Film About The RunawaysActors: Lita Ford, Kim Fowley, Cherie Currie, Joan Jett, Suzi Quatro
    Studio: Image Entertainment
    Category: DVD

    List Price: $19.99
    Buy New: $12.27
    as of 2/9/2010 23:56 EST details
    You Save: $7.72 (39%)



    New (14) Used (3) from $12.27

    Seller: blowitoutahere
    Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars 33 reviews
    Sales Rank: 15429

    Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, Dolby, NTSC
    Language: English (Original Language)
    Rating: NR (Not Rated)
    Region: 1
    Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
    Number Of Discs: 1
    Running Time: 110 Minutes
    Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
    Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6

    MPN: IMEDSAC2089D
    UPC: 014381208924
    EAN: 0014381208924
    ASIN: B00061QJ58

    Theatrical Release Date: October 7, 2004
    Release Date: April 5, 2005
    Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

    Similar Items:


    Editorial Reviews:

    Product Description
    Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 04/05/2005 Run time: 109 minutes


    Customer Reviews:
    Showing reviews 1-5 of 33



    5 out of 5 stars Amazing   March 28, 2005
    pattic (NY United States)
    108 out of 117 found this review helpful

    I don't even know where to start. I've watched Edgeplay three times in the few days since I got it, and still feel as if I am seeing new, dusty corners in a room I grew-up in.


    If you are looking for another typical, VH-1 styled look at the fun and excesses of a dysfunctional rock band, this complex film may disappoint you. Edgeplay is not a film intended to excite, gawk, or fawn over it's subjects, and I say subjects rather than "subject" intentionally, as it's a film about people, not about the rock 'n roll lifestyle. There is no whimsy for the joyful free-sex and drugs of the 70's, or any fanboy enthusiasm for The Runaways as a band.

    What there is, is an insightful and compassionate look at a tragic and yet stoic group of young women, who made history, without ever recieving any praise, who made great music without ever selling many records, and who paid dearly in many ways for their now legendary status, with a good part of their childhoods.

    Edgeplay is a documentary about the all-girl hard-rock band The Runaways, who so much like their tourmates The Ramones, set the next two decades on fire, without getting any of the credit or rewards.

    Victory Tischler-Blue, the director, writer and concience of Edgeplay, endured a 6-year trial-by-fire getting this film made and released,(and is a story as compelling as any in her movie), and I think much of the raw honesty and poignance in this film is in some ways a direct result of that struggle.

    There is an almost Dickensian cast of characters: A young, Joan Jett-Talented and driven, yet shy and unsure of herself, Cherie Currie-A striking blonde, who never expected to be a singer, and yet, much like Lana Turner sitting at a soda fountain, was chosen to be one, Kim Fowley-A slimy Svengali who unashamedly preyed on very, young girls to make himself rich, and makes no apology, Sandy West-A tomboyish, young drummer who simply loved playing her drums, and wanted no more than to spend her life doing it, Jackie Fox-A doe-eyed bassist who found out earler than the others that stardom could be an empty trophy cup, Lita Ford-Fiesty, tough, and driven, and Vicky Blue-The bassist who walked into this dysfunctional family in the midst of meltdown, and yet stayed on the outside enough, and more importantly, grew-up enough to make this incredible film.

    I think Miss Blue, ex-band member and director of Edgeplay, knew something that Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With The Wind knew. Mrs. Mitchell once said about the theme of her novel, " I often wondered why some people could rise above great adversity, while others, just as brave and smart, go under. All I know is that my daddy called that quality "gumption". I wanted to write about people that had gumption, and those who didn't". Well whether intentional or not (though I expect it was), that is exactly what Miss Tischler-blue has done here.

    As most will know, Lita Ford and Joan Jett managed to escape the musical ghetto that was The Runaways, to find great success in the music business. The original bassist is now a successful attorney. Cheri Currie, although never achieving the same level of success, managed to find work in Hollywood for many years, and has continued with a low-profile music and art career. Sandy West, however was plagued with misfortune after her band dissolved, falling into desperately hard times, both financially, and otherwise, and much of this is explored unflinchingly in Edgeplay.

    This film works on so many levels that I sometimes am awed by it. When you watch it the first time, you see and hear the story of a rock band. When you watch it a second time however, you begin to become absorbed by the enormous differences in these women. All but one of the members, now in middle-age and 25 years away from The Runaways, still carry deep emotional scars from their experiences, that seem to transcend anything that has happened to them since. All but one of them breaks down on camera in a way that's agonizing to watch. Is it really possible to carry resentment from teenaged slights and squabbles into middle age? Once the women start talking to Miss Blue's camera, you find out that you can indeed.

    The only one who does not seem affected by her experiences so long ago is Lita Ford, who I found, quite unexpectedly, the most fascinating of all. After 4 decades or so of life, I like to think I know false bravado when I see it, and yet in Lita I saw none. It's amazing to watch her face as she walks back over the same old paths as the others while recounting her experiences, and yet, to her, it was almost like describing a movie she had seen, and enjoyed, but could only partially remember; not because it wasn't exciting, but because, well....it was only a movie. Lita ends-up being Edgeplay's Scarlett O'Hara. The one who had gumption.

    Of course Joan Jett became a star as well, but we'll never know her thoughts and feelings on things, as she declined to participate in the film. As I understand it, she was violently opposed to the film, it apparently not focusing enough on her, and did everything in her power to crush the film before it could be released. This is utterly mystifying, as her treatment in the film is not-at-all negative, and if anything, she comes across as rather inoffensive and hard-working. Very strange.

    Edgeplay is, in many ways, the "Clockwork Orange" of rock documentaries. From the dark, sadonic tales of excess and loss-of-innocence, to the startlingly effective and moody camerawork, (which usually annoys me, but here served a real dramatic purpose for a change), this is a film that anyone can get something out of, whether you're a Runaways fan or not.

    After posting a review of Edgeplay on another site, I was amazed and delighted to recive an email from the director of the film, thanking me for my good review, and expressing her relief that someone "got" what she was trying to achieve with Edgeplay. Yes Victory, because of your long journey in making this poignant, affirming, yet disturbing documentary, we all got more than we could have hoped for. Don't worry. You did good.





    5 out of 5 stars All music documentaries should be this good!   April 30, 2005
    L. Alper (Englewood CO)
    43 out of 48 found this review helpful

    Victory Tischler-Blue's "Edgeplay" is a riveting, emotional, brutally honest film about what happens when a cruel, manipulative man pumps 6 teen girls full of dreams.

    The Runaways were a groundbreaking rock group whose influence over the years belies their mediocre record sales at the time. Somewhat manufactured in that none of the girls knew each other before being picked out by uber-scenester Kim Fowley, they still managed to forge a raw identity of their own while rebelling against his emotional abuse. Having been a 13 year old in Los Angeles at the time of their first album release, I can personally attest to the dreams they inspired amongst their fans.

    All the girls involved except Joan Jett co-operated fully in this documentary. The interviewer / director was one of The Runaways herself: Vicky Blue was the bass player who replaced Jackie Fox after Jackie left the band. Even Kari Chrome who never played onstage, but contributed songs to the first album & was instrumental in Kim's initial concept of the band is interviewed.

    Cherie Curry has previously written of her experiences in her autobiography "Neon Angel" but, judging from this documentary, left huge gaps in her book. All the dirt, all the hurt, all the damage done to fragile teen egos is finally aired in "Edgeplay". Cherie admits to sexual relationships both with other members of the band as well as a long-term one with "hands on" manager Scott Anderson which left her pregnant during their European tour. Her combustible relationship with Lita Ford (who spends most of her interviews either having to be reminded of recordings or glossing over her violent temper) led to Cherie's departure from the band.

    Jackie Fox (the first bass player) discusses the real reason she abruptly left The Runaways in Tokyo at the peak of their fame. The revelation leaves her in tears, and the scars from the experience remain on her body to this day.

    The most affecting interviewee is Sandy West, the drummer. As with most drummers, Sandy was never an intellectual or prone to analyzing situations. She just wanted to play drums & have a good time. Greedy, manipulative power plays took her life away from her & the final scene is of her tear-streaked face wondering why the original members can't reunite & record together again. It's a wrenching scene that illustrates vividly the damage done to these young girls.

    Ms. Tischler-Blue also interviews both Sandy & Cherie's mother's which provides an excellent background on how Kim Fowley was able to abuse these young women so freely. Kim himself spends his interview time blustering & dodging questions, never coming close to admitting the wreckage he made of these 7 lives.

    The extras aren't much, but do provide some additional background to "Edgeplay". There is a Video Gallery, which consists of some of the background footage used with more of Kim Fowley's bluster playing over it. The only other extras are 3 different promotional trailers. Interestingly, much of the promotional footage was not actually used in "Edgeplay". The final one, called "Edge-Tap" is hilarious, and a much needed antidote to the raw emotional footage of the film.

    Absolutely recommended to anyone who wants to see what really goes on in the rock world. With the current mania for tarting up young teen girls & displaying them as sexual objects on MTV, "Edgeplay" is amazingly relevant to today's music business. Get this DVD!



    5 out of 5 stars A Surprisingly Good Documentary   November 16, 2006
    John Noodles (A Field in ND, USA)
    13 out of 14 found this review helpful

    I haven't listened to the Runaways in over 20 years, and even then, only listened to one album, their first. I came to it by way of Joan Jett, whom I liked. I wasn't crazy about the Runaways album. This film, however, reveals a group of girls who were, in fact, quite talented and strong, and who became skilled and made some good music.

    Unlike other reviewers, I don't see Kim Fowley as quite the abusive sleazebag they did...More, he was a banal, self-important, smarmy, drover. Did he take advantage of them? Perhaps. They didn't seem to make any money to speak of during their 5 years together--there's no mention of what Fowley walked away with, either, though. And if he used them, he also groomed them. The girls were (understandably) unprepared for the hard realities of the music business. And they didn't like it when Kim called them names. Say whatever you want about Fowley, though, he took a bunch of inexperienced, horomonal, undisciplined kids who didn't know a whole lot of music, and he turned them into professionals. He made them rock stars; he gave them a shot at something great. He just didn't seem to be very good at managing teenage girls--is anyone? They were kids, and left to their owen devices, they drank; they took drugs--lots of them; they had sex--with each other, with one of their managers, with who-knows-who else.

    The film seems weirdly lopsided without a contribution from Joan Jett. She went on in post-Runaways life to enjoy the greatest fame, and it is peculiar that all the other bandmates contributed to the movie, but she didn't. This odd omission isn't even mentioned in the film, or in the extras. Jett appears, of course, in the archive footage from the 70s, but that's it.

    Blue assembles footage and interviews that successfully evoke sympathy and even affection for these kids, and I would have liked to know more about what became of them after the Runaways broke up. Blue, of course, is a filmmaker. Jett is a muy butch rock star who likes to tease her fans about her sexual orientation. Ford, too, went on to become a successful musician with some hits in the late 80s (no mention of this in the movie, though). Sandy, the drummer, seems by the end of the movie bitter--she went on to become an arm-breaker and money collector for drug dealers, and to work "in construction." That's all we really know about her Runaways afterlife. What about Jackie Fox, the original bass player? Despite having fled the band after trying to carve herself up with a piece of broken glass, she seems in the interview footage to be pretty together. She is articulate, intelligent, clear.

    Devoting too much time to their post-band lives would have unfocused the film, but something could have been included that would both concluded the film and resonated with what preceded it. Failing, that, something could have been included in the Extras.

    Also, did I miss something here? Is there no actual recorded concert footage with music in this movie?

    Maybe I'm nitpicking. I also realize that it probably isn't really a 5-star movie, for the reasons I've mentioned. Still, I enjoyed the film. There was nothing about the film I didn't enjoy. As another reviewer pointed out, this is clearly a labor of love, and therefore deserving of whatever generosit we can muster. (Parents should see it as a cautionary tale: Don't let your daughters join rock bands!)






    4 out of 5 stars Hey Foxy! Commere!   May 22, 2006
    D. Piburn (Champlin, MN USA)
    7 out of 8 found this review helpful

    When I first discovered The Runaways, I was in junior high, and they had just released their first album. Needless to say, I thought they were the coolest thing in the world - they were tough, they could sing, they were in a band, and they were girls! Living in the Cleveland suburbs, I didn't see many girls who were like them. They inspired me, annoyed my parents (which was the point, right?), and made me realize there was a world beyond Cleveland. Fast forward to 30 years later, and we're all in our mid-40's; The Runaways have grown up, and so had I. The Runaways were a memory, and I honestly hadn't thought much of them, other than Joan and Lita's careers.

    Edgeplay was terrific - I had no idea of the manipulation and degree of outright greed that was involved in creating The Runaways. Kim Fowley proves himself to be completely without class and regret for the destruction he brought upon the band, as did generally every man who was involved in their 'management'. The saddest part for me was watching Sandy West, who seemed so lost after the breakup of the band, and just wanted to play her drums forever.

    Highly recommended!



    5 out of 5 stars They were the Dream   February 26, 2006
    Mr.Hardy (Winter Garden, Florida)
    7 out of 8 found this review helpful

    I was born in '59 and imagine that I was close to the age of these girls. Upon first hearing "Cherry Bomb", I thought that these were the coolest girls in the world. I played in a regionally successful New york City band, but my dream was to play in LA and meet the Runaways. For a few summers we would cruise, listening to the casettes and hope to meet girls that were this cool, as our ever growing libidos increased. The Runaways were it, even though on the album photos I didn't think they were beautiful, they still had a hook in me and I fantasized about having any one of them as my girlfriend. The documentary was well made by the second bass player, Vickie Blue and is an honest testament to what exploitation a young band must endure on it's journey for success, I imagine must worse if you are all females. The spattering of Suzi Quatro songs throughout was very nice and I found it a very satisfying watch, although I am still pissed that ther wasn't more Runaways than we were left. My favorite song has always been "Hollywood", not one of the most mentioned tracks over the years, but nonetheless one that still brings me back to LA at that time, a place I finally went to in the late 70's and actually found it as decadent as NYC, if not more. If you were young in the mid to late 70's, surely you will remember these girls and will enjoy this documentary as I did.

    Showing reviews 1-5 of 33


    CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

    Proud member of the Celebrity Pro Network. Make sure you check out these other great Celebrity Pro Network sites:

    Lyrics Database   Celebrity Blog   Celebrity Thing   Celebrity PC   Celebrity Latest   Portal Site   Travel Photos   Quotes   Flash Games


    Is there a better
    price available?


    Find out: