Woodyanders The 1980's heavy metal scene proves to be a gloriously ludicrous array of hideously overpermed hairspray-soaked coiffures, skintight leather pants, silly and immature macho grandstanding, slutty groupies with varying degrees of attractiveness, bands with equally erratic musical aptitude (it's no wonder that neither Odin nor London ever made it big, while Megadeath distinguish themselves as one of the few groups featured herein with considerable chops), appalling misogyny, and, of course, a dazzling surplus of decadence and hedonistic excess cranked to eleven. Yet somehow director Penelope Spheeris manages to still capture the humanity behind all the blatant posturing: Whether it's Steven Tyler admitting that millions of dollars of cocaine went up his nose, Ozzy Osborne candidly discussing the drab reality of rehab (Ozzy is a hoot to watch as he makes breakfast in his kitchen while clad in a bathrobe), Joe Perry remarking that at some point one gets sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, or, most memorably, guitarist Chris Holmes in a swimming pool drinking himself into oblivion while his mother sits poolside watching in silent disgust, Spheeris reveals that there's a definite dark side to the heavy metal lifestyle. It's also pretty sad and sobering to hear members of the lesser known unsigned bands admit that they are bound and determined to succeed no matter what; this speaks volumes about the tremendous pressure American society puts on people in show business to achieve a certain level of fame and fortune. So for all of the more garish aspects found throughout (for example, the clearly staged Paul Stanley interview with Stanley lying in bed surrounded by fawning hot babes), there's a good deal of pathos to be found that in turn makes this documentary worthwhile viewing.

peterpants66 Penelope Spheeris blows the framework off Hollywood with this in-depth look at the cost of Rock and Roll in this perfect companion to the original Decline. The topic is metal and right from the moment go the movie starts addressing what is metal, why these people like it, and what it does exactly. Lizzey Bordin opens the film quite splendidly with a roaring version of the often copied "born to be wild". This is about one million times better then the original i might say. The singer laments on how full of bands the L.A. scene is and how hard it is to make it, a point/counterpoint exchange begins with bands like the moderately popular LB, to the slightly more popular Faster Pussycat, to well established rockers like Aerosmith and Megadeth. Im in a rock band and anyone who's in one or thinking about it should see and study this film, even if your not a rocker its an amazing time capsule. The interviews are mostly done on a small stage with a table and a single hanging light-bulb. The other half of interviews comes anywhere from couches to beds strewn with scantily clad woman, and yes this is a documentary so its all real as were reminded by Paul Stanley of Kiss. There's a colorful group of characters in this film from struttin stars like Faster Pussycat to the the more stripped down Megadeth the movie shows either end of the rock image of the late eighties. What should really be done is a "where are they now" with all the kids featured in this movie. I grew up in the nineties so grunge was more of the fashion mold, and it didn't change my style to much, but some of these kids are just unreal. Most interviewed don't have jobs (at least thats what they say) and they live off rock babes. Their dreams, and passion to be involved in the game are unmatched by todays standards. I love the clip of the kid with all the make-up and hair saying "my mom thinks this is just a phase" wow, like to see if he's still poofin up his hair and putting on lipstick before he hits the clubs. This movie is a terribly interesting depth into what being in a full time band and trying to make it was like at a time before the internet, before cellphones, this was a time when even video was scarce, you were putting up flyer's and hustling every hoochie mama you could swindle to get by. Its real its raw, its metal, and if you haven't seen the original Decline, you should its equally if not more mind blowin. So iron your Mohawk and bust out moms makeup its time to rock...80's style. Ten thumbs up, utterly amazing.

peterlonglongplong My memories of the incredible shortsightedness of so many people I knew in the time period that's portrayed in this great film, are confirmed again. And today is just another form of mindlessness. At least back then the pop/metal music that was in the mainstream had a melody, even if the singer sucked! I've been playing music since just before this time period, and it includes HARD-METAL music, but I'm often fond of a more melodic/operatic style in my metal. In any case, I never made it big time - who cares? Most people on this planet who perform will never make the, "IT'S A REALLY REALLY BIG SHEWWW'! The people who need to hear you, see you, and be hit on that nerve that makes them believe that you can make them LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY, are few and far between. And even if you do perform in front of some promoter who can get you that lovely EXPOSURE and PROMOTION that your band will need to make it, you're in competition with countless other music making groups. And don't be so naive as to think that deals are not occasionally, or even frequently made in the backseats of limousines, or other potentially shady and unprincipled locations. My cousin lived and played in the LA scene from '79 to '82 and I've heard details about some of what goes on playing in the clubs, talking to managers, promoters, etc. Las Vegas doesn't have a monopoly on sleazy, pitiful, wretched, and even vile behavior in the business world. This movie shows some real dreamers. And I don't see them as losers, necessarily, because that implies some guarantee that was not lived up to. Yes, most of the people who make the big time scene have to really want it and strive hard. But, there's a lot of people in this world who also want to make it big. This movie doesn't adequately touch the well-known subject of "who's related to who", but that might not have been possible in the very "SELF-DEFENSIVE WORLD OF MASS ENTERTAINMENT". Money talks, and those with it, love to keep it as close as possible to themselves. Most of the BEST MUSICIANS/ARTISTS in the world will please and entertain those around them, family, neighborhood, community, city, etc. Who says they need to go further than that. I'm glad the movie showed the incredible stupidity of drugs, at least in a limited way. But obviously, many of the lines by the striving to be and the successful musicians interviewed in this movie, were pure BS. "I don't do drugs." --yeah, right.... Some of them may not do that, but most of the musicians in the movie were influenced by,,, hummm.... This is a great documentary on a part of the mainstream metal scene from back then. Other reviewers here say that it was too limited in focus. I've worked in film production and scripting and funding. I'd like to hear these critics suggestions on what more could have been added. To put together a revealing portrayal of one particular subsection of our society is very difficult. I think that Penelope Spheeris did a good job. These days,in spite of all of the big time music world's weaknesses, ROCK IS NOT DEAD! I still rock out and entertain my city. I still dream also, but I've got dishes to clean.

mrgadger nothing but fond memories of this gem. didn't it just cheer you up ? the sheer "we are gonna make it" "big hair metal is gonna live forever" and "of course we'll get a record deal"..with that much gusto behind it all..i almost believed most of them !!! great to look back at shallow bands with even shallower fans...great ideals such as "we're in it for the girls" etc...love it!! OK , i know some of the more obtuse interviewees really should have been left on the editing room floor but in retrospect if you removed some of these wizards then it wouldn't be half the film it is...it needs the looneys to maintain the levity and balance. from faster pussycat making themselves look as straight as john inman at a hitchens closing down sale to the monumental lemmy giving it the "run it up the flagpole, see who salutes it" anecdote, as a whole the film just.......works.