April 9, 2010, - 7:27 pm

Weekend Box Office: “Date Night,” “Runaways,” “Girl w/ Dragon Tattoo”

By Debbie Schlussel

It’s another weekend o’ crap at the box office.  I can’t recommend any of the new releases highly.  Two of them had the makings of what could have been good movies but degraded into the vile and/or stupid.  One was just vile trash to begin with.

datenightrunaways

girlwithdragontattoo

*  “Date Night“:  At first, I was enjoying this mistaken identity story line.  But it got real stupid, real fast.  And since when does a movie with jokes about and references to anal sex get a PG-13 rating?  That’s not to mention F- and other four letter words and stuff about stripping and orgies?  Should have been “R.”

Steve Carell and Tina Fey play a bored married couple who are always tired out, seem to have lost the romance in their marriage, and go on their weekly date night out to a fancy new restaurant in New York City, where they are mistaken for a couple who are blackmailing an Italian mafia figure who owns strip clubs.  In a novel acting career move, Ray Liotta plays the mobster.   Trying to show his range, I guess.  Wow, next, they’ll be casting Joe Pesci as a mafioso.  For the rest of the movie, we see Carell and Fey trying to escape two corrupt cops who moonlight for the mobster and meeting up with various characters who help them in their escape plan.

One of those is real-life thug and convicted criminal Mark Wahlberg, who walks around shirtless showing his abs for the duration of the movie.  Calvin Klein and the ’90s called.  They want their underwear commercial back.  In a stupid couple of scenes, he and his Israeli girlfriend speak in Hebrew about having multiple sex partners and an orgy with Carell and Fey.  Yup, since there’s never an opportunity to speak Hebrew in a movie, the dumb lines about sexual swinging created the most appropriate opportunity.  Thanks, self-hating Hollywood Jews.  Your gratuitous manner knows no nadir.

The rest of the movie is equally dumb and the ending is predictable.  Like I said, what started out promising lived up to the Hollywood promise of being complete garbage . . . and not really funny at all for what is supposed to be a comedy.  I laughed only a handful of times.  But the funniest thing of all is that some people will actually pay ten bucks plus to see this.  Haha, funny.  About as funny as Jack and Chrissy being mistaken for another couple on “Three’s Company.”  Come on, Hollywood think of something new.

Save your own date night and skip this.  It’s “entertainment” for morons.

TWO MARXES
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* “The Runaways“: The saddest thing about this incredibly vile, horrid film is that it stars popular teen actors Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart. And young girls who idolize them will want to see this disgusting, pointless trash, which glamorizes teen sex, drug addiction, lesbianism, and a sea of C-words, P-word, F-words. Nauseating.  Dakota Fanning’s parents–who allowed her to make this movie and simulate this behavior when she was barely 15–should be charged with child abuse.  I guess engaging in this excrement is how you show you’ve “grown up as an actress.”

It’s the story of “The Runaways,” a loser girl band in the ’70s punk movement, which featured Joan Jett and Cherie Currie. But the band never made it big, and the main character, Currie, became–at age 15–a drug addict and slut who never grew up. That’s the second saddest thing about this garbage. I interviewed the 50-year-old Currie, on Thursday, and, while she declared the night before that she was “not ashamed of a thing” and so “proud” of her sleazy life, she couldn’t handle my polite, challenging questions about the movie and her book, “Neon Angel,” on which the movie is based. Her toady book publicist demanded my videotape because he didn’t want the world to see this 50-year-old vessel o’skank act embody the angry, left-wing New Age psychobabble queen that she is.

I’ll be writing more about my “experience” with this destructive, nutty woman who glamorizes teen orgies, lesbianism, and heavy drug use. She says she “paved” the way for women in rock. If this is “paving the way,” the dirt road was highly under-rated. We didn’t need her “paving.” We needed her act to be paved under.  Sorry, hag, er . . . chick, your story simply isn’t as interesting and definitely not a crumb as important as you’ve deluded yourself into thinking.  Irrelevant, and who cares? But, hey, to make a buck, she’ll pimp out America on it.

Even Elvis is turning over in his grave that his granddaughter (Riley Keough) participated in this manure.  Grrlpower is over-rated.

Don’t let your teen daughters see this movie . . . even if accompanied by an adult. With crap like this, it’s no wonder we’ve lost the culture war and continue to decline as a country.

FOUR MARXES PLUS-A-PIMP-AND-A-BIN-LADEN
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* “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo“: The title of this is misleading since the major character of this Swedish language film (with English subtitles) is really a Swedish investigative reporter who is hired by the only moral elder of a wealthy family of Swiss mostly former Nazis to find a missing niece, who was apparently murdered. The woman with the dragon tattoo is a goth woman in her 20s who is an ex-con on parole.  The movie is based on the thriller by Stieg Larsson.

This otherwise riveting movie would have been great, but it degrades beyond reclamation with gratuitous lesbian scenes, and–far worse–sickening, graphic rape and torture scenes, including a parole officer who rapes the tattooed goth and then her rape of him using a sex toy and rope. Truly disgusting. Yes, the country of IKEA is depraved far beyond crummy furniture. Completely warped. And the “happy ending” simply isn’t worth it all. Not only is it too slow and about an hour too long, but the conclusion is unsatisfying and the movie, overall, was truly disturbing.

Should have been rated “X.” Take your subtitled piece of trash and shove it.

FOUR MARXES PLUS
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211 Responses

The new meme, it was alright for Currie to be a moral degenerate because “what she’s been through”. That ain’t gonna fly neither.

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 9:08 pm

I thought this was a joke page until I saw that the archive goes back a few years. Apparently, this woman is serious, and so are the people who leave her comments.

If puerile writing like this actually speaks to people, perhaps I should start my own political ranting blog. Instead of typing words, I’ll just mash the keyboard and post whatever comes of it. I’m sure I will be hailed as a visionary.

White Plum on April 11, 2010 at 9:08 pm

If you’re worried about Debbie’s listeners and are all about the truth, let’s see that tape. Surely you could get your mom to do that? Right Jake?

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 9:10 pm

Who the hell is this woman Debbie and where does she get off talking trash about such a wonderful woman, Cherie Currie! I am so furious after reading her review..If I had her in front of me I would have to punch her!!!! Cherie is the sweetest woman I have ever yet to meet..I will never forget when I first sent her a message on Myspace she sent me a very sweet message back.,It made my day!! Alot of other famous people would not of taken the time to do that..She is an Icon, a wonderful mother, actress, singer and not to mention a kick ass chainsaw artist..I believe you are so jealous of that fact Debbie that you had to write something so disgusting to make yourself look good!!! Well you did not succeed.. you only made yourself look like a fool!! Grow up and get a life and stop trashing other people’s!! Dakota Fanning did a great job in the movie and her parents Im sure are proud to have her as their daughter!! LOVE U CHERIE!!!!!!

Michele Bennett

Michele on April 11, 2010 at 9:13 pm

Google or Wikipedia is not the end all but Google both people kind of interesting….

First off Cherie is a personal friend of mine, that is enough as I am very picky (LOL) this Debbie chick is off her nut, one more wanna be critic…Cherie has raised a great kid (Hi Jake buddy) even her ex speaks kindly of her (hey Bob) , (how many of us can say that?) friends and family is how we are finally measured I know quite a few of Cherie’s friends, and they are all loving responsible independent adults who I love dearly and I feel have grown to like me too….(Pammy loves me….Katt puts up with me…)

I worked for the Runaways’ doing front of the house sound a few scattered shows and now I work with possibly the largest tour on the planet…I thank them all (love ya Joni, miss ya Sandy) for the inspiration and help…

XOXO to the real Cherry Bomb

CJD on April 11, 2010 at 9:16 pm

Well someone must have posted the review on some moronic Currie fan site. Great googly moogly, people actually worship this idiot.

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    Well from the outcome of this “forum” it kinda appears they worship her more than Debbie Schlussel.

    Jake Hays on April 11, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    Low and slow, Is that true? Gee I didn’t know we were dealing with a real idiot and an honest one too. lol Low? Oh you’re probably an old lady with saggy tits and is hormonal. Ya their nuts……….lol

    Sue on April 11, 2010 at 10:14 pm

    ,,it is that Cherie is well liked, anyone well liked has to have haters,,and the haters are ALWAYS jealous losers who have no life, no ambition..or in Schlutsels case just need attention,,who are you? I know, I know nobody,,Schlutsel is a critic,,so she makes a living doing what? ,,,,,Oh I said no catchup on my burger biotch!

    Rob Lochner on April 12, 2010 at 5:18 pm

^^^

But Cherie did drugs when she was 15.

She is obviously both Hitler and Stalin re-incarnated! Maybe she is secretly a Muslim as well.

Barbarians at the gate, people.

White Plum on April 11, 2010 at 9:18 pm

There WERE consequences…not everything that happened was in the movie or even Cherie’s book. Just like not everything that happened from 0 AD til 33 AD was recorded in the Bible. (Like where Jesus was and where he was from the age of 12 when he stayed back in the temple after his family left until the age of 30 when he showed up in the River Jordan to be baptized by his cousin John?) The point of the movie was to tell their story…as it was…not to be judged on something they did in their misspent youth. Regardless of whether or not they have repented and are sorry for it now, it’s in the past. What kind of consequences do you think they should have 35 yrs later? By the way, Cherie’s counseling kids to about the dangers of drugs now to save them from going through the hell she went through. But I guess thats a bad thing too…

Roxy on April 11, 2010 at 9:20 pm

And to all of you posting these positive reviews and standing up for yourselves and especially my mom, I really appreciate you. After all, this woman is talking about MY mother, the woman who raised me, so I hope its understandable where I’m coming from in her defense. I love my mom with all my heart for the strong and powerful woman she is, and I know better than anyone of how false the information above is. Though I do apologize to anyone if they have been offended by any of my posts.

Jake Hays on April 11, 2010 at 9:22 pm

I think Deb needs to grow up and get a life and stop talking crud on people, I’m for Cherie, she ROCKS !!!!! And why did you bring Elvis up in this lol, he did drugs too DUH !!!! And talking about lesbianism arent you discriminating, Get a life !!!

Penny on April 11, 2010 at 9:24 pm

Where’s that tape Jake, you and your mom made the accusation that it was Schlussel that was rude and unprofessional in the interview. Let’s see it.

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 9:25 pm

Can we please just eliminate all the people on the planet who are in any way conservative or right wing or even right of center? Can these people just go to another planet already? We all know that they are the source of so much misery. It really is time for a revolution.

B on April 11, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    You say you want a revolution
    Well you know
    We all want to change the world

    You say you got a real solution
    Well you know
    We’d all love to see the plan

    You say you’ll change the constitution
    Well you know
    We all want to change your head
    You tell me it’s the institution
    Well you know
    You better free your mind instead
    But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
    You ain’t going to make it with anyone anyhow
    Don’t you know know it’s gonna be alright

    Sorry,somebody had to do it and I couldn’t resist

    ebayer on April 11, 2010 at 9:34 pm

You are a great person Jake and your mother is so proud of you!!! You have every right to defend her and if anyone is offended that is their problem..I respect your mom immensley as an artist and a person..She did a great job raising you and I will defend her till the day I die!! Stay sweet and please give your mom a big hug and kiss from me!! XO

Michele Bennett

Michele on April 11, 2010 at 9:29 pm

What is going to destroy America is taking seriously the opinions of intellectually vacant mouth pieces like Michael Moore and Rush Limbaugh. Propping these people up like heroes, destroying the opportunity for any meaningful discourse and turning every debate into a barbaric shouting match.

Listening to these mouthpiece “pundits” for days on end would be far more likely to induce reasonable people into drug abuse than a year long marathon of “The Runaways”.

White Plum on April 11, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    I guess you prefer the more intellectually stimulating discourse of Mike Malloy,Ed Shultz,Alan Grayson,Rachel Maddow,Arianna Huffington,Chris Matthews,Larry King and of the ladys of The View

    Right?

    ebayer on April 11, 2010 at 9:38 pm

      Those are all trash.

      I’m surprised you didn’t call me a “liberal” or a “left-wing nut” or whatever. I guess this is you restraining yourself.

      You must really believe a silly movie about a band from a bygone era, or any movie that doesn’t fall in line with your own personal moral and social outlook of what America is, will destroy this Union or at least contribute to its demise.

      Is this what you really believe?

      White Plum on April 11, 2010 at 9:42 pm

        I believe Debbie has valid points of view in her review that I happen to agree with.

        Does the movie glamorize teen sex, drug addiction, lesbianism, and use a sea of C-words, P-word, F-words or not?
        If so,then she has a right as a reviewer to point it out.

        Debbie uses colorful descriptives while discussing the characters and especially Cherie,to which she now takes offense.
        Well Hey,you gonna put yourself out there for public scrutiny,then you’re gonna hear things you don’t like.

        And her behavior (according to Debbie) at the one-on-one interview did nothing to assuage that.It only reinforced the negative image she came away with from the movie.

        ebayer on April 11, 2010 at 9:56 pm

Debbie…grow up. Thats all.

d on April 11, 2010 at 9:43 pm

Where do get that anyone said this movie was going to destroy the Union White Plum? Nobody believes that and nobody said that. All Schlussel did was state the movie and it’s message is crap, big difference.

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    She stated her own opinion of the movie. Not state the movie’s message. Big difference.

    Jake Hays on April 11, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    From the review: “With crap like this, it’s no wonder we’ve lost the culture war and continue to decline as a country.”

    This speaks for itself. She believes this film is ruinous to the fabric of the country, and if you read other reviews of films that contain imagery or ideas she disapproves of, she essentially says the same things.

    This is, of course, ludicrous. In an age where Texas omits Thomas Jefferson and other notes of history from school textbooks, that most acidic thing happening are films that contain gay sex and drug use.

    But this is being too deep for the material, really. Ms. Schlussel calls somebody vile names because of something they went through 30 years ago, and derides her for being proud of overcoming a destructive adolescence and emerging as a stable person with a loving family and friends. This is not worthy of the attention it is being given.

    White Plum on April 11, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    hey low and slow,,,yes I K N O W your slow but After I yelled at mr Schlutsel for no catchup on my burger,,,I heard the call for clean-up in the urinal,,,,get on the floor,,,,and clean,,,,low and slow

    Rob Lochner on April 12, 2010 at 5:29 pm

Debbie’s stab at journalism is a prime example of the pathetic Orwell-esque 1984 society we are living in, not to mention, her desperate attack at Dakota’s parents, for publicity attention, makes her hypocritical preach for moral standards worse than the “society” she is criticizing. You would think someone writing movie reviews would understand the definition of acting. Her naïve perspective on teenagers is almost “1950’s antiquated” and her backwards standpoint on the female identity is insulting. The film shows a common side of women that is not normally depicted in films—a side showing girls as sexually active human beings (gay or straight), girls as aggressive rock stars, girls who drink and do drugs. If these characters were men, we would not be having this discussion. Jack-off male humor is basically praised in this country. Plus who gets to decide what is “ladylike” or “proper”?

Does Debbie want to lie to the American youth? The Runaways is one the best movie for young teenage girls I have seen in a long time—it is not a glamorized version of rock n’ roll it is a stylized version of the real thing. Sorry it is not the sugarcoated Hannah Montana or Taylor Swift “drug free” impression of Hollywood fame we are spoon fed in daily doses of saccharine media. But don’t we love tricking adolescent girls into believing that they are “role models”. What a joke!

I hope this film inspires every girl to escape the bitter tongue of lowlifes like Debbie through music! Joan, Cherrie, and The Runaways took flames of fire for lots of female musicians that came later, plus they changed history. Do you know how many male bands copied their image and toured Japan after they broke up? Also how many male bands covered the Velvet Underground during this time period, especially when it was not “ hipster cool” to do so.

Riley Keough did an excellent performance and who is Debbie to say Elvis is turning over in his grave? Like she knows anything about music? This is not a movie about “Grrpower”—this a film that breaks down gender dichotomies—girl or boy, gay or straight, it doesn’t matter, they brought the volume! Kristen Stewart and Dakota fanning fucking delivered excellent performances. I consider this film to be one of the best choices of their careers.

Rox m on April 11, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    Thank you Lisa Marie..that fact that this wench claims your Dad is rolling over after your daughters wonderful performance makes me ill to no end. Thank you so much for speaking your mind to someone who has no ethics or morals. Obviously she was born in ‘Never Never Land’ and I pitty any spawn she may create. ANY mother would want to warn their children as Cherie, Dakota, Joan, Kristen and Riley has. And please Lisa…tell Riley I love her so much.

    Marie Currie on April 11, 2010 at 10:27 pm

    U KICK ASS NICE ALLUSION TO ORWELL

    love on April 11, 2010 at 10:51 pm

Music is art. Music is also a culture. Songs are life and life is not always great but they make great musical stories. I’m betting much of the music that Debbie likes have back stories behind their writers that are probably as terrible and twisted as any that Cherie and the Runaways could have had in their life. Anyone care to share about how perfect Debbie Schlussel”s life was growing up. I’m betting there is some dirt there. I find Debbie Schlussel’s website as vile or more when talking about things she know’s absolutely nothing about. Cherie Currie and the Runaways have nothing to apologize for. Rock and Roll hall of Fame material. Right on Cherie. Your FB friend

Gary Boatner on April 11, 2010 at 9:59 pm

What is the message Jake? The sexualization and exploitation of adolescent girls is wrong? That drug and alcohol abuse is wrong?
Is that the message your mom is promoting or is she proud of her life when she was in The Runaways?

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 9:59 pm

    If you read the book you would understand the message.

    Its a cautionary tale to help ordinary people or people already struggling with problems or addictions to show that there always is a way to turn your life around. The choices my mom made 30 years ago have shaped her into the woman she is today. She learned from her mistakes. She obviously looks down upon things she’s done, but if she hadn’t done them then she wouldn’t have learned the hard way. I’m sure you’re entirely unaware of this, but after she was clean and sober, she became a drug counselor to help people suffering from addiction problems.

    The book is about my moms life in detail, her family and her struggles. The movie is about the life of Joan and Cherie in the band, the struggle of making it as the first all girl rock band in the 70s, overcoming sexism, I mean did you really think that the message of the movie was to promote my mom being proud of her teenage years, drug use, orgies??? You’re simply confused with a scene in the movie that had absolutely nothing to do with my mother’s character. Jesus, you’re ignorant.

    READ THE BOOK, it is an ANTI-DRUG-ANTI-ALCOHOL book.

    Jake Hays on April 11, 2010 at 10:18 pm

The Runaway’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Sure, they can go in with Hanson, they were trendsetters also. Never before has three brothers irritated so many music lovers before.

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 10:05 pm

This woman is a horrible reviewer, who needs to exercise her five minutes of fame at the expense of others. The sad part is that anyone takes her serious. The Runaways is a wonderful movie, with INCREDIBLE performances by everyone. Dakota fanning should get an oscar for playing such a great part. Cherie Currie is a beautiful and genuine human being, who has the guts to put it all out there for the world to see. Cherie lived to tell about it, how many Rock Legends have?? 5 stars and two thumbs up to a class act!

Lisa Marie Presley on April 11, 2010 at 10:05 pm

    It’s 15 minutes of fame,not five.

    And no one said anything about the performances of the actors NOT being incredible.

    While the acting may have been incredible,the dialogue and action was (according to the reviewer who saw it)was objectionable.

    ebayer on April 11, 2010 at 10:13 pm

Debbie makes valid point to young people, You can hurt anyone by posting rude and mean things. lol What a good teacher you are. lol

Sue on April 11, 2010 at 10:20 pm

I responded above.

By the way, I highly recommend ‘Dragon Tattoo’. That depraved land of Swedes produces some fine films to go along with the crummy furniture and, uh, depravity.

White Plum on April 11, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    white plum,,,,,your so cute! white plum why not,,,hmmm
    moist turd,,,yes,,, moist turd cause that’s what you are..and no matter how many roses I throw on you,,,,,,,,,,,,your still a turd!

    Rob Lochner on April 12, 2010 at 5:38 pm

Cherie,remember what you said about taking risks…and not pleasing others…well here is a perfect example. This
Debbie is a narcissist…she cannot understand another persons feelings and she isn’t a journalist, she is actually defaming character. She is unable to use the basic principles of critic and has instead resorted to school yard name calling.I am 50 and I am Australian. I remember when the Runaways came out and I had your album along side my Suzi Q LP’s..kept me
company in my teenage journey.What Debbie is missing is the main point….we were growing up in the 70’s and music was our soundtrack…great new music coming out week after week,hit after hit.Paving the way is the right description because unlike today with shows like American Idol where artists are managed in a professional way you girls had to be tough enough to do what you had to to fulfill your dream…no union or governing body to oversee that. Tough people do swear…its a release…”Nice” people uses polite phrases……with passive aggression? Sad by the why she presents herself that she has become what this world pressures her to be….she looks like a million other women who are still too “pretty” and precious to break any mould.Cherie you are what my Aboriginal tribe would called “MOODITJ” which means strong,shining, full of true character and love. I am sure there will be more critics….who don’t get it…but just remember there is many more of us who do.Love Kay…thanks for adding me on facebook.

Aussie on April 11, 2010 at 10:26 pm

LOL!! Even Elvis’ daughter is chiming in!!

GRRRLpower!!

Chaka on April 11, 2010 at 10:29 pm

“The book is about my moms life in detail, her family and her struggles. The movie is about the life of Joan and Cherie in the band, the struggle of making it as the first all girl rock band in the 70s, overcoming sexism”

The struggles of “making it” and “overcoming sexism”? What fantasy world are you living in? They didn’t have any struggles or overcome anything getting their momentary fame. Your mom walked out on stage dressed as a cheap hooker and sang some simplistic crap. Only trend they set was more prepackaged garbage aimed toward moronic teenagers that gave us The GoGos, MaDonna all the way to Britteny Spears. She must be so proud.

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 10:31 pm

    Well Debbie, it’s more than you will EVER do in your lifetime. Which is sad to say, because if you are right about this all, that means that you have done less with your life than someone who simply “walked out on stage dressed as a cheap hooker and sang some simplistic crap.”

    “Only trend they set was more prepackaged garbage aimed toward moronic teenagers that gave us The GoGos, MaDonna all the way to Britteny Spears,” that actually sounds like a hell of a lot more than you’ve done!

    Jake Hays on April 11, 2010 at 10:35 pm

    Sounds like tried and true American capitalism. Whats wrong with it?

    The music not being intellectually stimulating never weighs in on popularity. Mainstream music has always been marketed to moronic teenagers, its been that way since Chuck Berry and Elvis.

    White Plum on April 11, 2010 at 10:36 pm

    come on low,,,we all know you didnt see the movie,,there’s no way you could afford the ticket,,,and ducking your head in between urinal cleanings,,,,,,,,,DOES NOT COUNT

    Rob Lochner on April 12, 2010 at 5:41 pm

Really Jake? All you have left is “that’s more then you’ve done”? That your response? Well it appears you got your brains from your mother.

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 10:38 pm

    And your response is telling me that I have no more response? You have one hard time hearing you’re wrong, don’t you.

    You’ve stopped denying that lowandslow is you, so why not just use the name Debbie Shlussel? I’ve been using Jake Hays this whole time because I’m not afraid to say things with people knowing exactly who I am. And how old are you? In your forties I’m assuming? Am I being generous? Act your age. It’s obvious that you can’t admit that you’re wrong to anyone, let alone a 19 year old child. I would gain an ounce of respect for you right now if you came to admit you’re wrong. I know you’re not going to. You can’t always be right, and even though this is your website, the majority is proving that point.

    Jake Hays on April 11, 2010 at 10:51 pm

      I was just wanting to let you know I think your Mother is a wonderful lady, deb on the other hand don’t know what the hec she is talking about, she just has to be someone to run there mouth to make a big scene, cause she dont have a LIFE. Other than talk about people.

      Penny on April 11, 2010 at 11:12 pm

Now we’re against capitalism White Plum? Nobody’s begrudging them their momentary fame and wealth. We’re objecting to the image and message that they used to achieve it. We’re objecting to the lifestyle they lead. Can’t you argue the point instead of making up shit?

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    Now, now. Who is against capitalism? Certainly not me. The struggle of “making it” is a direct result of the need of a band to sell their product(the fruits of their labor). Dealing with drug abuse, in-fighting, and an abusive manager are all part of a struggle to sell the music. You have, in fact, begrudged this – criticizing Ms. Cherie for it.

    And what image does this film present? Everyone, or at least most people, knows that Joan Jett launched a successful career, as did Lita Ford, and Cherie picked herself backup after nearly being crushed by substance abuse. If anything, the movie shows us that no matter what hardship and temptation may be thrown in your way, you can still emerge successful.

    The moral of this fruitless exchange is: straw men burn when held to flame. Please consider your words, and mine, more carefully. 🙂

    White Plum on April 11, 2010 at 10:55 pm

ummm “rox m” said it best, and plus this shouldnt even be a discussion .
<3

cherrybomb on April 11, 2010 at 10:50 pm

In all this discussion, everyone has overlooked the fact that this movie reviewer also trashed a film (The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo) that has almost been universally hailed as a masterpiece. Although she admits that the film is riveting, she cannot get beyond subject matter that she finds objectionable and therefore she condemns it based on that. She is clearly narrow-minded, repressed, puritanical, self-righteous and regressive like many others who share her politics.

Although she’s probably right that Date Night is a waste of time and money.

B on April 11, 2010 at 10:56 pm

Deb, did you even read the BOOK? If you did you would understand, I went through some of what she went through, not the music scene but all the other, and I think what she is making a point mostly about is surviving, is what I was reading, And Cherie and Joan still ROCK and there isnt anything wrong with that, why dont you talk bad about other things like the movie’s they have out with gangs and drugs etc… that ecourage kid’s?

Penny on April 11, 2010 at 10:56 pm

Act like a grown up, untwist your panties and lay off the kid, lowandslow. He’s making a hell of a lot more sense than you are and seems mature beyond his years. Just a question for you…who or what, in your opinion, is “good music”/artists/singers???

Roxy on April 11, 2010 at 11:01 pm

Jake, do us all a favor and shut up. I’m not Debbie Schussel for christsake. What’s with you. can’t accept the fact that there’s more then one person that thinks your mom not all that? Guess what Jake, I would think the majority of people would say your mom is an opportunist skank. You better get used to it.

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 11:02 pm

    Well then I’ll continue you call you “lowandslow,” and hey, I can admit and know that there are people out there that don’t like my mom. You “would think the majority of people would say [my] mom is an opportunist skank”? How ignorant are you? Have you not read over 100 comments on this page. Just about ALL of them disagreeing with the statement you just posted? And you’re only telling me to shut up because I actually enjoy having my own opinion. I think I’d be doing only you a favor in shutting up. Before this gets far too personal, how about you do us all a favor, stop being a worthless voyeur and start living your own life.

    Jake Hays on April 11, 2010 at 11:14 pm

White Plum lecturing on straw men, that’s rich. The whole thread you’ve done nothing but invent viewpoints nobody is making to argue against. WTF is wrong with you?

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    “The struggles of “making it” and “overcoming sexism”? What fantasy world are you living in? They didn’t have any struggles or overcome anything getting their momentary fame. Your mom walked out on stage dressed as a cheap hooker and sang some simplistic crap. Only trend they set was more prepackaged garbage aimed toward moronic teenagers that gave us The GoGos, MaDonna all the way to Britteny Spears. She must be so proud.”

    Sounds like capitalism to me. What is wrong with this? You have nothing good to say about it. This is how mainstream music functions in our free market economy. You object? I didn’t say you didn’t like capitalism.

    You brought it up, not me. Maybe you’ll just say anything to strike out at Ms. Cherie without considering consequences or paying attention to what you’re typing.

    But now you have a problem with opportunists? Oh come now. Opportunism in business and life is a part of our culture. You really do just want to rant at anyone that dares take issue with Ms, Schlussel’s worldview.

    White Plum on April 11, 2010 at 11:21 pm

I just wanted to point out that the movie “Policewomen,” starring the lovely and talented Sandra Currie, (Cherie’s older sister), is finally available on DVD, packaged with eleven other rare and obscure drive-in flicks (including “Galaxina” starring Dorothy Stratten) my Mill Creek Entertainment under the title Big Screen Bombshells.

B on April 11, 2010 at 11:16 pm

I said I wouldn’t do this as I think casting pearl before swine is foolish and unrewarded… but I am touched by the many posts.
I remember ( and hope she won’t mind me saying) watching part of Spinal Tap with her and others in the movie… she didn’t sugar coat the truth or glamorize it to me, she told the truth of it ( and it wasn’t pretty)
Neon Angel in no way glamorizes Cheri’s truth, it shares it. Who is the author of this site to say what it takes for one to work through their history? For that matter, who is the author to assume the audience stupid and inept enough not to gather the warning signs about the industry, the movie shares? If the author were in fact a real journalist they’d also be privy to fact that at the end of the day a movies direction is out of the artist’s control, ultimately.
I took the time to read the authors other blogs and the resounding theme was hateful, racist and angry. I’ve never quite understood the art of deconstruction .This site does not create, it doesn’t offer a better way, it tears down.

Muse2you on April 11, 2010 at 11:19 pm

So you think a bunch of comments by some devotes to your mom redirected from some fan site is good indication of what normal people think? Good grief Jake, you have some harsh realities you’ll have to face in your future. People that worship some second rate band from thirty five years ago isn’t really a true slice of intelligent thought.

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    People that worship some second rate band from 35 years ago isn’t really a false slice of intelligent thought.

    Dianne on April 11, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    Haha, I understand this stuff is supposed to hurt my feelings, but shouldn’t that also apply to our conversation? That I shouldn’t listen to, for example, some obnoxious person who enjoys siting on the internet degrading people in random forums? In that case, then I most definitely agree with your statement. I mean I’ve already surprised myself by wasting my time talking to someone like you. When you branch away from forums and internet chat rooms to try to wake someone into reality, maybe then I can start taking you seriously. That being said, it’s still a slim chance.

    Jake Hays on April 11, 2010 at 11:33 pm

That said, owning a computer and having a few dollars to throw up a dot-com does not a journalist make!

Muse2you on April 11, 2010 at 11:24 pm

“lowandslow”…hmmm…sounds like the title of a porn movie…how ironic!

Roxy on April 11, 2010 at 11:39 pm

Only one not facing reality is people like you and your mother Jake. She wasn’t a good role model for women and she didn’t do anything to improve girls lives. She was a skank, just because you don’t like people saying it doesn’t make it any less true. She made piss poor choices and decisions on how she lived her live and doesn’t seem to regret any of it. And according to Schussel she’s proud of it. There is nothing to be proud of about being in The Runaways. The music was crap, their image was crap and they were shitty people.
But you can always prove us wrong and have your mother release the interview so we can see how she changed and what a good person she is. We’re still waiting.

lowandslow on April 11, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    How do you know though? If you can really convine me with facts then that’s great. The issue is, I have LIVED with her. I guarantee you’ve never met her, never read her book, never spoken to her, never spoken to her friends, never interacted with her in ANY way whatsoever. I find it hilarious that you base your studies on the internet. Pathetic.

    Jake Hays on April 12, 2010 at 12:36 am

There once was a failed movie reviewer
The more astute of us seeing right thru ‘er
Her moniker’s “Deb”
Her fame’s come to an ebb
Her 15 minutes on it’s way down the sewer

She could’ve taken a much different tact
Instead, her envy painted feces as facts
It’s thrown back in her face
Where behind there’s much space
From the brain that her cranium lacks

I’m Reb, now I’ll bid you adieu
Nice to meet your behind with my shoe
But rest assured, there’s another
When you trash someone’s Mother
I’ll know that my work here’s not through

Rebel The Uncanny
TDT Coalition

Marvin Gardens on April 11, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    Now there is some talent, that’s one thing this entire website lacks.

    Jake Hays on April 12, 2010 at 12:42 am

Debbie,after reading all the posts from Cherie’s fan club,I can understand why you came up with the term “left-wing New Age psychobabble”

Wow

This fringe is very good at playing “Follow the Leader”and acting as ill programmed robots.

ebayer on April 11, 2010 at 11:56 pm

“The Runaways” Movie showed a side of the Music Business that Most people don’t ever see; It is Actually, in my Experienced Opinion, a little too polite, but it is still an Excellent Example of what Musicians go through if they want to become “Rock ‘n’ Roll Stars”…. This ain’t the Cub Scouts, the Campfire Girls, or even your first job at McDonald’s.
This was a Gritty, Honest Film That Rocked.
You Don’t Have to Like it. Welcome to America.
I did. I’ll see it again. I’ll recommend it to my Music Students; I think they should get a Good Look into what the Music Business is like.
And No, it’s not a Documentary. It isn’t Pretty. But it gives People a Chance to see and hopefully understand what the Ups and Downs of Fame entail beyond the Elementary School Talent Show.
That, to me is a Lot more Important than Painting a Picture of what is not so.
What’s Vile and Disgusting is the Fact that You, Ms. Debbie Schlussel, think You Merit Respect and Adoration for having No Class or Taste whatsoever.

Having “Low and Slow” as an Ally is Pretty Indicative of Your True Status in Life.
Does Your Mother let you kiss her with that mouth of Yours ?

Wild Bil on April 11, 2010 at 11:58 pm

    I see Jake even got his gii-tar instructor to lash out against you Debbie.

    And here I thought old hippies were all “Peace,love and rock-n-roll”

    Guess that was just a myth

    ebayer on April 12, 2010 at 12:06 am

      If it helps, I’m a self taught musician. No one has ever taught me, that being said I don’t know who you’re referring to as my “gii-tar(?)” instructor.

      Jake Hays on April 12, 2010 at 12:37 am

the review of the Runaways film is completely ridiculous. these young women paved the way for other young women to be accepted and respected in rock and roll music. the sexism that they endured from many men in the industry was absolutely deplorable, and they’ve inspired many great musicians since starting their band, which by the way was a VERY successful band by any measure. that is all that can be absorbed after viewing this film, and anyone with half a brain would agree. it’s a shame that all you could gather from the film was obtuse notions about drugs and sex. the portrayal of these young women was inspiring, and the message it delivered in such a pure and honest way was not encouragement to go out and snort things or have sex, but to not accept what roles are delegated to you by our narrow-minded society. the entire cast gave brilliant performances, which is more than I could say for this sad excuse of a review that you’ve vomited onto your page, Debbie.

Steph Lorenzo on April 12, 2010 at 12:05 am

Debbie you’re beautiful.Don’t ever change.

Your intellectual honesty is refreshing in this sea of PC.
And by that I mean Intellectual Honesty as defined by:
an unbiased, honest attitude, which can be demonstrated in a number of different ways:

* One’s personal beliefs do not interfere with the pursuit of truth;
* Relevant facts and information are not purposefully omitted even when such things may contradict one’s hypothesis;
* Facts are presented in an unbiased manner, and not twisted to give misleading impressions or to support one view over another

It’s so nice to be able to come to your site and find out what’s being hidden from us by the powers that be.

Thank you for hard work and selfless dedication to the things that others take for granted.

Shalom

ebayer on April 12, 2010 at 12:22 am

Hello ebayer;
Jake Hayes is Not one of my “GI-TAR ” Students. Before you make yet more erroneous assumptions about things you put up on a public post, you need to check for facts.
Like All Old Hippies.
Stay in School. Learn Something.

Wild Bil on April 12, 2010 at 12:24 am

I am 52 years old, graduated from high school in 1975 (the year The Runaways were formed) and grew up in Los Angeles. Even out here in their hometown, the only time I ever heard their music on the radio was on the “Rodney On The Rock,” program, Sunday nights on KROQ. Sorry to say that it did not inspire me to go out and purchase any of it.

I was one of those people who never took them seriously, but NOT because they were females. It was for the same reason I never took KISS seriously (and still don’t). They were all image and no substance.

At that time, on the east coast, the Ramones were making the same kind of music, but at least a few of their tunes were somewhat hummable. Most people like myself, who were in their late teens and early 20s in the late 70s, can still sing a few bars of “I Wanna Be Sedated” or “Rock ‘n Roll High School” when asked.

Contrarily, mentioning The Runaways does not really conjure up any musical memories at all. Just alot of fawning reviews by the obsequious L.A. Times critic Robert Hilburn about the “daringness” of their stage presentation, accompanied by photos of Joan Jett in a leather jacket and Cherie Currie in her underwear.

In short, I will not be seeing “The Runaways,” not because I disapprove of the film’s content, but merely because the subject matter doesn’t interest me. However, I do hope that at some point, the footage of the exchange of words between Ms. Currie and Ms. Schlussel does pop up either on YouTube or some similar site on the web. If it’s half as entertaining as the series of letters I have been reading here are, then I’ll bet it would make a great short subject to add as an extra on to the DVD, when it is released.

Daniel H on April 12, 2010 at 1:56 am

Cherie is a beautiful, honest, REAL person unlike you, Debbie. She is who she is and she isn’t ashamed. I think that’s what irks you the most. I haven’t met Cherie personally, but after reading Neon Angel, I feel a real connection to her. I may have never had a drug addiction or a glamourous life short-lived or not, but MANY traumatizing things have happened to me in my life. If they never happened, I wouldn’t be the strong woman I am today. That’s the point Cherie is trying to make.

Also, in case you forgot, although the Runaways never made it “big,” they left a meteor-sized mark in the music world for women. If their music was crap, then why do The Runaways still remain a huge influence for bands across the globe?

And seriously, “Grrl power is overrated”?! Get a time machine and go back to the 50’s. It’s because of these girls that CUNTS like you even have a damn voice nowadays. Debbie, you’re the one who’s the “skank”. You take your own bitchy attitude and present it in news stories and crappy movie reviews with no factual information to back them up. So kindly shut the hell up. People like you are the ones who are destroying our country.

P.S. Dakota isn’t a baby anymore. She is an amazing actress, and for you to compare her parents’ allowing her to be in this movie to CHILD ABUSE? That’s low even for you.

Lezia on April 12, 2010 at 2:03 am

“The Runaways” movie was NOT meant to be “Gone With The Wind” or “The Grapes Of Wrath” or any other great classic film. It is surely not meant as a documentary that shows things as they really were. It is one director’s interpretation of a book written by someone who WAS there and had a significant part in creating something that was truly ahead of its time.

“The Runaways” (the band) were certainly not a “loser” band as was described in this review. Were they exploited and abused? Sure. Of course they were. The music-buying public just wasn’t ready for a five teenage girls playing their own instruments at that time. They were way ahead of their time. It wasn’t until “The Go-Go’s” and “The Bangles” did we really begin to accept the fact that “girls” can compete in what had traditionally been a man’s world. There had been “girl groups” in the past, but they were just singers. They didn’t play their own instruments and write their own songs. “The Runaways” were the first to do that.

Those girls (pardon the expression) had “chops”. Sandy West is considered by many to be one of the best female drummers ever. Lita Ford is one heck of a guitarist. And as for Cherie… yes, she HAS been through a lot in her life. But she’s a “survivor” in a world (the music business) where there are few that come out of a past like hers, that have turned out as well as she has. Her voice is better than ever, and yes… as had been previously stated… one heck of a chainsaw artist.

Lastly, as we’ve heard from her own son, a great mom. So she had a rough past, but she turned that around and really made something of herself.

Mark on April 12, 2010 at 2:15 am

Oh, one other thing… although in this country we are all entitled to our opinions… much of what was said, by Ms. Schlussel about Ms. Currie, border on defamation. Opinion IS protected, under the law. But what Ms. Schlussel was saying about Cherie Curry sure sounded, to me, like more than just one author’s opinion. Be careful what you write/say, or you could find yourself on the wrong end of a defamation suit.

Mark on April 12, 2010 at 2:19 am

    All of you nay-sayers need to seriously leave Jake alone. He’s a good son defending his mother because he loves her. Debbie not only attacked the movie, she attacked Cherie personally.

    If your mother was being attacked, would you have not done the same?

    Lezia on April 12, 2010 at 2:30 am

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