Taqwacore is the Islamic punk movement and before you ask, what the hell is the Islamic punk movement, let me refer you to the first word of this sentence. This film is based on Michael Muhammad Knight's 2003 novel and centers on an off-campus house at the University of Buffalo and the band of misfit Muslims living there. While featuring a good deal of music, it's not about that necessarily. It's mainly about fitting in, or rather, not fitting in--subculture outcasts caught between two seemingly incompatible worlds. And it does this by neither preaching or patronizing, but instead simply showing us a slice of life most of us didn't even know was there. Reminded me of another little-seen film, SLC Punk! (1998, PLUS), that explores the punk scene within another extremist religious society.
I was surprised to see this film get such a low score on IMDb. It contains some important questions asked in an intelligent manner. But more than that, it's just different. PLUS
For some reason I feel guilty liking Kristen Stewart. Okay, not some reason, but because people keep making me feel that way. My problem is that I can't explain why I feel the way I do. I don't necessarily think she's a great actress (though she's far better than she's given credit for being). And I don't even necessarily find her that attractive. Only I do. Only I don't know why other than to that she simply has a screen presence. And I can't be alone in this since millionaires with countless options keep signing her for their movies.
The biggest criticism I hear about Stewart is that she basically plays herself playing with her hair and whining in all her films. Accurate or not, it doesn't really register with me and I wonder if maybe some of these critics are confusing her with Hayden Christensen. Either way, her performance as Joan Jett may not change anyone's overall opinion of her, but it can't not earn her a little respect. There was a lot of talk about how she threw herself completely into this role (probably with something to prove) and her work shows as she nails Jett down to the guitar playing and singing. Jett was even quoted as saying she wasn't sure who was singing when she heard a recording.
The thing is, though, that The Runaways isn't even Jett's film. It's taken from the memoir of lead singer Cherie Currie, who was only 15 when she was picked to join the group. Dakota Fanning, an actress doing her own dance on that borderline of adulthood, was an inspired choice and she definitely holds her own in the sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll department. She did her own singing as well, but while it's obvious she studied Currie's movements I got the feeling she was trying too hard at times. (Also need to note Michael Shannon's fun turn as their eccentric manager, Kim Fowley.)
Ultimately, music video director Floria Sigismond's film is a by-the-numbers biopic. But I admit, I get caught up in these movies if the music is good and The Runaways were a good group.
The clip below is the real Japanese TV performance recreated in the film. And, yeah, Dakota is dressed like that.
Why? Never before released video of legendary 1964 concert. Hey, Quentin Tarantino said it was one of the top three rock films ever.
Q might be right. T.A.M.I., which stands for "Teenage Awards Music International" for some acronymistic reason, was shown briefly in theaters at the time and only on a handful of occasions since. Filmed by director Steve Binder in something called Electronovision, the transfer is impressively crisp and as a pop cultural artifact, this is pretty hard to top. Check out the headliners: The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, James Brown, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry. Everyone was so young and generally still a few years from their creative primes. And it's non-stop music. No filler, no commercials, which today is an unfathomable notion. Whether you like the music or not, it's still cool, and important, to have this footage. And I now know what I'm getting my Mom for her birthday.
One thing I have to mention: James Brown was a freak. Have you ever actually watched him perform? It's amazing. He moved in ways people should not be able to move. And that includes breaking out a proto-Moonwalk that a little boy in Gary, Indiana no doubt saw as well.
