The Ramones – We Are Movie Geeks

” Do your parents *know* that you’re Ramones? “

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL plays midnights this weekend (August 16th and 17th) at the Tivoli as part of their Reel Late at the Tivoli Midnight series. A Facebook invite for the event can be found HERE

It’s amazing that actress P.J. Soles didn’t become a big star after playing Riff Randell, #1 fan of the punk rock group the Ramones, in ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL in 1979. Soles is so exuberant, you don’t mind she’s obviously too old to still be a student in high school (that fact is leveled out by having all the kids look 25). The movie is a fast-paced frolic that doesn’t cop-out; everything gets blown to smithereens at the end, and that’s just as it should be. Mary Woronov, a kinky and funny presence as the Nazi-like principal, gets a great, one-of-a-kind bit at the beginning where Frisbees fly dangerously close to her head (how many takes did they use on that, or was it a fluke?) and Dey Young is very appealing as Randell’s best friend, Kate Rambeau. The Ramones can’t act, but they’re funny, and their concert segment is a blast. One Ramones song, “I Want You Around”, is treated as a fantasy and is well-captured; other incidental songs are good, particularly a rare Paul McCartney ballad, “Did We Meet Somewhere Before?” Great fun!

The Tivoli’s located at 6350 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO. Admission is a mere $8!

The Tivoli’s website can be found HERE

Here’s the line-up for the other films coming to ‘Reel Late at The Tivoli:

Aug. 23-24 NINJA SCROLL (1993) – subtitled

Aug. 30-31 LABYRINTH

Sept. 6-7 HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH New 4K digital re-master

Ever wonder how the legendary CBGB came to be? In the new film, appropriately titled CBGB, director Randall Miller and co-writer Jody Savin give audiences a glimpse into the world that Hilly Kristal built… a little bar that became the birthplace of American punk music.

Recently, WAMG attended a press day for the film at the famous WHISKY A GO GO in West Hollywood, CA. Participating in the press conference were Johnny Galecki (Terry Ork), Freddy Rodriguez (Idaho), Joel David Moore (Joey Ramone), Director/Co-Writer Randy Miller, and Co-Writer Jody Savin. Check it out below. (Side note: Sorry if it is a bit shaky. I was trying out my new camera.)

CBGB looks at New York’s dynamic punk rock scene through the lens of the ground-breaking Lower East Side club started by eccentric Hilly Kristal in 1973 originally as a home for “country, bluegrass and blues” (thus the club’s name) and which showcased cutting-edge bands through its closing in 2006. The Talking Heads, Patti Smith, The Ramones, Blondie, The Dead Boys, Bad Brains, Green Day, Soul Asylum, The Police, Bruce Springsteen, Everclear, George Thorogood, The Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, The Black Crowes, The Flaming Lips, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The B-52s, The Runaways, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Tool and The Wallflowers are just some of the thousands of bands that played the club over the years.

The film stars Alan Rickman, Malin Akerman, Justin Bartha, Richard de Klerk, Johnny Galecki, Ashley Greene, Rupert Grint, Taylor Hawkins, Stana Katic, Donal Logue, Joel David Moore, Freddy Rodriguez, Mickey Sumner and Bradley Whitford. Randall Miller directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Jody Savin.