Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Mike Kiker It's not the best movie ever, and it is flawed in some respects. That's not to say it was a bad film, far from it. Although, I'm nowhere near the age of the central characters (I'm 26 at the time of writing this, I'm assuming they're all late 40's-early 50's?), as an aspiring musician who has worked as a roadie, this film really struck a chord with me, as a reference point for where I'd want to end up or not end up by the time I'm that age.The overall message I got from this film was, it's far better to work your a$$ off doing what you love and to be thought of as a "loser" or a "fool" by the ones who only appear to be "normal", than to settle for stability, normalcy and mediocrity, if it's only going to make you miserable. However, the narrative of this film makes that particular lesson a hard-learned one, as it should be in real life.There are 3 central characters: Jimmy (Ron Eldard, sporting the exact same hairstyle he had in "Super 8", I'm assuming he worked on this film right before or after that one), Randy (Bobby Cannavale) & Nikki (Jill Hennessey), and all 3 seem to represent different paths in life.I found myself hating Randy from the second he entered the film. From the word "Testicles", he reminded me of all the bullies from days of yore, and the fact that he was, in fact, Jimmy's school bully, only proves my point more. Nikki, on the other hand, while I didn't end up despising her character, there was a two-faced-ness about her that rubbed me the wrong way. Her overall story arc and character traits remind me of the typical middle-aged "singer/songwriter" who hasn't gone beyond corner pubs and open mic nights, due to a cocky attitude, a lack of ambition and an alternate career path. But even Nikki says, in no uncertain terms, that while she doesn't quite appear to be completely content, she's happy with settling for what she has. "He's Queens, I'm Queens."The main flaw of the movie is that it pretty much trots along pretty aimlessly for most of it, until the real lesson of the movie comes out near the end when all 3 of the characters ensconce themselves in a run- down motel with mountains of cocaine. It's here that we really get a glimpse of everyone's true nature. The tense dialogue and atmosphere here (which is also hinted at in other parts of the film) almost tries to pin Jimmy (and roadies in general) as the bad guy for their particular job choice. Meanwhile, Jimmy turns the tables and shines a bright light on Randy and Nikki's pitiful existence, by stating that he may have only been a roadie, but he got to do what he loved and really got to live the "rock star partying lifestyle" that Randy and Nikki only pretend to do on their weekends. Jimmy may not be established in a "sensible career path", but he certainly has lived a far more fulfilling life with probably some amazing stories to tell. For me, that's where the true heart of the narrative lies, and I would far more prefer to be that guy in life than to end up a miserable coke- addicted car salesman or a wannabe singer/songwriter, but that's only my experience, and my ambition in life. I'm not here to say that settling down is wrong. Some people are just meant for that path in life for myriad reasons, and that's OK. Not everybody can be a musician or a roadie, but for those with ambitions in that field, I would say, be an original, but be humble, yet work hard for your dream, and screw any setbacks that may bring, because it will only make the end result that much sweeter.

Matthew Stechel Roadie is a pretty good movie that's only about so-so while you're watching it, however the movie really resonated with me in the days after watching it. I appreciated the effort to make Ron Eldard's character more then just a one dimensional lump of regret...i also like his constant flip flopping between "what have i got to be regretful of? i did what i wanted to!" and "i've totally wasted my life" throughout, as i think that's exactly what a guy in his situation in real life would think upon coming home after twenty five years on the road only to realize he's right back where he was when he first left. While the interactions between Ron Eldard and the rest of the cast kind of go back and fourth on the believable scale (Bobby Cannavale and Jill Hennessey are merely so-so as respectively a guy who used to taunt him in high school and his wife who was a long ago crush for Ron Eldard's character..it probably doesn't help that neither of these characters are likable in the least.) Its Ron Eldard himself who keeps this movie going forward...there are a lot of little moments throughout where his reaction to what's going on in front of him is perfect. Eldard really captures both the self-centeredness and the basic good heartedness of this guy...and while the director and the writer deserve all the credit for keeping this character from veering too far into either direction--it really falls to Eldard to keep him from appearing to be both a selfish jerk and a mopey sad sack punching bag for the rest of the clearly unhappy people in the film to abuse. It really is a good performance that makes the whole film really seem a lot better then it prob would be with somebody else in the lead. Again as a whole the film is only all right--but as a character study of this guy trying to figure out the rest of his life while burdened with guilt about how he led the majority of his life so far--it was quite well done. Also as someone who lives here--i did love the full on location shooting that's happening here, while i could do without Jill Hennesey's condescending attitude towards "never leaving queens" i did love seeing certain locations on screen--enough to wanna shout "that's near my house" to anyone who was in the theater with me (of course seeing as how there were only about two other people there--i wisely did not.)

petesea Jimmy was a roadie for Blue Oyster Cult all his adult life who has - painfully and wrongfully according to him - been fired by the band and left by them somewhere in the wilds of Michigan. With nowhere else to go, he makes his way back home to Queens where he has not been since his father's death many, many years before. He has barely spoken with his mother in the interim and now he overstates his role with the band to her - manager, writer, producer, etc. He tries to collect himself to deal with this massive setback, but he is not making the situation any better with angry calls to the band's actual manager.I think that roadie is one of the coolest jobs in the world next to rock star and Jimmy does as well. I, too, would have major problems dealing with his rude awakening after so many years and the loss of his livelihood and dream.Out for some butter for his Mom's famous tuna melts, Jimmy runs into a high school classmate who is and was quite a butt-head who is now married to Jimmy's first love, Nikki. Jimmy and Nikki wind up back in his boyhood room which is untouched by time and looks like a "rock and roll museum" according to Nikki.Out of his vinyl record collection, Nikki pulls out Ratcity In Blue by, local 70s favorites, the Good Rats and they listen to a couple of tracks. This brings back memories of seeing the band every Saturday night with their friend Steph - who passed away unbeknownst to Jimmy.This movie is about real people, with lots of issues, who love music and are dealing with some very real problems. If you enjoy music, have been on the road with a band or thought about doing so (one of my life's regrets is turning down an offer to be a roadie) you will really like this movie.Full disclosure - I also own this "original" album with the cool pizza sleeve art, am a huge Good Rats fan and may have seen Steph, Nikki and Jimmy at one of those Saturday night shows back in the day. My heartfelt thanks go to Gerald and Michael Cuesta for a wonderful film and soundtrack including these New York music legends and a great version of Jackson Browne's Stay by Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows. Did they misspell "Peppi" Marchello in the closing thanks to him?

VikyO I caught this on Amazon.com before it hits the theaters in January. This is one of the few movies I really wanted to like before I saw it, and it did not let me down. I don't know what the nay-sayer movie critics are talking about who didn't like this film. The script has depth, there's great music, an engaging story-line, characters the audience member will care about, and humor in most ordinary, unexpected places. The actors bring their characters to life in unique ways that only those with skill and knack can bring.Ron Eldard and Lois Smith make such a great mother-son team. They had great chemistry. I hope both get Academy award nominations. They deserve it!I've always liked Bobby Cannavale ever since "Will & Grace". He and Jill Hennessy do excellent jobs in their supporting roles.The whole feel of the film is authenticity and spontaneity, as if we're truly eavesdropping on these characters' lives. There's nothing staged or "actorish" about this film.Love the BOC music. Its great to hear some of their lesser played, but no less great "other" hits. And its nice that Ron's character gives the band and Buck Dharma's genius permanent celluloid recognition that is overdue.