Remember those months ago, when I promised to get my large rear into shape and try for landing a spot on a roller derby team? Well, I’m sure you’ve realized that I haven’t done so. Any of it. I’m still pudgy and haven’t gone near a pair of rollerskates since, I’m assuming, some random sixth grade birthday party. I haven’t changed my mind, though, I swear! I am just as excited about these things as I was when I felt the urge to write about them. I’ve got my name picked out (provided no skank steals it before I can get it registered) and I plan on actually attending some fucking bouts so I can really get this nasty, eternal case of laziness out of here. But I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve suddenly rekindled my flame? Well, I finally saw the movie Whip It!.
Recent-crush Bethany and I had a work/school-week, Wednesday night movie date at her place (complete with root brewskies and the most delicious calzones I’ve ever had!). I brought with me (500) Days of Summer (something she hadn’t seen), Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (something I haven’t seen), and Whip It! (something neither of us had seen) – we both sort of jumped at the idea of watching Drew Barrymore’s cinematic directorial debut and immediately loved our decision. This movie, it was delightful.
Ellen Page stars as Bliss Cavendar (p.s. I wasn’t a total fan of the names in this movie, but I digress), your typical town misfit but with a shy demeanor who’s too chicken to tell her mom what she doesn’t like (probably because said unliked things are her mom’s favorite things). She’s wasting away in high school and at her part-time job (poop, I forget what’s it called, but it had a big pig on the roof), along with her best friend Pash (see what I mean about the names?) – played by future Crush, Alia Shawkat – who dreams of attending an Ivy League school in any place but Texas. Cut to Bliss being introduced to the wild world of derby, and angst, love, and transformation abound.
Throw in Kristen Wiig, Eve, the aforementioned Drew, and Juliet Lewis playing the “villain” (who, of course, doesn’t end up so bad after all), and I don’t know how you could make a movie more perfect for me (and Bethany at that!). Oh, you could probably also have one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard. That could help.
So, yeah. This is happening, dudes. I’m still dreaming of earning a spot on any of the Philly Roller Girls teams. They’ve got auditions once per year (I actually attended the last one, but didn’t try out; I just wanted to see what it was like), which means I must get it together, Tyrone! I wonder if any buddies of mine would want to join with me. Or just sponsor me or support me or kick my ass into frigging doing it, finally!
Anywho. Here are more stills from the movie because these girls are beautiful. And a big ol’ “well done” to Drew for making this thing look amazing! (I know she reads this.)
This kind of reminded me of that scene at the end of Labyrinth (another movie I saw recently and for the first time with Bethany!).