New York Doll (grace, elder, hell, Mormonism, America)

[Katzpur]

Just thought I'd give a quick review of a movie I saw last week...

"New York Doll" is a documentary that was just released here in Salt Lake City. It was actually shown for the first time at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City last January. I'm not sure where it has played so far or where it will be playing in the future. It was highly-acclaimed at the Festival, though, and I'd just like to add my two cents worth that it was well-worth the price of the ticket.

It is the story of the last fifteen years in the life of Arthur "Killer" Kane, the drummer of the 70's punk rock band, "New York Dolls." It chronicles the break-up of the band and the resulting depression than Kane went through afterwards, his dreams that the band would someday perform again and his conversion to Mormonism. It was an emotional but uplifting story and a very well-done film. I would highly recommend it to anyone who even suspects that they might find it interesting.

[Ryan2065]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

"New York Doll" is a documentary that was just released here in Salt Lake City.

I don't think theres much chance that movie will be released anywhere that does not have a huge Mormon population... The nearest temple from my house is like a hour away (yea, none in Chicago) so I doubt I'll get a chace to see it. But might keep an eye out for it in Blockbuster... Does it do a good job showing the conversion and staying with the facts rather than public stereotypes of Mormons?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Ryan2065

I don't think theres much chance that movie will be released anywhere that does not have a huge Mormon population...

Actually, I understand that it was released, and did very well, in both New York (where the "Dolls" originated, of course) and Los Angeles, where "Killer" Kane lived after leaving New York.

The nearest temple from my house is like a hour away (yea, none in Chicago) so I doubt I'll get a chace to see it.

There is a temple in Glenview. It was dedicated in 1985. I don't know how close Glenview is to Chicago. I'm assuming it's a suburb, since the temple is known as the Chicago Temple. Here's what it looks like.

But might keep an eye out for it in Blockbuster...

You might want to check with them now and then. It's an independent film and I don't know how likely it will be that it will be released on DVD.

Does it do a good job showing the conversion and staying with the facts rather than public stereotypes of Mormons?

His conversion was roughly fifteen years ago, at a time when the "Dolls" were no longer in existance, so it doesn't actually show the events surrounding his conversion. He talks about them, though. The film shows him working in the LDS Family History Library in Los Angeles, among all these elderly people who, in interviews, say things like, "Gosh, I never thought I'd ever know a real rock star! I'm pretty old, but maybe I'm not too old to be a groupie." It's just kind of entertaining that way.

About half of the total time (78 minutes) deal specifically with his membership in the Church and the other half deal with the Dolls and their reunion performance (at least the reunion with those who are still living) in London about a year and a half ago -- shortly before Killer died of Leukemia. It doesn't actually address a whole lot of doctrinal issues. Instead it focuses on him and the part the Church played in his life.

Here's the website for the movie: http://www.newyorkdollmovie.com/?nopop=1

[jonny]

Thanks for the review. I was debating whether or not to go see this one...there are too many Mormon movies out right now that I'd like to see. American Zion and States of Grace are on the list, but I'll probably wait till they are in the dollar theater.

[nutshell]

Any opinions on American Zion? My Bishop actually discouraged members from taking non-members to the film because it dealt with the early persecution of the Church. :/ ???

[jonny]

Originally Posted by nutshell

Any opinions on American Zion? My Bishop actually discouraged members from taking non-members to the film because it dealt with the early persecution of the Church. :/ ???

Like it's some secret? Why would we want to hide our country's history from people who are not LDS?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by jonny

Thanks for the review. I was debating whether or not to go see this one...there are too many Mormon movies out right now that I'd like to see. American Zion and States of Grace are on the list, but I'll probably wait till they are in the dollar theater.

Well, I wouldn't call this one a "Mormon movie." Like I said, it was highly acclaimed at the Sundance Film Festival and for people who enjoy the kinds of films that are not typically "Hollywood," this is a really good one. Non-Mormons who have any kind of interest in "rockumentaries" would enjoy it every bit as much as Mormons.

[nutshell]

Originally Posted by jonny

Like it's some secret? Why would we want to hide our country's history from people who are not LDS?

I don't think he wants to hide the history, rather, he doesn't see it as a good missionary opportunity because it is not uplifting.

[jonny]

Yeah, I'm kind of slow, but I finally got around to seeing this film (thanks to Comcast on Demand). I really enjoyed it. It was funny in some part and extremely touching in others. I couldn't stop laughing when Arthur "Killer" Kane was determined to dress up like Joseph Smith (in black leather pants and a "puffy" shirt just like on Seinfeld) for their concert. I was also completely shocked about the end.

Great movie! I recommend this one.

Edit: Oh, yeah. Those ladies in the Family History Library were hillarious!