Courtesy: Magnolia Pictures
Joan Jett is one of the most important figures in the modern history of rock music. From her days with The Runaways to her time with The Blackhearts, she has blazed a trail for countless musicians while also making remaining active in a variety of causes. Now thanks to Magnolia Pictures, Jett is getting the recognition that she has deserved for such a long time in the form of the new rock doc Bad Reputation. Released on DVD on Jan.1 via Magnolia Pictures, the 93-minute doc takes audiences through the life and ongoing career of the famed rocker, who proves in this program to be anything but the typical rock star. That story forms a strong foundation for the documentary, and will be discussed shortly. The bonus material included with the documentary gives audiences at least a little bit more to appreciate about the presentation. The documentary’s average price point rounds out its most important elements. Each item is key in its own way to the whole of Bad Reputation. All things considered, they make Bad Reputation a very good documentary.
Magnolia Pictures’ new profile of Joan Jett, Bad Reputation, is a fitting tribute to the trailblazing musician/performer. That is proven in part through the story at the center of the documentary. The story is told in part from Jett herself and those closest to her, such as former and current band members, fellow celebrities and friends. Listening to Jett talk, audiences will appreciate her grounded nature. She does not have any sense of self-indulgence or ego. Rather, there is a certain sense of humility about her as she talks about The Runaways’ acceptance overseas, The Blackhearts’ place in the music industry and her own personal views on items, such as animal rights and feminism. Jett said of The Runaways’ acceptance in Japan, “I thought it was exhilarating. They loved their music stars over there.” The tone in her voice as she made those statements truly exhibits that humility. Comments from the likes of Iggy Pop, Jett’s sister Ann Larkin and Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong prove even more, that said humility is real. Larkin notes in one segment that Jett’s rebellion was not against her parents, but against society. In fact, Jett herself recalls warmly, how supportive her parents were of her from an early age, adding that they were the ones who gave Jett her first guitar and told her that she could do anything that they wanted to do in life. Pop notes that the era in which Jett’s star was rising, “A lot of women wanted to rock. The problem was that they were always in a sidecar role. Joan Jett was nobody’s sidecar.” Armstrong adds to Pop’s statements, noting that Jett’s work as being “kick-ass songs.” This emphasizes that determination from Jett to be noticed in what was then (and still is today) a very male-dominated industry. Between the comments from Jett’s contemporaries, her family and friends, and those from Jett herself, the story that is presented proves to be one that will keep audiences fully engaged throughout the course of the program from start to end. Keeping that in mind, the story at the center of Bad Reputation is a very good story, and gives audiences more than enough reason to watch. Of course it is just one of the items that makes the recently released DVD worth viewing. The bonus material included with the DVD gives audiences a little more to appreciate.
The bonus material featured with Bad Reputation is a pair of performances from Jett and company. One is a performance of her hit singles ‘Bad Reputation’ and ‘Fresh Start’ at the premiere of Bad Reputation in a semi-acoustic setting. The other features Jett and company performing the same two songs on the group’s tour bus and at a live soundcheck. In essence audiences get a light glimpse of the same songs in different settings through that bonus material. There is also an extended piece of backstage footage of Jett and company at the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. That was the ceremony at which Jett was inducted into the famed institution. Some of the footage was included as part of the story at the center of Bad Reputation. Getting to see the footage in more depth creates even more appreciation for the overall presentation that is Bad Reputation. Given, it is not much when it comes to bonus material. There is no getting around this. However, considering all of the live material and “home movies” that are used to help tell the central story of Bad Reputation, this additional material proves to be entertaining, if not invaluable. To that end, the bonus material, while bare at its best, is still a positive in its own right to the whole of the doc. When it is considered along with the central story and all that said story offers audiences, the pairing of the two still gives audiences plenty of entertainment and engagement. The documentary’s average price point makes that entertainment and engagement money well-spent.
The average price point of Bad Reputation is $15.88. That price was determined using prices listed at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Books-A-Million. Considering that the most expensive of the listed prices is $19.98 (at Walmart.com) and the least expensive is $13.99 (Best Buy and Amazon), that average price is actually a relatively solid mid-point. Add in the overall depth and breadth of Bad Reputation’s story, and audiences will agree that a price of less than $20 for this deep story is not a bad price at all. Rather, they will agree that it is money well-spent on a documentary that generation of audiences will appreciate. When all of this is considered together, audiences will agree, again, that Bad Reputation is a doc whose reputation is in fact quite good.
Magnolia Pictures’ new Joan Jett profile Bad Reputation is a very good presentation on the famed musician/performer’s life and career. It is a work that rock and roll aficionados across the board will appreciate. That is due in large part to the doc’s central story, which presents Jett as quite the humble, down to earth figure, completely unlike so many rock stars past and present. The bonus material included with the DVD adds a little bit more for audiences to appreciate. The disc’s average price point of less than $20 gives audiences even more reason to give this documentary a chance. Each item is important in its own right to the whole of Bad Reputation. All things considered, they give this program its own very good reputation. More information on Bad Reputation is available online now at:
Website: http://www.badreputationfilm.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/badrepfilm
Twitter: http://twitter.com/badrepfilm
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