VividSimon Simply Perfect

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.

Anoushka Slater While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Fatma Suarez The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

SnoopyStyle Arthur 'Killer' Kane was the bass guitarist for the pioneering The New York Dolls during the 70s. After the band breakup, his career never reached the same heights. Later, he surprised everyone by joining the Mormon church. He works at the church library. He's always broke but his drug and alcohol days are in the past. Then he's given a chance to reunite with his band and he's nervously excited. David Johansen and him have issues in the past. Can they keep it in the past?.This starts with some big names expounding effusive praises on the New York Dolls. It lays down the groundwork for their importance during those times. Then the surprise is Kane as a Mormon. At first, he looks lost like a homeless guy in his thrift store best. The drama isn't that high but Kane is full of humanity. That's what's compelling in this. It's trying to read into the mind of Kane.

rugb This film brought me to tears. I did not expect the story I encountered. I found it by accident on the Documentary Channel. Based on a few minor familiarities, I should have been more aware of this story. Yet I knew little of the New York Dolls, their music and the intricate vein of Arthur "Killer" Kane's life that resulted in this film.I'm a fan of The Smiths and was always aware of Morrissey's connection to the Dolls as their UK fan club president. A few of my favorite late-70s/early-80s bands often credited the Dolls as a major influence. Yet I never took the time to seek out their music, despite music-collecting being one of my favorite hobbies. I also recall Buster Poindexter and David Johansen's role in the movie "Scrooged." I don't emotionally invest in pop culture or worship celebrity so that was all the knowledge I had of these characters. However, I'm a useless-facts junkie, usually observant of the obscure and gravitate a little toward the counter-culture. So I should have known something about this.To add to the circle of tangential connections, I'm also Mormon. Yet I never knew of Kane's conversion nor was I aware of this story until now. I'm embarrassed I know so little about something I'm connected with both through my favorite music and my religion. Nevertheless, I'm extremely grateful to have stumbled upon this film and for the efforts made by the filmmaker to make it happen. I think Morrissey was a conduit in the hands of God, whether he believes it or not, to help fulfill a 30-year wish of a tortured man.Obviously, Morrissey was one of their biggest fans, but fame causes many to lose sight of reality. Even when successful people give back, it sometimes seems feigned via contrived charities and photo ops. That's how I always perceived Bob Geldof and his so-called charities. So it was no surprise to me that he gave one the most jaded, back-handed commentaries on Kane throughout the film. Given the bad experiences some people have in religion and the misguided perception a lot of people have of Mormons, I'd say it was rather magnanimous of Morrissey and others to go through with everything and continually praise Kane as a musician, as a person in general and for his choice in personal beliefs.It was the final scenes and Kane's overall persona that really struck a chord (pun intended) and inspired me. I was a little turned off by Johansen's mockery of the Mormon faith. It didn't help to watch the many perpetual myths and misinformation of Mormons go unchallenged in that same scene, as always. (e.g. myth - Mormons have never been asked to abstain from caffeine. It's not the crux of abstention from coffee.) However, Johansen redeemed himself in the end with his kind comments about Kane. It was also nice to hear Johansen's homage to Mormons via the song at the end, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." (An absolutely moving song if you ever get a chance to hear it sung a cappella.) Through it all, Kane remained humble, stalwart, confident and composed. If you ever wanted to truly understand the tenets or mindsets of Mormons, and not the misguided crap you get everywhere else, Kane's post-conversion life is great example. His personality is the epitome of Mormon beliefs and a Christ-like person. He never shirked responsibility to his church nor his fellow man. He never blamed, spoke ill or got too down on himself despite a lack of wealth, defeated life and old grudges. Kane had little, yet gave everything he had to bring about a lifelong dream of a reunion and to mend broken relationships. He simultaneously lived in both worlds (his past glory and present faith), as if everything culminated with purpose. All the wheels and cogs aligned perfectly to make it happen, even if only for a brief moment in time. Yet, consider how little was required to potentially ignore or destroy such a beautiful story. It only needed one person in the mix to say, "No. I can't be bothered." Not only did the reunion happen, but it was uncharacteristically triumphant and successful. I don't think it was a coincidence. It seemed to happen just long enough to simply allow it to happen; to merely edify the prayer of a faithful man who sacrificed pride for a love of God and was rewarded quite simply and directly for his effort.Meanwhile, Kane never regressed into his old lifestyle or felt regretful about it. He could have easily caved, especially considering his health. However, he was steadfast to the end, doing his duty, seeking a kind of content happiness that can't be explained or found in a worldly vice. Ironically, a former alcoholic, rock-n-roll legend and mid-life convert to the Mormon faith is a better example than I – a lifelong Mormon. However, you'll find the most diligent and faithful ones are the late converts, not the ones born into it, because those who find it later don't take it for granted. Arthur "Killer" Kane has inspired me to try harder, to have bit more faith – especially in others, and to be a better person.

spartacus34 I watched this movie a week ago and I can honestly say I have found myself thinking about it every day since viewed this "Gem". Arthur "Killer" Kane is as memorable a figure as I have ever seen or or more appropriately "experienced". He is quirky, he is lost, he is sweet and he is naive it just so happens at one time he was the bassist for The New York Dolls a pre-punk band that had mild commercial success in the mid 70's. Who are th New York Dolls you say? They turn out to be the inspiration for artists like Morrissey, Chryssie Hynde, Mick Jones and The Clash as well as Bob Geldof amongst others. The New York Dolls were credited in the movie for creating what became the punk rock wave that hit England in the late 70's. What intrigued me was that they are credited for the movement a few times in the movie and according to Mick Jones of the Clash, this all came from a SINGLE television appearance the Dolls made while in England. Watching this movie was like seeing a biography of Dr. Jekyll. Kane (Jekyll) is older, wiser and filled with faith and regret of "what could have been" beating himself up for the destruction he has caused to himself, his former wife and questioning himself about what he could have done to stop the tidal wave of failure that followed in the wake of the break up of the Dolls . Kane clings onto the hope of reuniting with his 2 surviving former band mates, like Linus does his blanket. I was moved to see a man who once was a "rock god", now humbled as he is filmed riding the bus to his job as a glorified "gopher" at the Latter Day Saints family history library in Los Angeles. Kane the once proud and defiant bass player is shown to be so broke now that his LDS church loans him the money to get his bass out of a pawn shop. Kane is shown to be deeply religious but even that does not help in dealing with his anger and jealousy over the career that David Johansen aka "Buster Poindexter" has carved out over the years while Kane faded into alcoholism, poverty and obscurity. Arthur Kane reflects the pain and confusion that everyone has experienced at one time in their life, wondering how something wonderful and so precious was lost, praying that the opportunity avails itself one last time and to embrace and clutch onto the moment. I will not spoil the ending to this beautifully crafted movie, a film that is at times funny ,emotionally devastating and inspirational. I will say that it was the first time I shed tears during the credits of movie in more than 20 years. Do yourself a favor see this movie even if you are not a fan of the New York Dolls, I am sure after you see the movie you will be...

Ric-7 There are so many wonderful things in this film that it would be a disservice for me to point them out if you haven't seen the film. If you've seen it, I need not remind you. The cinematography leaves quite a bit to be desired, but that is amply compensated by the humanity which enlightens this film. I am not sure that the film can be fully appreciated by any viewer under 30. But once you have the perspective of age, so that you can view your own life as "then" and "now," this film would be infinitely more meaningful. And the ending of this documentary is something no director could have planned. Outstanding.