Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Phil Tennant If you watch this movie expecting to see an intelligent appraisal of heavy metal you are in for an enormous disappointment. This mostly an embarrassing parade of C grade LA Glam bands that never made it, more interested in their looks and "P***y" than the music. Lemmy, Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Ozzy and Steve and Joe from Aerosmith are the only voices of reason. Chris Holmes from WASP is pitiful in his pool scene, and just sad guzzling bottles of smirnoff. Totally USA centric The title of the metal years conjours images of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, not "London" or 'Seduce" (Who!!?) This is a lovefest for the LA scene of the late '80's. Crowning glory, Paul Stanley with 3 groupies draped across him, gazing adoringly at him while he talks about how transient they are. Pathetic. Just made me embarrassed to be associated with the genre

KillaWhat? I'm generally into rock and metal documentaries of famous bands. I came across this while looking for said music documentaries similar to Spinal Tap and this was a recommendation. After reading some reviews of my own it was portrayed as "funny" documentary. The only thing I found funny about this was looking 30 years into the past and the ridiculousness of it all. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the documentary. The interviewer takes a step back and asks some tough questions of the interviewed bands. Showing some of the highs (KISS) but mostly lows and sometimes almost tragic (Chris Holmes). It's amazing some of the interviews with bands at the time that didn't go anywhere, however the belief that they had in themselves and the self denial is remarkable. The documentary also delves into the associated world of female groupies who thought it necessary to parade themselves in bikini contests (and their obvious lack of reality and self denial). That said, DAMN their was some fit bodies! I think the film was well worth watching for some of the bigger names: Ozzy Osbourne was pretty funny (when he was at least coherent), Lemmy was probably the most truthful about the scene and industry at the time, KISS (Gene Simmons and Paul Stanly) showing the pretentiousness of it all. Dave Mustane from Megadeths interview was interesting, considering the songs played and you can see the references back to and disdain of Metallica. Overall the film captures a very ridiculous point in time and music that will never be repeated and really should be watched by any music fan.

peterpants66 Penelope Spheeris blows the framework off Hollywood with this in-depth look at the cost of Rock and Roll in this perfect companion to the original Decline. The topic is metal and right from the moment go the movie starts addressing what is metal, why these people like it, and what it does exactly. Lizzey Bordin opens the film quite splendidly with a roaring version of the often copied "born to be wild". This is about one million times better then the original i might say. The singer laments on how full of bands the L.A. scene is and how hard it is to make it, a point/counterpoint exchange begins with bands like the moderately popular LB, to the slightly more popular Faster Pussycat, to well established rockers like Aerosmith and Megadeth. Im in a rock band and anyone who's in one or thinking about it should see and study this film, even if your not a rocker its an amazing time capsule. The interviews are mostly done on a small stage with a table and a single hanging light-bulb. The other half of interviews comes anywhere from couches to beds strewn with scantily clad woman, and yes this is a documentary so its all real as were reminded by Paul Stanley of Kiss. There's a colorful group of characters in this film from struttin stars like Faster Pussycat to the the more stripped down Megadeth the movie shows either end of the rock image of the late eighties. What should really be done is a "where are they now" with all the kids featured in this movie. I grew up in the nineties so grunge was more of the fashion mold, and it didn't change my style to much, but some of these kids are just unreal. Most interviewed don't have jobs (at least thats what they say) and they live off rock babes. Their dreams, and passion to be involved in the game are unmatched by todays standards. I love the clip of the kid with all the make-up and hair saying "my mom thinks this is just a phase" wow, like to see if he's still poofin up his hair and putting on lipstick before he hits the clubs. This movie is a terribly interesting depth into what being in a full time band and trying to make it was like at a time before the internet, before cellphones, this was a time when even video was scarce, you were putting up flyer's and hustling every hoochie mama you could swindle to get by. Its real its raw, its metal, and if you haven't seen the original Decline, you should its equally if not more mind blowin. So iron your Mohawk and bust out moms makeup its time to rock...80's style. Ten thumbs up, utterly amazing.

micame-1 As a former metal groupie (the horror!), when I saw this depiction of the lonely lives and substance-riddled minds of my heroes, it actually inspired me to go to college! It is a poignant, wistful, sad, and insightful look at a genre of music that instilled fear in the hearts of parents(well, at least in mine), and a venue for teens to unleash their anger toward a misunderstanding world.The best kind of musical documentary is always done best through the eyes of a true fan, and Penelope Spheeris is no exception. While to the casual viewer the film may seem shallow and all fluff (which is how the LA metal was widely portrayed), if one looks past the hair, excess, bravado, t & a, and flowing alcohol,it is easy to uncover the painfully lonely, opportunistic, naiveté' of the struggling bands, and even some of those who "made it." The scene with Chris Holmes guzzling vodka in his pool was simply heartbreaking...and the expressions on his mother's face were fully able to convey her harsh reality. Some of the "classic" performers... Aerosmith, Ozzy, and Lemmy were able to reflect on the business with some learned wisdom, while Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons attempted to convey a fantasy life that appeared way too scripted and laughable (I'm still a huge KISS fan, though). One interesting element in viewing the film almost 20 years later, is how some of the bands downplayed or sidestepped the issue of drug use (note the expressions on their faces when substances are discussed), then appear on "Behind the Music" years later to reveal their debilitating addictions.Having been involved peripherally in the scene for a few years, I can say that Spheeris' portrayal was 100% accurate based on what I witnessed. I would've liked to have seen the inclusion of other important bands of the LA scene (Motley Crue, Skid Row, etc), and a separate documentary highlighting British metal (Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest)would've been fantastic.It was a fun, irreverent, and exciting time! I can look back at it and laugh since I emerged relatively unscathed... although I am somewhat embarrassed by the extraordinary heights of my hair and the plunging depths of my blouses in "86.