RELEASED IN 2014 and directed by Andrew Horn, "We are Twisted F***ing Sister!" documents Twisted Sister's slow rise to fame from 1972-1983, focusing on their energetic club days in the New York City region, culminating with their first two albums UNDER THE BLADE (1982) and YOU CAN'T STOP ROCK AND ROLL (1983).
Twisted Sister were outrageous (or eye-rolling) with their make-up shtick, but they were one of the most dynamic live bands and, actually, had some great songs, like "Burn in Hell," "The Beast," "Horror-Teria" and "The Price," all from their best and most popular album STAY HUNGRY (1984).
The movie's edited excellently focusing on interviews with numerous band members, managers, agents, club owners, wives (i.e. Suzette Snider), fans, producers, etc. Guitarist Jay Jay French and front man Dee Snider are, to be expected, the focal point of the interviews. There's also a lot of raw footage from these years, the best being their 1982 debut in England opening for Motorhead with Lemmy's (much needed) blessing. Dee learned from years on the club circuit how to engage an audience and demand nothing but the best.
Personally, I'd be more interested in what happened WHEN they were famous for five years and quickly fell out of vogue circa 1983-1987, but that's another movie. This one is compelling and entertaining throughout, despite its length (2 hours 15 minutes). It goes without saying, skip it if you don't like the 'f' word, lol.
GRADE: B+
Twisted Sister were outrageous (or eye-rolling) with their make-up shtick, but they were one of the most dynamic live bands and, actually, had some great songs, like "Burn in Hell," "The Beast," "Horror-Teria" and "The Price," all from their best and most popular album STAY HUNGRY (1984).
The movie's edited excellently focusing on interviews with numerous band members, managers, agents, club owners, wives (i.e. Suzette Snider), fans, producers, etc. Guitarist Jay Jay French and front man Dee Snider are, to be expected, the focal point of the interviews. There's also a lot of raw footage from these years, the best being their 1982 debut in England opening for Motorhead with Lemmy's (much needed) blessing. Dee learned from years on the club circuit how to engage an audience and demand nothing but the best.
Personally, I'd be more interested in what happened WHEN they were famous for five years and quickly fell out of vogue circa 1983-1987, but that's another movie. This one is compelling and entertaining throughout, despite its length (2 hours 15 minutes). It goes without saying, skip it if you don't like the 'f' word, lol.
GRADE: B+