New York Doll
New York Doll
PG-13 | 20 January 2005 (USA)
New York Doll Trailers

A recovering alcoholic and recently converted Mormon, Arthur "Killer" Kane, of the rock band The New York Dolls, is given a chance at reuniting with his band after 30 years.

Reviews
Softwing

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

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SparkMore

n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

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Iseerphia

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

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Delight

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

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jokermtb

This is a terrific movie. Somewhat similar to the other great roc-umentary "the story of Anvil", this movie has everything a good story requires - a compelling background, interesting characters, and a "satisfying" ending. I discovered this flick via the New York Dolls page on Facebook, where I downloaded the movie for a couple of Washingtons. I don't usually do so, but for some reason I was really drawn to the story. I've been a Dolls fan since I was a teenager, and discovered the Dolls, not too long after Johnny Thunders died, so I kinda missed the whole thing, but that didn't stop me from discovering, and enjoying this band. Like many, the Dolls were a huge influence on my developing musical tastes, and also why I play guitar. The documentary is very well done, and opens a door in the life of someone who basically got left behind, but thru just sheer cosmic luck, somehow manages to craft a dream come true ending for himself, before fate strikes once again. I honestly believe ANYone will like this movie, even if they never heard of the Dolls. R.I.P. Arthur!

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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.

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hardy_johnson

"New York Doll" is an true-life story of humanity, rock & roll, and redemption. Fueled by a propulsive soundtrack, Greg Whitely uses a light touch in his directorial debut. The result is a moving independent film; spare, authentic, and emotional.This is no "Behind The Music", but a reason to love rock & roll for all it is; both good and bad. Arthur "Killer" Kane achieved quick success in the early 70s with The New York Dolls. Infused with part Ramones, Ziggy Stardust, and Sex Pistols, The Dolls were avante garde rebels in an era when rock & roll fans were looking for a new direction.Commentary by Morrisey, Iggy Pop, and Sir Bob Geldof paint the backdrop. Greg Whitely's genealogical timeline takes us through the tragic fall and slow path towards redemption, culminating with a re-union concert in London.Stay tuned through the credits for a special arrangement of a hymn, arranged and performed by Johansen and Sylvain. The bluesy acoustics, Johansen's raspy lyrical pathos, and plaintive harmonica brought a tear to my eye.

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Billius44

Wonderful. This is a great, non-judgmental movie about the life and times of a somewhat sad, sweet, messed-up rock'n'roller who finds salvation with the LDS church. Paints a (perhaps flattering) picture of just why the NY Dolls were so important to a certain generation.The thing that speaks most in its favour is that even though the documentary was made by a Mormon director about one of their flock, I wasn't aware of the director's affiliations until reading about the film afterwards. The ending was unexpected, bittersweet and somehow fitting.Oh, and even in half-assed rehearsal with crappy sound, the music still shines through as something special.

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