Girls Rock! (2007) User Reviews

Erasing Stereotypes & Other Social Evils

[Seamus2829 · 9/10 · 26 April 2008]

For anybody who thinks that young girls only listen to vapid pop dreck like Britney Spears is in for a BIG surprise with this film. This documentary covers a week at a Rock & Roll camp for girls, ages 8 to 18 with image concerns/problems,broken homes,etc. It focuses on several campers who are encouraged to take up musical instruments,write songs & eventually,play their songs for an audience. More than anything else, the program acts to inject these girls with a sense of self esteem (who had very little no none at all). The program also acts to try and erase the damaging effects of negative body image,and other social evils that have done little more than to knock these young girls down several levels. Some of the campers have deep anger issues as a result of this, and act them out (body language,behavior,etc.). The film itself has a "do it yourself" kind of grainy,kitchen sink look that proves that a film doesn't need to have a ten trillion dollar budget,shot on IMAX, with a 15 channel,Dolby stereo system to put it's point across (which only acts as an antithesis for Punk,Metal,etc.). As one of the reviews in the trailer blurt out..."take your daughter to see this one"

Parents beware! W/ language & the behavior consider PG-13.

[baPhatz · 3/10 · 21 February 2009]

Parents beware! This doc is sure to appeal to a few girls 9-15 especially if they are the 'rocker' type BUT it sends mixed messages. The intentions may be in the right place but the documentary falls short of being 'empowering'. Some girls can relate to, saying "she's like me." Its not uplifting nor are all the messages healthy. They do talk about anorexia bulimia diet drugs to get thin. They say you don't need to be like that but show clips of Britney Spears. WHAT? Many of these girls had deep anger, self esteem and grief issues. The camp leaders seem to have few answers. There are certainly some very positive message. So I give it 3*s. I watched this with my 14 year old female cousin and my 19 year old male cousin. When the words 'popularity-hore' were thrown around loosely I was shocked this has a PG rating. The language & the behavior must be considered PG13. They call each other smartass & use language like pissedoff and dam screwed and more from the mouth of kids. One girl bites others and another punches. I was very relieved my 4 year old daughter had gone to bed already. Later an 8 years old girl, Palace sang a song "San Fransisco sucks sometimes. Go to Hell Golden gate bridge. San Fansisco Sucks. No place that I wanna live. I don't wanna go there again. With my mom on a business trip. Just seeing its all about her. I'm gonna watch that city burn. And I'm gonna watch that city burn. that city burn, and that city burn..." HORRIFYINGLY ANGRY! and the mom speak proudly of her 8 year old picking outfits to me marketable... Its quite a disturbing sequence. Serious psychological issues should not be advertised as a positive. So this Doc is a mixed bag. I could talk with my cousin about the good and bad at 14, but younger girls should not be shown this behavior without close supervision to lead them through the rights and wrongs of film. Beware Parents. Use wise judgment, but some of you with rockin tweens may want to check it out carefully. Hope this is Helpful!