Tales of the Geeky Vixen

I have never been one to attend a sneak preview of a movie. I usually say, "Oh, I'll just wait a week." Not so with Whip It. A few posts ago I posted the trailer for this film, and, given my interest in roller derby, I've been excited about it since. After the rain changed our plans, we decided to give it a shot (plus, there was a free t-shirt in it for us). We got to the theater early, and took our seats. Soon after, our local roller derby girls showed up to peep the film. And that was pretty much it: me, Mr. Geeky V, our friends, and the roller girls. I don't know if it was the rain or Fame, but people weren't interested apparently.

They missed out. Honestly, this film was inspiring and beautiful in the most dangerous way. Drew Barrymore kicks ass as a director, and Ellen Page does a bang-up job as our heroine. For those of you who haven't seen the trailer, the story follows a teenager whose mom drags her to beauty pageants. Bliss (Page) sneaks off to Austin with her best friend Pash (Alia Shawkat in a role that rivals her work on Arrested Development) to a roller derby bout. She falls in love with the sport and after the bout tells Maggie Mayhem (Kristen Wiig) that they are her new heroes. Maggie says, "Well, put on some skates and be your own hero." (Incidentally, one of the Hard Knox Roller Girls said something similar to me at AdventureCon this summer.) Needless to say Bliss, after a training montage, becomes one of the Hurl Scouts, and the rest, well, you'll just have to see for yourself.

The movie is funny, inspiring, girl power goodness. Guys will enjoy it for the girl fights, and girls will go join their local roller derby league the next day. The message is not heavy-handed or cliche at all. And the soundtrack rocks (see "Pot Kettle Black" by Tilly and the Wall).

This is definitely one not to miss. Girls, grab your tribe, and head to the theater. By the way, the t-shirt kicks ass, too.
By the way, after the movie, one of the roller girls invited me and my friend to a practice. I'll keep you posted if I decide to go. :)