sammi says

"The Runaways" was probably the movie most likely to disappoint, that didn't. The music is what intrigued me to see this movie; the actors chosen to play Runaways member's Cherie Curie (Dakota Fanning) and Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) scared me. Kristen Stewart is one of those actresses you either love or hate, there is no in between. I had not been aware of Kristen in her pre-"Twilight" indie movie roles and only started paying attention when she became a gossip-column fixture. I was not impressed with her acting skills in "Twilight," but since I've seen more of her body of work I want to blame her bad rep on the "Twilight" material and the character she plays.

If you've ever seen an interview with Stewart she seems like the most awkward, confused, twitchy person which can certainly rub people the wrong way. In a way, I think she almost has John Mayer-syndrome. We're so used to celebrities acting a certain way; having rehearsed answers to questions, to keep their opinions to themselves and basically have their guard up at all times. Like John Mayer, I think she says the first thing that comes to her mind and is more honest and real than most young actresses. She dresses like crap, doesn't smile at the paparazzi and generally doesn't enjoy her level of fame. I wouldn't expect a clothing line, perfume or ad campaign out of her anytime soon and that's sort of refreshing.

It seems that smaller roles like Joan Jett in "The Runaways" really suit Kristen Stewart. I thought she sounded amazing, had a kick ass attitude and was overall extremely likable and believable as Joan Jett. Even though the story is focused more around Cherie Curie, Kristen stole the show. I never once thought during the movie that Bella Swan was playing a rock star, whereas I had a harder time believing sweet, baby-faced Dakota Fanning was the over-sexualized, sultry, drug-ridden Curie. I don't think it was necessarily Fanning's acting that didn't work, but more along the lines of forever remembering her as the adorable brat in "Uptown Girls." During the more racy scenes I couldn't help but think, "You're just a little girl!!!" Which in retrospect, is probably what the audience is supposed to be thinking considering the real-life Curie was also only 15 years old during the Runaways rise to fame.

I left the movie feeling pleasantly surprised. The music was great. The hair, make up and costumes kept me interested the entire time. There were a few scenes that seemed too dragged out, but other than that, the movie rocked*.


*pun intended