Brutal Beauty: Tales of the Rose City Rollers

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Brutal Beauty: Tales of the Rose City Rollers

2010

1h 20m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Members of an Oregon-based roller derby team talk about what the sport means to them.

Jeff Shannon

Seattle Times

It's a lot of fun, but it's not the whole story.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 11, 2010

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

The scrappy, admiring Brutal Beauty is an energetic personality parade of some of the sport's die-hards.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 30, 2010

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Even when logic dictates that the film is falling a bit short the film itself remains undeniably entertaining.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 4, 2020

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Frank Lovece

Film Journal International

Documentary about women's roller-derby in Portland, Ore., showcases a talented new director but doesn't disclose its executive producer's ties to the organization, making objectivity suspect.

Dec 17, 2010

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Deidre Crawford

L.A. Weekly

Mabry makes a convincing case that roller derby is more than just a hobby - it's a chance for the everywoman to develop the alter ego she's always wished she had.

Sep 30, 2010

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Robert W. Butler

Kansas City Star

This is all fine, but it doesn't add up to much. There's no through-story here, just a collection of observations.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 16, 2010

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Audience Member

This is a well-worth seeing documentary. The footage was engaging throughout and the soundtrack well-thought out. The director did a fantastic job of pulling out the passion of each player on and off the track. We get an authentic view of the workings of the girl-powered sport of roller derby and the generation it has touched. Well done.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

A pretty well-made look at a few teams within the Portland Roller Derby league. Interesting testimonials about what derby has done to enhance these womens' lives anchor an emotional season full of ups and downs with the different teams. Makes me want to strap on some skates!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

Doesn't seem fair to rate a movie about roller derby. The whole subject is so damned interesting and energizing that even the least accomplished documentary will hold my attention. Sort of like pornography, I suppose, but not in a creepy way, I hope. While not discounting the role of heterosexuality, I suggest that roller derby enthralls the straight man not so much via the outfits but via the prevalence of confident, powerful, happy women having a blast and loving themselves and their energy. This documentary lacks a little focus, perhaps. Neither this nor WHIP IT is stellar art, but the roller derby and the girls of roller derby survive both, I'd say, and make both better movies than they have a right to be.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

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Audience Member

Excellent look at this intense sport and the amazing women who dedicate themselves to the sport. Realistic and intimate look at some of the players. Fun to watch!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Chip Mabry

Director

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Synopsis

Members of an Oregon-based roller derby team talk about what the sport means to them.

Director: Chip Mabry
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Apr 5, 2011
Runtime: 1h 20m