From Amazon.com
Like professional wrestling, demolition derbies, and monster truck rallies, the roller derby is a fascinating event, even for those who regard it as the depths of lowbrow entertainment. And the reality series
Rollergirls plays on viewers' inherent curiosity in the sport and the women who risk life and limb to do it by exploring their lives on and off the track, with some surprisingly compelling moments. The series focuses on players from the Texas-based TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, each with their own particular dramas: Sister Mary Jane is contemplating a career move, Cha Cha contends with raising a child, Punky Bruiser struggles to break into stand-up comedy, and Lux wrangles a romantic commitment. The series does a decent job of balancing the personal lives of these tough, tattooed athletes with the no-holds-barred action of the derby, and for those convinced that roller derby "girls" are one-dimensional bruisers cut from the same cloth as wrestlers, there's quite a bit of emotion on display as well, especially in several scenes which cover meetings the league holds for players to discuss their feelings (!). Though perhaps not quite on par with other sports-struggle stories as
Hoop Dreams or
The Heart of the Game,
Rollergirls is an engaging program that wears its heart on its bruised and battered sleeve. Extras include profiles of the players featured on the show, as well as the original casting tapes in which they discuss their lives in greater detail. An "Anatomy of the Bout" and featurettes on derby lingo give newcomers an excellent, if tongue-in-cheek explanation of the (few) rules exist for the game.
--Paul Gaita
Description
ROLLERGIRLS reveals the real hard-core world of the all-girl Texas rollerderby, complete with body-blocks, fishnet stockings, grueling workouts, headlocks, and tears.
ROLLERGIRLS captures the true grit of the bad girl, glam rock retro-sport that has officially become a national craze. Dressed in jaw-dropping uniforms and flaunting kick-a** attitude, the tough girls of America's roller derby sensation play to win. Texas darlings who lead quiet lives by day transform into their unique and highly-charged roller-personas at the Austin Thunderdome.
Go behind the drama with Venis Envy, Sister Mary Jane, Lux, Punky Bruiser, Miss Conduct, Jailbait, and their teammates - women who are fierce, sexy, highly-emotional, and gladitorial in their no-holds-barred quest for victory. As these honky-tonk athletes vie for glory, they squelch their opponents, personal rivals, and the rules of the game as teams such as The Holy Rollers, The PDFs, and The Rhinestone Cowgirls face off in the ultimate, down-home girl fight on wheels.
by Melissa Joulwan
