for reals, yo:

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMovie?id=333912438&s=143441

http://www.texasmonthly.com/2009-10-01/hollywoodtx.php

Big Wheels: Want to know how they really roll?

If you’re curious about the historical underpinnings of Whip It’s fictional story, check out Bob Ray’s documentary Hell on Wheels, which chronicles the formation of BGGW (Bad Girl, Good Woman), one of the Austin leagues responsible for the current roller derby renaissance. (The film is on DVD, but you can also watch it for free at snagfilms.com.) After premiering at South by Southwest, in 2007, Hell on Wheels played at a number of other festivals but never found theatrical release, perhaps because a rollicking first third gives way to a slightly picayune chronicle of labor disputes and intraleague squabbles. Still, Ray captures some delightful sights, including scenes from the very first matches featuring the Holy Rollers, and he puts forth a spirited portrait of a group of sometimes difficult but extremely determined women who took a man’s exploitative idea and skated with it to feminist glory.

dig it:  http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/hell_on_wheels/

The kick ass Scoot Inn Bar on the East Side in Austin will host the screening. There’ll be movie, DVDs for sale, filmmakers in attendance, post-screening Q&A, drinks! Good times.

Sunday, March 15th at 6pm.
1308 East 4th Street
Austin, TX
www.scoot-inn.com
www.HellOnWheelsTheMovie.com

“A thrill-ride of a documentary …not just wildly entertaining, but downright impressive. Highly recommended.”
- digitallyOBSESSED
http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=10269

“Bone-crunching collisions, behind-the-scenes drama and roller skates are all part of the outrageous documentary… a smashingly entertaining feature!”
- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/s_613208.html

“…the drama fans see during bouts pales to the drama that roller derby has gone through off the track. [Hell on Wheels is] a kind of tattooed, tough-girl “Dynasty.” The film is as much about dreams, ego, power and simple human nature as it is about roller derby. Ray might have lucked out on one hell of a story, but he rises to the occasion, telling the tale in a gritty style that matches the material. The film has a grainy look, and a pulsating soundtrack from Austin rockers … And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead. …one hell of a story.”
- 77 Square
http://77square.com/movies/topofthequeue/story_440252

“Hell on Wheels is entertaining, educational and frustratingly brilliant.”
- In Utah This Week
http://dev.inthisweek.com/view.php?id=98417

“A must-see film!”
- The Stamford Times
http://thestamfordtimes.com/story/465712

“Compelling storytelling… It’s fascinating to watch.”
- DVD Talk
http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/36265/hell-on-wheels/

4 ½ STARS
“A good story well-told… It’s a documentary exposing a certain athletic niche (in this case, roller derby), but first and foremost it’s a story of triumph over adversity and seemingly insurmountable odds. It’s one of those documentaries that doesn’t really feel like its imposing an agenda or actively spewing various facts at you, but simply telling you a true-life story in an organic fashion… at its core, it’s a feel-good film about interesting people and a cutthroat sport that I heartily recommend to anyone looking for a good story.”
- Real Movie News
http://www.realmovienews.com/reviews/discs/3141

“A wholly engaging documentary.”
- Campus Circle
http://www.campuscircle.com/review.cfm?r=8004

Hey everyone,
Writing to let all y’all know that there’s a slew of new reviews of Hell on Wheels of late. I like this one cuz it says “A thrill-ride of a documentary… not just wildly entertaining, but downright impressive.Highly recommended.” http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=10269

Also in Hell news, check out the latest episode of MTV’s How’s Your News (http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/hows_your_news/videos-full-episodes.jhtml) for some ass kicking derby action with the Texas Rollergirls (http://txrollergirls.com) . CrashCam Films’ Bob Ray worked on the Austin and New Orleans shoot of How’s Your News. The show is based on Arthur Bradford’s awesome documentary of the same name and is produced by South Park’s Matt Stone and Trey Parker. The show screens on Sunday nights on MTV. Check out www.HowsYourNews.com for more info.

Also look and listen for April Ritzenthaler, co-founder of Lonestar Rollergirls (http://lonestarrollergirls.com) on radio and TV.

MANCOW Morning Show & Waking Up W/Wolf (syndicated in 22 markets)
Tuesday, February 24th
6:45 am CST / 7:45 am EST

FOX’s Good Day Austin
Tuesday, February 24th
Segment #1: 7:15am CST / Segment #2: 8:15am

XM Radio / Eddie Fingers & Tracy Jones Show
Tuesday, February 24th
4:10pm CST / 5:10pm EST

Happy New Year to all!

www.HellOnWheelsTheMovie.com

Some early info about what’s in store for 2K9:

Hell on Wheels screenings.

Hell yeah, we’re screening this gem of a flick in ‘09.  Next up is: Boston on Feb 20! Sponsored by the Boston Derby Dames (www.bostonderbydames.com/), the screening will be in Arlington at the Regent Theater (www.regenttheatre.com/)
www.HellOnWheelsTheMovie.com
http://www.indiepixfilms.com/film/hellonwheels

Here’s a look back at what we managed to accomplish in 2008.

Hell on Wheels:
We screened in loads more places and fests in 2008.  We had a sold out screening at NYC’s BAM Cinematheque, a screening at the world famous Egyptian Theater’s American Cinematheque in Los Angeles. We had fest screenings like mad and we screened the little film that could all over the US, Canada, and even Australia, England, Brazil and New Zealand.  And then we screened at RollerCon in Vegas!  What a blast!  And in September, we released the flick on an awesome two-disk DVD set from IndiePix!

www.HellOnWheelsTheMovie.com http://www.indiepixfilms.com/film/hellonwheels

Did you see Hell on Wheels in the New York Times?  An article in the December 18^th issue of the NTY featured Hell on Wheels!  Pretty cool.

So, adios 2K8.  Hello 2K9.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/sports/othersports/18devildan.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

Hey!  Lookey me!

Take a peek at the annual “Best of Austin” issue of the Austin Chronicle (on newsstands now!) and you might find Bob Ray among these so called “bests.”

That’s right, check it out folks:

The Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin:

Best Emergent Filmmaker: Bob Ray
Bob Ray was in the right place at the right time when he started filming some friends starting a Roller Derby league. But it was his tireless efforts, taking his documentary Hell on Wheels to every film festival and skate rink that would have him, that got him and his movie the fame they deserve. www.crashcamfilms.com

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Awards/BestOfAustin/?Year=2008&Display=Long&BOACategory=Arts%20%26%20Entertainment&Poll=Readers