User Reviews

I see a lot of these rock and roll quasi documentaries and was particularly impressed with this one. Besides being a bear to edit I imagine, it also stayed clear of the very formulaic Behind the Music format. After subsequent viewings I was really impressed with a few things in particular. First was the apparent honesty. I felt the director addressing Banali's decision to move forward after an obviously grief stricken and bold proclamation of not performing under the QR banner to be interesting. He put his blood sweat and tears into the legacy and made the reformation decision. Director tackled what was viewed as hypocritical by detractors head on. The inclusion of the online criticism and Banali's eventual FU to the cynics was handled well and was very interesting. Secondly, I appreciated how savvy the director handled the traditional "hero/villain" scenario that plagues a lot of these docs. Everyone got their criticism, took their criticism and it was handled with tongue firmly planted in cheek without sacrificing the seriousness of said situations. Specifically Mark and the opportunity and eventual missed opportunity. Finally, I really appreciated the Jeopardy and Dancing With the Stars references showing the cultural impact the band has. Reaching my character limit but BRAVO! See this film now.

In the early 1980s, Quiet Riot had hit it big time. In March 1983, their American debut album Metal Health was released. By November, the album had made its way up the Billboard charts at #1, becoming the first metal album to do so. Drummer Frankie Banali now tells the story of the LA hard rockers, as well as his own story in this new documentary. The movie- Well Now You're Here, There's No Way Back- is a heartfelt story about a rock band and the friendship at the center of it.

While this movie documents the resurrection of Quiet Riot, we are also told of the band's history. The first half hour of the movie is devoted to giving history of Quiet Riot from the beginning till the 1980s. At certain parts in the movie, it will cut back to the 1980s. For the most part, the information given in the history segments is good. Even being a Quiet Riot fan, some of the information was new to me as were some of the archival videos used. While this isn't a complete history of Quiet Riot, it's still amazing how much director Regina Russell was able to fit in the movie's runtime of 104 minutes.

For interviewees, we get to hear from a nice group of people. This includes former members such as Rudy Sarzo as well as other figures in the world of hard rock including Dee Snider, Glenn Hughes and That Metal Show host Eddie Trunk. We also get to hear from Rhoads' brother and sister, as well as singer Kevin DuBrow's mother and even his brother Dr. Terry DuBrow (a plastic surgeon who has starred in several E! Network reality shows). Quiet Riot members Chuck Wright and Alex Grossi even get some camera time, sharing memories of DuBrow and discussing the status of the new band. Watching the resurrection of Quiet Riot is quite entertaining. We get to see the band audition different singers in one scene before finally deciding on singer Mark Huff. The movie documents almost each and every show the band plays with Huff, which lead to some hilarious and even emotionally intense scenes.

Overall, Well Now You're Here is a great documentary. The movie is also strengthened by the hard rocking tunes Quiet Riot delivered over the years. In the last few years, there have been a series of great rock documentaries: Anvil with Anvil: The Story of Anvil, Rodriguez with Searching for Sugar Man and Death with A Band Called Death just to name a few. Quiet Riot can now join that group with this movie. I highly recommend seeing this movie, whether you're a fan of Quiet Riot or not.

This movie was also partially funded by Quiet Riot fans through Kickstarter in 2010. I was one of the many who donated some money so I could see this movie. After seeing this, I'm proud to say I had a small part in helping this movie become a reality.

I just finished watching this fantastic rockumentary and I'm so glad that I DVR'd it when it saw it come up on the guide the other night! The highs and lows this story takes you on make for an incredible tale of a legendary band. Part real life Spinal Tap, part real life Rock Star! This is a new title in the classic line up of great rockumentaries that gives insight into that crazy world that is 80's Heavy Metal. If you are a fan of Quiet Riot or any of the bands or songs from the decade of metal then you are sure to enjoy this movie. Thanks for the reminder of how much fun the music of the 80's was and still is. Great job by all involved on both sides of the camera lens. Rock on \m/

I was delighted to see the Quiet Riot documentary included in the program for the NXNE film festival here in Toronto! This film is a definite must for fans of the genre as well as non fans alike. It is a cheeky look back at the heyday where legendary excesses launched and killed the careers of many a great band. But it is so much more than that. It is a testament to friendship and loyalty, perseverance and passion, being true to yourself and following your path. It is filled with humour, affectionate teasing and a lot of love. Never did I feel bashed over the head with messages or emotionally manipulated but rather was presented information that I was allowed to process for myself. I was impressed by the candour, openness and vulnerability of many of those interviewed (most notably Frankie Banali himself) and also by the skill of Regina Russell in capturing it. I laughed, I cried, I was singing along in my seat.

Had a great time at the premier of "Well Now You're Here, There's No Way Back". The movie was one of the best music documentaries I have seen. It was informative, sad and funny all at the same time. I am a Quiet Riot fan from the beginning,seeing them in Hollywood at the small clubs. I learned a little about the Quiet Riot members thing's that I didn't know. But I also was very entertained. (Maybe finally Chuck will get his recognition). It had a lot of laughing out loud moments. The scene's done with hidden camera's, caught some memorable funny and heartfelt moments. I can't wait for the DVD to come out. I will definitely purchase it. I just hope it is not cut apart and made smaller.

I went to the Newport Beach film festival to see the premiere of "Well now you're here there's no way back", it is one the best docs i have seen, it ranks up there with/ exceeds "20 ft from stardom","sound city and "history of the eagles". not being a quiet riot fan, i learned from Frank Banali( drummer), the history of how they came to be, the ups and downs of the band, the changing of lead singers after the untimely death of Kevin Debrow. the movie is very entertaining, it has its funny parts and its sad moments.it also shows the struggles that Frank Banali went thru,whether to end the band or to start it's resurgence, once he decided to keep the band going and the difficulty in replacing Kevin Dubrow. after viewing the movie i am now a Quiet Riot fan and also a fan of Regina Russell(director), a very well put together documentary!!

This documentary went behind the glorified times of the 80's rock music scene only to unearth the roots of how the iconic Quiet Riot dealt with success, drug addiction, death & rebirth. This movie contained interviews and never before seen concert footage that captured why Quiet Riot became the groundbreaking band that changed the 80's music forever. This was an amazing movie that humanized everyone that has ever been involved with the Quiet Riot band from the start to current times. After seeing this movie, I now have a greater respect for this band that never gave up on the music or their fans even through all their obstacles. You think you know Quiet Riot? After this film....you will!

First of all I am NOT a Critic! To be a Critic is to be Critical of some ones work, art, music etc... I do not care what a critic has to say about anything , personally. Those are just opinions to me and everybody has one, so what... So here is my opinion of this Doc. In a nutshell, I loved it! Yes! I thought is was a perfect example of the "Never say Die" attitude that has been kinda lost today. Of course These guys could have thrown in the towel, and rightfully so, but they didn't. They could have went on with other bands or produced other music or something all together different, But They Didn't! Instead, Frankie decided that this is what I do, and want to do, and will keep Doing. I respect that! That's what I am taking away from this movie. I will not quit. When you get right down to it is a good life lesson. A life lesson that I needed to hear. So, in my opinion, see this movie! Good Music, Great Band, life lesson and a positive future outlook.

Oh, and if and when Quiet Riot comes to my town, I will be doing all I can to be there! I wish the guys all the luck in the world!

I was a QR fan when they first came out. After they lost their initial appeal, I thought they were just a group that got lucky with two albums. I never realized they opened doors for heavy rock bands in the early 80's for getting record deals and playing in larger halls. According to the film, almost every 80's band who's first record came out after 1984 can thank QR for getting record labels to recognize hard rock as an art form! I also liked the personal stories of band members friendships, and times they stopped talking. I like the story of how Frank Banali kept the band going thru numerous personnel changes, and his grief with the death of his mother, his wife and Kevin. I like how he's a dedicated father and nutrition guru.

The only thing I would have done differently is added the ballad from Metal Health about Randy Rhodes to the film. That song would have been appropriate for the film!

This is being touted as a documentary of the history of Quiet Riot. However there are many pieces missing, and certain truths have been distorted because it is a one sided story about Frankie Banali. They say Carlos Cavazo would not return any attempts to reach him, but if you look at who is making the documentary you will understand why. If the person who just fired you from a job you had for thirty years had his girlfriend contact you for your side of the story, would you believe anything you said would be portrayed in an honest way? I think Carlos decided that to go with the advice of staying silent and letting people wonder if you are the fool, or opening your mouth and removing all doubt. Frankie Banali has apparently never heard these sage words, and certainly comes off as a fool to anyone who watches this.

There are some lies and harsh judgments laid out in this film. One is the obvious. Kevin DuBrow did not commit suicide, and he was not a raging addict when he died. He took a small combination of three substances that his heart couldn't process, and it stopped. Was it careless? Probably. Was it suicide? Absolutely not. If this movie is supposed to be honoring DuBrow, it fell short for many of us who actually knew him. The fact that he was clean for years before Banali came back to the band in the early 1990's should tell you there is something Frankie is not telling you in his history recap.

There was a lot more than drugs between those two men as far as reasons go for the parting of ways in the late '80's. I'm sure some of you will figure them out while watching Frankie belittle everyone around him. The man has some serious interaction issues, and the only way he will ever make a band work will be if he goes into therapy to take a long, hard look at the real problem.

This is not to say Kevin Dubrow was without fault. He was overly sensitive, hard to work with, and held grudges all the way to his grave. Was he an addict? Not really in the music world. Everyone did things to excess at some point (save for a very few). Did he lose everything because of it? Not by a long shot. You have to remember when you have people in your social circle selling their gold records for crack, heroin, or even booze, an occasional Valium mixed with a vodka is not something to check into rehab for.

Anyways, the basic point I am trying to make here is that there were three members who really made up the band over the years, but you are only hearing one very jaded side to the story. Is this a good movie? Yes, I enjoyed it even while I was angered over certain points. It may even be a good documentary about Frankie Banali, but it is not the true story of all that was Quiet Riot, and that is what it is being sold as. I took away five of the ten stars for bias, and lack of depth. It was a good try for someone who was coming from a disadvantage at getting the whole story. My advice would be that the next time she makes a documentary, don't sleep with your subject beforehand.

I enjoy some Heavy Metal music but I am not a major fan. My Musical taste is basically everything regardless of era or region.

I started watching this and was thinking another fluff piece for an entertainment group but after 20 minutes I was sucked in by the honesty of what was being said and the depth of the soul searching that was done on all the key figures. There was some shockers as well which I did not expect. I loved that they included details as to what was motivating people at the subconscious level as well.

I definitely have a better idea now of what it takes and the commitment needed to achieve the level of fame they reached.

Wow! What an entertaining movie, I was glued to the screen the whole time. Quiet Riot is one of the most legendary bands of all time. They were the original pioneers that brought metal into the mainstream and hit the billboards. The film contains amazing footage of the 80's metal scene that is incredible. It shows the ups and downs of Quiet Riot from their emergence onto the scene through the revival of 80's metal. Most importantly it shows the passion of drummer Frankie Banali and his relentless pursuit of his dreams. He showed raw emotion as he discussed his career, friendships and family. The movie brings you through a wide range of emotions from laughter to sadness and really gives the audience a true behind the scenes perspective of being a rock star. Fan or not you will enjoy this masterpiece from beginning to end! Congratulations to Frankie and the band for making a well put together documentary, my respect for a truly amazing musician doubled after having the privilege of watching it.

There is a reason why I watched Quiet Riot movie, "Now You're Here, There Is No Way Back", twice!! It's just AMAZING!! I saw it the first time in Newport Beach and the second time in Hollywood. It shows all aspects of rock n' roll. It shows what happens on stage and outside the stage, the ups and downs of the band, the drug addiction, the reality, the friendship, and even the comedy. I sang, I cried, and I laughed. It simply touched on all the emotional aspects of what a rock n' roll band goes through to survive.

I especially liked that they used real footage from the 80's all the way to recent years. They captured great moments. My best compliments to the producer and the editors on an well made documentary. I absolutely recommend it!

I would never believe anyone could achieve what this director has done. I attended The Hollywood Film Festival showing of Well Now You're Here, There's No Way Back. The Impossible has been achieved! Anyone familiar with the band Quiet Riot's history will tell you there is no way Anyone could put it together with integrity. Regina Russell has done just that. I feel as though I was hanging out with the guys of Quiet Riot! The Honesty, Love, Pain, Joy and ROCK & ROLL are right there, in your face & in your Heart! I am still shocked Ms. Russell did them Right & with Justice. Tough guys bring a tissue, you'll tear. Girls Rock Your Boys, you'll Love 'Em again! Quiet Riot Forever... I Can have Tha Faith because of This Film. Thanks To All involved. Couldn't have been easy, but nuttin worthwhile evah is! Rock On!!!!☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆♡

p.s. Chuck Wright, a Hard Rocker and an unbelievably decent guy in this film when Many wouldn't have been. Well done, wish I'd known more about him. Now I do!

The first half had some great footage and told a great story of the friendship of Benali and DuBrow.

The second half was a fake scripted reality show about the new singer Benali didn't like, but yet there were cameras everywhere with American Idol style interviews as he was failing. This was back in 2010 when they were supposedly "committed" to this Mark Wahl guy but following and filming their issues with him while still In the band.

Fake "reality" strikes yet again.

1st half is still worth checking out though. 2nd half for lemmings who watch "reality" TV.

My husband and I were lucky enough to see this movie premiere on the big screen, and honestly, we had no expectations whatsoever. Growing up in the 80s, of course we loved Quiet Riot and all the "hair bands," but I'd never been a fan of rock-docs...until this one. It was just SO well done in so many ways; a perfect balance of comedy and drama mixed artistically with the all-American rock & roll success story. I literally went from laughing to crying several times during the film. The story itself is interesting (and quite educational!) enough to stand on it's own, yet it is so brilliantly pieced together; deeply humane, beautiful & hilarious.

If you don't go see it, you'll just have to take my word for it that you would hate yourself for missing some of the best story telling I've seen in a very long time. While being in your face real, the director is a genius at breaking it up and putting in some incredible funny moments.

Whether you know anything about this band or era, or even didn't like it, the way I felt about disco, you'll still find this movie impossible to stop watching, because a good story is a good story no matter what the genre.

Behind the music it is not, because this is unpredictable and will keep you impatiently waiting for the next scene.

This is one of the best music documentaries I've ever seen, and I've seen a boat load. A great behind the scenes, warts and all profile of Quiet Riot from the late seventies until the present time. Frankie Banali has put together a no holds barred look at the struggles of a fledgling band, then superstar million selling band and then back to the bars band, all over the last 35 years or so. Lots of behind the scenes dealings with the inner workings of an iconic touring rock band. They go back to the Randy Rhoads years through the Kevin DuBrow years and the struggles to find a proper replacement for lead singer, as DuBrow had some pretty big shoes to fill. Through it all, Banali steadfastly maintains his integrity in looking for the right singer. You'll want to stick around for the ending. One of the few rock docs worthy of repeated viewings. (The Foo Fighters one is another).

I loved everything about this movie. Not only is it a great documentary about one of the best bands to come out of the 1980's but its also about great friendship and how people can be affected by the death of a great friend. The movie touches on some great aspects of humanity such as as being able to forgive and to find the power to move on from the past while allowing it to die in favor of creating a new future. I have watched many documentaries about musicians and I have to be honest when I say, this is not only, by far, the best but it transcends music and enters a realm of human emotion that most movies seem to miss.

I was a fan of Quiet Riot then and I am a fan now, I wish all those involved a great and prosperous future, no matter what road they choose.

Went to see this movie at the Cannes Film Festival with my colleague who had never even heard of the band before. We were blown away by the honesty of the movie - absolutely brilliant piece of documentary, following the history of the band, the revolving door of musicians who left, came back, left again and even died. The movie tells it like it is - warts and all, from Chuck Wright's endless bass rig gremlins to Frankie Banali taking charge of the band and on to a singer who can't remember the words of the band's biggest hit. With contributions from long time friend of the band Glenn Hughes, Rudy Sarzo and several other former members, the story is frustrating, hilarious, beautiful, heartbreaking and everything in between. See it!

This has to be the worst documentary I have seen for a band since VH1 stopped doing their Behind The Music.

If I wanted to see something about a drummer I would watch something about a GOOD drummer. This movie is really bad, and full of clichés. Nobody cares what this Frank guy is doing, I watched this to learn about the guitarist and the singer, and to try to remember who all was in the band over the years. I got a bunch of whining from some dude who considers it a lifetime achievement to keep time, raise his kid, and play with big knives like a bad Chuck Norris wannabe.

Seriously guy, it's your job to take care of your children, and it doesn't seem like Superdad here is doing much more than trying to avoid being stuck at home with the kid he got saddled with, and leaving her there with a bunch of weapons and his stench of failure while he runs away and pretends he matters.

Maybe the old blond groupie he got to take these videos for him is also his free nanny, but I don't see Harvard in that poor kids future when dear old dad is shelling out all his cash on a long dead dream. Maybe she won't end up like "replacement mom", who is sleeping her way to mediocrity. Not much else she can do after a career in lame porn, I guess.

As they say, do what you know.

Anyways, if you're a drummer or a groupie you'll love this movie, but for the rest of us, it's just weak sauce drizzled over a pile of pathetic trying to pass for substance.

Watching this garbage is not worth your time. Don't bother.

I do not recommend this movie unless this drummer guy offs himself. Then you can see why he did it, and not feel bad for him.

I've been a Quite Riot fan for 30 plus years and this documentary was very interesting to me to see the real true life workings of this band and all the band members throughout their history. This movie really let's you in on how incredibly difficult it is to be a successful band and the true desire and dedication it takes (especially by Frankie B.) to keep the band going. I was truly inspired by Frankie Banali and just how much he has sacrificed to keep his band going. I highly recommend this movie to all musicians and music enthusiast to watch but I also believe any non musician will enjoy and be moved by Frankie Banali 's story. This documentary inspired me because of the dedication Frankie had for his band and the true friendship he had with Kevin DuBrow and how he moves on after the heartbreaking loss of such a close friend. Very very good documentary!!!

It all started in the late 70's. Quiet Riot started their rise to fame and made glam metal popular. They peaked in 1983 with the release of Metal Health, the first heavy metal album that topped the billboard charts. The album spawned two metal anthems in Cum On Feel The Noise and Bang Your Head. From there it was a long and winding road filled with ups and downs and lots of line up changes.

Quiet Riot: Well Now Your Here, There's No Way Back is the story of The rise, fall and the rebirth of Quiet Riot. In 2007 their lead singer Kevin DuBrow passed away ending the career of the metal band that started the hair band movement of the eighties. In 2010, at a cross roads in his life, Quiet Riot's drummer Frankie Banali restarted the band. This documentary chronicles Frankie Banali's efforts to go forward with his career and life.

I'm a huge fan of hard rock and heavy metal from the seventies and eighties but I was never a big fan of Quiet Riot. I love documentaries though and I decided to give this one a shot. Well Now Your Here, There's No Way Back is one of the best music documentaries that I've seen. While watching this movie I found myself wanting to laugh, cry and cheer.

I laughed when I saw the band members try to remember all the people who have been in the band over the years and their efforts to find a new singer. I felt like crying when I heard the story of Kevin's death and seeing Frankie deal with it along with the death of his mother and wife. I also wanted to cheer when I saw Quiet Riot putting together a great show in front of a big crowd after all the problems they had. This movie will give you a new appreciation for Quiet Riot and show you how hard a rock band works to stay alive when it seems like the world is against them.

Even if I wasn't a fan of 80's music, I would have loved this documentary. The director Regina Russell did an excellent job of showing Frankie Banali's efforts to keep his dreams alive and how hard it can be. You see his ups and downs and by the end of the movie you feel like you know him. This is a movie that you don't want to miss and I hope it has some great extras when it comes out on DVD.