Hit So Hard

A star-f**king movie about Courtney and Kurt disguised as a movie about Hole's lesbian drummer. I don't think the people who made this movie are actually very interested in Patty. I suspect they were very interested in Patty's old video. There's a good movie about Patty's life and a good movie about women drummers out there but this isn't it.

Second hope--that it would have lots of good music. I love Hole, but there are only snippets of Hole songs where the lyrics can belabor whatever point the movie's making.

If you're interested in video of Courtney and Kurt, go for it. Otherwise, it's icky watching a messed-up drummer with an interesting past get used.

This film, about a young woman finding her way in music and life, who just happened to be the drummer of the Epic Band HOLE during my younger years, made me see my own struggles, and had me cheering for her all the way. PATTY SCHEMEL ROCKS!!!

Cobain, Love, and Schemel made the ultimate alternative family. there was love, through it all. And today, love is alive.

Director P. David Ebersole takes a celebrity type story and paints a swirling life lived fully, yes roughly, and now admirably. Patty and her Alternative Family of Today are showing the world that young girls rock, need to rock, will rock, and should be supporting in their rocking. It's an important story. A big story. A personal story. A universal story.

A film that focuses on Courtney Love's band Hole where Ms. Love is not the out-of-control one may seem like an unlikely premise. But the story of Hole drummer Patty Schemel's rise and fall (OUT of Hole) is beautifully done.

Growing up in a small town outside Seattle, it wasn't long before Schemel and her musician brother Larry became regular fixtures in the Seattle music scene. As the city was becoming the focal point for the new "alternative" movement, Patty and her friend Kurt Cobain were indulging in activities a bit more risky than music. Through home footage and interviews with all three band-mates and a who's who of influential female drummers, Hit So Hard tackles sexism in the music industry, the long and painful process of kicking drugs and the loneliness of being a young lesbian in a conservative town. But by looking at her life from so many facets, the film is ultimately uplifting, moving and powerful. Props to everyone involved. Best SXSW documentary this year.

Ebersole and Hughes manage to avoid all the pitfalls of your average Fall and Rise story. It's incredibly touching without ever being sappy or self-indulgent. What comes across is the story of a really clever, talented, brave woman who you end up rooting for regardless of whether you were a fan or not. You see people rather than icons which is so rare and refreshing. There's also a real story here with some great twists which I won't give away.

If you are a fan (I am) there's just a ton of fascinating footage that really takes you back to that time. The interviews are candid, relaxed and very real which is a testament to the film-makers. Ebersole shows respect for his subjects and it shows. I saw it with a group of friends and we were still talking about it the next day.

As a long-time fan of the band, I was completely riveted. I learned so much I didn't know. Patty went thru so much!!! Great interviews and a great film. The audience in the theater where I saw this were all totally into it. I had a real long talk with some other fans after the screening. We all agreed that "Hit So Hard" gave us more of an understanding of the band HOLE and also what it's like to be a woman drummer in the music business. I actually made some new friends! :) I recommend this film to anybody who is into HOLE or also drummers and women musicians. If this movie doesn't make you want to crank up your HOLE CDs then you don't like music. Just kidding. It's a real good movie.