Jam (2006) Documentary

Jam (2006) - When I was a kid in the late 60's, early 70's roller derby was bigger than baseball and on television every week. A mix between the theater of wrestling and a sport it inspired the movie Rollerball. In this documentary which follers former player and now promoter Tim Patten from 1998-2004, as he tries to save a sport he loves. Playing tiny venues and high school gyms Tim and a group of original aging stars perform their magic on the oval. It is a sad tale with Tim and his partner having to overcome the fading popularity of the sport and their on personal challenges with HIV. The player too doing each event for only $25 and the love of skating derby. It is a good time for this documentary as a revival of a kind is taking place in Roller Derby. Women's leagues are playing all over the US, not the revival Tim was wishing for but still the sport is reborn. This is a sad but enjoyable look at a small group struggling for something they love and worth seeing.
Rating: (7.5)

Some current Roller Derby leagues:
Boston Derby Dames
TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls
LA Derby Dolls
Gotham Girls Roller Derby

I hope to see the documentary "Hell on Wheels" about the birth of modern day roller derby at the Regent theater in Arlington MA on Feb 20th