SUNDANCE POSTER: BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER*

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I just saw the screening of this at Sundance, and I was appalled. The filmmaker initially makes it seem as if he will be painting an unsympathetic portrait of steroids. Then he glosses over the Benoit tragedy with a curt few minutes and an ultimate dismissal of the possibility of the violence being attributable to steroids. He moves on to handpicked interviews with experts he disagrees with (who he presents as incompetent and who are universally anti-steroid) and experts he agrees with (always presented as intelligent and pro-steroid).

During the Q&A when I asked him why in the glib and ultimately pro-steroid message of the film he whisked right over the possibility of tragedy to women and children and whether doing so was because real violence and death would have darkened the comedic tone of the film, or whether he did so simply because he wasn’t a woman and couldn’t relate or didn’t care, he replied that no woman or child harmed was ever proven to be harmed because of steroids. Proven. I guess not enough dead bodies to prove it to him just yet. So if you think in light of those tragedies this film is going to enlighten everyone, think again.

Everyone else in the theater spent the rest of the Q&A kissing his ass and telling him how great it was and how enlightened they now were about the harmLESSness of steroids, and he even wrapped it all up by perkily announcing that after the festival circuit he plans to hand-peddle his movie to high schools and colleges to dispell the negative assumptions about steroids!! Like the bring your father to career day scene in Thank You For Smoking, and not one person in the entire theater was shocked and appalled. Amazing that he wants to do his part to actively encourage steroid use in children and young adults when steroid use among kids as young as 8th grade is alarmingly on the rise.

Remember that this guy is no elbow patch tweed jacket wearing milquetoast, he’s a huge powerlifter who because he himself doesn’t dope (but his brothers do) can easily hold his own with any violent guy on steroids. Most women and children can’t. Apparently not a concern for this guy. And funny, all his friends (and brothers) use steroids, think he’s biased? You’ll need a lot more than a grain of salt for this one.

Comment by Melissa | January 23, 2008

I’m suprised and shocked that they didn’t consult you during the making of BFS. Maybe the entire film would have been better if it was about Roid Rage?

You must of watched the film with a chip on your shoulder the whole time because it is not pro steroid. It is simply pointing out that maybe they are not as bad as people think. Look at guys like Jose Canseco, He admitted to using them for years. He and many others seem to be in perfectly good health.

On a more serious note Steroids are illegal. There are not a lot of women selling there hubby and or boyfriend down the river because he flipped his lid after the Cowboys lost to the Giants. If women or whomever is in the line of fire of roid rage dosn’t come foward how can we collect data? How can we learn from this if it’s kept a secret? All the film maker was reffering to is what he knew and what has been reported in the past.

Roid rage which is my favorite thing to do besides lift heavy shit and eat dead animals was talked about in the film more then once. The film says that roid rage occours in about 5% of the population. Even more telling was a statement made by a doctor. He simply stated they make you more of what you already are.

No one, man, women or child deserves to be abused by anyone. Infact, whenever I hear about that kind of thing on TV I have to change the channel beacuse it makes me sick. It is a horrible act.

In the end people can not be changed. Most people that lose there shit on juice are people who were pricks to begin with.

Roid rage in my mind clearly does exist.
But anyone who uses it as an excuse to punch a womens teeth down there throat is just a an asshole.

Maybe you should share your story with more people so others can learn from it.

Sorry for all the poor spelling and sorry you didn’t like the greatest documentary ever made.

All in all I gave the movie 6CCs!
That’s 3 in each shoulder!

Comment by KRAM LLEB | January 25, 2008

Melissa,

Perhaps you could do a bit of research for me; go find the number of violent crime offenders in your state that are current in prison, and, who have been charged, served time and are now released.

Now, find out how many were using anabolic steroids for me.

That’s the problem with women in general, they don’t see the glaring disconnect between the rights of men and women.

Let’s see…a drug that serves a “productive” function, that is a dose of one or several hormones produced naturally in the body, that effects weight gain, motivation and can alter moods, and hasn’t been studied well, nor for long periods of time.

That sounds a lot like birth control to me. And get this; if you can’t afford it, you can get it for free!

But men, those monsters. How dare they openly discuss the production and supplementation of their own natural hormones! I mean, after all, it is your business what they do with their bodies. Maybe you should join me in my anti-birth control movement? After all, men don’t deserved to be abused by females, either.

Speaking of bodies, you threw out this little gem;

“I guess not enough dead bodies to prove it to him just yet.”

What bodies? You do realize that anabolic and androgenic hormones, along with hGH have been used in a medical setting to aid patients with muscle-wasting diseases (AIDS, cancer, etc.) as well as recovering burn victims. But, because of the close-mindedness of people like yourself, the stigma of anabolics has become so negative and so overwhelming their use is now rare and people suffer because of it.

Here is the deal; steroids don’t affect you, nor will they ever, but you need your panties in a bunch because you need something to complain about. You have a little life where you’re passed over and you desperately need to be heard. You need to be supported and noticed, unfortunately, steroids aren’t the platform that will allow you to do that.

As much as you mouth off about their dangers, the educated and informed users know you’re wrong. Notice, that I did not say that steroids were not dangerous (just a little reading tip, as I imagine you don’t really understand most of what you hear anyway…).

Keep on preaching your hate speech and playing victim. I’ll be in my bathroom shooting up, on my way to the baseball stadium to hit a few homeruns and beat every woman in the stadium.

Right?

Comment by Dan S. Teets | January 25, 2008

Melissa,

It’s abundantly clear that the only thing you know about steroids is what you’ve been told by people that are equally as ignorant, and this especially includes mainstream media. I do not say this out of disrespect, rather because it is painfully obvious by your tired, and frankly, ridiculous comments. In fact, before you saw this movie, could you name even three anabolic androgenic steroids? I thought not.

I would suggest that you find another topic you can fill your days speaking against. Perhaps one with which you actually have some knowledge that you didn’t get from the Tyra Banks show.

Comment by Bo | January 25, 2008

Melissa, you seem to have a problem with his bias because he has family members who use steroids. Let me ask you, do you have a problem with Mark Hooten being giving a venue to speak in front of congress about steroids, just becasue his son used them? I’m guessing you do not because he was anti-steroids. Perhaps the director isn’t biased because he knows steroid users - perhaps you’re biased because you do not.

Not that I can really blame the general public when the media has jumped on this bandwagon. We create this “monster under the bed” image of steroids, and there are very few facts used to back it up, just fear. Let me ask you an honest question, do you think more women and children are beaten because of steroids or because of alcohol? I can’t think of a clearer analogy illustrating the fact that while some people may do things while using alcohol or steroids - and blame those actions on alcohol or steroids - the overwhelming majority do NOT do such things, and as such, the many should not be punished for the sins of a few.

By the way, did you know that when anabolic steroids were upgraded to a schedule III drug both the FDA and DEA opposed the upgrade?

Comment by Kevin | January 26, 2008

Melissa

you’re a cunt. that’s basically what everyone wanted to say but didn’t have the balls to.

Comment by C-Dubs | January 26, 2008

Steroids have gotten such a bad rep in America as of late. I am very glad to see this movie. No other country, where aas are legal is having any problems with these drugs and they are being used in the exact same manner. Its much easier to blame something like steroids then deeper issues.

When I can I plan on showing this movie to quite a few people. Is anything going to change because of this movie? I doubt it, but its the step in the right direction. Tylenol kills hundred of people per year, yet there has neven been one documented case of someone dieing (or being killed) from aas use.

Comment by Frank S | January 26, 2008

Melissa , one other thing to consider is the “8th grade problem”, have you read the research data to the study which you are implying here? Anyone who takes that research seriously after actually looking into it and reading how everything was conducted should really learn how to read research.

I dont blame you Melissa, I used to think the exact same way as you about aas. Although I dont use myself due stricly to personal reasons (I wont touch tylenol, either). I have much respect for those who choose to use resonsibly.

I think proper use would let people live longer and better lives without worrying about aches and pains while aging, joint pains, or loss of strength. But, nobody ever talk about this unfortunatley. Depression? get on anti-ds. Sexual Disfunction? Viagra, mental fog? ADHD drugs, Anxeity? more meds. Most of these things could be solved with testosterone but with the recent media scare, even knowledgable docs are worried to give this out.

I dont ask that you agree with me at all Melissa, but I do ask that you do your own research and come up with your own personal conclusions.

Comment by Frank S | January 26, 2008

“Melissa,
you’re a cunt. that’s basically what everyone wanted to say but didn’t have the balls to.”

Great comment “C-Dubs.” No, I dont think that anyone else “didn’t have the balls” to say that. It’s about keeping the debate civil.You just just give further ammunition to the view of the steroid user as some raging infant who’s so stupid that this is the best comment he can come up with. Granted nothing’s getting changed through a message board, but it’s nice not to call one poster nasty names, and not to imply that the rest are cowards.

Comment by Kevin C | January 27, 2008

I think its important to keep in mind that steroids don’t cause abuse, people cause abuse. Just like alcohal doesn’t cause abuse, people cause abuse. Steroids HAS contributed to women battery, but it all comes down to the user, just like alcohal HAS ALSO contributed to women battery. You can’t blame Budweiser because some dickhead beats his wife when he’s loaded, because 90% of drinkers simply don’t do that. Steroids should be given the same consideration. It can be totally harmless, or if you are an abusive person then it can be a harmful stimulant, it comes down to the user.

Comment by Michael Kaminski | January 27, 2008

Kevin C, it appears that you too, are a cunt. Save your witty rhetoric for the PTA meetings. Im sure your firey speaches leave the masses enthralled! Hope this helps.

Vince

Comment by Vince McMahon | January 27, 2008

Michael Kaminski,

“Steroids HAS contributed to women battery”

It has? When? How do you know? When a testosterone derivative is entered in the body what mechanism is affected to cause or influence such behavior?

In fact, how to anabolic and androgenic steroids influence human organ mechanisms in the first place?

If you can’t answer these, you should consider remaining quiet. If you present something as one-dimensional as you did, and pronounce it in capitals as a fact but refrain from showing supporting reason, it doesn’t count for a damn thing.

/feel free to remain stupid, though.

Comment by Dan S. Teets | January 27, 2008

It has in the same manner that alcohal has; its contributed to a natural acceleration of abusive tendancies. If you read the rest of my post I’m not blaming the drug, I’m defending it. But there are many instances where an abuser of steroids has been found guilty of abuse–to say the drug had zero affect on this is pure idiocy, just as it would be idiocy to say that alcohal has no contributions when an alcoholic is found guilty of beating his wife. Both play a role in accelerating the abusive tendancies of the user because of the physiological way in which said drugs incease aggression, impair judgement, etc.–but the blame does not fall on the drug. The blame falls on the abuser. Steroids shouldn’t be railroaded in womens abuse for the same reason the beer industry shouldn’t be.

Comment by Michael Kaminski | January 27, 2008

Pure idiocy?

How do they play a role in accelerating abusive tendencies?

I don’t believe they do, nor have I see third party, medical literature to support it.

This is called burden of proof -you claim something, so support it.

If not, stop claiming.

/idiocy; this word you use, I don’t think it means what you think it means.

Comment by Dan S. Teets | January 27, 2008

Increased testosteron increases aggression. Thats a verifiable medical fact.

Comment by Michael Kaminski | January 28, 2008

Melissa is what we call a troll and should not be addressed further.

Abusive husbands/men have been around long before steroids, this is documented fact.

Compared to alcoholic related deaths (alcohol legal) and tabacco related illnesses/death (tobacco products again, legal) this so called steroid epidemic is laughable and would not be an issue in Congress if Hank Aaron’s HR record wasn’t being threatened. Even the poster boy deaths like Matuzak, Alzado, Caminiti as well as the Benoit case are not steroid exclusive. One of America’s biggest identifiable icons was killed as a direct and exclusive result of use of a legal substance and that is a fact that is undeniable. John Wayne would not have died from lung cancer had he not been a lifelong smoker.

All steroids kill. I hear this stated at congressional hearings as if it were fact. How’s Arnold Schwarzenegger doing? What about Lou Ferrigno? It’s a shame they had to join Heath Ledger (random current celeb death) in their untimely death club. Oh wait Ledger also died from prescribed medicine that was legal, not from illegal drug use…contrary to TMZ’s reports.

Those who review documentaries are rarely required to check facts or have any prior knowledge of the subject they either support or defame. That implies a pretty large grain of salt for anyone reading the drivel written by “critics” such as “Melissa”…who is probably Greg Valentino messing with you all!!

Comment by Will Smith | February 1, 2008

“Increased testosteron increases aggression. Thats a verifiable medical fact.

Comment by Michael Kaminski | January 28, 2008″

Absolutely false! In fact, it is the other way around. Research has shown that testosterone levels are elevated AFTER bouts of aggression . Further studies have also shown Testosterone levels increase in spectators watching their team win. “Roid Rage” has been largely discounted by the medical and scientific communities, even by several of the researchers in the film – Dr. Harrison pope, Dr. Charles Yesalis, Dr. Norm Foss, Dr. Carlon Colker, etc. But Melissa is right because she was battered by a guy who used steroids? I was in the audience the day she lambasted Chris for his work. The woman was clearly there to satisfy her agenda and give credence to her beliefs. It was a let down for her that this film told the truth rather than what she wanted to hear. I would be interested to find to what her test levels were after the film.

Comment by John Romano | February 16, 2008

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