fedor8
Any time a movie comes out that displays the full extent of Henry Rollins's stupidity, I'm all for it. But...Less pathetic attempts at trying to be pretentious about this retarded scene would have served this documentary better. Just the way this movie starts, with its ridiculous and predictable anti-Reagan, pro-Leftist malarkey (including a drawn-out, utterly pointless scene of Reagan's inauguration), pretty much sets the tone for much that follows. Fortunately, politics does not end up as the central theme. However, the fun aspect of such a scene, i.e. the humorous anecdotes, should have been more in the forefront. After all, the scene pretty much consisted of a bunch of semi-intelligent reprobates, so what's this nonsense about trying to inject seriousness into the "message" these ignorant juveniles may have had? Who cares about their anti-Reaganism? What the hell do they know about economics, Communism, or foreign policy? On the one hand many of the people here talk about how different they were from the mainstream (which musically they unquestionably were), yet on the other hand, we've got one ex-hardcore band member telling us proudly how ALL bands of the era wrote anti-Reagan songs. How dull. So, in a sense, anyone in that scene was just as CONFORMIST - within the scene - as the masses of people in the so-called mainstream society.Nevermind the fact that some of these "punks" were sons and daughters of wealthy/well-off upper- and middle-class families. (The Asian guy's father is a SENATOR.) What the hell did THEY have to bitch about? Life was tough on them? Their daddies didn't buy them cars for their 16th birthdays? I love these momma's boys punks. "Tough" on the outside, insecure little losers on the inside.There are many familiar faces, if one is/was in touch with the scene, several interesting stories, and yes, some anecdotes. What the movie lacks is a relaxed, unpretentious attitude. After all, we're not discussing rocket science here. And while most of the people interviewed have low IQs, many of them are charismatic and have interesting things to say (as long as they steer clear from politics). And while I was grateful that an attempt was made to get so many main HC personalities into the film, I was a bit annoyed by the inclusion of Flea from the RHCP and Duff from Guns'n'Roses. What do THESE clowns have to do with the hardcore punk scene?? I couldn't care less that they like(d) HC. I also thought the inclusion of Moby was just to sell theater tickets. His relevance in HC (or any other "relevant" type of) music is pretty much around zero.The documentary is interesting throughout, I'll give it that, if well short of fascinating - which it should have been, considering that it's about a fascinating scene. A little too polished, perhaps, too. If you want to see a thoroughly enjoyable film about a(ny) hardcore scene, watch "N.Y.H.C.", which is just FUN, no pretensions about anyone changing the world i.e. Marxist dogma being spouted care-freely (and ignorantly) by semi-literate near-junkies. It is a terrific documentary that will have you feeling both nostalgic and rolling with laughter.There are quite a few bands presented here that I knew from name only (Minor Threat, for example), and some that I'd never heard of before, so from that aspect it was quite interesting, as well, giving one a chance to check out some highlights from that era that one might have missed out on. However, just like nearly every HC fan will feel some of his favourite bands were left out, so it is with me. I could not understand why the Suicidal Tendencies and D.R.I. play such a tiny role here! Especially the latter: D.R.I. was one of the most successful and (subjectively speaking, of course) best HC bands of that era, and of the era that followed (late 80s, early 90s).All in all, well worth a watch, but simply because there are very few documentaries on the subject so one is forced to watch whatever one is being offered.For more of my music-world rants, go to: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/Fedor8/1
philler2
I remember reading a review of American Hardcore in one of the weeklies in Portland. It stated something to the extent that if you know hardcore, you will not learn anything and if you know nothing about hardcore, you won't learn much. I can't agree more.As someone that has a fair amount of knowledge of the history of the American Hardcore movement, I don't feel like I learned much new about hardcore. And, I have talked to others that know little about hardcore and they had a hard time tracking.I was also surprised about some of the things that were missing. How could Maximum Rock n' Roll be left out? Maybe the Dead Kennedys were left out because of all the legal stuff going on with them now or maybe because a lot of old punks don't like them now. I know there is only so much room and info someone can squeeze into two hours, but it is hard to see how certain things were left out of it.I think it was a good attempt. The director should have made a better decision and either make it a movie for someone that knew nothing or a movie for the more advanced viewer. Still, if you are a fan of hardcore or you are perhaps a younger viewer that has some interest in the hardcore punk movement of the early 80's, it is worth renting.
movedout
The documentary contains all the cheeky references and attitude of the American hardcore punk scene of the early 1980s but none of the primitive, wild man spirit of its greatest performers. Obnoxious talking heads interspersed with a tandem of epileptic audio-visual assaults induce more migraine than actual biting barbs against the conservatism of Reagan's 80s. Paul Rachman's obtuse but energetic approach to "American Hardcore" does abrasively attribute the era's barren politicking as the genesis for punk. His beloved subculture erroneously comes off as a social disillusionment bordering on one massive circle jerk that has to staunchly defy the recidivism of that old, tired order belonging to its subjects' parents in order to be relevant. But instead of edifying its esoteric appeal, it gives reason to punk philosophy's own vain aggressiveness and inadvertently lays out the groundwork for to become just another anachronistic casualty.
deathpunk
This is by far the best movie about the HC scene ever produced. It's extremely definitive for a 90-minute movie, has some great insights into the fury of the scene from the people who helped create it, and is an overall joy to experience. I recommend picking up the book in addition to the DVD, as it has way more info on the bands in the movie as well as many more... can't fit 'em all into a 90 minute movie! My only gripe (and this goes for the book too) is that probably one of the most influential HC bands of the LA scene, FEAR, didn't receive nearly the recognition they deserve as pioneers of the genre. Nevertheless, it's a great pick for fans of the genre or those who want to get into it. Definitely rent before you buy (the special features on the DVD leave a bit to be desired... I picked up We Jam Econo a few weeks back and it has three full concerts on the second disc! Sets the standard a bit high, I suppose).
