American Hardcore 3/5 reviewed by Ben
NOTE: I have to write this entire review from scratch, TWICE, because whoever writes Flash plugins sucks like a black hole.
So, what did I say about this film? Well, it's tough to review, because you probably know whether or not you're going to see it already--if you like punk rock, you'll probably see it. If you couldn't care less, then you probably won't. And that's probably the best for this film.
This documentary attempts to chronicle the hardcore punk movement that started in LA and DC in '79 and '80, and lasted for about 5 years. Forget what you think you know about punk--we're not talking about modern pop-punk commercial crap, nor are we talking about the Ramones and the Sex Pistols--we're talking about American Hardcore--Bad Brains, Black Flag, Minutemen, Minor Threat, SSD, and dozens of other bands that were breaking down walls (sometimes literally) and viciously creating wholly new styles of music that rocked the world. In addition to lots of video footage from actual concerts (including a riot at one FX show), we're treated to tons and tons of interview footage from the actual participants of this stuff. We're talking Henry Rollins, Mike Watt, H.R., and pretty much everybody from any band thats mentioned. We also get to hear from some more mainstream artists that were influenced by hardcore, like Moby and Flea, among others. Not only is there plenty of sweet stories, but you really get a sense of what this movement was about--what it was reacting against, it's pure youthfulness, it's energy, it's DIY attitude, and ultimately, it's demise.
What holds this film back for me is that it seems it's director, Paul Rachman, is a little too close to this music. What I mean, is that it sometimes comes across as self-indulgent, and there's way too many "wasn't it cool when..." stories, and not enough structure. The big picture is often lost, and there's little sense of the history of what happened. I was constantly asking questions like, "who is he again? What band was he with? What city were they from? Was that after, or before this?" If you know a lot about hardcore already, this is hardly a problem, but if you're new to it, you might be in a little over your head. Then again, with the craziness that the life and times of hardcore punk was known for, maybe Rachman was being less structured on purpose--to make you feel kindof out of place, the way these punks describe feeling when they were in the midst of it. In any case, it's great for people who love the genre, but for someone more interested in the hard history and influence of the movement, you may be better off reading the book as well.
In any case, this is a cool film about an incredibly important time in American history, both musically, socially, and historically. But, because it's not the best structured documentary ever, it's great for fans, and merely interestesting for the rest. If you love punk, you'll love this. If you don't, it's still worth seeing, but you may check your watch a few times.
See this movie if:
-You love hardcore punk rock.
-You're under 20 and think you know what punk is, 'cause you listen to "All American Rejects." You have NO CLUE what punk is, man.
-You're interested in how music effects history and sociology, but would never use such heady terms to describe that interest.
Don't see this movie if:
-You don't want to see a documentary in a theatre.
-You think "The Rock Music" is the devil, or something along those lines.
-You're a huge Reagan fan.
So, what did I say about this film? Well, it's tough to review, because you probably know whether or not you're going to see it already--if you like punk rock, you'll probably see it. If you couldn't care less, then you probably won't. And that's probably the best for this film.
This documentary attempts to chronicle the hardcore punk movement that started in LA and DC in '79 and '80, and lasted for about 5 years. Forget what you think you know about punk--we're not talking about modern pop-punk commercial crap, nor are we talking about the Ramones and the Sex Pistols--we're talking about American Hardcore--Bad Brains, Black Flag, Minutemen, Minor Threat, SSD, and dozens of other bands that were breaking down walls (sometimes literally) and viciously creating wholly new styles of music that rocked the world. In addition to lots of video footage from actual concerts (including a riot at one FX show), we're treated to tons and tons of interview footage from the actual participants of this stuff. We're talking Henry Rollins, Mike Watt, H.R., and pretty much everybody from any band thats mentioned. We also get to hear from some more mainstream artists that were influenced by hardcore, like Moby and Flea, among others. Not only is there plenty of sweet stories, but you really get a sense of what this movement was about--what it was reacting against, it's pure youthfulness, it's energy, it's DIY attitude, and ultimately, it's demise.
What holds this film back for me is that it seems it's director, Paul Rachman, is a little too close to this music. What I mean, is that it sometimes comes across as self-indulgent, and there's way too many "wasn't it cool when..." stories, and not enough structure. The big picture is often lost, and there's little sense of the history of what happened. I was constantly asking questions like, "who is he again? What band was he with? What city were they from? Was that after, or before this?" If you know a lot about hardcore already, this is hardly a problem, but if you're new to it, you might be in a little over your head. Then again, with the craziness that the life and times of hardcore punk was known for, maybe Rachman was being less structured on purpose--to make you feel kindof out of place, the way these punks describe feeling when they were in the midst of it. In any case, it's great for people who love the genre, but for someone more interested in the hard history and influence of the movement, you may be better off reading the book as well.
In any case, this is a cool film about an incredibly important time in American history, both musically, socially, and historically. But, because it's not the best structured documentary ever, it's great for fans, and merely interestesting for the rest. If you love punk, you'll love this. If you don't, it's still worth seeing, but you may check your watch a few times.
See this movie if:
-You love hardcore punk rock.
-You're under 20 and think you know what punk is, 'cause you listen to "All American Rejects." You have NO CLUE what punk is, man.
-You're interested in how music effects history and sociology, but would never use such heady terms to describe that interest.
Don't see this movie if:
-You don't want to see a documentary in a theatre.
-You think "The Rock Music" is the devil, or something along those lines.
-You're a huge Reagan fan.
posted by Ben Riley at 11:35 PM
3 Comments:
Now who is sneaking in america bashing? Was that a shot a Reagan? Ballsy sir, ballsy. But awesome review none-the-less. I really want to see this now...and THANK YOU for calling attention to the world of fake "punk" that is out there now-a-days. America sucks.
I wasn't trying to say "America Sucks" as much as, "this movie bashes on Reagan a bunch, so look out," but oh well.
Also, even though I am an elitist, and I am punchface's elitist padawan, I'm not trying to make fun of people who listen to new pop punk, as much as to say, listen to hardcore, because it is what created the genre you claim to love. Saying you like punk, but all you listen to is Green Day and Blink 182, is like saying you love jazz, but have never heard Louis Armstrong. It may not even be your favorite stuff, but it's important.
Hows that for bridging the gaps?
Mister Joe Punchface, you must see Borat within the week.
It gets a 5/5 from me too and is one of the funniest movies that I have ever seen.
I laughed until I cried three times.
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