American Hardcore - The History of Punk Rock 1980 - 1986
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Movie Reviews of American Hardcore - The History of Punk Rock 1980 - 1986
Movie Review: Revisionist but worthwhile
Summary: 4 Stars
This documentary does a laudable job surveying the impressive landscape of 'harcore' punk rock from the late '70s to the mid '80s. It contains some rare and exciting live clips and interviews--some contemporary, most present-day, that in themselves make the documentary worth watching. The narration takes viewers from scene to scene, coast to coast, showing how different bands influenced one another and the how the overall scene exploded against the backdrop of the ultraconservative Reagan era. While many important acts (the Dead Kennedys, JFA, Reagan Youth) are omitted, the filmmakers nevertheless do an excellent job of 'coverage;' that is, they acknowledge the breath of the scene and demonstrate its varied articulations on a regional basis, which is undoubtedly the movie's overall strength. The early footage of Poison Idea, Gang Green, and Bad Brains, for me (and I suspect many people from the era) made the film invaluably entertaining.
While the film does an excellent job discussing the origins and florescence of the hardcore scene, the interpretation of hardcore's demise suffers from a revisionist subtext that simply misrepresents the issue. Specifically, the authors downplay the role of moronic, violent, Nazi skinheads, whose fascist agenda--which largely attempted to define how punks ought to think and act--killed the 'anything goes' punk rock culture. They instead attribute punk rock's demise to the short attention span of fans and, when pressed to address the issue of violence, reference Circle One and other LA 'gangs.' Bringing attention to these largely Hispanic crews, in my opinion, is an awfully smug attempt to justify the neo-fascist skinhead violence of the era, which is barely mentioned. It's also likely, and unfortunate, that younger viewers will follow this misleading interpretation.
To be fair, I don't believe revisionism was intended by the filmmakers. Rather, I think they simply remember things the way they present them here. In this sense, the film is a study in itself at just how difficult it is to document the largely indefinable phenomenon of punk rock. It occurred to me when watching that these bands all inadvertently contributed to punk rock's demise precisely by attempting to do what the video does: that is, to define it (thus, the phrase 'hardcore' punk rock as opposed to the traditional description). The effort to make punk rock into a standardized sound and scene invited the morons and thus killed the freethinking spirit of the original scene.
Despite its revisionism, this film goes a long way toward capturing the energy and excitement of the hardcore scene. Anyone interested in punk rock should see this. Nevertheless, if you want to learn about punk rock, no book or film will ever replace the (not so) simple act of doing. Go start your own band.
Movie Review: A Definite Must For Hardcore Fans!
Summary: 4 Stars
Well put together documentary (for what it is)! I agree with the last reviewer in that it focused more on the east coast / Boston scene. I also could see how people would be dissapointed in this movie. It pretty much skipped over the San Francisco scene where hardcore was huge and very important. I was hoping to see some good Farm footage, but that didn't happen. I don't think you can capture the hardcore movement of that time accurately in just 1 DVD. You don't really get to see many movies about this time in punk, mostly before and after so I am grateful to have it. There are a few out there but this is by far the best one. Well researched and executed, hopefully there will be a part 2 sometime in the not so distant future. It is also good to see these people now after not seeing them for over 20 years. Greg Ginn, Kira, H.R., Bad Brains,C.O.C, Cro-Mags, Murphy's Law, SSD, Ian MacKaye, Circle Jerks etc. The Film has some great rare show footage (Henry Rollins beating up a punk that's screwing with him, funny stuff). A definite must have if you were around at that time. Someone Please make a San Francisco hardcore scene Documentary!! Check Out "We Got The Neutron Bomb" book. You will love it!
Movie Review: choppy, but still worthwhile
Summary: 4 Stars
Compared to the book, the film really glosses things over and leaves a lot of things out, but I still think it's worth checking out. The fact that there is a documentary devoted exclusively to '80s hardcore makes me happy. At least someone out there is making the effort to document it all before it's too late.
I just wish someone would do a more in-depth and definitive document of hardcore's early years. This one gets the job done, but it could be done so much better. As I said, a lot of things were left out and overall, the interviews are kind of choppy, but they did still get some great interviews.
All in all, I'd still say it's a decent introduction to hardcore (especially for people who don't already know anything) and it's worth having in your DVD collection to show people, etc. After all, it is a pretty compelling story.
Movie Review: So much to cover, so little time
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a very decent documentary focusing on the origins and the centers of the hardcore scene when it was at it's biggest and best. The story unfolds starting in california, and spending much of their time there, but eventually breaks off across the country into regional areas. Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of focus on some smaller less known bands, and omissions of details of the misfits, and husker du and other midwest influential bands. However, the choppyness of this film soley comes from the amount of material it has to try and cram into about 2 hours. The bonus features were nice, and Good Job with the Bad Brains and Black Flag stuff, but not the be-all end all of Punk/Hardcore knowledge. This film does definately catch the spirit of the movement. Definately worth a look.Movie Review: Hardcore: Being part of the club
Summary: 4 Stars
I am not a fan of Hardcore music, but this documentary sure makes me wish I was part of the club.
The general message is: the peak of Hardcore was a moment in time where suburban kids created a musical movement that can never be duplicated.
What's great to see is the camaraderie that existed between the bands and the underground nature of their followings.
The great juxtaposition is the violence of the music, up against the endearing feelings it created between the people involved.
The then and now look at the hardcore scene as presented through various interviews with different musicians is masterfully done.
Even if you don't like the music, give this one a watch.