Hard Core Logo
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Canada
Movie Reviews of Hard Core Logo
Movie Review: If Spinal Tap were Canadian, and *really* pissed off
Summary: 5 Stars
"Hard Core Logo" is about punk rock, Canada, friendship, hatred, burning out, dying young, poetry, and insanity. And oh yeah, a whole lot more. Actually, it's about a legendary (but fictional) Canadian punk band, reuniting after five years for one last kick at the can. We follow them (faux-documentary style) on a tour of Western Canada, as they play shows and ruin whatever's left of their sad little lives. It's a brilliant piece of work that, although it bears a striking cosmetic resemblance to, owes little to "Spinal Tap".Director Bruce McDonald does a fine job blurring the line between fiction and reality, actor and rock star. If you didn't know it was fake, you'd be hard-pressed to find the seams in this little make believe. A lot of that has to do with establishing credibility in the details. From early appearances by real Canadian punk legends D.O.A. and Art Begmann (not to mention a very confused looking Joey Ramone), to a kick-ass set list written specifically for the movie ("Who The Hell Do You Think You Are" is a great stand-up-and-shake-your-fist punk tune), to the palpable sweat and stink of the small clubs the boys play, McDonald covers all the bases. He even includes himself in the mix, in a great narrative conceit, as a documentary filmmaker named `Bruce McDonald', who is the repeated object of the band's barbs and spit.
But the biggest credibility coup is the casting of Hugh Dillon as the Hard Core's frontman, Joe Dick. Dillon is a real life rock star, fronting the post-punk Canadian band `The Headstones'. In his first beefy screen role, he acquits himself spectacularly as the angry core and creative force of the band. He spits, he lies, he snarls, he waxes rhapsodic, and he oozes charisma like nobody's business. His credibility does wonders in the film's final moment, which would, in the hands of a less capable actor and director, feel contrived and manipulative, but comes off totally legit here. Coupled with Callum Keith Rennie, a fine actor who does an excellent job playing right hand man/best friend/guitar hero Billy Tallent, the two make a wonderful team. "I suffer for his art," says Tallent at one point, in a line that perfectly sums up their relationship. Joe wants the low rent tour to go on forever, while Billy is pondering a move to the big time. They fit in wonderfully in the history of rock and roll love/hate relationships that includes Jagger/Richard, Lennon/McCartney, and of course the Tap's St. Hubbins/Tufnel. The rest of the band includes John Pyper-Ferguson as bassist John Oxenberger, a calm schizophrenic who loses his medication and his sanity, and Bernie Coulson as drummer Pipefitter (as ridiculous a nom de punk as I've ever heard), an overgrown child with no prospects, who's putting off "a lifetime of collecting garbage". They make a fine fearsome foursome.
My one complaint with the movie is an intense, LSD-inspired scene of bacchanalia, that fits in perfectly with the narrative, but is too over the top to be interesting. A minor complaint, that. Otherwise, this is a well-crafted and entertaining ode to bitter nihilism and Canadiana, that I can watch over and over and over.
Movie Review: There is a superior, special edition DVD out there...
Summary: 5 Stars
If you go to Amazon's Canadian branch (at www.amazon.ca), you can order the much superior version of this classic movie. Here's what you get:
A few years ago, Miramax released a bare bones DVD of Hard Core Logo, but now Bruce McDonald has re-released his movie with a new transfer (strangely full-frame as opposed to the 1.85:1 aspect ratio of the Miramax disc) and a new and improved 5.1 surround soundtrack.
First up is the rowdy audio commentary between Bruce McDonald, actor Hugh Dillon and the screenwriter, Noel S. Baker. McDonald and Baker dominate the track at first, but then Dillon gets more vocal (or is that drunker?) as the commentary progresses. There are a lot of interesting observations from all the participants. Initially, Dillon wasn't interested in doing the movie because he felt that most rock 'n' roll films didn't get it right but McDonald convinced him that this one would be different. What makes this commentary such a treat to listen to is that it's obvious that everyone involved hasn't watched the film in years and that they're having a blast revisiting it. They are all clearly proud of the film and aren't afraid to poke fun at it and themselves.
Also included are the obligatory cast and crew biographies and the theatrical trailer that was originally on the Miramax DVD.
Another new feature are two music videos: one for Dillon's band, The Headstones and the other for Hard Core Logo, which parodies A Hard Day's Night (the band in ridiculous wigs runs away from their fans) and features clips from the movie.
Fans of Canadian music will be happy to know that the tribute CD-with actual Canadian rock bands covering the songs of Hard Core Logo-is also included. For those that think Bryan Adams, Celine Dion and Avril Lavigne sum up Canadian music, think again!
In keeping with its DIY roots, the DVD booklet is designed and written like an independent punk rock fanzine that is a nice added touch.
Movie Review: Great movie.
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know what dvd version the reviewer named Elena Innes saw, but everything that she said was missing from the dvd version she saw was in MY copy. Maybe in the United States version of the dvd it's missing, but i live in Canada and the dvd version is great! It's a two disc set and it DOES include a commentary by Hugh Dillon and Bruce MacDonald that she said wasn't on her copy. And my version DID include the video for Cemetery, which she said was absent from her dvd. So i don't know what she's going on about. The second disc is actually a tribute cd of Hard Core Logo songs played by other artists. The only thing i'd have to say about this great movie is you shouldn't watch it expecting that it's some kind of comedy along the lines of Spinal Tap. Far from it! Although the dvd booklet gives a cynical, humorous view of the movie, especially with the "bios" of the band members, and there are some light moments in the movie, this movie is not a comedy. It's about the darker side of being a rock group and how the group's individual personalities clash and get along with each other as they tour. The lead singer is played by the very charismatic lead singer of The Headstones, which is probably one of the five best rock groups to come out of Canada ever. He plays a character that is very outgoing and cocky and also very obnoxious and arrogant, yet you can't help but love the guy. For all you Americans who put down Canada and Canadian talent, i'll just say this: if Quentin Tarintino himself puts his name on the coverbox in order to help get this smalltime movie noticed by Americans, then that says something right there about how important this film is. Canada rocks! The final ending, which happens seconds before the credits roll, will shock and surprise you, i guarantee it. This is a must-see film for anyone who is a fan of rock with a punk edge to it, and fans of rock music films. Highly watcheable, with a very likeable cast of talented actors.Movie Review: Brilliant!
Summary: 5 Stars
For the first time in four days I had the strength to
watch a flick (I've been ill). You can imagine the withdrawals I was
going through.
My choice couldn't have been better...Quentin
Tarantino's Rolling Thunder pictures presentation of
"Hard Core Logo". Called a rockumentary, this flick
is a hard core look at a band (Hard Core Logo) and
their final tour. Superbly cast, an outrageous script
(sometimes hiliarious), and a soundtrack that will
have you rockin', this film is what I call "a
punk-rock version of Oliver Stone's 'The Doors'". I
wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I
started watching this, but by the time I reached the
point of no return, I felt as though I knew each of
the four band members who struggle with life, the
substances, and fame. It is compelling, eye-opening,
and "real". And wait'll the ending. A stunner! If
he hasn't already seen it, I know my 19-year-old son will love
this one. The offbeat humor isn't for everyone, but
once you nestle into this little gem, you'll be
hooked.
In this genre' (I'd put this in the category with
rock-u-dramas such as "The Doors", "La Bamba", "Great
Balls of Fire" and others), this one gets a "5".
Thank you Quentin. You are a genius when it comes to
filmmaking.
Good punk rock mockumentary!(in ref. to HARDCORE EDITION)
Summary: 5 Stars Hugh Dillon is great as the role of Joe Dick and PIPEFITTER is an absolute blatter buster with his no nonsense on track minded conversations. This band is cool and a director documents a benefit tour they are doing of a man who was never really hurt and living quite fine! So it all comes back to them in the end and everything goes downward. It's your typical rock and roll movie but it is definitely a classic and if your into music or into movies with some good dialogue than this one is for you. Last time I remember it was very hard to get the soundtrack to this movie but the hardcore edition gives you a nice new copy of the soundtrack with a booklet of the whole shibaggin history of the making of the films. I am pretty sure that Quentin Tarantino actually has nothing to do with the ACTUAL MAKING OF THE FILM! But his name is even on the HARDCORE EDITION so I'm sure he gave some help in distributing and making of the HARDCORE and DVD versions of the films and the many others that are appearing on the shelves with his name on it!(what a guy) Anyways it's a good movie and if your into a little cool collectible for your DVD collection and if your Canadian than you should definitely look this one up!