OUR REVIEW
Who's in It: Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye, Greg Ginn, Paul "H.R." Hudson, Brandon Cruz, Flea, Moby, Phil Anselmo, Hank Williams III
The Basics: If your favorite bands between 1980 and 1986 were Black Flag, Bad Brains, Minor Threat or Circle Jerks, then you were hardcore, and none of this movie will be news to you. But if you weren't hardcore (or just didn't care then), this information-packed documentary will explain it all for you.
What's the Deal? In the time before the Internet, there was a countercultural network of bands, college radio shows, zines and social groups, all created by members of the hardcore punk movement. It was about music and politics and fashion and furious young misfits, and their DIY aesthetic was so successful that they inadvertently paved the way for all the awful "alternative" and "punk" bands that came along after Nirvana. And even though most of the early punks are in their late 30s to late 40s, they're still grumpy about it.
What's Good About It: Lots of great archival footage of bands and fans from 25 years ago, the placement of the scene within a rabidly anti-Ronald Reagan political context and addressing the male domination and violence of the whole thing.
What's Lame About It: At 100 minutes, it's too long, with too many talking heads saying similar stuff. Those old songs were all 90 seconds long. Or less. The attention span of hardcore fans hasn't gotten much better as they've aged. I know this because Black Flag gave me tinnitus in 1984. Make the movie go faster!
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