American Hardcore (2006)
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72% of critics liked it
(61 reviews) -
62% of users liked it
(34,420 ratings)
The lost subculture of America's rebellious, Reagan-era hardcore set is explored in filmmaker Paul Rachman's cinematic adaptation of Steven Blush's book. Disillusioned by politics, angered by greedy record labels, and bound together by a powerful antiestablishment sentiment, bands such as Minor… More The lost subculture of America's rebellious, Reagan-era hardcore set is explored in filmmaker Paul Rachman's cinematic adaptation of Steven Blush's book. Disillusioned by politics, angered by greedy record labels, and bound together by a powerful antiestablishment sentiment, bands such as Minor Threat, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, and Bad Brains paved the way for such later bands as Nirvana and Pearl Jam by fearlessly questioning -- and frequently mocking -- the status quo, and proving that you don't need radio play to reach an audience. Whether working for a real change or simply attempting to shake things up in the music scene, these bands gave a voice to the legions of youthful fans who felt their opinions had been neglected in mainstream society. In this documentary, concert footage combines with interviews to offer a comprehensive look at the musical revolution that defined an era. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- PG, 1 hr. 40 min.
- Directed By
- Paul Rachman
- Written By
- Steven Blush
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Documentary
- In Theaters
- Sep 22, 2006 Limited
- On DVD
- Feb 20, 2007
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
Critic Reviews
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Michael Senft, Arizona Republic
... an enjoyable if incomplete nostalgia trip.
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Dan DeLuca, Philadelphia Inquirer
American Hardcore, Paul Rachman's impressively thorough documentary, tells of the second-generation punk rockers who learned from the Sex Pistols and Ramones and then did their DIY thing.
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Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
American Hardcore gets what most music lovers could not at the time: Sometimes, that noise in your head and that anger in your heart just has to get out, and there's always a guitar around somewhere.
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Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
Instead of an insightful look at disaffected youths finding an outlet for angry energy in rock rages, American Hardcore is a slanted history lesson coming solely from its subjects.
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Michael Booth, Denver Post
What's irritating about the movie is how much time it spends on empty nostalgia -- shouldn't real punks scorn reminiscing? -- and how little time it spends truly exploring the roots of America's punk prime in the early 1980s.
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