I loved the book, I liked the movie soundtrack, and now I've finally seen the movie, American Hardcore. I've actually had the DVD from its first release date. I just haven't been able to bring myself to watch it. I was afraid that I'd be disappointed. The movie is what it is. The sound and video aren't great in the live performances from the 80's because they were all amateur in just about every sense of the word. I wish that they'd shown full songs being performed, though, because the way that little bits of live performances were thrown in here and there only made them all seem the same. I don't know if that was what we were supposed to think -- that all hardcore sounds the same -- but I don't think so, because the producers of the movie obviously cared enough to make distinctions in the present day interviews. I guess it's just a matter of what they had to work with in terms of original footage of the bands.
Rather unexpectedly, I found myself feeling rather depressed at the end of the movie. I wanted it to go on longer and to see more people and bands, but that just left me feeling mildly disappointed. The depression part was from the sad realization that everyone in the scene has gotten old. We're all old and grown up. That's not earth-shattering news to anyone who can do basic math, but it's different to say, "I wonder whatever happened to (insert name of band here)?" versus actually seeing them now. In my memory, the guys (and it was mostly guys) are all still young, thin, and angry. In reality, they're old, fat (mostly, with some notable exceptions), and (most) seemed to be somewhat resigned in their attitude toward life in the present. On the one hand, I'm also old, fat, and too tired to do a lot about the things that I find incredibly disturbing about the world today, so I have no right to complain. On the other hand, I was somewhat happier thinking that some people who really influenced me with their music had continued to fight the good fight. It's sad to see that the real world got to them, too.
Although a lot of the people interviewed said that they got into hardcore because they didn't like where the United States was headed during the Reagan years, there was no explanation of why hardcore died out before the end of Reagan's second term (which was, of course, followed by a none too different first Bush presidency). I'd love to see that question answered. I'd also love to see a Where Are They Now? type movie which explains what people who were influential in the scene are doing now. They did allude to that for some people, but they didn't really go into great detail about most interviewees' current lives. *That* is a movie that I'd love to see.
I guess all this disillusionment will be worth it if, after I wallow in my depression for a bit longer, I get up off my ample ass and doing something about what I think is wrong with the world.
Can I just say that it this is one of the reasons I love Iggy Pop. I was never a huge fan of his but damn if he still isn't the same guy he was 40 years ago. Even if he's a bit scarier looking;)
I think you've depressed me a bit too but I do want to rent the film. Maybe we could both get off our ample asses and do something constructive...
Posted by: Nancy | April 17, 2007 at 02:16 PM