Hard Core Logo (1996)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Bruce McDonald

Writers:

Noel S. Baker (screenwriter)
Michael Turner (book)

Release Date:

11 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music

Tagline:

4 guys - 5 nights - 3000 miles - 764 gallons of gas - 987 bottles of beer - 3457 cigarettes - 1 last shot

Plot:

Bruce Macdonald follows punk bank Hard Core Logo on a harrowing last-gasp reunion tour throughout Western Canada...

Plot Keywords:

Road | Punk | Canada | Fake Documentary | Band

Awards:

4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Hugh Dillon	...	Joe Dick
Callum Keith Rennie	...	Billy Tallent / Jenifur
John Pyper-Ferguson	...	John Oxenberger
Bernie Coulson	...	Pipefitter
Julian Richings	...	Bucky Haight
Benita Ha	...	Pipefitter's Girlfriend
Claudia Ferri	...	John Oxenberger's Girlfriend
Joey Ramone	...	Joey Ramone
Corrine Koslo	...	Laura Cromartie
Bruce McDonald	...	Documentary Filmmaker
Danny Nowak	...	Documentary Cameraman
Jochen A. Schliessler	...	Documentary Sound Recordist (as Jochen Schliessler)
Jeremy Bishop	...	Bongo Player
Tony Tucker	...	Bongo Player
Art Bergmann	...	Himself

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, substance abuse, some violence and sexuality.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English | German

Color:

Black and White | Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Canada:14A (Ontario) (Canadian Home Video rating) | Australia:MA | USA:R | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Terminal City Pictures

Trivia:

When Joe Dick is talking to Mary the Fan after the Regina show, a poster can be seen over his shoulder for a Canadian band called the Hard Rock Miners. Michael Turner, the author of the book this film is based on, was a founding member of the Hard Rock Miners.

Quotes:

Mulligan: Say they make six G's... you know, and they take my fifteen percent. The band, the food, the gas, hotel... uh... four guys, 3000 miles, five nights. At this point, you do it for love.

Movie Connections:

References "Jeopardy!" (1984)

Soundtrack:

Who The Hell Do You Think You Are?

Just wonderful, intelligent film making

To try and comment on this film without mentioning Spinal Tap would be hard considering not only all the comments that have gone before but also the synopsis provided on this site. And the fact that not even real Rockumentary's can be reviewed without mentioning it hints at the brilliance of that film. Hard Core Logo, is not, however, Spinal Tap......and it's none the worse for it.

Hard Core Logo is an intelligent drama (with the occasional comic moment) about the intense love between two friends and their mutually destructive force on each other when their paths once again entwine together years after the dissolution of their band.

The copy I watched was pretty pore so I can't really comment on the cinematography but I can imagine, from the fuzzy version I did see, that its strikingly beautiful in it's own slightly decrepit way. The plot line is almost non-existent leaving the main focus on the four members of the band, mainly founding members Joe Dick and Billy Talent.

So without good actors this film would sink. As it is the director has pulled fantastic, three dimensional, heart rending performances from both Hugh Dillon and Callum Keith-Rennie. Hugh Dillon's Joe Dick is a self destructive black hole that pulls in those around him. His love for Billy can never be doubted but he can't stand to think he's been left behind and will do almost anything to bring Billy back into his life. Dillon's energy and screen presence is quite extraordinary.

Billy on the other hand is trying to get out, not just for money reasons but because he sees it as a way of salvaging his life from his group of self destructing band mates. Keith-Rennie's performance is all in the close ups of his face or his performance in the background of a scene while watching those around him. Billy talks crap but his face never lies.

well, at least that was my take on this film...and that really is where Hard Core Logo comes into it's own. With so much of what the characters actually mean not being said (they chose, instead, to spout the generally expected views of a rock band) it really does depend on the viewer what film they watch. Bruce McDonald is a director that knows the beauty of well acted silence. They don't need to say anything for us to know exactly what these characters are feeling. Truly spectacular.

But I'm rambling, seriously, watch it, don't watch it, but if you don;t you're genuinely missing out!!