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13 out of 15 people found the following review useful: Comparing this to Spinal Tap makes you an idiot, 24 November 2003 Author: credmond from Ottawa, Ont.
This is easily all around one of the best Canadian films evermade. Yes it is a mockumentary, yes it is follows around a rock band(rockumentary) but for every other reason this really should not becompared to Spinal Tap. It really isn't a comedy, although it has some great moments in it. It's also not about a band "struggling with fame" which is whatEVERY OTHER rock movie is about (Almost Famous, That ThingYou Do, Spinal Tap, The Doors, you name it). Just four guysholding on to a dream that should have faded years ago, all thewhile trying not to kill each other. I always knew Hugh Dillon was really the lead singer for theHeadstones, so I realized it wasn't really a documentary butthought Hard Core Logo the band might still have existed and thiswas a tribute. Not the case, but that takes nothing away from themovie. They say not to watch this movie if you're in a band because it'llmake you never want to play. At the same time, I think anyone whohas been in a band will appreciate it that much more picturing howtheir little arguments would be amplified to 10 years later. It's anoverall great gut check to picture just ow much you love playingmusic, especially if noone wants to listen.
13 out of 15 people found the following review useful: One American's perspective, 24 June 2003 Author: balkanarama from Seattle WA USA
It resembles "Spinal Tap" only in that it's about a fictitious rock band on its way down. This is a more ambitious movie, and its mood is much darker -- while it has its comic moments, it's not a film to watch when you're feeling down.This particular American viewer had no trouble with the Canadian references -- yes, we can tell Canadian cities apart and know exactly which Quebeckers the bassist was talking about. In fact, the Canadianness of the movie was part of its appeal, and I'm not just talking about the stunning scenery. I do have to admit overlooking the angle about Canadian musicians selling out to the American scene -- I was more attuned to the sellout on the personal rather than national level. Bands in the States lose musicians to L.A., too.At its core, this is a movie about friendship and betrayal, and in the end, betrayal wins. It's a hard, honest movie, not easy watching but worth the effort.(Parents, this one isn't for the kiddies -- lots of obscenity and some violence, though none of it is gratuitous to the story.)
10 out of 12 people found the following review useful: more than satire; shocking ending, 8 January 2003 Author: mayrose from US
The commenter who turned it off 30 minutes into the film missed out. I don't think this film was made as a comedy. If it was marketed as such then that was a misrepresentation. Yes it has amusing moments and things to think about and laugh about, but it also makes you think in other ways, about relationships, friendship, power, art, and journalism. The journey is a metaphor and things get more intense as the band's tour progresses while the band falls apart. While I wouldn't call Spinal Tap unintelligent, it was a lot more lighthearted than Hard Core Logo. I think the parallels drawn between the two movies are superficial and must have originated in a marketeer's mind. The music is good and the filmmaking makes you think. Don't go to this movie looking for brainless comedy.
7 out of 8 people found the following review useful: good film thats been misrepresented, 24 May 2003 Author: miguelsanchez69 from NYC
Really interesting film for anyone familiar with the hardcore music scene that deals with the problems and moral dilemmas of a reunited band. The problem is the movie is mismarketed as a comedy. Humor in the movie is quite present though dark and dry (though still very funny). This movie is actually quite a bit better than spinal tap. It's not mocking a bad band of a genre, but exploring the problems of the scene by looking at what's viewed to be a good one. The only similarity between this film and spinal tap is the narrative framework, which is that of a documentary, though in this film, that device becomes less obtrusive, and in all honesty could have been removed. Also, this movie has much more of a human heart than a film like spinal tap or fear of a black hat (another movie that got lumped into the "mockumentary" genre). The big problem I think is that this movie is represented as a comedy, and it's as dramatic as it is humorous. Terrific ending too. Recommended to those who enjoy dark comedies and punk rock.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Just wonderful, intelligent film making, 6 September 2008 Author: moosic from England
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!!
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Really interesting character study NOT to be compared to "This Is Spinal Tap!", 21 January 2006 Author: Superunknovvn from Austria, Vienna
Let's get it over with right from the beginning: the only thing that "This Is Spinal Tap!" and "Hard Core Logo" have in common is the documentary set up. While Spinal Tap was a comedy that - as the name of the genre "mockumentary" suggests - mocked the heavy metal scene, "Hard Core Logo" is a character study that takes an honest look at a band and life on the road. Actually, the whole framework is rather unnecessary in this movie as it serves no real purpose and characters didn't act like they were in front of a camera (unlike say "The Office", where people behaved as if they were aware of being filmed). Besides, the pictures are shot too beautifully anyway for this to feel like a real documentary. That's not to say "Hard Core Logo" isn't realistic, though. The movie gives us a quite real impression of being in a punk band, caught between different agendas, personalities, power struggles and the sheer need to survive. This is why, apart from a few moments that will make you chuckle, "Hard Core Logo" isn't really trying to be funny, either. Just like real life the tragic moments outweigh the comedic ones by far. The acting is great and the soundtrack is accurate, two very important things to make a movie about punk rock work. Apart from maybe the drummer the band members aren't over-subscribed and you can really see guys like Joe Dick or Billy Talent playing in actual bands (guess what, Hugh Dillon actually was the singer of his own band, The Headstones). "Hard Core Logo" works on every level and is very entertaining to watch, too. There are quite a few details in the story hinted at rather subtly, which you're probably not going to get the first time around, so a second or third viewing is recommended.
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Worthwhile, entirely., 4 September 2003 Author: hypernode1 from British Columbia
I love "Hard Core Logo", a fine black comedy. Hugh Dillon, Callum Keith Rennie, John Pyper-Ferguson, Bernie Coulson, and Julian Richings as Bucky Haight all did a great job portraying an aging band that never lived up to it's own ambitions. Frankly, I am so tired of "This is Spinal Tap", a film I liked the first two times I saw it. It wore thin on me all too quickly. I still love HCL, and that has to be because it is based on Michael Turner's book. Turner's own experiences in the Hard Rock Miners informed his writing and that legitimacy was kept in tact in the film. Also, from a Canadian point of view, I liked it because it was a straight up story and a straight up film. Far too often it seems that Canadian filmmakers feel that they have to go out of their way to make odd/disturbing films that just come across as pretentious and 'faux-Euro', or make films designed to pander to the lowest common denominator of the Hollywood market. MacDonald made his own film for himself and I for one am grateful.
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Excellent, 4 February 2006 Author: gobzine from United States
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
If you listen to punk rock, especially if you listen to early 80's punk rock and are perhaps a fan of the Canadian punk band D.O.A you'll probably enjoy this movie a heck of a lot. If you are not into that punk rock scene, you will still enjoy the drama, the pathos and the fun, it is a well made movie with believable characters and a logical plot.I won't put a spoiler in this review but it is a fine plot that is taken from the real life of small bands who face the struggle of remaining true to their indy roots and the inevitable changes that life forces all of us to deal with.We cannot stay the same, friendships change and sometimes it is for the better but most of the time it doesn't feel that way, we yearn for simpler times....
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Awesome, 8 March 2002 Author: cain_girl from BC, Canada
This movie was excellent.. I loved the entire film. I have since then purchased it and I will never tire of watching it. This is a movie I show all my friends.. and most of them like it. The acting in this movie is excellent.. they way the interact is superb. I think there should be more films like this out there. I would also like to know what the other 2 movies are in this trilogy.
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: My favorite movie, 20 January 2000 Author: Unsound from Twitch City
Someone once asked me if I were stranded on a desert island and could only watch one movie for the rest of my life, what would it be? Without question, it would be this mockumentary gem from The Great White North. Cheers to all those involved: to Hugh, Callum, John, Bernie, and Julian, whose performances are all top-notch; to Noel and Michael, whose writing exemplify true Canadian talent and spirit; and to Bruce, who brought it all together beautifully. If you haven't seen this movie, FIND IT. You'll laugh, you'll cry, it'll move you.
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