Customer Reviews

Hard Core Logo [VHS]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I love this film. Its emotional impact is roughly similar to that of watching a car accident in slow motion -- it's horrifying, and you keep hoping that what you see as the inevitable isn't going to happen, but it does, and you can't look away...

This is not a hilarious comedy, despite what the back of the box may lead you to believe. But it is definitely worth one viewing. Or several. I'd be lying if I denied that a lot of my enjoyment from the film comes from the amazing twisted chemistry between Joe Dick and Billy Tallent. They're wonderfully dysfunctional together. It didn't hurt that I already knew Hugh Dillon from his band the Headstones and Callum Keith Rennie from Due South, either. That was, in fact, how I found out about this film. But I digress.

Note to people who are interested in this film because Quentin Tarantino's name is on the box: he didn't direct it. His only involvement with it, as far as I know, is liking it enough to get it a US release.

I love this film, but the DVD is bad. First off, the only extra is the trailer. That's very disappointing, especially since I read an interview where the director talked about how he wanted to do a commentary track with Hugh Dillon and include four or five deleted scenes. Even the Canadian VHS release had a music video. Also I know there was a making-of special that could conceivably have been included. And they could've even added Bruce McDonald's music video for the Headstones' "Cemetery," as it's a great song to sing over the closing credits -- you'll see why.

I would recommend not looking at the images for the chapter stops until after the film. The final one, "Salute," (sic) spoils the ending.

But my main problem with the DVD is that over half of the titles that are supposed to appear onscreen in white are missing. This includes the names of the bands onstage at the Vancouver show, the word "Git-tah" during Billy's solo at the Vancouver show, the song titles at the Edmonton show, and pretty much all of the time/date references.

That lack messes up a lot of the movie. For example, right after Joe tells them to be at the van at 6 am, and you see shots of them waiting, there should have been numbers indicating 6:15, 7:00, 7:30, etc, to show that they finally left four hours later. Also, one of John's monologues makes a comment about how a certain time, I think, 3 am, relates to something. The something, when it happened, was not marked as 3 am, and thus, we lose that foreshadowing. Plus, in general, it would be nice to know when the events in the film happen. I know these words and numbers should be there because they were there in the Canadian VHS release.

Oh, one particularly bizarre loss of text: I think it was the Calgary show. On the VHS tape, as they come up on the city, the words "Calgary, Alberta" appear onscreen, timed with a sound effect. The words stay on screen a couple seconds, then are replaced with two repeated Chinese/Japanese characters. On the DVD, the sound effects are there, the characters are there, but the English text is missing. How odd.

The picture is much brighter on DVD than on my VHS tape, which is nice, and all the black and white interviews are now sepia-toned or blue. I don't recall the VHS release having this, but I could very well have really funny color settings on my TV.

I am editing this review to mention that the part with the gun in the "music, no coke" conversation is still there. I had misremembered when it was. So there probably are no editing differences.

My verdict is: if you already own the Canadian VHS, don't throw it out. But if you haven't seen it, buy the DVD. I'm just a slightly obsessed fan, and you probably won't notice any of this. The film itself is still superb.

If you go to Amazon's Canadian branch (at www.amazon.ca), you can order the much superior version of this classic movie. Here's what you get:

A few years ago, Miramax released a bare bones DVD of Hard Core Logo, but now Bruce McDonald has re-released his movie with a new transfer (strangely full-frame as opposed to the 1.85:1 aspect ratio of the Miramax disc) and a new and improved 5.1 surround soundtrack.

First up is the rowdy audio commentary between Bruce McDonald, actor Hugh Dillon and the screenwriter, Noel S. Baker. McDonald and Baker dominate the track at first, but then Dillon gets more vocal (or is that drunker?) as the commentary progresses. There are a lot of interesting observations from all the participants. Initially, Dillon wasn't interested in doing the movie because he felt that most rock 'n' roll films didn't get it right but McDonald convinced him that this one would be different. What makes this commentary such a treat to listen to is that it's obvious that everyone involved hasn't watched the film in years and that they're having a blast revisiting it. They are all clearly proud of the film and aren't afraid to poke fun at it and themselves.

Also included are the obligatory cast and crew biographies and the theatrical trailer that was originally on the Miramax DVD.

Another new feature are two music videos: one for Dillon's band, The Headstones and the other for Hard Core Logo, which parodies A Hard Day's Night (the band in ridiculous wigs runs away from their fans) and features clips from the movie.

Fans of Canadian music will be happy to know that the tribute CD-with actual Canadian rock bands covering the songs of Hard Core Logo-is also included. For those that think Bryan Adams, Celine Dion and Avril Lavigne sum up Canadian music, think again!

In keeping with its DIY roots, the DVD booklet is designed and written like an independent punk rock fanzine that is a nice added touch.

This movie is an absolute MUST for Callum Keith Rennie fans; he shines in his role as a reluctant returning member of the Canadian punk band Hard Core Logo for their reunion tour. This movie has been described as a dark, realist Spinal Tap, and was billed as a black comedy. While the movie has its funny, often hilarious moments, it actually concentrates on the real, human emotions driving each character. This is a character-driven movie, rather than a plot- or action-driven movie, and shows a great deal of insight about the internal politics of friendship. Though the performance scenes are also very cool.

"This is Spinal Tap" created the mockumentary genre in film with brilliant caricatures of washed-up rockers, and a sly wit that often slipped past on the first viewing. Bruce McDonald has upped the ante with "Hard Core Logo," his mockumentary about a defunct band of punk rockers who come together for a charity show, stay together for a short tour, and implode rather spectacularly on the road from obscurity to nowhere.

Yes, it's funny. It's monumentally funny in a nasty, painful way. You can't like these people, but you can come to love them, unloveable as they are, because they are so completely human and messed up. Though you know there is no way on earth the band can hold together you'll find yourself wanting them to succeed. The performances are amazing; there is not a false note in the whole film. Particularly fine are John Pyper-Ferguson as John Oxenberger, Julian Richings as Bucky Haight, and Hugh Dillon who gives a brilliant performance as Joe Dick. There's even a cameo by the late Joey Ramone.

HCL requires steady nerves, it's harrowing, but it's absolutely worth the time. "4 guys - 5 nights - 3000 miles - 764 gallons of gas - 987 bottles of beer - 3457 cigarettes - 1 last shot" Amen.

Hey, if you want to watch something like Spinal Tap see, Mighty Wind, Best in Show, or Waiting for Guffman. This a much more dramatic mockumentary. I'm amazed I hadn't heard of this powerful movie before now, considering it's around 10 years already. While not a straight comedy I haven't laughed this hard in a while. The acid freak-out scene was almost too silly but the reactions once they sobered up were priceless, hysterical and believable. The sadness that runs through this film is chilling but probably familiar to anyone who has ever known someone involved with the real business of music. Having chased these dreams myself in a similar fashion I always feel somewhat lucky to have given up on the dream and this picture seems to confirm the notion that no matter how long or satisfying your 15 minutes was, there is a price. In Rock and Roll terms,"The Devil Will Collect".

...try picking up a copy of the book H.ARD CORE ROADSHOW, a making-of diary kept by the HCL screenwriter, Noel Baker. The book is alright, but at least it satisfies some of the behind-the-scenes cravings you might have after watching the movie. Found out some surprising things, like how several GREAT story plot points and that ending came to be. What's up with Quentin being so stingy with the extras on the DVD?? Even though I give the movie itself five stars, the DVD presentation merits only three. Somebody re-release this thing, and do it RIGHT!

Hugh Dillon is great as the role of Joe Dick and PIPEFITTER is an absolute blatter buster with his no nonsense on track minded conversations. This band is cool and a director documents a benefit tour they are doing of a man who was never really hurt and living quite fine! So it all comes back to them in the end and everything goes downward. It's your typical rock and roll movie but it is definitely a classic and if your into music or into movies with some good dialogue than this one is for you. Last time I remember it was very hard to get the soundtrack to this movie but the hardcore edition gives you a nice new copy of the soundtrack with a booklet of the whole shibaggin history of the making of the films. I am pretty sure that Quentin Tarantino actually has nothing to do with the ACTUAL MAKING OF THE FILM! But his name is even on the HARDCORE EDITION so I'm sure he gave some help in distributing and making of the HARDCORE and DVD versions of the films and the many others that are appearing on the shelves with his name on it!(what a guy) Anyways it's a good movie and if your into a little cool collectible for your DVD collection and if your Canadian than you should definitely look this one up!

I had to buy this movie through an Internet auction on VHS. I loved it. There has never been a movie involving Rock and Roll this good. Unlike Spinal Tap, director Bruce McDonald is taking this concept and using it for serious drama. I don't think you have to be in a band to really feel this movie's spirit and identify. I encourage everyone to see it, and I defy anyone to not be affected by it. It's good to see it getting the DVD treatment it deserves, and courtesy of Quentin Tarantino no less. We all know he's a man who knows great film. Hopefully, his endorsement will help get Americans to rent it (and eventually buy it).

"Hard Core Logo" is about punk rock, Canada, friendship, hatred, burning out, dying young, poetry, and insanity. And oh yeah, a whole lot more. Actually, it's about a legendary (but fictional) Canadian punk band, reuniting after five years for one last kick at the can. We follow them (faux-documentary style) on a tour of Western Canada, as they play shows and ruin whatever's left of their sad little lives. It's a brilliant piece of work that, although it bears a striking cosmetic resemblance to, owes little to "Spinal Tap".

Director Bruce McDonald does a fine job blurring the line between fiction and reality, actor and rock star. If you didn't know it was fake, you'd be hard-pressed to find the seams in this little make believe. A lot of that has to do with establishing credibility in the details. From early appearances by real Canadian punk legends D.O.A. and Art Begmann (not to mention a very confused looking Joey Ramone), to a kick-ass set list written specifically for the movie ("Who The Hell Do You Think You Are" is a great stand-up-and-shake-your-fist punk tune), to the palpable sweat and stink of the small clubs the boys play, McDonald covers all the bases. He even includes himself in the mix, in a great narrative conceit, as a documentary filmmaker named `Bruce McDonald', who is the repeated object of the band's barbs and spit.

But the biggest credibility coup is the casting of Hugh Dillon as the Hard Core's frontman, Joe Dick. Dillon is a real life rock star, fronting the post-punk Canadian band `The Headstones'. In his first beefy screen role, he acquits himself spectacularly as the angry core and creative force of the band. He spits, he lies, he snarls, he waxes rhapsodic, and he oozes charisma like nobody's business. His credibility does wonders in the film's final moment, which would, in the hands of a less capable actor and director, feel contrived and manipulative, but comes off totally legit here. Coupled with Callum Keith Rennie, a fine actor who does an excellent job playing right hand man/best friend/guitar hero Billy Tallent, the two make a wonderful team. "I suffer for his art," says Tallent at one point, in a line that perfectly sums up their relationship. Joe wants the low rent tour to go on forever, while Billy is pondering a move to the big time. They fit in wonderfully in the history of rock and roll love/hate relationships that includes Jagger/Richard, Lennon/McCartney, and of course the Tap's St. Hubbins/Tufnel. The rest of the band includes John Pyper-Ferguson as bassist John Oxenberger, a calm schizophrenic who loses his medication and his sanity, and Bernie Coulson as drummer Pipefitter (as ridiculous a nom de punk as I've ever heard), an overgrown child with no prospects, who's putting off "a lifetime of collecting garbage". They make a fine fearsome foursome.

My one complaint with the movie is an intense, LSD-inspired scene of bacchanalia, that fits in perfectly with the narrative, but is too over the top to be interesting. A minor complaint, that. Otherwise, this is a well-crafted and entertaining ode to bitter nihilism and Canadiana, that I can watch over and over and over.

Hard Core Logo (Bruce MacDonald, 1996)

When I finished watching Hard Core Logo, with its insanely brilliant final shot, I realized I'd seen a pretty good movie-- a little slow to get going, and definitely marketed wrong (comparing Hard Core Logo to This Is Spinal Tap is like comparing Shoah to Life Is Beautiful). Two days later, when I was still thinking about all the subtleties of the movie, it occurred to me that I'd seen what may be the most brilliant mockumentary ever created, a movie so true to the roots of the things it fictionalizes that it may well be truer, in a sense, than many of the "memoirs" we've seen in the recent past.

Hard Core Logo is the story of the [punk band of the same name], who reunite for a five-date tour after five years of separation-- vocalist Joe Dick (Hugh and the Headstones singer Hugh Dillon, recently of Assault on Precinct 13), guitarist Billy Tallent (Blade: Trinity's Callum Keith Rennie), bassist John Oxenberger (Pin...'s John Pyper-Ferguson), and drummer Pipefitter (Bernie Coulson, who despite a long and prolific career will probably best be remembered for a single guest spot on an episode of The X-Files) quickly find not only that the rigors of the road still suck, but that not everyone is just in it for the love of the game...

I wish I could enumerate all the things that make this such a wonderful movie. The problem is, I'm sure I haven't found them all yet. Just while sitting here typing this it occurred to me how dead-on the dichotomy between the filmmakers' attitude towards the band and the general public's attitude towards the band is; MacDonald comes at the project, initially, through a kind of hero-worship (and again, my mind just made the parallels between the MacDonald-Dick relationship and the Dick-Bucky Haight relationship as the film progresses. Amazing stuff.), while the general public, most of whom hadn't heard of the band before, certainly couldn't give a damn about the reunion tour. Been there, done that. MacDonald nails it.

The comparisons to Spinal Tap are unwarranted mainly because where Spinal Tap is a comedy, Hard Core Logo is a tragedy. There's never a point in Spinal Tap where you don't know that there's going to be some sort of "oh, you're HUGE in Germany!" deus ex machina. MacDonald never even gives us the option in Hard Core Logo; it's obvious that no matter how things end up, people are going to get hurt. The self-destructive Hard Core Logo are hell-bent on imploding, and MacDonald (whom, I should mention, is playing himself; yes, this film has "meta" writ large all over it, which is part of the fun) is just as intent on capturing the whole thing. What starts off seeing as though it may be a mean-spirited black comedy quickly turns to uncomfortable chuckling, and by halfway through you're wondering why you ever thought there was anything funny about it.

It's been another week since I finished watching it and framed that opening paragraph in my head, and the movie is still growing in my estimation. The more I think about it, the more I realize Hard Core Logo is an incredible achievement on every level. A stunning film. **** ½