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- DirectorRyan RheaAmerican Goth: a documentary American Goth, an 86-minute feature documentary, provides an in-depth examination of Gothic culture, which is often typified by black clothes and an interest in dark music, literature, and culture. In a post-Columbine era, Goths have been perceived and stereotyped in many ways. American Goth is a D.I.Y.-style, conversational documentary that asks if Goth culture poses a threat to society or if it is simply an alternative lifestyle. With a think-for-yourself approach, this guerilla film features Goths in their own words, and first-time filmmaker Ryan Rhea explores their unique place in todays society. The film is divided into sections including the Goth Scene, Gothic Origins, Goths and Music, Goths and Society, Paganism, Vampirism, Witchcraft, Goths and Spirituality, and Prejudice. The idea from the film came out of a reaction to hearing about the Goth Grant, $273,000 given to the community of Blue Springs, Missouri, to investigate Goth culture. Ryan Rheas film questioned the validity of such a grant, but ultimately provided an overview of Gothic culture, and the people in it, in a much broader context. American Goth is underground, D.I.Y. filmmaking. It was conceived by, shot, edited, and directed by Ryan Rhea over the course of three years. With the help of executive producer Michael Lynch, whose guidance and support made it possible for the film to be made, and PJ Corvus, who provided the films compelling soundtrack, American Goth is one of the first films to take a close look at Goth culture, and to give a voice to the Goths themselves. Ryan conducted a number of filmed interviews on various formats. Ultimately more than 20 hours of footage for the project was gathered. From notebooks and transcripts of the interviews to the actual editing and post-production on an Avid editing system, the first cut came in at two and a half hours. Too long, the next step was to cut it down to an optimal length, and it was eventually brought to its current 86 minutes. At this point, PJ Corvus provided the music and Ryan incorporated it into the film. After some narration, color and sound fixes, and titling, it was at last ready for release. Of course, the true credit for the film goes to all of those who appeared in it, sharing their thoughts and allowing access into the mysterious world of Goth culture. The films premiere was warmly received at the St. Louis International Film Festival in November 2005 and subsequently appeared at other festivals. The soundtrack for American Goth is available through Cuervo Loco records. The film features Goths from St. Louis and the Kansas City area (including the preeminent DJ Skeletal from St. Louis), as well as New York Times best-selling author Laurell K. Hamilton, law enforcement officials, and others. In addition to a dynamic original soundtrack from PJ Corvus, the film includes performance clips of bands Son of William and Tripelexer. * 2013 Update: American Goth is screening at the 2013 X-Fest Film Festival in South Africa.
- DirectorJeanie FinlayStarsAndi Sex GangAmanda GamsbyIan HerrickA look at the growing allure of Goth culture in England and the USA.
- DirectorJohn HeynJeff KrulikStarsJohn Cloud Jr.Judas PriestA look at the wild scene outside a Judas Priest concert.
- DirectorDick CarruthersStarsRitchie BlackmoreGraham BonnetGeezer ButlerThis documentary is a considered look at the continuing story of Metal, in the words of the people that make it, live it, breathe it and keep it vital. The Bands. The Fans, The Producers, The Industry and The Journalists. What makes it tick, why nothing else can touch it for power, emotion and longevity, why it's misunderstood, why it doesn't care, how it continues to upset the establishment, how it manipulates the media, the positivity, and the way it has forced it's iconography and ethos deep into an unsuspecting and unwilling mainstream.Metal is a documentary that looks at what made Metal, how it grew and how it has transcended fashion, misunderstanding, ridicule and ignorance. Metal is a journey into the psyche of the genre, the sounds, the sights and the smells. While not underestimating it's cultural significance, it's financial power or it's pioneering creativity, it's a film that shows the humour and intelligence as well as the excitement and the primal power. Metal is a film that will inform and entertain the uninitiated. If you know nothing about it by the time the credits roll, love it or loath it you'll understand how, why and what it does. For the hardcore Metal fans this will become a benchmark, it will reinforce and reaffirm their allegiance.Metal features interviews and archive from some of the most influential and respected musicians of the genre as well as commentators and fans. Created by award winning duo Director Dick Carruthers (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The White Stipes) and Producer Jim Parsons (MTV Headbangers' Ball. New Kings of Rock 'n' Roll, Re:covered) Metal is a long overdue film that unravels the music, the myths and the madness.
- DirectorBill ZebubStarsAbbathAgathonMartin Eric AinPagan/Folk Metal has been growing in popularity, and has overthrown Black Metal in Europe. These bands have tested the American shores and have played sold-out shows. The time has come to explore this invasion. This is the first documentary about Pagan/Folk Metal that has ever been made, and it features the best bands from the genre: Korpiklaani, Primordial, Finntroll, Ensiferum, Leaves Eyes, Turisas, and Tyr. Enjoy live performances, learn about the subcultures, and gain insight into the music. The artists give cordial and informative interviews - you will feel like you have made new friends. Two hours of metal await you! From the twisted mind of Bill Zebub (Grimoire of Exalted Deeds magazine, Metal Retardation, Breaking Her Will).
- DirectorMichael John WarrenStarsSebastian BachFrankie BanaliGeezer ButlerThe four part documentary focuses on the origins, subgenres, and the bands of heavy metal music, paying close attention to influential bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden, who helped to define heavy metal in its early years, including some other bands like Kiss, AC/DC and more.
- DirectorDon LettsStarsK.K. BarrettRoberta BayleyJello BiafraA documentary on the music, performers, attitude and distinctive look that made up punk rock.
- DirectorLech KowalskiStarsStiv BatorsTerry ChimesThe ClashDocumentary chronicaling the rise and fall of the punk movement with rare interview footage of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. Also concert and news footage.
- DirectorTed HaimesStarsBonoDavid BowieGerald Casale'Punk' Strips Music To Its Angry Roots BYLINE: EDWARD GUTHMANN, Chronicle Staff Critic 4 Star Rating PUNK: Documentary. With Johnny Rotten, Iggy Pop, Elvis Costello, David Bowie, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Chrissie Hynde, Joe Strummer and Joey Ramone. Directed, Written and Produced by Ted Haimes. (Not rated. 68 minutes. At the Red Vic Movie House through June 18.) ------------------------------------------------------------- If you thought you'd heard the last word on punk, or believed -- as I did -- that Penelope Spheeris' 1981 film ''The Decline of Western Civilization'' was the definitive punk documentary, you were wrong. Say hello to ''Punk'' , a smart, bracing, thoroughly enjoyable film that recalls the punk movement in England and the United States, pinpoints its roots and legacy, and interviews all the players who defined the genre. Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols is on board, along with Joe Strummer of the Clash, Elvis Costello (who says he never identified with punk), Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, Joey Ramone of the Ramones and Malcolm McLaren, the effete London haberdasher who created the Sex Pistols. Unlike ''The Decline of Western Civilization,'' which offered an insider's look at the L.A. punk culture at the time it was happening and was followed by a 1988 sequel, ''Punk'' benefits from hindsight -- from a wisdom and insight that weren't possible when mosh pits, body slams and screaming bloody outrage were still cutting-edge. ''It was a great time because it was so spontaneous and pure,'' says wraithlike poet Patti Smith, whose mid-'70s success slightly predated punk. Adds John Doe of the Los Angeles band X: ''It was reclaiming rock 'n' roll to a simple message -- and wasn't a big, bloated, corporate, limousine, cocaine- ridden bunch of s--.'' Directed and written by Ted Haimes, and executive-produced by Quincy Jones and Andrew Solt (''This Is Elvis,'' ''Imagine''), ''Punk'' benefits from an amazing trove of film clips -- Costello's first TV appearance, David Byrne and the Talking Heads in 1975 -- and wisely lets the material speak for itself instead of imposing an overlay of critical analysis. The participants do the interpreting in ''Punk,'' whether it's Bono of U2 praising Smith for her blend of the profane and the sacred; Strummer admitting that the Clash ripped off its sound, as did most Brit punk bands, from the Ramones; or guitarist Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols recalling, ''I couldn't play and Johnny Rotten couldn't sing and it created this horrible noise.'' Horrible noise, perhaps, but the energy and fury that fueled it were inescapable and demanded a voice. Once that rage was diluted and turned into New Wave, Rotten argues, the whole point of punk was destroyed. ''(New Wave) was a complete corruption of everything,'' he says. ''Everybody tried to be nice all over again. Don't be nice; it's the kiss of death.'' We also learn that the Sex Pistols modeled their anarchistic, screw-off style after the glam-rock New York Dolls. Contrary to the standard media perception, ''Punk'' insists, the movement wasn't born in Britain but had its antecedents in such American performers as Iggy Pop, MC5 and the Velvet Underground and actually took form at CBGB, a dumpy biker bar in Manhattan's Bowery. ''Punk'' also demonstrates how the grunge rock of the early '90s -- Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day -- can be directly traced to the punk stylists of the '70s. So much for the notion that punk was a brief aberration that existed in a vacuum -- something that ended with Sid Vicious' death rattle. ''Punk'' celebrates the blasting energy of its subject, but also demonstrates the costs of unbridled rage and self-abuse. When Kurt Cobain died at 27, Iggy Pop says, ''it brought home to me, as many things have in my maturity, that this is a dangerous business -- dangerous for the practitioners.''
- DirectorSusan DynnerStarsCraig AaronsonColin AbrahallAdriOn the edge of the 30th anniversary of punk rock, Punk's Not Dead takes you into the sweaty underground clubs, backyard parties, recording studios, and yes, shopping malls and stadium shows where punk rock music and culture continue to thrive. Thirty years after bands like the Ramones and the Sex Pistols infamously shocked the system with their hard, fast, status-quo-killing rock, the longest-running punk band in history is drawing bigger crowds than ever, "pop-punk" bands have found success on MTV, and kids too young to drive are forming bands that carry the torch for punk's raw, immediate sound. Meanwhile, "punk" has become a marketing concept to sell everything from cars to vodka, and dyed hair and piercings mark a rite of passage for thousands of kids. Can the true, nonconformist punk spirit still exist in today's corporatized culture? Featuring interviews, performances, and behind-the-scenes journeys with the bands, labels, fans, and press who keep punk alive, Punk's Not Dead dares to juxtapose pop-punk's music and lifestyle against the roots in the 70s and 80s, resulting in unexpected revelations. A DIY search for the soul of a subculture and a celebration of all things loud, fast, and spiked, Punk's Not Dead shows punk is stronger and more relevant today than it's ever been.
- DirectorPaul RachmanStarsGreg GinnIan MacKayeJames DrescherThe History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986
- DirectorDerek BurbidgeStarsWall of VoodooStan RidgwayMarc MorelandLive performances from dozens of leading early-1980s musical acts - rock, punk, ska, reggae - it's all here.
- DirectorAdam SmallPeter StuartStarsM. Otis BeardDennis DanellBrent LilesA documentary following the 1982 tour of punk bands Youth Brigade and Social Distortion.
- DirectorJulien TempleStarsPaul CookSteve JonesJohn LydonA film about the career of the notorious punk rock band, the Sex Pistols.
- DirectorDon LettsStarsSoo CatwomanSteve StrangeRobin BanksDocumentary on the London punk-rock scene, circa '78.
- DirectorJim FieldsMichael GramagliaStarsRick RubinTommy RamoneDee Dee RamoneThe story of the punk rock band The Ramones.
- DirectorJulien TempleStarsJoe StrummerSteve JonesMick JonesAs the front man of the Clash from 1977, Joe Strummer changed people's lives forever. Four years after his death, his influence reaches out around the world, more strongly now than ever before.
- DirectorDon LettsStarsTerry ChimesTerence DackombeTopper HeadonA career retrospective of British punk band The Clash, featuring exclusive interviews with the entire band.
- DirectorGrant GeeStarsRichard BoonAnton CorbijnKevin CumminsA chronological account of the influential late 1970s English rock band.
- DirectorGreg WhiteleyStarsArthur KaneDavid JohansenSylvain SylvainA recovering alcoholic and recently converted Mormon, Arthur "Killer" Kane, of the rock band The New York Dolls, is given a chance at reuniting with his band after 30 years.
- StarsBillie Joe ArmstrongJello BiafraDavid ByrneLou Reed narrates this Television special that takes a look back at the beginnings of the punk rock movements in New York & England, the underground punk scenes in the 70's & 80's, and the punk resurgence in the 90's. A collaboration between VH1 and Spin magazine.
- DirectorJohn CafieroStarsJoey RamoneJohnny RamoneDee Dee RamoneClimb in the van, buckle your seat belt and hang on tight because you're about to experience life on the road with the founding fathers of punk rock, The Ramones! The band that started it all stars in this all encompassing video scrapbook spanning the Ramones history making career circa 1979-1996, most of which is seen here exclusively for the first time anywhere! Ramones Raw includes vintage concert footage professionally shot on film in 1980, archived and nearly forgotten for over 20 years, plus countless memorable moments from the band's illustrious career, rare TV appearances, backstage footage and LOTS more all set within the core; a plethora of home video from the Ramones personal archives. Armed with a Hi-8 camera on the road for the final 8 years of the band's world tours, Marky Ramone captured it all on tape; the good, the bad and the ugly, immortalized here your viewing pleasure. No. 1 selling Director and Ramones aficionado John Cafiero has culled the cream of the crop of "raw" footage from the Marky Ramone video library and then some, compiling and presenting it in a unique style that gives Pinheads and Ramoniacs everywhere an exclusive fly on the wall perspective that's the next best thing to actually being in the band! See Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, Marky and CJ prove why the Ramones have stood the test of time with their simplistic yet immortal brand of music that influenced generations the world over. Also featured is an eclectic mix of guest celebrity appearances from Drew Barrymore, Carly Simon, Gilbert Gottfried, "Grandpa" Al Lewis (of "the Munsters"), Bono & U2, Debbie Harry & Chris Stein of Blondie and many more noteworthy personalities including legendary guitarist Robbie Krieger of the Doors performing the classic "Take it as it comes" live with the Ramones at the Hollywood Palladium in October 1992, touted by Johnny Ramone as "one of the highlights of my career." From their humble NYC beginnings at CBGB'S to induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Ramones have done it all. With "Ramones Raw" you'll feel like you were right there with them the whole time, standing beside one of the most important bands to break ground since the Beatles led the British invasion.
- DirectorWolfgang BüldStarsGaye AdvertJack AirportArturo BassickA contemporary documentary covering the Great British punk rock explosion of 1977.
- DirectorGeorge SeminaraStarsScott LaRoseJoey RamoneJohnny Ramone
- DirectorDavid MarkeyStarsSonic YouthKim GordonLee RanaldoDavid Markey's documentary of life on the road with Sonic Youth and Nirvana during their tour of Europe in late 1991. Also featuring live performances by Dinosaur Jr, Babes In Toyland, The Ramones and Gumball.
- DirectorHasan ShahDom ShawStarsJohn BurnsGarry BushellA Certain RatioDocuments the post-punk period between 1978 and 1981, featuring the looks, the poses, the rucks, the riots and the slaggings of bands and their fans. Includes footage of the Wasted Festival and some of the original bands 25 years on. Also has performances from exponents of Punk, Mod, Oi and Ska - all filmed in the same DIY ethic that spawned punk itself.
- DirectorAaron AitesAudrey EwellStarsFenrizVarg VikernesEuronymousInterviews and news footage explore the rise of black metal music in Norway in the 1990s, including artists who were involved in suicide, murder and arson.
- DirectorDon ArgottStarsChris AdlerWilly AdlerRandy BlytheDocumentary that follows metal fans in different countries set against Lamb of God's 2012 world tour.
- DirectorSam DunnReg HarkemaScot McFadyenStarsDoris BuchruckerAlice CooperSheryl CooperSuper Duper Alice Cooper is the twisted tale of a teenage Dr Jekyll whose rock n roll Mr Hyde almost kills him. It is the story of Vincent Furnier, preacher's son, who struck fear into the hearts of parents as Alice Cooper, the ultimate rock star of the bizarre. From the advent of Alice as front man for a group of Phoenix freaks in the 60s to the hazy decadence of celebrity in the 70s to his triumphant comeback as 80s glam metal godfather, we will watch as Alice and Vincent battle for each others' souls. The is the first ever 'doc opera' - a dizzying blend of documentary archive footage, animation and rock opera that will cement forever the legend of Alice Cooper.
- DirectorRick ErnstStarsLee AltusRuss AndersonDeath AngelGet Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal is the story of how bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Exodus and others pioneered a new form of heavy metal in the early 1980's.
- DirectorP. David EbersoleStarsPatty SchemelCourtney LoveEric ErlandsonA documentary that follows Hole drummer Patty Schemel as she struggles with fame and addiction during the band's 1994-1995 world tour and after.
- DirectorDrew DeNicolaOlivia MoriStarsBilly AltmanJon AuerLester BangsBig Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a feature-length documentary film about the dismal commercial failure, subsequent massive critical acclaim, and enduring legacy of pop music's greatest cult phenomenon, Big Star.
- DirectorNick BroomfieldStarsCourtney LoveNick BroomfieldKurt CobainA documentary on the life of Kurt Cobain and his relationship with Courtney Love.
- DirectorSini AndersonStarsKathleen HannaCarrie BrownsteinKim GordonA look at the life of activist, musician, and cultural icon Kathleen Hanna, who formed the punk band Bikini Kill and pioneered the "riot grrrl" movement of the 1990s.
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsEddie VedderStone GossardJeff AmentA documentary on the band Pearl Jam that marks their 20th anniversary in the year 2011.
- DirectorDon ArgottDemian FentonStarsBobby LieblingSean PelletierDiane LieblingDocumentary follows Bobby Liebling, lead singer of seminal hard rock/heavy metal band Pentagram, as he battles decades of hard drug addiction and personal demons to try and get his life back.
- DirectorMark Christopher CovinoJeff HowlettStarsBobby HackneyDavid HackneyDannis HackneyA documentary on the 1970s punk trio Death, and their new-found popularity decades after they disbanded.
- DirectorKevin MacdonaldStarsBob MarleyZiggy MarleyRita MarleyA documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley.
- DirectorGreg 'Freddy' CamalierStarsRick HallAretha FranklinKeith RichardsA documentary that celebrates Rick Hall, the founder of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and the signature sound he developed in songs such as "I'll Take You There", "Brown Sugar", and "When a Man Loves a Woman".
- DirectorGreg OlliverWes OrshoskiStarsLemmyPhil CampbellMikkey DeeA documentary on the life and career of revered heavy-metal musician Lemmy Kilmister.