MovieChat Forums > Punk: Attitude (2005) Discussion > NOT just a nostalgia fest

NOT just a nostalgia fest

posted 19 years ago by Local Hero
2 replies | jump to latest

One reviewer claimed that this film was un-punk in that it devolves into a state of nostalgia. The reviewer expresses this understandable idea well, but I do not think it a correct aspersion for this film. Never did I feel it lapsed into an air of "Man, that was an incredible time!" Rather, I felt that it was documenting something important, something that is more often than not distorted and lobotomized, and it was preserving this correct depiction of punk NOT so that those who were there could revel in past glories, but so that all of us now, young and old, can be reminded of what really matters. It was a film that looked to a hope for the future as much as it looked to heroes of the past. In this respect, "Punk: Attitude" captured the essence of punk rock in its greatest sense-- its greatest achievements and its greatest potential.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] CrowleyHead 18 years ago

I believe the problem with my generation (those born in the late 80's) who are the main consumer of music, is that they don't really want to search. Rather, they get what is presented to them, what they see. A kid will go years without seeing Iggy Pop, but will see a friend with a Thursday shirt and chase them. If you are lucky, perhaps the kid will look up Thursday and look up their influences, whomever they may be. It all depends on what's presented to them. Nobody wants to ask and say "Hey, know any good vintage UK bands, not as mainstream, but still good quality. Y'know, less Sex Pistols, more The Damned?"

At the same time however, the origins of Punk don't really have people seeking, but rather being told "Hey, have you seen this new band? They play at the Bowery, and their singer is this tall, skinny jewish kid who looks like a monkey in a leather jacket.""What's their name?""It's so stupid, The Ramones...." And though I love them, you gotta admit, this might be someone's opinion after seeing them. Moving along, I believe the problem is that what's presented is very poorly... interpreted. For example, early Emo bands like Fugazi and Rites of Spring are esentially about actual love and feelins. These new emo bands that gain commercial sucess are either not all that emo, but sound similar, OR they've made their whole presentation about suicide.