pmsfo Reviews

Wide Awake (2006)

Here's why you didn't like this film.

[10/10 · 3 November 2009]

1. You have been raised to feel that self-introspection is nothing short of vanity and it is wrong. The fact that Alan Berliner has made a film that is about HIS sleep problems (not the field of sleep problems in general) are evidence (to you) of his self-indulgence and narcissism. (those who commented that they would have like to learn more about sleep problems in general - go take a course).

2. You are an anti-Semite. Interesting how so many of the critical comments here drop clever little Yiddish-isms ("kvetching," "shlub," etc.). Alan Berliner is a New York Jew - deal with it. If you don't like his accent or his hairy back don't watch the film.

(Full Disclosure: I didn't sleep well last night for some reason and I am irritable. Well actually I know why I didn't sleep well -- I was up late watching "Wide Awake." HA!)

American Hardcore (2006)

San Francisco???

[5/10 · 23 October 2006]

I saw this movie last weekend and I was disappointed...very, very little about San Francisco. Allow me to detail what was missed:

Bands: The Avengers Dead Kennedys Social Unrest Crucifix F u c k Ups Society Dog Code of Honor

Venues: On Broadway Elite Club Valencia Tool & Die Tenth St. Hall The Farm

Magazines: Thrasher Maximum Rock n Roll (the ones that brought the national/international scene together...)

Other: Target Video

It seems like the film makers had an agenda in place before they started gathering material for this film. Hardcore was not a complete break from the punk/post-punk scene and it was not an entirely American invention (ever hear of Discharge? GBH? Crass? Rudimentary Peni? All very big influences back then).

In the film's defense, I will say that the film maker's opinion that hardcore was a response to Reagan was right on.