SLC Punk

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Summary: A very interesting view of the punk scene in Salt Lake City
Review: We were the first to see this movie in Salt Lake on the day itopened. Having visited SLC from Boston many times the movieexemplifes for me the differences of the two cities in 1980's. A generation of excess and anarchy. The college age punks and their contemporaries were somewhat left at arms lenght within the Mormon community. Their parents (particulary Matthew Lillards father) are true to their Yuppie culture of the 80's. It is a snapshot of youth alienation and rebellion taking place in one of the most repressive cities for anything a little bit different. Great soundtrack, and acting.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect?
Review: This movie is a great example of what good film making is all about.Stevo and Bob are both good people at heart,but are caught up in rebellion.This movie will make you think hard about your values.It shows you to be yourself no matter what.Watch this movie and be prepared to think!!

Rating:
Summary: pretty unexpected
Review: I have not seen much of Matthew Lilliard, but as an Adam Pascal fan I wanted to see this... it was really a good alternative movie! Matthew Lilliard is very natural and believable, and Michael G. is also excellent. There were so many quirky smaller characters that the movie was very colorful all the way through (not just the hair..). I didn't feel like there were enough "turning point" scenes until the end of the movie; if they had inserted a few other key moments I think the audience would have been more invested in Matthew's character. But the movie was the perfect Sundance movie.

Rating:
Summary: God Save "SLC Punk"
Review: If you're going to appreciate "SLC Punk," the 1999 film by writer/director James Merendino, you need to have grown up during the 1980s. The film, taking place in Salt Lake City in 1984, hits all the right notes when documenting rebellion and music of the period. The lifestyles, attitudes and different cliques which spun off from American punk rock have been accurately detailed. Most importantly, the story transcends the era, revealing the frustrations of youthful rebellion and the angst of American suburban living.

There's a thread connecting "SLC Punk," "Quadrophenia," "Easy Rider" and "Rebel Without a Cause." The protagonists are cut from the same cloth - different eras, same story. "SLC Punk" has also been compared to other films detailing punk rock, most notably "Suburbia" and "The Decline of Western Civilization." "SLC Punk" comes far closer to the emotional truth of this 1980s American subculture. I related to almost every scene, though found the ending to be melodramatic. Why can't characters evolve due to changes within rather than the tragedies of others?

To see the beginnings of punk rock, all one has to do is view the extraordinary Sex Pistols' documentary "The Filth and the Fury." The anger and the music eventually spread to America, reaching such humble burgs as, according to this film, Salt Lake City. Fights with rednecks or frats were commonplace, and this is properly detailed. The chaos of concerts in small venues highlighted by thrash dancing and stage diving is expertly portrayed. The all-night parties, where wildly diverse styles including Nerds and Mods mixed with Punks, are recreated to great perfection.

"SLC Punk" documents all of this with a feverish style. The film is narrated entirely by our main protagonist Stevo, brilliantly portrayed by Matthew Lillard. This was the Reagan era, in which a movement to return to old values and traditions alienated the seeds of Woodstock. The styles of punk however, were eventually as rigid as a Southern frat house, and this is noted in "SLC Punk."

In "SLC Punk," we are much closer to our parents than we care to admit. This is emphasized during Stevo's hilarious conversations with his father, a former hippie turned lawyer who has "bought in" to the system. Played by Chris McDonald, he accepts his son's rebellion and tries to understand. Dad's a bit lost, but his love for his son is never in doubt. It's a multi-dimensional portrayal which is a highlight.

The final conflict of "SLC Punk" comes at a rapid pace, the spiral begun by an impromptu acid trip in a park leading to yet another all-night party and a drug overdose. Stevo doesn't leave the punk scene more than he evolves, as most of us do in life. There's a tendency by hardcore faithful to downgrade this film because Stevo transforms rather than giving the world the finger. He reaches his breaking point, splintering off into his own individualism. It's an oddly touching moment, spiced by an incredible flashback as Stevo takes Rush off the turntable and plays Generation X for the first time. Suddenly, the road becomes clear.

Who among us cannot recall instances from youth in which everything made sense - the translucent flash when the path cleared and we witnessed our definition? Moments like this are painful to watch because they are so truthful. Youth is pain, and "SLC Punk" is a uniquely executed slice of it.

Rating:
Summary: Genius
Review: A great movie for the movieviewer who likes movies based in the 80's in Salt Lake City. One of the saddest, funniest movies I have ever seen maybe one day I could be Matt Lillard.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely A Must See Movie!
Review: I was first introduced to this movie by a friend. Now, understand I am no goth or punk. I can't be labled to relate to this movie at all. The first time I saw SLC Punk I was confused because I wasn't used to the way the film was made. It's shifty, switching from story to story. As the movie ended I was at first disappointed. I was like, "Was that it?" A few days later I had the urge to watch it again and I didn't know why. The second time around was my coming. I understood what was going on not only in the movie, but I also felt like I knew what was going on in the characters heads as well. It became clear to me that this was an actual way of life, and instead of being stereotypical to society's standards, I learned that people like these characters can be good at heart and still be themselves. It was an excellent movie and I think everyone should give it a chance. I was really moved by it and have watched many times, because it's a movie where everytime you watch it, you learn something new, whether it be about life, judgement, or whatever you make it. So please watch it and spread the word.

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Summary: Wow, great movie.
Review: Everyone told me about this movie about 2 years ago. I was shocked the first time I saw it. It is a very funny movie, one of the best punk-related movies I've ever seen. It's placed in 1985 and it really makes you feel like you are living in that year. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone that likes punk.

Rating:
Summary: SLC Punk: A Movie
Review: I understand that many "punkers" disown this movie and claim that it is ignorant and a false portrayal of the punk way of life. I can't really say that I agree with that, but I can say that it's a good movie none the less.

It's not about selling out or buying in or conforming to a Hot Topic driven youth idea. It's about growing up and finding what's important to you. And it's a movie. It's a story about a character. I recommend it to anyone who likes movies that make you think a little. It's just a really good watch.

Rating:
Summary: Coordinated Anarchy
Review: Punks in Utah. Not exactly the location you imagine anarchy driven youth. A lot of the movie goes on with random stories of rebellion, life, and drugs. Just when you realize that there has been no plot whatsoever, the movie shifts to show how everything was setting up for a beautiful, emotional ending. Deep messages about the coming of age surround this movie. The characters are more vulnerable than they thought and you don't realize how much you love the movie until the second it ends.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect?
Review: This film sets a goal of portraying what life is like as a punk in the late 70s-early 80s, and succeeds. The whole movie aside from the final scene and a select few others contribute to the ultimate undertone of the movie - you cannot escape conformity. All the former friends eventually either die, move away, or get a job. The movie is not just a comedy (though it accomplishes that quite well, "There's a movie on there!"), but a cynical view of punk and pop culture at the time. Many scenes of this movie are surreal, exploring the effects of LSD on mental perception. Overall, this movie excels in everything it attempts to accomplish. Don't bother renting it, just buy the DVD.
5/5