Bad Brains: A Band in DC (2012)
Bad Brains are one of the most important and influential American bands still working today. They melded punk and reggae into an innovative style that has yet to be copied. Their impact and influence can be heard in groups like Beastie Boys, No Doubt, Nirvana, Jane's Addiction and countless more. Despite the troubles of an eccentric front man they have stayed together for 30 years without ever reaching the level of success so many think they deserve. Using rare archival footage and original comic illustrations the film re-constructs Bad Brains' rich and complicated history.
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Reviews
Simply Perfect
This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.
There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
The acting in this movie is really good.
I'll never forget the influence these guys had on me in high school. True legends of the early punk/hardcore music scene. I've always wanted to know the genesis of the band and members. This is a well documented movie with VH1 quality editing and production. There has never nor will there ever be an amazing ironic powerhouse like the Bad Brains. Rage Against the Machine came close, but still lived in the shadows of BBs. It seems all the true greats have demons and skeletons in their minds and closets. HR is not the man or performer he was. If you know anything about mental illness, you will see the signs right away that he has deteriorated into a shell of what he was. Its a shame that the people around him do not seem to understand that he has little control over his illness. Thank you for a great documentary on a group of guys that have deserved this for years.