Documentary: Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001)

Dogtown and Z-Boys is a documentary that takes you through the history and lives of the legendary Zephyr surf and skateboarding team. The film, directed by Stacey Peralta and narrated by Sean Penn, is full of vintage surf and skate video footage, photos, and interviews with the Zephyr team. Based on the book Dogtown - The Legend of the Z-Boys and featuring a killer soundtrack (Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Stooges, etc.) this is a ride not be missed.

Documentary: American Hardcore - The History of American Punk Rock 1980 - 1986

Paul Rachman's feature documentary is a chronicle of the underground hardcore punk years in the US from 1979 to 1986. Generally unheralded at the time, the early 1980s hardcore punk rock scenes in Washington D.C., Los Angeles or Boston gave birth to much of the rock music and culture that followed.

Hardcore back then was more than music - it was rather a social movement, created by alienated Reaganomics-era kids . A movement which could be self-destructive and nihilistic, but just as reassuring and positive at the same time.

American Hardcore traces this lost subculture, from its early roots in 1980 to its sudden decline in 1985. Recent interviews and great live footage from Black Flag, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, SS Decontrol and Gang Green make this a real gem. Intelligent retrospective.

Check it out.

http://www.american-hardcore.de/