Search - Boston Beatdown, Vol. 2 on DVD

OK, but it wasn't all about the violence...

J. Grand | 06/30/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up in Boston and had been in the "hardcore scene" since 1986 (moved in 2003). Sure, there was violence and fighting, but to have a "documentary" focus on only that aspect of it is only seeing part of the story. We all had our reasons for being involved in the underground music scene, going to Sunday matinees, hanging with friends just like us, etc. I've played in bands, seen clubs come and go, seen people in the scene come and go (and pass away), seen great bands come and go, but come on now. If you really think the Boston scene is all about violence and hate, think again. But, looking at the label it came out on, of course Crosscheck will want to toot the Boston horn and show how mean and bad it is. I disagree with the overall theme, but the DVD still brings back memories. If you were ever slightly involved in the Boston scene, take a look at this video. But, take it with a grain of salt."

Waste of destrucitve energy

Floreale Thermidor | Boston | 10/22/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This claims to show the vibrancy of the Boston hardcore scene. Actually it teeters between being silly and incongruous (ie Why are 99% of these fights outside posh Lansdowne Street nightclubs? What's with the footage of the 2004 Red Sox riots at UMASS AMHERST?) and downright chilling (shot of a bathroom floor with 4 or 5 pairs of complicit stationary feet and a kid getting his face kicked in). Kudos to the FSU for "cleansing" the Boston scene of Nazis 10 years ago, but it's time to move on."

Glorifying Stupidity Never Goes Out Of Style

D. Ashal | Aztlan, holmes | 07/22/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I tend to ignore 1 or 5 star reviews. Very little really fits at either edge of the spectrum, but this waste of celluloid belongs at the very bottom of the heap. There's very little pretense of neutrality or dispassionate observation here, which is the only honest move by the film makers. These are the kind of geniuses that film themselves and their buddies attacking lone kids or even, in one case, and old man, often several at a time and with weapons, and think it's something to put out there and act proud about. Like any other group of self-righteous thugs, the beatings dished out are justified by some tough talk and hyperbole. It's difficult to really suss out how these guys are different from any other gang, or for that matter from the neo-nazis they supposedly chased out of Boston. Yeah, I mean, theoretically they're not racist but it's still just an angry whiteboy club (if there's a few token Black/Asian/Latino members of FSU, don't bother telling me because I couldn't care less). One straight edge member openly brags that they used to assault people, while in other scenes we see scene members drinking what I'm pretty sure is alcohol; I guess they get a pass if they're your friends right?

What amazes me ultimately is what a bunch of cowardly losers the subjects are. The constant thread running throughout that this is "reality", with the implication that if you're not full of admiration for these wannabe tough guys, you just can't handle "reality". Please. We're looking at people whose deepest thoughts seem to relate to how many tattoos they have, hanging with their boys, and how they can beat someone who doesn't belong in their little homoerotic club. This isn't some state of being forced on them by their surroundings, it's a choice to act like as much of a belligerent imbecile as possible, something that is hardly location/class specific. Middle aged men brag about going to hardcore shows and being members of crews as if it's something to be proud of. We're treated to a laughable opening monologue railing against corporations and a vaguely defined society, but I see nothing in the behavior or ideas here that I would describe as actually being any kind of rebellion against this alleged state of affairs. Nobody needs to oppress these idiots, they're doing a fine job themselves.

A decent documentary could be made on all of this, actually. It would most likely be like those that came before about gangs, soccer hooligans, etc etc, but it could be done. This, however, is just a bunch of old scenesters patting themselves on the back and showing you home videos, and shamelessly glorifies mob mentality and random violence. You might get the occasional laugh from a particularly boneheaded quote, fake southie accent, or ridiculously fashion conscious thug, but ultimately it's just a waste of time. I really can't urge you enough not to give these chuckleheads your money.

Please don't jump me with your friends for writing this. Or the guy who put it on youtube where I watched it for free. Thanks."

Jokers

Brian Bisaillon | 05/24/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Shame on amazon for even selling this. This sis the very reason I always had something against boston Hardcore. A bunch of thugs and jerks trying to prove they could be as cool or tough as NYHC kids. Let me get this straight, you started to get rid of the Nazis at shows because they came and messed the shows up for everyone and tried to intimidate people. FSU goes to shows and wants to enforce their way on everybody and will beat down anybody that doesn't agree. Hmmm sounds familiar. Hardcore was about proving to the outside world that there was a different way of doing things and a rejection of the status quo. I fail to understand how beating people up and not allowing free speech or thought is any different. Half the people in the interviews are smoking, there goes the whole straight edge thing. If you actually care about punk/hardcore this movie will make you sick that these people have no regard for anybody but themselves. bunch of Bullies that can't have an individual thought."