Search - Release on DVD

A great student film, but an unsatisfying commercial one

Adam Matthews | Newark, Delaware | 03/26/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I was really let down by this movie. The film maker seems tosuffer from what I call, "Total Request Live" (TRL)syndrome... he cannot seem to show a band performing for more than 30 seconds before he cuts to something else. Those of you who buy the video hoping to see some great performances by the Bouncing Souls, MxPx, H20, or any of the more than 30 other bands "featured" here will be seriously disappointed. I think the filmmaker simply spread himself too thin for a 1 hour and 5 minute movie. Also, the interview segements are pretty lame. I mean, how many times do we need to be told how great the punk/hardcore scene it because "there are no rock stars", or because "it provides such a great release"? Unfortunetly, that's about as in depth as most of the interviews with the bands get. Why don't you tell us something we haven't heard a million times before? I would have liked to have heard more about the stories behind each band, personally, sort of like what was done in "The Decline of Western Civilization" or "Another State of Mind", two far superior documentaries about the punk rock scene. The film picks up when it ventures beyond its superficial coverage of the bands and moves further into the behind the scenes aspects of the punk community. The segement about the 17 year old punk chick who works as a concert promoter is pretty cool, as is the part near the end about a (literally) underground punk club being run in the basement of a suburban New York home. Unfortunetly, these segements are too brief, and take a back seat to all the talking head soundbites and concert clips. Overall, "Release" is just too unsatisfying to recommend very highly. It just doesn't have enough depth to satisfy either the fans or those with a casual interest in learning more about the punk scene. END"

Great Film On Punk Rock

john maxwell | austin, tx | 07/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't agree with the TRL thing, i think the film did a pretty good job showing 30 or so bands in a hour. i'll admit that i bought the film to see blink-182, but finishing it i was turned on to some of the other bands. if you want a taste of some cool bands out there definitely check out this film."

AWESOME! ! ! !

Adam Matthews | 09/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is a must see documentary for anyone that has ever wanted to know what being at a show is like. The music rocked, the last 10 minutes made me want to go to a show again.You must get this documentary!"

The best documentary on punk/hardcore out there!

john maxwell | 08/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""release" rocks...great bands...great music...a real view on the world of today's punk/hardcore...a must see documentary!!!!"