It's as strong a document about the pleasure and pain of rock 'n' roll as has been seen in years.
End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2004)
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Reviews Counted:60
Fresh:57
Rotten:3
Average Rating:7.6/10
Consensus: Gabba gabba hey! With its focus on the groundbreaking work of the 1970s punk band The Ramones End of the Century makes a solid entry into the growing canon of documentaries that capture Punkology.
Theatrical Release:Aug 20, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: Starting with the band's origins in Forest Hills, Queens, END OF THE CENTURY: THE STORY OF THE RAMONES gives a fascinating background portrait of the eccentric group of individuals who came... Starting with the band's origins in Forest Hills, Queens, END OF THE CENTURY: THE STORY OF THE RAMONES gives a fascinating background portrait of the eccentric group of individuals who came together to be one of the most influential punk bands in history. This documentary about the New York City renegades who made their mark in the mid-1970s with counterculture lyrics and underground performances at rundown joints like CBGB on the Bowery, shows how the band eventually earned recognition, even being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. But it is the insider look at the blue collar upbringing of the band members, and their desire to be part of Manhattan's burgeoning hard-rock scene, that is most endearing about this particular film. In candid interviews with Dee Dee Ramone, he tells stories about the group's total lack of complexity in its earliest days. Going to see contemporary acts like the New York Dolls and Iggy and the Stooges, the Ramones quickly created their own sound and practiced frenetically. When they finally made their debut with an extremely loud sound, furiously fast and short songs, and lots of drama such as blatant on-stage arguments, they practically scared away their fans. While other stars, like Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, comment on the Ramones' subsequent rise to punk stardom, providing wild stories about sex, drugs, chaos, and tragedy, it is the truly interesting story of the band's start that will linger in viewers' minds. [More]
Starring: Joey Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Tom Erdelyi, Marc Bee
Starring: Joey Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Tom Erdelyi, Marc Bee, John Cummings, Christopher John Ward, Ritchie Reinhart
Director: Jim Fields, Michael Gramaglia
Director: Jim Fields, Michael Gramaglia
Producer: Michael Gramaglia, Tom Erdelyi, Jim Fields
Studio: Magnolia Pictures
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Reviews for End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones
It gets on the cinematic record that the Ramones were here, and that they mattered.
There is little in this film to interest those who are not groupies of the Ramones.
A rough-hewn jewel of a documentary that chronicles the rise, demise and troublesome personal lives of the loud, fast New York City quartet synonymous with the term punk rock.
End of the Century is an excellent film regardless of its noticeable flaws.
A comprehensive look at the punk pioneers that never wears out its welcome.
In the spirit of Ramones' songs, the movie should have been twice as loud and half as long and it would have been perfect.
About halfway through End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones, journalist Legs McNeil asks why the Ramones didn't have big hits. The achievement of the film is that it makes you wonder the same thing and provides an answer.
Chronicles their 30-year history in a style befitting the band: bare-bones, frank, nonsensationalized and adamantly unsentimental.
A film that does a fine job explaining their importance without airbrushing their foibles.
Documentary about the rock group, which has worked its way through an amazing number of members in its long career.
Music fans, especially those who remember the rock scene of the mid-'70s, will have a blast with this raw, funky look at The Ramones.
A portrait of an unpretentious band whose sum was greater than its very flawed parts.
One of those rare films that, despite having a near two hour running time and being very complete in its focus, one still wishes was much longer.
Latest News for End of the Century: The Story of the...
October 11, 2006:
Ramones Biopic: All Revved Up And Ready To Go?
Gabba Gabba Hey! The story of the Ramones, perhaps the most influential American punk band of the 1970s, may be getting the biopic treatment soon. More...
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