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: 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
An exhilaratingly brilliant film about the rise and rise of the punk band that was too tough to die.
An essential addition to the growing (and inherently ironic) field of Punkology.
Skillfully chronicles both the pain and pleasure of the band for its members.
Ranks with Terry Zwigoff's Crumb as one of the most searing, disturbing and oddly celebratory depictions of popular artists ever committed to film.
Does justice to the humble punk band from Queens that influenced everyone from The Clash and Sex Pistols to U2 and Green Day.
Documentary about the rock group, which has worked its way through an amazing number of members in its long career.
Dee Dee is the most humorous band member, as he remembers the halcyon days of pre-fame Forest Hills: 'We would hang out, sniff glue or smoke pot... listen to the Stooges...'
A film that does a fine job explaining their importance without airbrushing their foibles.
The Ramones have been commodified, deified, even gentrified, but seldom have they been so thoroughly analyzed.
For music fanatics and for Ramones fans, there's a sad story and a peek behind the creative process that made the band's trademark music.
The inclusion of some little-seen musical performances by the band and the examination of its musical legacy make this documentary worthwhile.
It's as strong a document about the pleasure and pain of rock 'n' roll as has been seen in years.
It's hard not to feel that the Ramones, who never had a hit record, were the greatest band in 50 years to be stonewalled out of success.
The filmmakers convey the extent of The Ramones' impact on rock without ignoring the more unsavoury elements of the story.
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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