Cool News
LAFF! Biopic Of Darby Crash And The Germs Plays! WHAT WE DO IS SECRET!
Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.
It’s strange being here in Los Angeles and not being at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival, but a variety of things conspired to keep me from covering it this year.
Still, we’re getting some submissions of reviews for films playing in the festival, like this one, and it certainly makes me at least curious to see the film. The Germs were a pretty significant presence on the LA punk scene, and if they can reproduce that well, it’s a film I’d like to see. So did they pull it off?
Harry,
It was in 1999 that I got word that a Darby Crash biopic was in the works. This was back when David Arquette (??) was rumored to star as the title role. I emailed the filmmaker often to offer up moral support, "You can do this! Especially if Brendan Mullen is involved!" It seemed the production was stalled.
Fast forward to 6 years later, and there's 'Notification of Filming' signs outside of my workplace for the 'Darby Crash Movie'. "I guess they're making the movie. And then, after seeing the trailer on YouTube...I was mortified. "It looks like Saved By The Bell with punk wigs" I told another a fellow Germs fan.
** SPOILERS **
So, after seeing the film previewed at The LA Film Fest last night, I have to say, I was pleasently suprised. It's obvious that there's been several rounds of shooting, re-shoots and b-roll added, but it works. The film starts as an almost docu-style interview of Darby (his Slash Records interview) intercut with footage of him as a child and teen. They waste no time rushing into the band 'Forming' and recording their first album. The majority of the film is centered on the post GI Album period and focuses on Darbys affair with Rob Henley and the tension it created. From there we get a slow, steady recounting of Darby spiraling into disillusionment as he watches his 'Circle' plan slip away, and as his affair with Amber dominates, and later alienates the band. His final death scene inter cut with news of John Lennon's death was a little more underscored than nessecary, but, still effective.
Shane West's performance was surprisingly powerful. At first, the character seems too easy going in an overly effeminate way. But, I see that this is the films attempt to give the story a bit of an arc and to present Darby as not knowing what he was getting himself into. The rest of the cast compliment the film well, especially Rick Gonzalez as Pat Smear, the bands heart, and Noah Segan as Don Bolles, the lighthearted counterweight to Darby's seriousness. Also, a great performance from none other than Ray Park (yes, Darth Maul, Ray Park!) as Brendan Mullen, the legendary LA punk rock club owner. We really get to see the heartbreak his band mates went through when they realized the show was ending.
The film does have it's drawbacks. Though I realize the lack of budget would have prevented this, The Germs were an LA band, and it would've been nice to see more of this late 70's setting. If you could imagine the characters from this movie running around in the 1979 movie 'Foxes', you would see the real alien presence punk was back then.
So, this comes highly recommended. Especially, if any of you have read the excellent 'Lexicon Devil' Germs oral history, as, this film almost serves as video companion, just in terms of it's accuracy and detail.
James1
-
+ Expand All
-
May check it out
-
If it makes it's way to Minneapolis I'll check it out and post my thoughts.
-
A music bio film that actually looks interesting.
-
is an awesome song. i'm glad this pic is being made, and i'm glad that darby's contribution to punk music is not being forgotten. i'm also glad that they are not shying away from his homosexuality.
-
Scott Baio's best.
-
...to The Germs over DK any day. I think the Dead Kennedys are so overrated. Jello's voice is like nails on a fucking chalkboard to me. That being said, I'm not a huge Germs fan either and I'm only marginally interested in this movie.
-
Shane West as Darby Crash..Please.
If you wanna see a real punk movie with real punk kids then see Suburbia by penelope spheeris.
-
That GI album is great! Have you listened to it lately?
-
yet, I love the Germs. so I guess I will check this one out. hopefully it's better than "Sid and Nancy", or even worse, "the Doors"!
-
Seriously, I'm asking. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
-
Long live Pat Smear!!
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 435 total posts 435 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 88 total posts 88 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 86 total posts 80 posts
- Rest In Peace Bethesda’s Adam Adamowicz -- 76 total posts 76 posts
- The Sensorties Revisit The Friday Docback (And Still Smell)!! DOCTOR WHO Story #7 Again, The Coming Of Season/Series 7, And More!! -- 69 total posts 69 posts
- Quint travels to Barsoom and visits the John Carter set!!! -- 127 total posts 62 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 159 total posts 61 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 88 total posts 60 posts
- Wanna smell like the Hulk? What about Cap? Consider yourself a Thunder God or a unisex God of Mischief? -- 58 total posts 57 posts
- Ridley Scott's Next Will Be Cormac McCarthy's THE COUNSELOR! -- 50 total posts 50 posts