This is Spinal Tap Vs Hard Core Logo
...band members, and footage behind the scenes and on tour buses. The camera is commonly hand-held, people stumble over lines, and in some shots the camera crew can be seen. The format mimics the look and style of the countless rockumentaries (documentaries based on rock bands) made, such as Scorseseís examination of The Band in The Last Waltz (1978), or D.A. Pennebakerís documentation of Bob Dylan in Donít Look Back (1967). Although the structure of the film could lead the viewer to believe that Spinal Tap is an actual band, the presentation of the band members quickly cues the viewer to the sarcastic nature of the movie. During the first interview with the band, Marty asks about the death of one of the bandís old drummers. Derek, the bassist, replies that ìthe official explanation was he choked on vomitî (Reiner, This is Spinal Tap), to which Nigel, the lead guitarist, adds ìIt was actually, was actually someone elseís vomitî (Reiner). Unfortunately, the culprit was never found, for as Nigel observes ìyou canít really dust for vomitî (Reiner). Up until this interview, any viewer unaware with the fictitious nature of the film would believe the band had actually existed. In the first scene, Marty introduces himself as a filmmaker, gives a brief history of the band, stating ìseventeen years and fifteen albums later, Spinal Tap in still going strongî (Reiner), and presents his intention for making the film, ìwhen I heard the Tap was releasing a new albumÖI jumped at the chance to make the documentaryî (Reiner). This scene is followed by several fan interviews, and then an on-stage performance by the band. The interview which follows the concert is the first time the realism of the film is called into question. The bandís straight-faced ridiculous responses quickly indicate the sarcastic and fictitious nature of the film. Whereas the opening scenes of the film mimic the documentary in order to establish the actual existence of the band, once the bandís first interview locates the film as a humorous mocumentary, the movie uses the format to further ridicule the band. Whereas the viewer is first presented with fans who make realistic claims that ìHeavy metalís deep, you can get stuff out of itî, after the interview, response to the band becomes humorous - a review claims the band is ìtreading water in a sea of retarded sexuality and bad poetryî (Reiner). As well, while the first concert footage can convince the viewer of the existence of the band, they sing and play the instruments, later footage parodies the concert - in one scene, Derek has to be rescued by a stage hand from a large pod which was meant to open, but malfunctioned. Any pretense made by the film to be realistic through the use of the documentary format is eliminated by the humor, obvious use of satire and exaggeration, and the ridiculous interviews with the band. Hard Core Logo (1996), was directed by Canadian Bruce McDonald. This film which, like Spinal Tap, charts the last tour of a rock band, takes a different approach to is subject than the humorous mocumentary. Rather than adopt the conventions of the documentary in order to mock its subject, Hard Core Logo uses the format to try and establish the actuality of the bands existence. The film adopts most of the characteristic genre conventions of the documentary or rockumentary. Just like Spinal Tap, the film uses band interviews, concert footage, fans responses, and behind the scenes conversations between the band members, but also includes other elements not found in Spinal Tap which add to the validity of Hard Core Logoís existence, such as archival footage of old concerts, and excerpts from (fictional) television news. The film derives much of its ëvalidityí by placing the band within an real and conceivable context. The benefit concert in which Hard Core Logo plays includes actual punk bands such as Art Bergmann and D.O.A, and the venue is at a real club in Vancouver, the Commodore. At one point in the film, one of the band members ridicules Bruce McDonaldís film making ability by mocking his other films, such as Highway 61 (1991) and Roadkill (1989), claiming ìI bet you any money theyíre on sale at Payless for 99 cents.î (McDonald, Hard Core Logo) Anyone familiar with Canadian punk music or Bruce McDonaldís films is able to place the band Hard Core Logo within a context surrounded by real people, bands, and places. The style of film making in Hard Core Logo imitates the documentary format better than that of Spinal Tap. Bruce Campbellís presence is felt more as a documentarian rather than a director. Bruce can be heard behind the camera, directing the cameraman and asking the sound man questions like ìIs he still wired?î (McDonald )The presence of a film crew affects people that the band comes into contact with, unlike Spinal Tap, where most people do not even notice it. In Hard Core Logo, Groupies ask ìIs that a camera?î (McDonald), and when the band meets their idol, Bucky Haight, he asks Bruce if heís ìju...