Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr.

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Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr.

Released May 31, 2022

1h 22m

Documentary

Music

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Popcornmeter

67%

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15 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

FREAKSCENE THE STORY OF DINOSAUR JR. is a homage of one of the most influential bands on the American East Coast, which inspired the rock scene -- including Nirvana and Sonic Youth -- in the 1990s. Their style and unmistakable sound, later referred as "Grunge", laid the foundation for the entire "Slacker" culture of Generation X. It is also the story of the eloquent and eccentric guitarist and bandleader J. Mascis, the bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph and a band that insanely does not talk to each other. Communication takes place exclusively through music. Philipp Reichenheim nevertheless manages to make the closed and shy icons speak. An emotional, tragically funny and sometimes noisy rollercoaster ride by a dysfunctional family -- Dinosaur Jr. Through several decades, the film offers rare insights into the crazy everyday life of the band and illuminates the inner workings of a cult band from its beginnings in the 1980s and 90s to the present day.

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

Since Dinosaur Jr. was always a band for alt-rock connoisseurs, perhaps it’s fitting that this movie about them is equal parts heartfelt and ungainly.

Jun 3, 2022

Full Review

Glenn Kenny

New York Times

The band is a noteworthy one. But this treatment feels skimpy.

Jun 2, 2022

Full Review

Phuong Le

Guardian

Amid such intense ups and downs, what makes Freakscene so engaging is its decision to put Dinosaur Jr's music front and centre, with numerous audio and live performance excerpts.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 5, 2021

Full Review

Christian Gallichio

The Playlist

The faded videos of them playing on Letterman and hanging with Matt Dillon — who directed the video for their 1992 single “Get Me” — make up for the film’s insular and grainy approach.

Rated: B-

Jun 16, 2022

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

Will likely appeal to both Dinosaur Jr. diehards and those with little knowledge of the band.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 16, 2022

Full Review

Jim Laczkowski

Director's Club

Plays more like a slapdash home movie with musical interludes to fill in the gaps but for fans of this groundbreaking band, there are still pleasures to be had throughout particularly when Mascis and Barlow do speak their minds.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 9, 2022

Full Review

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Matthew

Awesome! So fun to take my 15 year old daughter and wife to see a movie about a band and the music they made that really moved me when I was her age and still to this day. Great time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/01/22

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Philipp Reichenheim

Director

Lou Barlow

Self

J Mascis

Self

Murph

Self

Kim Gordon

Self

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Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr.: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

FREAKSCENE THE STORY OF DINOSAUR JR. is a homage of one of the most influential bands on the American East Coast, which inspired the rock scene -- including Nirvana and Sonic Youth -- in the 1990s. Their style and unmistakable sound, later referred as "Grunge", laid the foundation for the entire "Slacker" culture of Generation X. It is also the story of the eloquent and eccentric guitarist and bandleader J. Mascis, the bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph and a band that insanely does not talk to each other. Communication takes place exclusively through music. Philipp Reichenheim nevertheless manages to make the closed and shy icons speak. An emotional, tragically funny and sometimes noisy rollercoaster ride by a dysfunctional family -- Dinosaur Jr. Through several decades, the film offers rare insights into the crazy everyday life of the band and illuminates the inner workings of a cult band from its beginnings in the 1980s and 90s to the present day.

Director: Philipp Reichenheim
Producer: Stephan Holl, Antoinette Köster, J Mascis, Philipp Virus, Philipp Reichenheim
Screenwriter: Philipp Virus, Philipp Reichenheim
Distributor: Utopia
Production Co: Rapid Eye Movies, Virus Films
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 31, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 3, 2022
Runtime: 1h 22m

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