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Hype!

Play trailer Poster for Hype! 1996 1h 24m Documentary Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
This rock documentary by director Doug Pray focuses on the explosion of grunge music that took place in the Pacific Northwest during the early 1990s. While the film features the most popular bands of the movement -- namely Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Soundgarden -- it also presents lesser-known acts such as the Melvins, Mudhoney and Seaweed. Incorporating concert clips, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the movie paints a dynamic picture of this highly influential scene.
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Hype!

Critics Reviews

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John Hartl Seattle Times 03/18/2015
3.5/4
The first-time director, Doug Pray, doesn't linger long on anything, but the movie is so crisply and intelligently edited that you never feel you're being rushed through it. Go to Full Review Keith Phipps AV Club 03/18/2015
Hype! is a smart look at an important musical event that featured a lot of great music almost as a by-product. Go to Full Review Jim Farber New York Daily News 03/18/2015
2.5/4
The film makers themselves don't seem to understand the deep cultural resonances created by this hype. Worse, they endorse the selfishness of the Seattle-ites who, apparently, want all this good stuff for themselves. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 10/03/2021
3/4
The pièce de résistance is the footage of Nirvana in a dingy bar, performing "Smells Like Teen Spirit" for the very first time. Go to Full Review Dan Webster Spokesman-Review (Washington) 03/18/2015
3/4
An edifying, enjoyable and ultimately light-hearted look at the way that things have always gone. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jack G 09/21/2024 I did not expect to be that entertained and invested in this one. It documents very well the Seattle music scene pre-Nevermind and post. It really proves how important it is to preserve local cultures and not let the media giants have their way. I think this doc is really important for the simple fact that it documents the last real, authentic communal music culture the United States ever had. See more mark h 11/26/2019 First of all, I hate the word "grunge" , watch the movie and find out that some reporter called it that, and it stuck. And the whole flannel thing wasn't a fashion trend, they wore flannel because it's cold in Seattle! The Press made it a thing. A great documentary about the Seattle music scene, and worth a watch. See more 07/14/2019 Great history of Seattle grunge scene before during and immediately after the apex. This was put out in '96, so its interesting 23 years later, how sad. See more 11/30/2017 Maybe I'm a little biased. See more 09/08/2013 An excellent documentary combined with an amazing soundtrack. "Hype!" will bring anyone, grunge fan or not, into the movie and never want to leave. See more 04/14/2013 É tudo o que se podia esperar de um documentário sobre o assunto. See more Read all reviews
Hype!

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Cast & Crew

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Doug Pray

Director

Valerie M. Agnew

Self

Mark Arm

Self

John Atkins

Self

Leighton Beezer

Self

Nils Bernstein

Self

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Hype!

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Movie Info

Synopsis This rock documentary by director Doug Pray focuses on the explosion of grunge music that took place in the Pacific Northwest during the early 1990s. While the film features the most popular bands of the movement -- namely Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Soundgarden -- it also presents lesser-known acts such as the Melvins, Mudhoney and Seaweed. Incorporating concert clips, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the movie paints a dynamic picture of this highly influential scene.
Director
Doug Pray
Producer
Steven Helvey
Production Co
Helvey-Pray Productions
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 8, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 29, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$340.5K
Runtime
1h 24m
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