CBGB

Name: CBGB
Genre: Drama, History, Music
Released: October 4, 2013
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 30
Cast: Alan Rickman, Johnny Galecki, Justin Bartha, Malin Åkerman, Richard de Klerk

2013

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

See All

6.4

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.4	Your Score
6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

CBGB

Now Playing: CBGB

Movie Details & Credits

XLrator Media | Release Date: October 4, 2013 | R

Starring: Alan Rickman, Johnny Galecki, Justin Bartha, Malin Åkerman, Richard de Klerk

Summary: CBGB follows the story of Hilly Kristal's New York club from its conceit as a venue for Country, Bluegrass and Blues (CBGB) to what it ultimately became: the birthplace of underground rock 'n roll and punk. When Kristal had difficulty booking country bands in his club on the Bowery he opened his doors to other kinds of rock music. KristalCBGB follows the story of Hilly Kristal's New York club from its conceit as a venue for Country, Bluegrass and Blues (CBGB) to what it ultimately became: the birthplace of underground rock 'n roll and punk. When Kristal had difficulty booking country bands in his club on the Bowery he opened his doors to other kinds of rock music. Kristal had one demand of the acts he booked; they could only play original music. No top 40's, no covers. It was the credo he lived by, support the artist at whatever the cost. Hilly Kristal ironically became known as the godfather of punk giving a chance to such bands as Blondie, Television, Ramones, Talking Heads, Dead Boys and The Police.… Expand

Director: Randall Miller

Genre(s): Drama, History, Music

Rating: R

Runtime: 101 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Andrew O'Hehir

Oct 10, 2013

CBGB has more of the original prankish punk spirit than it even recognizes. Read full review

John DeFore

Oct 11, 2013

Alan Rickman's lead performance highlights a sincere but insubstantial rock pic. Read full review

Mike D'Angelo

Oct 9, 2013

Punk may not be dead, but this picture is D.O.A. Read full review

Robert Abele

Oct 3, 2013

In its stylistically flailing stab at authenticity, CBGB ends up merely a mess of caricatures. Read full review

Farran Smith Nehme

Oct 10, 2013

The most distressing bad choice in CBGB, a movie entirely composed from them, is that those brilliant songs are repurposed studio recordings. Read full review

Tomas Hachard

Oct 8, 2013

As the film moves from one musical performance to another, the result increasingly feels like a series of celebrity impersonations set to a best-of-punk compilation album. Read full review

Eric Hynes

Oct 8, 2013

The film strives to cinematically reanimate that shabby underground lair; instead, it proves to be the most bastardized souvenir bauble of all. Read full review

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

RockItHard

Oct 19, 2013

I truly loved this movie!! It is a love story to the man, Hilly Kristal, the one who started a movement in music. He was a hero, rough around the edges, like the film, but I think that was the point the filmmakers were making. The casting was absolutely super as well: Malin Akerman asI truly loved this movie!! It is a love story to the man, Hilly Kristal, the one who started a movement in music. He was a hero, rough around the edges, like the film, but I think that was the point the filmmakers were making. The casting was absolutely super as well: Malin Akerman as Debbie Harry (Amazing!); Rupert Grint as punk rocker, Cheetah Chrome (Inspired!); Ashley Greene, the best performance of her career; Freddy Rodriguez was completely unrecognizable (Very very good!); Justin Bartha as punk rocker, Stiv Bators (F'ck'n awesome!); Donal Logue is always one of my favorite (Great!). The bands were amazing as well, David Bryne and Sting and Television were spot on!! Run, don't walk to see this film... its fun, its funny and its a great story about the birth of Punk Rock on the Bowery. Don't listen to the critics they are DEAD WRONG!!… Expand