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      The Holy Modal Rounders: Bound to Lose

      2007 1 hr. 27 min. Documentary List
      100% 8 Reviews Tomatometer 82% 250+ Ratings Audience Score A history of a psychedelic folk-rock group. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (9) audience reviews
      Audience Member I really enjoyed this film, apart from the deep vein of pity that ran through it, that I'm not sure the filmmakers intended. Just person after person who got too bent out of shape on drugs, astonishingly managed to survive into the 21st century. So, pretty much everyone apart from the dull-as-ditchwater backing band is a mess who's been babysat through most of the 70s, 80s and 90s by wives or mothers, and occasionally drag themselves up on stage to argue about their songs. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Biography of a band with visits to moments in the past. Plenty of music. Interviews with band members new and old. Personalities mingling and separating. I liked it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member I liked it! Now I see where 'A Mighty Wind' came up with the idea for Mitch... I like the history... 60's folk rock was really American Troubadour music. And I learned what a hoopsnake is, and wish I hadn't. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member I suppose as a definitive history of the band, this fails on several levels. But, as a portrait of where the members of the band are now, and as a small tribute to their talent and influence, this is as good as it gets. I remember just about wearing out an early copy of the Moray Eels Eat the Holy Modal Rounders back in the day, and it was fun seeing who was responsible for that wonderful piece of subversive electrified psychedelic folk-rock mayhem. Even as decrepit as Steve Weber appears, the man can still pick a mean guitar and chew through the intricate lyrics of some real Rounder chestnuts. This was fun. They can't sing, they're not very good looking, but man can they put a smile on the face! If you aren't familiar with their music, or that of their earlier band, The Fugs, you might not find this as rewarding as this viewer did, but I would encourage anyone who appreciates old-time country and counter-culture folk to give them a listen, and a look-see. The bonus material was terrific. Nearly an hour of mostly live performances, with a little commentary thrown in. Artistes to you, you punk chumps! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a low-budget documentary about a band that's 2 parts folk and 98 parts insane. Despite its low production value the film succeeds in documenting one of music's most tumultuous relationships and the music they created. Everyone interviewed seems amazed that these guys ever got anything done with all the hallucinogens, amphetamines, and other drugs they were consuming. Highly recommended to Rounders fans. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member An insane but rewarding look at the band The Holy Modal Rounders. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (8) Critics Reviews
      Jeannette Catsoulis New York Times As much the chronicle of an era as of a band, The Holy Modal Rounders ... Bound to Lose casts an affectionate eye on the kind of hedonism no one is meant to survive. Rated: 4/5 Dec 7, 2007 Full Review Bill Weber Slant Magazine Among the recent wave of music documentaries on the marginally infamous, this video history gets its juice from a love-hate affair with the vibe of a graying boho remake of The Sunshine Boys. Rated: 2.5/4 Dec 5, 2007 Full Review Jim Ridley Village Voice They [Rounders] stand as perhaps the truest heirs to the Harry Smith Anthology's wild and woolly Americana"a point Sam Wainwright Douglas and Paul C. Lovelace's affectionate doc makes with a minimum of fuss and lots of bawdy hilarity. Dec 4, 2007 Full Review Eric Monder Film Journal International The humor and eccentricity of the band members should prevent a "Who cares?" response, and the twist that occurs in the final section of the piece will keep every viewer mesmerized. Dec 11, 2007 Full Review Louis Proyect rec.arts.movies.reviews Another "what ever happened to" type documentary. Always fascinating to see how personal flaws and the corrupt star-making machinery of the capitalist entertainment industry present obstacles to fame and fortune. Dec 8, 2007 Full Review Bill White Seattle Post-Intelligencer It might be the first movie about the psychedelic generation told from the point of view of the doddering seniors they have become. Rated: B Nov 15, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis A history of a psychedelic folk-rock group.
      Director
      Sam Wainwright Douglas, Paul Lovelace
      Genre
      Documentary
      Original Language
      English