The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980)

Malcolm McLaren’s version of how the Sex Pistols made it big is reportedly a series of half-truths and lies. Viewing it seems to support that claim fully. It appears to be nothing more than his attempt at ret-conning history to elevate his importance. We’ll likely never know for sure, but the end result was the same: McLaren made money and The Sex Pistols made history. Neither of those facts make the film any better, because other than the archive footage of the band it’s a glorified shitfest.

1½ provocateurs out of 5

The Filth and the Fury (2000)

The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980) told one side of the story. This film, by the same director but coming 20 years later, sets the record straight(er) by telling the other side of the story. It’s the history of the Sex Pistols told by the band members themselves. There’s still some contradiction, but the one thing they can all agree on is that Malcolm McLaren was a cunt.
It’s more than just a documentary; it’s a record of an era that will never be repeated, using a wealth of fantastic archive footage and news reports.

4 wounded people out of 5

Aria (1987)

Ten short films by ten directors (see comments for full list). They're mostly dialogue free and all have an aria as a musical accompaniment.

Ken Russell's was the most interesting visually; Julien Temple's the most interesting conceptually, and Jean-Luc Godard did things with sound like he always does, but overall they were dull and lifeless. Russell's and Roddam's were the only two I'd ever consider watching more than once, and only if I was forced to. Even Roeg failed to inspire this time.

0½ down the road not across the street out of 5