5 BEST PUNK MOVIES

BLANK GENERATION (1980)

An anthropological study in shaky black and white of the punk scene at CBGB's, featuring rawboned glimpses of Television, Patti Smith, Blondie, the Talking Heads, and the Ramones.

STOP MAKING SENSE (1984)

It doesn't get more iconographic than David Byrne in the "big suit" as he puts the Talking Heads through their intricate yet fluid paces in the greatest concert movie ever made.

SID & NANCY (1986)

Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb attack their roles as Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and peroxide groupie Nancy Spungen—the Romeo and Juliet of radical dysfunction.

THE FILTH AND THE FURY (2000)

A documentary about the Pistols that resurrects still-thrilling stage footage and takes pity on Vicious, whose heroin overdose cracks the sneering facade of the former Johnny Rotten, John Lydon.

END OF THE CENTURY (2003)

A fitting and moving requiem for the Ramones, this documentary captures every squabble, setback, and rev-up of buzz-saw guitars.

JAMES WOLCOTT