If you wanna see a movie that both reaffirms and questions your faith in your musical idols, watch Bad Brains: Band in D.C., a documentary on a hardcore band born in D.C., bred in N.Y. and made by two Angelenos. Mandy Stein and Ben Logan chronicle the members’ history, from their early, shambolic shows to their Rastafarian conversion to their big label break with Madonna’s Maverick. Their first three records would garner lifelong devotion from big-name fans (and the film’s talking heads) like Henry Rollins, Dave Grohl, onetime producer Ric Ocasek and members of Minor Threat, the Cro-Mags and Beastie Boys, including the late Adam Yauch, who produced Bad Brains’ last album in 2007. (Grohl even admits to copping “How Low Can a Punk Get?”’s intro for Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”) The film also documents the band’s infighting, mostly with troubled singer H.R.; once D.C.’s answer to Iggy Pop, the legendary frontman is now all zen and peace signs, despite racking up a history of no-shows, jail time and violence. But Jah provides, and these Rastas are still raging against the machine wherever Green Day may rear its ugly head. Cinefamily, 611 N. Fairfax Ave.; Thurs., Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m.; $12. (323) 655-2510, cinefamily.org.

Thu., Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m., 2012

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.