癲狂院 Vixen Owl Cigar..。o○

Dumb feelgood Amoral Fun & Quite Touching in places...


'59 Buick Invicta and a carrot suck Irresistible
We saw "Fast Times at Ridgemont High " on DVD this week, and it was wonderful to see it again.
It is somewhat sad though, because the film seems strangely innocent when viewed almost twenty years after it was filmed.
"People on 'ludes should not drive! " remarks Sean Penn as Jeff Spicolli just before wrecking a borrowed car.
It was good for a laugh then, now seeing drunken high schoolers wrecking a car would not be something to laugh about.
The line would probably have to be changed to something like "people on heroin should not drive ".

Quaaludes no longer exist, and heroin is all too available today, sadly replacing 'ludes which seem somehow harmless when compared to heroin, X, GHB, and other designer drugs that teens now experiment with.
Fast Times at first appears to avoid moralization about teen sex and drugs.
On a simple level, it merely entertains as it follows a group of California teens through a year of high school.
They are having fun, and exploring things as they attempt to find their way in the world.
There are all types in this character study.
There are stoners, nerds, career minded go-getters, a little bit of everyone is in here.

You probably see some of yourself and others in this film.
Fans of the movie will want to own the DVD.
It is very generous in providing notes and a look at where so many of these young actors have wound up.
Interviews with the now middle aged cast provide interesting insight into what was going on as they began their careers.
The DVD extras alone will make it a good value for anyone who, like me, loves and lived this film.

【Jennifer Jason Leigh】Fast Times at Ridgemont High【Judge Reinhold】
"That was my skull! I'm so Wasted !!"
This movie will have you rolling with laughter, but it also has some sad real life situations.
In many ways it captures the best years of your high school life realistically.
They are a double edged sword, carefree but serious.
It really is a coming of age movie.

There are many pitfalls that the actors face in this movie.
The senior loses his girl, his job, and his self respect, and this is supposed to be his year.
His sister loses her virginity and much more.
The Ratman and his friend lose their friendship and trust.
The Stoner loses his mind, not really, he does not have much of one to start with.
There is an all star line up in this movie just before they were stars.
It is interesting to watch this movie now and see how far they have gone.
Sean Penn showed early promise here of what a good actor he is, and how he can play different roles so well......

This was the absolute FIRST movie job for Eric Stoltz (before his big hit in Mask ), James Russo, Anthony Edwards (yes, of TV's "ER" fame but with more hair), and Nicolas Coppola.
Mr. Coppola, who was only 17 at the time, which cost him being cast in the role of Brad, later changed his name to Nicolas Cage.
Despite his later fame, you'll have to look closely to see him here, and listen extra hard for his one major line.
That ought to keep you on your toes.

Anthony Edwards and Eric Stoltz were already established friends when these roles came along, the two of them having appeared in both little theater and ballet.
The leading "stars " of this wonderful film all had prior movie roles , with Sean Penn already attracting notice for his heavy duty role in Taps (which was also the breakthrough 2nd film for Tom Cruise ).

There is too much to enjoy here for me to even attempt descriptions.
The high school scenes were mostly at Van Nuys High School - possibly because they had the same mascot os Ridgemont.
The mall scenes were shot at the Sherman Oaks Galleria - state of the art at the time, but subsequently remodeled, and Jennifer Jason Leigh (who was supposed to work at Perry's Pizza ) actually DID work for Perry's Pizza for a month after getting the role - while waiting for filming to begin.

Even cuties like Jennifer have to eat, don't they ?
But, enough of the kind of information that anyone with the time and determination can uncover.
What matters is that Fast Times At Ridgemont High is first class entertainment, with plenty of laughs and a tasty garnish of nudity and sex - as long as you don't waste your time trying to read things into it.
This movie depicts the average teenage life in this era.
Whether you were a burnout, A kid with raging hormones, or one of the geeks this movie is for you.

It shows us the funny side of all of the things that a teenager might face.
Yet, at the same time it shows the consiquences for their actions.
If you are from this era this is a must see for a good laugh.
I purchased this movie and watch it a least once every 6 months.
It takes me back to a time when things were simple and carefree.
To a time when it was fun to be a teenager.


Just enjoy your popcorn, beer (or pop) and the movie.. You'll be glad you did....