American Graffiti (Collector's Edition)
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Movie Reviews of American Graffiti (Collector's Edition)
Movie Review: American Graffiti
Summary: 5 Stars
The first movie to have an ambient musical soundtrack (there is perhaps a word for that), much like the sound that would later announce the arrival of the storm troopers in Star Wars, Lucas makes a very funny film. The best scence is when the nerd in the movie is trying to steal some beer and is shot at by the store owner; perhaps what makes it so hilarious is the complete disparity between the act and its punishment. In the end, the greaser dies and Richie Cunningham lives and stays in Modesto, and Richard Dreyfuss flies away on a plane, still searching for that blond in the convertible. The greaser is reborn, however, in Happy Days as Fonzi, but Richie Cunningham gets to play himself again. How old is Fonzi? If he is old, then he is a very creepy, and if he is young, then he is terribly miscast. Either way, the working class greaser gets magical powers in his Happy Days afterlife: he can snap his fingers and the girls come running, or turn on the jukebox by hitting it just right. Otherwise he would just be a sad figure of pity, living upstairs in Mrs. C's attic, the greaser glory just so much motor oil. Better to die in a not-so-tragic accident at the end of the movie.Movie Review: American Graffiti for the male mind
Summary: 5 Stars
Set in 1962, this coming of age story for California guys showcases the pop world from a male perspective. In a dusk-to-dawn marathon, the guys face their respective rites of passage -- when boys supposedly turn into "men." This film got one thing right about the 60's: the "goils" simply exist as foils or fluffy fantasy fodder for the male gaze.
The film is a classic example of author Inez Hedge's central thesis in her book "Breaking the Frame" where she explores film language and the experience of cinematic limits. In general, film viewers are rarely shown what occurs inside the minds of the female characters. Women exist as subjects within a frame that assumes the male perspective. Women's passive positioning in film language is reinforced by two directorial tactics: 1) most point-of-view shots are taken from a male perspective; 2) males originate most of the action.
As another man for feminism, I'm perplexed as to why so many readers fail to find value in this honest assessment. I'm not knocking George Lucas in general; he was brilliant in THX 1138, but in this follow up flick, he caved in to Hollywood.
Movie Review: Longing for the good 'ol days
Summary: 5 Stars
I grew up in Northern California and graduated from Fremont High School in the not so small town of Oakland in 1965 (and later from California Polytechnic University in San luis Obispo in 1975, after a short stint in the service). I remember the Mel's drive-in in downtown Oakland, and I remember the 'cruising' on San Leandro Blvd on Friday and Saturday nights (although I couldn't afford to get a car until 1968--a 1961 Volvo PV 544 sedan--(Wow, I wish I had that car back!). I have to say that this movie is truly one of the best nostalgia stirring movies I have ever seen. It tugs at your heart and reminds us babyboomers that there really was a simpler, more carefree time and we lived it! When gas was 23 cents a gallon (or less when the gas wars were on), you loved Casper's Hotdogs, and education costs were almost nothing if you attended Merritt Junior College. When you rode on the back of your friend's Vespa motorbike to San Jose, just because you had never been there, and when you took off in your car on a whim to visit Big Basin to see the redwoods. Talk about a movie that causes you to reminisce!
Movie Review: American Graffiti (1973)
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't say enough about how truly classic and great this film is. Without a doubt deserving of its AFI 100 Greatest Films of all time list. And I think this film even surpases Lucas' most known films - "The Star Wars Trilogy". The basic theme of this film is -- "the end of eras".It was the end of peace im America, before the war in Vietnam broke out. It was before America's rock n roll suddenly became Englands rock and roll. It was the end of cruising, a very popular American mating ritual. The Nostalgia showcased in this film is quite thick. And although it is a comedy, it is also a drama and its the best kind of drama. It isn't in your face - you have to find it in the end. This film perfectly showcases the end of the GOlden days in AMerica. Its here in all its glory. Superb acting, directing, and the ammount of classic cars and classic rock n roll tunes from the 50's and 60's alone is worth 3 stars. 10 minutes into this film - you will be hooked. You will want to see it over and over again. It is truly an American classic from one of America's Greatest Filmakers!Movie Review: When times were fun.
Summary: 5 Stars
I was 8 years old when rock n roll first came on the scene and when young people ask me what it was like when I was a teenager, I tell them to watch the movie American Graffiti. It nails it right on the head. The street rods, cruisers, custom cars, the music, all bring back good memories. Sock hops, car races, going steady, all part of an era in time that will never be duplicated again. All of these things were captured in a fun but very capable and accurate way by the director, producers and and actors. Richard Dreyfuss, Cindy Williams, Ron Howard and the rest were great. What a cast of characters and what a time in history. I loved it and have watched this movie more times than I can count. I highly recommend it to anyone that grew up in that era and to the young who want to see how the "older" generation had fun and enjoyed life. It didn't take much to entertain me or my friends when i was a teen. Give me a car, a girl friend, friends and a few hundred cruises around the circuit on a Friday and Saturday night and there you have it. American Graffiti.