Now kids of today would say America Pie but those of us how saw it back in 1982 know Fast Times was much better. What are you thoughts?
Posted by the_haimster (Member # 4485) on :
My thoughts are that there have been many teen films better than Fast Times but its all a matter of opinions.
A teen film without The Corey's just isn't a teen film at all!
Posted by eightieschick (Member # 4385) on :
I think that Fast Times was the inspiration for all of those teen movies like American Pie.
Posted by Nice Guy Sammy_Hain (Member # 3150) on :
Three words for you all
Dazed and Confused
Got it?
Good
My work is done here
Posted by mamamiasweetpeaches (Member # 1715) on :
Nah...I didn't "get" DAZED AND CONFUSED.
Posted by rocksteadyflamethrower (Member # 1065) on :
Let's compromise.
"Fast Times" is the best teen movie of the 80s, while "Dazed And Confused" is the best teen movie of the 90s.
Only time will tell if this decade can stack up with one major teen flick.
Sincerely,
John Kilduff
Posted by MotleyRulz (Member # 3598) on :
I think Fast Times was the building block for American Pie and other teen movies. I gotta go with Dazed and Confused though....
Posted by cindymancini (Member # 679) on :
Fast Times is my favorite movie. I never get sick of it. The characters are great, the setting and time period is so awesome, the soundtrack rules and it's really a funny movie that's got a lot of heart in the end. Don't get me wrong, I liked American Pie but I don't think any of these other movies will hold up in all aspects like Fast Times has. Just my humble opinion.
"So are you working hard or hardly working?"-Ron Johnson
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
I tend to think that the soundtrack makes the movie great. Star power and memorable scenes might make it the best. I don't know though, because my favorite is 16 candles. Awesome soundtrack though many of the songs weren't made for the movie.
We are DEVO
Posted by CrashesParties n TheValley (Member # 2903) on :
I will say this...
Those Damn AMERICAN PIE movies SUCK! "I really hate them" i tried to watch them but it was like getting a tooth pulled with a rusty pair of plyers. That's how i feel about most of the Teen Comedies of TODAY
Fast Times At Ridgemont High is a Classic..i mean i really dont see people watching American Pie 20 something years later like we are still watching FAST TIMES.
"No WAY! there's no birthday waiting for me here" Posted by The Wizard (Member # 533) on :
I heard Criterion are going to be doing a release of Dazed And Confused this summer, meaning it'll be the best DVD version to date.
I enjoyed the American Pie movies for what they were, trashy comedies that get their kicks from how sick they can make the jokes rather than how funny they can make the jokes, but I'd never buy or pay to see them. 80s teen movies on the other hand, shelves full of em
I think there's another 90s film that needs an honourable mention in this category: PCU
Posted by Nice Guy Sammy_Hain (Member # 3150) on :
I need to emphasize that I wasn't saying that Dazed and Confused is better than Fast Times at Ridgemont High I was just answering the question that I felt that D&C was the best teen movie since FTARH.
I think they're both excellent movies and both stand up admirably on their own merits. Two of my all time favourite movies of all time.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
I actually think Dazed and Confused is almost as entertaining as Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Did I just agree with Sammy, say it ain't so.
Fast Times is the original classic and Jeff Spicoli will always be the best pizza eating surf champion that ever lived, but don't underestimate David Wooderson and his love for the Freshman Crop. Both movies have Awesome quotes and hilarious moments.
In the end though.....Fast Times is totally 80's for me, so when it comes down to making out, whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV.
Hey Bud, Let's Party! Awesome! Totally Awesome! All right, Hamilton! Posted by cindymancini (Member # 679) on :
You mean right up this ramp?
First door on the left...
Posted by Marty McFly (Member # 4403) on :
Did anyone think Fast Times had kind of a leftover '70s feeling to it?
I know it's from 1982, but honestly, the overall feel is lika a combination of '70s teen movies like American Graffiti or Rock & Roll High School and "beginner '80s". I say that because, Spicoli was a pothead (which was viewed as more of a burnout/loser thing to do in the '80s. It was more of a '70s social thing IMO), but at the same time, the mall was the major landmark and there was tons of "valley" slang.
It was I guess, like an "80s modified" '70s. 1979-81 and even up to '83 a little bit, had this feeling.
Movies and other things in pop culture wasn't 100% total '80s until 1984.
Posted by mamamiasweetpeaches (Member # 1715) on :
Is it true that they are re-making REVENGE OF THE NERDS, ROCK & ROLL HIGH SCHOOL and PORKYS???
Damn them! Damn them all to Hell!
Posted by eightieschick (Member # 4385) on :
quote:Originally posted by cindymancini: Fast Times is my favorite movie. I never get sick of it. The characters are great, the setting and time period is so awesome, the soundtrack rules and it's really a funny movie that's got a lot of heart in the end. Don't get me wrong, I liked American Pie but I don't think any of these other movies will hold up in all aspects like Fast Times has. Just my humble opinion.
"So are you working hard or hardly working?"-Ron Johnson
Great quote cindi! This is my husband's fave, and it's one of my faves. He can quote every freakin line from the movie- it's hilarious! I think he likes doing the Damone lines the best.
Posted by eightieschick (Member # 4385) on :
quote:Originally posted by Nice Guy Sammy_Hain: I need to emphasize that I wasn't saying that Dazed and Confused is better than Fast Times at Ridgemont High I was just answering the question that I felt that D&C was the best teen movie since FTARH.
I think they're both excellent movies and both stand up admirably on their own merits. Two of my all time favourite movies of all time.
I loved Dazed and Confused too. They had the same casting director for Dazed and Confused and FTARH. He looks like a burnout to me! I loved Wooderson in Dazed- I'm just gonna keep on livin- L-I-V-I-N! McConahey (sp.?) was the perfect creepy older guy!
Posted by Ali_with_an_i (Member # 27) on :
I guess Animal House is not a teen movie persay, but it is pretty much the model for most of them that came afterward. Personally it's one of my favorites and never gets old.
Posted by My other car's a Paul-sche..... (Member # 1022) on :
HAving caught bits of FTARH over the years, I finally got to see it all - from start to finish - last week. So now I feel qualified to comment on this thread........
I didn't really like it.
And so whilst I wait for the flames to begin, let me say why. Characters were OK - a little stereotyped maybe, but OK. The soundtrack was great. But here's my problem..... what was the story? There appeared to be nothing actually going on, apart from 'here's a few months in the life of a school'. Nothing really happened to constitute a plot, or a story, or much of anything at all. If anything, it played like a 90 minute long soap that took the characters not from A to B, but from A back round to A, via C (which was a place where nothing really happened). And there were no characters you could actually love, or actually hate. Sure some kids got laid, one got knocked up, and others got high, but that's nowhere near enough for a plot......
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
Paul...you needed to watch it about 20 years ago...allthough my neighbor who is 19 just watched it with me, and she loved it. It's just about the teenage stuff we all went through and could relate to. I thought the characters seemed like people I grew up with, and went to school with. That's why I liked it. Plus they had the same school colors as my high school.
What's the story line in any other teen movie? Isn't life a story line? I think that's really what most movies are about, even just watching Crash, it was about racism...but it was just people's lives been connected together...that's the kind of stuff I like, is just regular real life type stuff that is believable.
I love movies where I love the cast of people, and that's the appeal to me of Fast Times...Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates, Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold, Eric Stoltz, Nick Cage, Robert Romanus, and Ray Walston- they were awesome actors in it...it is so cool when you get a cast of that many cool people in 1 movie, I love that.
The soundtrack is one of the best..I am glad you liked that.
Watch it again...it might grow on you.
I miss the whole "hanging at the Mall" thing...we use to have a Mister Pizza at a mall, and we use to hang there after we went to the matinees, and I loved that...I love that "Ron" takes "Stacey" to the "Point" on a date, which is a dugout...that's what we all did in high school too, we all went parking in the high school parking lot. Haha.
Posted by MotleyRulz (Member # 3598) on :
Kids still hang out at the mall, but not grown-ups....
Posted by Nice Guy Sammy_Hain (Member # 3150) on :
thats what I was thinking too
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
That's exactly my point, I miss being a kid.
Posted by kenkobra (Member # 892) on :
quote:Originally posted by mamamiasweetpeaches: Is it true that they are re-making REVENGE OF THE NERDS, ROCK & ROLL HIGH SCHOOL and PORKYS???
Damn them! Damn them all to Hell!
Any updates on these movies being remade?
Posted by Pyromantic (Member # 7658) on :
I'll agree that this is definitely one of those 80's movies with a 70 's hangover...but you're bound to get that the first couple years of every decade right? Just like there are plenty of early 90's movies with 80's hangover I can think of.
Now, has there been better teen movies since Fast Times?
My answer is yes, alot of them in fact.
At the risk of getting pummeled...I'm gonna have to say FTARH has worn itself pretty thin on me. I can't watch the whole movie anymore..It just bores me to tears. I think Paul's review post above says it best....
quote:Originally posted by My other car's a Paul-sche.....: And so whilst I wait for the flames to begin, let me say why. Characters were OK - a little stereotyped maybe, but OK. The soundtrack was great. But here's my problem..... what was the story? There appeared to be nothing actually going on, apart from 'here's a few months in the life of a school'. Nothing really happened to constitute a plot, or a story, or much of anything at all. If anything, it played like a 90 minute long soap that took the characters not from A to B, but from A back round to A, via C (which was a place where nothing really happened). And there were no characters you could actually love, or actually hate. Sure some kids got laid, one got knocked up, and others got high, but that's nowhere near enough for a plot......
...my feelings are pretty much the same as his on this movie.
And if you want my opinion on a better movie than Fast Times as far as movies about hanging out in a mall...then my pick would be "Mallrats". Total 90's flick all the way...but still very very funny to me. I can definitely watch that one over and over again.
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
Well, I'm sure there have been tons of great movies since Fast Times, but I don't see why it has to be either / or. I thought I'd replied to Paul's post many moons ago, but failing that here's my feelings:
The reason Fast Times works so well for me is precisely because it has no story. It isn't trying to take you through the A, B and C of a Hollywood storyline. It shows you the lives of some kids in a slightly compressed / exaggerated (though based on truth) school year. School itself has no story; it's an ongoing soap-opera with a large cast of characters. When I look back at my school years and say to myself "What happened?" The answer has to be; "Nothing". I went to school, hung out with friends, read comic books, listened to music, watched movies, went for long walks in the woods, and hoped that in the future I might grow up to be someone who had a great life and got to be with the right girl (boy, that was a vain hope!)
That's what I like so much about Fast Times; everyone is more or less passing time focusing on the issues of 'now' while real life ticks away around them.
Another movie that makes me feel the same way; 'Meatballs'.
'Pretty in Pink' and 'Can't Buy Me Love' are great movies, but they're three-act movies just like most other movies. I wouldn't ever choose Fast Times over them, but I'm glad Fast Times exists precisely because it doesn't follow such a linear narrative, which makes it just a little more like life.
Posted by TerdNthePoolGGB (Member # 9818) on :
16 candles, Karate Kid were close IMO. Fast Times edges out 16 Candles but Im undecided between KK and Fast Times.
Posted by Nostalgic for the '80's (Member # 37454) on :
Fast Times is definitely an iconic teen film, and maybe THE iconic teen film - though I may be biased since I was a teen in the '80's.
I remember first seeing the film in '84 - on a heavily edited network TV version. I didn't see the movie unedited until I watched the DVD years later.
Obviously the film is so great because it was relatable for so many kids during the '80's - I think everyone who grew up during that era knew people like Jeff Spicoli in high school; I could also definitely relate to working in a fast food restaurant as a teen as well.
And, of course, teen mall culture was so prevalent during that time - the big thing was "going to the Mall" - even though I hate malls now, and haven't been to one in years. For that matter, many malls have closed in recent years anyway.
[ 04. November 2016, 07:00: Message edited by: Nostalgic for the '80's ]
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"I really hate them" i tried to watch them but it was like getting a tooth pulled with a rusty pair of plyers. That's how i feel about most of the Teen Comedies of TODAY![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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