Description

Chasing Amy is the third installment in the "New Jersey Trilogy" from award-winning writer-director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Mallrats, Dogma). Cult comic-book artist Holden (Ben Affleck) falls in love with fellow artist Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams), only to be thwarted by her sexuality, the disdain of his best friend Banky (Jason Lee), and his own misgivings about himself. Filled with Smith's unique ear for dialogue and insight into relationships, Chasing Amy offers a thoughtful, funny look at how perceptions alter lives, and how obsession and self-doubt skew reality. ... Read more

Reviews (355)

Simply Fabulous!
"Chasing Amy" by director Kevin Smith is such an triumph. This movie about love, friendship and taking chances hits with so many punches. It's well rounded, it doesn't take the easy way out, NOR does it go for the safe laugh. The story surrounding comic book writer Holden (Ben Afflect) , his best mate and partner Banky (played beautifully by Jason Lee), and Holden's love for fellow comic book girl, lesbian Allyssa (Joey Lauren Adams) Who SO deserved the Golden Globe Nomination. It's sweet, lovely and such a testament to true love. Conflict between these three characters carries this movie with such intelligence.

One of the BEST love declaration speeches in movie HISTORY is in this movie, when Holden spills his cuts (in the rain, no less) to Alyssa. That scene sums up the whole movie. It's just such a good movie. Supporting cast includes the performance of Fan Fav. "Jay and Silent Bob" in a wonderful moment that sums it all up. Truly inspired writing on Smith's part.

I hope everyone appreciates it like I do. It's fabulous!

blech!
Why did this movie get such good reviews?? Maybe it would've been clearer when it came out, but I honestly thought it was terrible.

The main plotline made no sense whatsoever. There was no chemistry between Ben and Joey's characters, and suddenly, after about 10 minutes, he found himself deeply in love with her and had to make a 5 minute confession to her. Then it turns out she, a former lesbian, was in love with him all along too, and suddenly they're kissing in the rain. There was no build-up to this, and as such I felt nothing for their relationship or anything they were going through.

The drawn-out monologues in the movie are pretty silly as well. The characters talk at each other for long periods of time while the others just stare at them blankly. (Ben Affleck has indeed mastered the blank, gaping stare.) And parts of the movie are so silly that I wasn't sure if any of the movie was supposed to be taken seriously at all. Sometimes it seems it has a message, but then it's just stupid.

It was kind of entertaining at times, and the supporting characters were amusing. So that's why it got 2 stars. But overall it was a pretty bad movie.

another popular release.
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edotion of the film.

This film the third release in the Jersey "trilogy" (quintilogy to be exact) is also the one where Silent Bob speaks more than any other release. In this film,(Ben Affleck) a comic book artist falls in love with young women who is also a comic book artist, only to discover that she is lesbian. The film is not for children and like the film "Clerks" almost got an NC-17 rating based solely on sexual dialog.

The Criterion DVD has numerous special features.
There is a new DVD edition video introdiction for the audio commentary explaining a comment made by Kevin blasting DVD's (The audio commentary as originally recorded for the laserdisc edition.)
The is full length audio commentary by director/actor Kevin Smith, producer Scott Mosier, actors Ben Affleck and Jason Mewes, associate producer Robert Hawk, Miramax executive Jon Gordon, and Vincent Pereira. There is also a Theatrical trailer, 10 deleted scenes with introductions. There is also a set of outtakes.

The Criterion Collection remains the exclusive distributer for the film's DVD format as of the time this review is being written.

'Till the other shoe drops
Interesting but pretty improbable, and ultimately it will be unworkable. It should have been written as a tragedy instead it is a farce.

ok but no clerks
this was an ok film, but still highly overrated i recommend clerks, clerks the series, or maybe mallrats instead of this. ... Read more

Reviews (213)

"The 70's...oh my god, they obviously suck!"
That is one of many classic lines from this movie that makes it a classic. However, this movie could have been set in the 70's, 80's, 90's or 2003 and people would have seen themselves or their friends in this outstanding cast of characters. We all lived through high school, and we can all identify with the characters depicted in Dazed and Confused.

For example, there's the kid who's 27 and still hanging out with all the high schoolers, still trying to date high school freshmen 13 years his junior (Matthew McConaghey). For some kids, you can tell that high school will be the pinnacle of their sad, pathetic lives, and Ben Affleck plays this character to a tee. There are also the ludicrously bitchy and snobby girls (Parker Posey), the perpetually nice and perky girls (Michelle Burke), and the kid who comes to parties "to drink some beer and kick some ass." (Nicky Katt)

This movie is funny because it is so true. High school is pretty much the same regardless of decade or location. You have your jocks and your intellectuals, your snobs and the kids who are nice to everybody. In that way it's like real life, but in real life you're not bound together with 800 other kids you grew up with and who know your entire embarassing life story.

This movie depicting only one day in the life of a high school student is hilarious and touching. Though it will make you laugh out loud, it will also bring back memories of feeling inadequate or ugly that were magnified by the clausterphobic setting of high school. This movie features some stellar performances by actors who went on to become very famous. Though the characters in this movie could have gone to school at any time period in the 20th century, the 70's setting adds to the hilarity. Dive into this world of bell bottoms, bongs and Black Sabbath and try not to cringe when you recognize yourself or your friends in the wonderful cast of characters.

Smoked out hilarious
Ok, being born in 1974 I never got to experience the weirdness of the '70's. I've longed to live in the days of bell bottoms, platforms and the beautiful women with the straight ironed hair. This is one of those movies that captures exactally how I perceive the mid 70's to be. This film is about, well, graduation night and future freshmen and seniors. They basically go around smoking weed and trying to terrorize the up coming freshman. The line up is an all star cast of who's who in movies. Ben Afleck, Mathew Mcconaughey, Jason London and Milla Jovovich.

This is a film that takes a comedic, yet precise look at life in 1976. The music is absolutely awesome and the dialogue will keep you laughing from beginning to end. You get the guy that's always doped up, the jock, the preppy little bi**h and the freshman who wants to fit in. It's hard to describe just what this movie is about because it is really about nothing. One night in 1976 would have been just as good a title as "Dazed and Confused". I love this film. If you enjoy great humor pick this one up.

WOOD-A-BEEN, HAPPENIN'
Finally, a DAZED AND CONFUSED special edition. This is one of the best comedies ever made. Some people find it boring and plotless, but they're just unable to appreciate the honesty that comes along with the movie. Whenever I watch this movie, I watch the whole thing, no scene selections. There is just something about this movie that makes you feel comfortable. It is probably the familiarity that accompanies each of the characters that reminds you of people that you know. There is also something about the feeling of following the characters from the end of their last day of school into the party and concluding on the next morning. There is a feeling about joining the party that makes this movie watchable at most any time. You can feel like you are in the movie, and there is something about it that just wants to make you have fun or go hang out with your friends. People who haven't seen this movie will also be surprised to see the a lot of the cast, which includes many now-famous actors. This cast includes Jason London, Ben Affleck, Rory Cochrane, Mila Jovovich, Matthew McConaughey, and, well there is too many, but believe me, if you remember high school, or you like comedies and you haven't already, you have to check this movie out, and watch the whole thing. It is also good to watch it with a friend so you have someone to talk to about it. An unforgettable set of characters, some good jokes, an unforgettable party, and finally, some special features to go along with the movie. I was one of those people who was told about the movie from a cousin and I picked up the DVD (old one with no special features) and it became one of my favorites. The thing that surprised me was that nobody really knew about it, except for some older people, because the movie was like AMERICAN PIE when it came out. This special edition will definitely get some new recognition. The only thing that pisses me off is that when this special edition does come out, new people are gonna see it and they are gonna act like they discovered it, like I haven't seen it before them. That is gonna suck, but it is gonna be worth it when I see those special features. I hope they have some behind-the-scenes footage or a reunion of the cast or something. By the way, Richard Linklater is a genius who writes with honesty (he also directed this movie). I am gonna buy WAKING LIFE (also starring Wiley Wiggins), BEFORE SUNRISE, and see BEFORE SUNSET. If you liked this movie, you'll probably like DETROIT ROCK CITY and ALMOST FAMOUS. Those movies are good, but we'll get to those later. DAZED AND CONFUSED is a movie you gotta check out. I can't wait for this special edition. You'll also like AMERICAN PIE, THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, and a lot of other comedies with honesty. By the way, I forgot, there is some stupid dialogue in the movie, but it is overweighed by the good stuff, and you won't notice it until you have seen the movie around three or four times. By the way, that doesn't mean I think that the movie is stupid or anything, I can say that because I am a big fan, and I still really like that movie. Plus, you've got to take some stupid jokes along with every good comedy. Anyway, my hands are starting to hurt, and I'm running out of ideas. DAZED AND CONFUSED is one of the greatest comedies ever made. This isn't the only move coming out with a special edition. There is MEET THE PARENTS and a bunch of other UNIVERSAL movies coming out with special editions.

Hilarious!!
This comedy is a scream!! It perfectly captures high school in the 1970s - if you were in school then, you'll recognize everyone in this film as someone in your class. Every detail is perfect - the clothes, haircuts, parties, parents, attitudes, cars, everything. And unlike many teen movies, it doesn't pretend to be heavy or deep - its just and all out good time. I could not stop laughing, watching it, and the soundtrack is awesome.

Looks like someone's smoking the reefer...
I saw this movie and was certainly surprised at how different from its peers it is. "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is deep, and certainly funny, but it lacks that underlying tone of what will happen to the kids once they get out of school. "American Pie" is hilarious, but it's too bogged down by clichés. "Dazed and Confused", however, finds the perfect middle ground. Set in Austin, Texas, on the last day of school in 1976, the film follows a rouges gallery of colorful (if not fun-loving) teenagers who plan to spend the afternoon and night having as much fun as possible, and that's an understatement. The story itself is very simple, yet captivating and intriguing. Each teen spends his/her night doing something different, yet they all eventually convene at the party at the moon tower. It's like a combo of a day-in-the-life movie, an in-depth character study, and a great teen comedy. And it is of course the comedy that more then any thing explores the alienation and unsettling nature that teenagers feel, regardless of age or timeframe. We see this through such lines as: "I came here tonight to do two things: kick some ass and drink some beer. Looks like we're out of beer!" and "If I ever refer to these as the best years of my life remind me to kill myself." That captures how these kids feel about school, and about life. Cause hey, you want the best years of your life, forget high school. Try college ... Read more

Reviews (86)

This is one of the most funniest movies i've ever seen.
This a very humorous movie. Although it didn't become a big hit, it is still a classic. It had the right stars to play the main charters(Pauly Shore and Stephen Baldwin).

The movie focuses on two collage students from Tucson, who stumble apon an experimental dome, believing it was a mall. They stay at the dome and cause total chaos and drive the scientists inside crazy. Then they destroy the dome by having a huge party and become heroes when they clean it up.

The humor was mainly from the stupidity of Bud(Pauly Shore)and Doyle(Stephen Baldwin). They acted like they were still in the eight grade with annoying and senseless humor. They were like the kind of people who could cheer you up when you were down.

The movie did have its downs, though. The main charters didn't act their age. The humor was mainly aimed at young kids but had an "R" rating. The movie could have done good without the involvement of hemp. And Pauly Shore keep laughing after almost everything he said. But, that's why most people like the movie.

Over all, I think the movie was great. It was very funny, had a great cast, and had a good plot to it.

An award winner, not a bomb!
I read on a website that this film was rated as a "BOMB". That is the worst rating I've ever heard for one of the funniest movies ever. Non-stop laughs! Pauly Shore is a comic genius, and he shows it in this movie. If you're a serious comedy lover, this is a must-have DVD. So buy it here at Amazon!

It's Just Like Seventh Grade
I watched 'Bio-Dome' under extreme protest. I didn't really expect much, but I had no idea how wretched it would truly be. Pauly Shore and Stephen Baldwin star as Bud and Doyle, two losers who inadvertently get trapped in the 'Bio-Dome' scientific research station and hilarity (allegedly) ensues. Adding to the agony is an early screen appearance by Jack Black.

'Bio-Dome' is essentially a glimpse of the hilarity that goes on in a seventh grade boy's locker room. Jokes about K-Y Jelly and flatulence abound, so if you think that is utterly hilarious, this movie may be for you. The only bright side to 'Bio-Dome' is this: it is the film that utterly killed Pauley Shore's screen career.

Makes Carrot Top Seem Handsome, and Adam Sandler Seem Funny
I watched 'Bio-Dome' under extreme protest. I didn't really expect much, but I had no idea how wretched it would truly be. Pauly 'The Weasel' Shore and Stephen Baldwin star as Bud and Doyle, two losers (there's a casting surprise!) who, thinking they are going to a mall, inadvertently get trapped within a futuristic 'Bio-Dome' scientific research station, and hilarity (allegedly) ensues. This makes 'Chairman of the Board' starring Carrot Top look like a serious contender for an Academy Award. Adding to the agony is an early screen appearance by the mega-untalented Jack Black, as if Pauly and Stephen weren't more than enough to discourage you.

'Bio-Dome' is essentially a glimpse of the hilarity that goes on in a seventh grade boy's locker room. Jokes about K-Y Jelly and flatulence abound, so if you think that is utterly hilarious, this movie may be for you. The good news is this: this is the film that utterly killed Pauley Shore's screen popularity, so for that I say thank you to the producers of 'Bio-Dome' for making this pile.

Viva Los Bio Dome!
A cult classic. Son-In_law is my favorite but this is a close second. Over the years I have watched this movie at least 30 times. When it comes to the party scene at the end it gets a little weak. Pauly and Steven Baldwin feed off each other like they grew up together. "Hey, Faulkner! Quit hoggin the KY!" ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

After the box-office success of Phenomenon, John Travolta continued to charm audiences with this 1996 comedy-fantasy in which he plays a grubby angel who's got one last good deed to do before heading back to heaven. Living peacefully in the rural Iowa home of an old, friendly motel owner (Jean Stapleton), the winged Michael (Travolta) is hardly the image of a perfect angel. He's scruffy, unshaven, eats sweetened cereal by the box-full and chain-smokes all day long. But when tabloid reporters (William Hurt, Robert Pastorelli) learn of Michael's alleged existence and head to Iowa to check him out, Michael soon realizes that it's his task to see that Hurt falls in love with an "angel expert" (Andie MacDowell) and breaks free from his habitually cynical attitude. There's more to the story, of course (and Chasing Amy fans will recognize Joey Lauren Adams as a waitress who charms the angel), but Michael is more about the effect that this enchanting angel has on the earthbound humans around him. Whether he's chipping away at Hurt's skepticism or attracting a crowd of women on a truck-stop dance floor, Michael is an enchanting figure, and Travolta plays him with just the right tone of humor, reverence, and effervescent charm. Sure, it's lightweight fluff, but director Nora Ephron specializes in lightweight fluff, and Michael is the kind of feel-good movie that never wears out its welcome. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (39)

A Slice Of Comedic Heaven
This movie trashes traditional religion, patronizes the Midwest, squeezes laughs out of a dying dog and a sick old woman, scorns marriage and romance and bashes men gleefully. Yet it buys into the notion that angels might really exist.

Travolta, who displays his gift for irony and whimsy, plays an unorthodox angel--a paunchy slob with moth-eaten wings who smokes, hits the bottle and chases women, even as he is on some unspecified angelic assignment in Iowa. Director Nora Ephron shows the humor and power of Michael by having Travolta, perform his Pulp Fiction dance to Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools." In fact, most of the script, by Ephron, her sister Delia and others, displays ingenuity, grace, wit and taste.

Hurt, MacDowell, and Pastorelli play cynical tabloid reporters hunting down the hapless angel. The venerable Jean Stapleton offers bright moments as the rambunctious motel owner who discovers Travolta's powers.

Repeat watching will uncover thought provoking subtleties. And of course laughs at our favorite parts--'Lines? I invented lines. Before that people were just walking around'.-- 'Pies, everybody loves pie'.

you gotta learn to laugh....it's the way to true love
man, this is a very heart warming movie about an angle named Michael. he's not your typical angel though. he smokes and is very interested in woman.
but he is also very passionate about Earth and this happens to be his last hurrah on Earth, as only 26 visits are allowed.
this is a very very heart warming movie and John Travolta is magnificant!

my favorite part is when he sees the bull at the Biggest Ball of Twine and inhales and says, "Battle".
he battles the bull and is completely happy.
overall, this is just a good movie.

We're all angels inside.
This film is brilliant! if i did't have much space for this review it would be enough to stop there! the film makes you think and start to wonder about life certain aspects of it at least, and the meaning of life.
the film tells a story of an angel who is not the stereotypical, clea, pure godly figure. the message of the film as that we are all angels. you dont have to be pure, clean or run around in white wings an a halo all day to be loved by someone an love others. sunday afternoon smiley movie me thinks!!

"Michael" is a Lot of Fun!
Now I don't for an instant classify "Michael" as a 5-Star masterpiece as, say, "Apocalypse Now," but it's definitely a great flick for its genre (romantic comedy/road movie). I don't know exactly what I was expecting -- another boring "chick flick" perhaps -- but "Michael" really surprised me. My wife and I had a great time watching it -- lots of laughs and, if you look carefully enough, even some profundities.

Michael, who is excellently portrayed by John Travolta, is an unorthodox Archangel enjoying his last mission (vacation?) to Earth. A supermarket tabloid from Chicago sends a team to Iowa to get a story and pictures; after discovering that he's a real angel they naturally want to bring him back to the big city.

What works best is that the story is essentially a fun-spirited road movie (I'm a sucker for road movies). William Hurt, Andie MacDowell and Robert Patorelli have an exceptional time meeting Michael and trying to escort him back to Chicago. Michael acts like a tourist having the time of his life, humorously wanting to see those silly little attractions we see dispersed across the countryside (e.g. "the world's biggest non-stick frying pan," etc.) -- you know, the ones most of us adults roll our eyes at.

Lots of fun things and miricles take place along the way (e.g. women are naturally attracted to Michael, bar fight, bull fight, etc.); you should discover them for yourself when watching the film. What struck me the most about Michael is that he had a true spirit of joy. The simple joy-of-living-itself was all over him; and this naturally had a big impact on all the people around him. This is something most of us could learn from Michael.

I was pleasantly surprised -- "Michael" is fun, charming and delightful -- not just another run-of-the-mill "chick flick" (in other words, guys will enjoy it too). Recommended.

Beware: the DVD case is almost entirely made of cardboard
and when I tried to peel the protection seal off, the printing of the cover started to came off with it.
Very bad quality. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Gosh--kids. You gotta love 'em, right? Well, not necessarily-- particularly if you're Adam Sandler. But Big Daddy is about paternal devotion in its own oblique way. Sandler plays Sonny Koufax, a law-school grad who has been milking an accident settlement to cover his living expenses, while he continues to slack his way through life. But when his girlfriend threatens to dump him, he decides to show her he's serious about their relationship and pretends to adopt a little boy (in fact, his roommate's son from a one-night stand several years earlier, who shows up on their doorstep just after the roommate leaves town on a job). But after taking care of the tyke for a couple of days, Sonny finds that it's a little like feeding that stray dog that followed you home: Before you know it, you've grown attached to the little fella--and then what are you going to do? By turns crude and maudlin, Big Daddy has its share of laughs and will certainly entertain fans who like Adam Sandler best when he plays the case of arrested development with a smart-aleck retort for everything. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (169)

Pretty funny, pretty good
I think that by this time in Adam Sandler's career, there are two kinds of fans: ones who either hate him, or love him. And to be blunt, his roles in most of his movies are not that great. For instance; playing the title character in "Happy Gilmore", he was a hockey/golf pro. In "The Waterboy" he played a retarted waterboy. And in "Little Nicky" he played the Devil's son. Now, all of these roles are not ones that we can relate to. But yet we still loved those films, and with good reason.

But in "Big Daddy", Sandler plays Sonny Koufax. What makes this role so much better is that there's a sense of love from within. When a young boy (Cole/Dylan Sprouse) is left outside his door, he takes him in and gives him a home. And for anyone who saw "Billy Madison" you see the irony here. Anyway, to make a long story short, it's the most well-rounded character he's every played. It's a movie that anyone can like, even if they don't like Adam Sandler. Grant it, he has the starring role, but he's with a great supporting cast. It includes Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart and Rob Schneider, along with some Sandler-movie regulars. Joey is particularly good here. She provides more seriousness than most of his female co-stars from earlier films.

This movie is definetly a comedy--and it' a good one at that. But it has more than just stupid laughs. It's cute, it's sad, and it's something you shouldn't be able to hate. The movie may be around 3.5 stars, it's better than just three. The only reason it didn't get more is because of the ending. I didn't think much of the ending, but I guess it was fitting. Anyway, Adam Sandler does something in this movie that I hope continues for him; that being playing great roles. So watch this movie, whether you like Adam Sandler or not. It' a great film.

This movie really shows Adam Sandler's soft side.
This is a great movie, all around. It's got comedy like every Adam Sandler movie, but it's also got a real show of heart. I mean, what are you supposed to do when a kid shows up on your doorstep and you're told that he's your roommate's son, but your roommate is off on a business trip? Julian is an adorable little guy, and you can really see that he got attached to Sonny, only to be told that he had to go away by the social services. That tugs at the heartstrings, especially when Julian is being led out of Sonny's apartment by the social worker repeating "But I wipe my own ass!", thinking that it was his fault he had to go away. Adam Sandler's character really showed a soft side when he gave that speech in court when it was going to be decided whether Julian would stay with him or with the adoption services. Overall, it's a wonderful movie.

Law school grade likes tripping skate boarders
I first saw this movie on TV edited for a general audience. I guess the whole family and I were enjoying it so much we didn't notice all the Bleeps. When Sandler loses the kid, all three of my younger children were sobing. We laughed, we cried, we cheered when the good guys won the day. But...

Then I bought the movie. This is not a family friendly movie becuase the language is to salty. Sandler, who hardly ever got very much face time on Saturday night Live, except in the credits has turned out to be one of my favorites. I like almost everything he does. Big daddy is a 4 star, very good movie, but i have to give it 3 stars for the cursing.

A beautiful movie
Big Daddy is a beautiful movie.

Yes, it is crude at times. But Sandler shows what live is all about, hope, love and faith.

Good movie, different , but good.
I think this is a great movie, adam sandler shows a different but good side. I reccomend this to anyone. ... Read more

Reviews (213)

"The 70's...oh my god, they obviously suck!"
That is one of many classic lines from this movie that makes it a classic. However, this movie could have been set in the 70's, 80's, 90's or 2003 and people would have seen themselves or their friends in this outstanding cast of characters. We all lived through high school, and we can all identify with the characters depicted in Dazed and Confused.

For example, there's the kid who's 27 and still hanging out with all the high schoolers, still trying to date high school freshmen 13 years his junior (Matthew McConaghey). For some kids, you can tell that high school will be the pinnacle of their sad, pathetic lives, and Ben Affleck plays this character to a tee. There are also the ludicrously bitchy and snobby girls (Parker Posey), the perpetually nice and perky girls (Michelle Burke), and the kid who comes to parties "to drink some beer and kick some ass." (Nicky Katt)

This movie is funny because it is so true. High school is pretty much the same regardless of decade or location. You have your jocks and your intellectuals, your snobs and the kids who are nice to everybody. In that way it's like real life, but in real life you're not bound together with 800 other kids you grew up with and who know your entire embarassing life story.

This movie depicting only one day in the life of a high school student is hilarious and touching. Though it will make you laugh out loud, it will also bring back memories of feeling inadequate or ugly that were magnified by the clausterphobic setting of high school. This movie features some stellar performances by actors who went on to become very famous. Though the characters in this movie could have gone to school at any time period in the 20th century, the 70's setting adds to the hilarity. Dive into this world of bell bottoms, bongs and Black Sabbath and try not to cringe when you recognize yourself or your friends in the wonderful cast of characters.

Smoked out hilarious
Ok, being born in 1974 I never got to experience the weirdness of the '70's. I've longed to live in the days of bell bottoms, platforms and the beautiful women with the straight ironed hair. This is one of those movies that captures exactally how I perceive the mid 70's to be. This film is about, well, graduation night and future freshmen and seniors. They basically go around smoking weed and trying to terrorize the up coming freshman. The line up is an all star cast of who's who in movies. Ben Afleck, Mathew Mcconaughey, Jason London and Milla Jovovich.

This is a film that takes a comedic, yet precise look at life in 1976. The music is absolutely awesome and the dialogue will keep you laughing from beginning to end. You get the guy that's always doped up, the jock, the preppy little bi**h and the freshman who wants to fit in. It's hard to describe just what this movie is about because it is really about nothing. One night in 1976 would have been just as good a title as "Dazed and Confused". I love this film. If you enjoy great humor pick this one up.

WOOD-A-BEEN, HAPPENIN'
Finally, a DAZED AND CONFUSED special edition. This is one of the best comedies ever made. Some people find it boring and plotless, but they're just unable to appreciate the honesty that comes along with the movie. Whenever I watch this movie, I watch the whole thing, no scene selections. There is just something about this movie that makes you feel comfortable. It is probably the familiarity that accompanies each of the characters that reminds you of people that you know. There is also something about the feeling of following the characters from the end of their last day of school into the party and concluding on the next morning. There is a feeling about joining the party that makes this movie watchable at most any time. You can feel like you are in the movie, and there is something about it that just wants to make you have fun or go hang out with your friends. People who haven't seen this movie will also be surprised to see the a lot of the cast, which includes many now-famous actors. This cast includes Jason London, Ben Affleck, Rory Cochrane, Mila Jovovich, Matthew McConaughey, and, well there is too many, but believe me, if you remember high school, or you like comedies and you haven't already, you have to check this movie out, and watch the whole thing. It is also good to watch it with a friend so you have someone to talk to about it. An unforgettable set of characters, some good jokes, an unforgettable party, and finally, some special features to go along with the movie. I was one of those people who was told about the movie from a cousin and I picked up the DVD (old one with no special features) and it became one of my favorites. The thing that surprised me was that nobody really knew about it, except for some older people, because the movie was like AMERICAN PIE when it came out. This special edition will definitely get some new recognition. The only thing that pisses me off is that when this special edition does come out, new people are gonna see it and they are gonna act like they discovered it, like I haven't seen it before them. That is gonna suck, but it is gonna be worth it when I see those special features. I hope they have some behind-the-scenes footage or a reunion of the cast or something. By the way, Richard Linklater is a genius who writes with honesty (he also directed this movie). I am gonna buy WAKING LIFE (also starring Wiley Wiggins), BEFORE SUNRISE, and see BEFORE SUNSET. If you liked this movie, you'll probably like DETROIT ROCK CITY and ALMOST FAMOUS. Those movies are good, but we'll get to those later. DAZED AND CONFUSED is a movie you gotta check out. I can't wait for this special edition. You'll also like AMERICAN PIE, THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, and a lot of other comedies with honesty. By the way, I forgot, there is some stupid dialogue in the movie, but it is overweighed by the good stuff, and you won't notice it until you have seen the movie around three or four times. By the way, that doesn't mean I think that the movie is stupid or anything, I can say that because I am a big fan, and I still really like that movie. Plus, you've got to take some stupid jokes along with every good comedy. Anyway, my hands are starting to hurt, and I'm running out of ideas. DAZED AND CONFUSED is one of the greatest comedies ever made. This isn't the only move coming out with a special edition. There is MEET THE PARENTS and a bunch of other UNIVERSAL movies coming out with special editions.

Hilarious!!
This comedy is a scream!! It perfectly captures high school in the 1970s - if you were in school then, you'll recognize everyone in this film as someone in your class. Every detail is perfect - the clothes, haircuts, parties, parents, attitudes, cars, everything. And unlike many teen movies, it doesn't pretend to be heavy or deep - its just and all out good time. I could not stop laughing, watching it, and the soundtrack is awesome.

Looks like someone's smoking the reefer...
I saw this movie and was certainly surprised at how different from its peers it is. "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is deep, and certainly funny, but it lacks that underlying tone of what will happen to the kids once they get out of school. "American Pie" is hilarious, but it's too bogged down by clichés. "Dazed and Confused", however, finds the perfect middle ground. Set in Austin, Texas, on the last day of school in 1976, the film follows a rouges gallery of colorful (if not fun-loving) teenagers who plan to spend the afternoon and night having as much fun as possible, and that's an understatement. The story itself is very simple, yet captivating and intriguing. Each teen spends his/her night doing something different, yet they all eventually convene at the party at the moon tower. It's like a combo of a day-in-the-life movie, an in-depth character study, and a great teen comedy. And it is of course the comedy that more then any thing explores the alienation and unsettling nature that teenagers feel, regardless of age or timeframe. We see this through such lines as: "I came here tonight to do two things: kick some ass and drink some beer. Looks like we're out of beer!" and "If I ever refer to these as the best years of my life remind me to kill myself." That captures how these kids feel about school, and about life. Cause hey, you want the best years of your life, forget high school. Try college ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Great Movie! :-)
I saw this movie three times, and each time I found something else that I liked about it. I have only seen Vince Vaughn in "Swingers" and "Psycho" and I must say that his performance in this movie was wonderful. All of the roles I have seen in him are so completely different, and his ability to portray such different characters shows his talent.

As for this movie, I loved it. Very rarely do you see a movie about a single father. This movie shows that fathers love and care about their children too and that it is not just the mother who can do those things. The child who played Calvin, Bobby Moat, is absolutely adorable and he and Vaughn had a great chemistry in the film.

I highly recommend this movie. I only wish I could afford to buy it! :-(

ENGAGING!
From beginning to end, "A Cool Dry Place" genuinely entices the viewer. My 20-year old son introduced Vince Vaughn's acting versatility to me when he rented "Clay Pigeons"; his cool, suave manner could "best" James Bond's attitude anyday - and you have to love that "unique" laughter! "Psycho", "Swingers" and "The Lost World:Jurassic Park" are GREAT movies (between my son and I, we own them all), but Vince Vaughn's performance in "A Cool Dry Place" is charming and attractive! Any actor who can portray a "cold, deadly" killer in one movie, but yet portray a loving, but firm, Father in this movie has "Oscar" written into his future.

Joey Lauren Adams was well cast for this film. I bought "Dazed and Confused" last year because I also suffered from the "screwed-up" seventies and graduated from high school in May 1976. I completely related to that movie! I thought Joey Lauren Adams was "Renee Zellweger" - Sorry Joey! After watching "Big Daddy", I had no doubt that there is a BIG difference between the two actresses. Her throaty, sometimes high-pitched, sexy voice is enough to drive Vince Vaughn WILD! She may be a "Veterinarian's assistant", but she HAS MORE CLASS than the woman, Monica Potter, who portrays the "truant" wife. Even though she is "just" the girl friend, she has more wisdom when it comes to "rearing" children and "what is best for the child" and her acting is SUPERB!

Bobby Moat as Calvin is EXCELLENT! A beautiful child and an impressive actor!

Like Samantha K. (Gainesville,FL), I wish I could afford to buy this movie NOW!

One thing leads to another
This is the film that sparked my interest in Vince Vaughan. His performance in this film is so sweet and well done that I just had to have more. Imoved on to Swingers, the Locusts, and another favorite, Clay Pigeons. He doesn't seem to do films like these anymore, so this is definately a great place to start your Vince Vaughan collection.

The Movie is absolutely amazing!!
There are a couple reasons why I highly recommend this movie. One of the most compelling reasons is found in the caliber of the cast involved. The acting job is quite spectacular, very realistic, and the story is very vivid and at the same time rough. Many times a director can't capture the audience's attention on "Every day life" type movies. In this movie, the director hit the nail right on the head! I would stack this movie up against "Lord of the Rings", "The Matrix series", "Fast and the Furious", etc any day. Bottom Line- This movie is genuine and a real piece of art work.

this is a WONDERFUL movie!...
The only reason I heard of this movie was because of Joey Lauren Adams, but I am SO GLAD I hunted it down! It's such a sweet tale, but most importantly, it is REALISTIC. There is no pure evil or pure good in this movie. I found myself sympathizing with each character. The casting is unbelievable. Vince Vaughn and Joey Adams are so convincing and were cast perfectly. The little boy is adorable, i hope to see more of him! I bought this when I was single and childless, and now that i have a 16 month old and husband, it hits me twice as hard. Definitely a tearjerker towards the end. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Talented actors, bad script
Read the other reviews for plot and story information.
After reading the synaposis about sex, drugs and gambling on the video cover in which Sarah Gellar, Joey Adams,and Rebecca Gayheart are present, I could only anticipate the sexy possibilities that could be forthcoming.
Unfortunately, the lack of any interesting storyline in the plot killed any notion of that even 1/2 hour into the movie.
It's hard to even imagine that Alan Jensen (Adrian Grenier) would even be able to bed both the Professor Chesney, and his girlfriend Cindy even if he is on the basketball team. We never know what Jensen's personality is really like except that he is into drugs. Is he smart, funny, what got him into Harvard? Who knows & who cares?
Gellar is acceptable as the daughter of a mobster. Adams is the most enjoyable part of the movie, with her raspy, sexy voice. She makes sense and is the glue that holds the stories together . The sex scenes, and they are not explicit, contain a lot of noices, but are boring, and except for Cindy and Alan's performance in the woods, none of it even matters.
The Director does amuse a little with some camera effects after Jensen takes some LSD, but those again, get boring and overused.
The performance of Stoltz and Gayheart as FBI agents is a joke. (I just ruined the only twist of the movie.
This was a long 2 hours. I hope Harvard is better than this!

Actually pretty good
First off, as a rather big SMG fan, I cannot believe this film has received lower ratings than "Simply Irresistible"! That was a limp, wooden "romantic comedy" featuring a couple who lacked any chemistry.

"Harvard Man", on the other hand, has a modicum of style, plot, and intelligence behind it. It doesn't really work in the final analysis - not because of any failings of the acting, which is mostly excellent (although I just can't overcome my aversion to Joey Lauren Adams' squeaky voice), but because the movie doesn't quite hit the pitch of danger that I felt it needed to sustain the drama. Toback, however, does compelling things with sequencing, flash forwards and back, and with camerawork, split-screen and so on, and the dialogue is mostly fine. The lighting has a nice grainy amber texture to it and the soundtrack is a fun mix of hip-hop and classical.

Grenier in the lead does well, Stolz and Gayheart are great, and Sarah Michelle - and yes, I do have a slight bias - proves again that she has excellent range. As well as being a cutie-patootie. "Scooby Doo" and all is fine, but please, SMG, pick a project that will demonstrate your dramatic chops to the non-believers out there! I'd love to see her do work on the big screen as fine as that in "The Body" or "Innocence" in BtVS...

Quite possibly the most annoying movie ever made
I am a little surprised that Harvard has not sued the makers of this film for associating the ivy-league college with such a horrible cinematic experience. I, like many, sought this film out because Sarah Michelle Geller was in it; when I learned Rebecca Gayheart was also in the cast, I thought to myself: How bad can a film with both Geller and Gayheart be? Let me tell you: pretty doggone bad. First and foremost, the storyline and script are simply dreadful and ill-conceived, and these problems are only exacerbated by the prominence of some untalented actors in the cast. Alan Grenier is Alan Jensen, supposedly the starting point guard on the Harvard basketball team, despite the fact that he is rather short, has no semblance of athletic skill, and really doesn't even try to look like he knows what he's doing when he's on the basketball court. Honestly, this is one of the worst casting decisions I've ever seen. Did I mention the fact that his acting skills also seem to be in short supply? Sarah Michelle Gellar plays Cindy Bandolini, the unprincipled daughter of a mafia don and girlfriend of Alan; talk about your odd couple; several love scenes between the two are just icky. Of course, our ruggedly unhandsome Alan is not content with Cindy; no, he is also sleeping with his philosophy professor Chesney Cort (played by the helium-voiced Joey Lauren Adams).

Back in Kansas, a tornado destroys the home of Alan's parents, and he is determined to get the one hundred thousand dollars needed for them to rebuild. In steps Cindy with a plan to make a killing off a sports bet; all Alan has to do is throw the big game against Dartmouth. Soon, the FBI is nosing around, everybody sort of panics, hope rises in the viewer that at least one of these dreadful characters will die, and then a pretty impossible if not ludicrous ending is thrown together at the end. You don't really even care how bad the conclusion is because you are just glad the film is finally over.

I don't think I've ever seen a movie go to such lengths to annoy its audience. Almost every scene features what I would call stop gaps; every few seconds, the film seems to jump a few frames for no reason whatsoever; this is a short-term technique that should be used sparingly, but the director of Harvard Man shot the entire movie this way, and it made me want to scream. Then there is the music; it's just awful, and even worse it is constant and far too loud most of the time. I guess a lot of it is supposed to sound Italian or something, even though the Mafia bit is not that important to the film. The inclusion of Ray Allen, an actual basketball player, in the movie also makes no sense. When Allen's character talks to Grenier, both of them seem to be in a race to see who can say his lines the fastest, and Allen tries so hard not to look like a professional basketball player that he ends up looking just as bad as everyone around him on the court. Just when you think things can't possibly get any worse, we are taken along for an extended LSD trip in which all the voices the character hears building up inside his head assault our own ears as well in a rising crescendo. This, in conjunction with all the other problems, qualifies this film as pure and utter torture. I have no idea why Sarah Michelle Gellar chose to participate in Harvard Man, but it almost has to be a decision she now regrets.

Very Good...
Harvard Man is a very good film. I got a used copy of the DVD from blockbuster, and it was well-worth the price. The acting in this film is great, Rebecca Gayheart really does a good job in this one. The other cast members are amazing as well. The directing in this film is also wonderful, I really like the tone. I gave this movie four stars, because It was good. I just didn't like one thing about it, when the main character, Allen (adrien Grenier, or however it is spelled!), is on drugs, I guess they wanted you to see the movie from his point of view, but all that really happens is the picture squishes (for lack of better word) up, and THAT REALLY GETS ANNOYING! The script for this film is great! I just wish the editing would have been a little different, all-in-all HARVARD MAN is a very entertaining film. It is worth watching more than twice.

Don't Pay Attention To What Other People Say
Well, I was surfing the TV channels late at night one day and I ran across this movie on UPN. I had never heard of it before, and I decided to give it a try due to the fact that I was extremely bored.

Myself being a casual Buffy fan, meaning I've seen 15 episodes at the most, I figured I'd watch it because Sarah Michelle Gellar was in it. But keep in mind that is only what got me to watch the movie in the first place and skip over Goldeneye on Telemundo (which is, by the way, a very good version of the movie, si tú hablas español and can find it on some station.)

If you go into this movie expecting to see a lot of Sarah Michelle Geller (henceforth called SMG), you will be grossly dissapointed. She doesn't have that big of a role in this film. I went into the movie with an open mind, and tried to ignore the really annoying scenes in the beginning with slow frame rates and jerky camera movements, plus hearing 2 songs at once, overtop of commentary.

But even though the beginning is very annoying, the rest of the movie is very good. I don't need to give a rundown of the plot, but I will say it takes a bit of understanding and intelligence to be able to take in all that is happening and not be overly confused.

I personally really enjoyed the movie, and can't understand how all of these negative reviewers didn't like it at all. In my opinion, it is a must buy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Dress Code, called Bruno when it debuted oncable, is Shirley MacLaine's first feature as director. Like many ofthe movies in which she has appeared, it's a drama that uses humor toget its message across. Bruno (Alex D. Linz) is a gradeschooler wholives with his mother and likes to wear dresses. It's one more thingthat makes him stand out at Catholic school. Even before his secretgets out, the other kids tease him because he's small and smart--aspelling whiz that reads the dictionary for fun with a mother that is,as he puts it, "flamboyant." His estranged father (Gary Sinise) notesthat Angela also weighs 450 pounds, which makes her flamboyance evenharder to miss. She means well, however, which can't be said for mostof the other people in Bruno's life, with the exception of new girl,Shaniqua, who likes to dress up as well (as a cowgirl). DressCode raises more questions than it answers (like why Angela doesn'tremove her son from a school that shows him so little support), butMacLaine keeps the action moving and the cast rises to the occasion,although it would have been nice if Gwen Verdon's role had lasted morethan a few seconds. It should be noted that the film contains someprofanity (mostly from Bruno's tormentors), and it isn't until the endthat the nuns are depicted in a less-than-negative light (includingKathy Bates as a cigarette-smoking Mother Superior). --Kathleen C.Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Study of Human Sorrow
I rate this film two stars, mostly because of the outcome, artistically, it would be higher. Therefore, let me acknowledge these creative qualities first: "Dress Code" is a film of contradictions: the black girl has the vanilla cone while the white boy has chocolate, the grandmother is "butch" and the grandson is "sissy", the boy wears a dress while the girl goes around with two guns and a cowboy hat. These contradictions remind one of a Jerry Lewis film, and Shirely McClain certainly comes from his era. They might have "been done" before, but they are freshly done.

The film opens grandly with illustrations of different types of human sorrow and how that sorrow isolates each individual. The Mother is overweight and children laugh at her. The grandmother is brutish. Her son--a cop--fears he is a "sissy" for enjoying opera. Finally, the main character prefers drag, because he has no identity with his father, only with his mother. What I was hoping to see in this picture was a healing of these disorders:
The father loving the son and the son leaving behind dresses, the mother thinking more of herself and taking care of her body for the sake of herself and child. Indeed, it is only the grandmother who grows at the end, because she is able to love a child that--in the beginning--she did not fully accept as her grandson. Furthermore, the attack on the Church (I speak here not just to the Catholic Church but what the film dubs "The Religious Right") is tired and plays into a stereotype that has about as much truth to it as any generalization on a particular people group. I might recommend this viewing for the comedy and for the illustrations of human suffering (caused by sin--either one's own, or in the case of the boy, another's), but I would not share the moral: "make your dysfunction work for you".

alex d linz great as always
alex d linz is my fave kid actor and here he shines in a role where he plays a boy who likes to were dresses.the boy bruno thikns of them a reglous vestments. this mvie explores brunos problems at school and with his father. i thought all the perfomances where grat. the only problem i had was that the dvd could have use dsome extras.

Great Movie for the equality of the sexes
This is a great movie!

I found the portrayal of the nuns to be disturbing, yet accurate, but puts the nuns in a good light in the end, with even the most harsh nun cheering for the boy in a dress at the end.

Shirley MacLaine provides great subconsious contrast to the little boy who likes to wear dresses, because she is very "butch" in this movie. Shirley dresses in pants, teaches boxing, and is not afraid to fight anyone, verbally or physically. Shirley's butch look is the counterpoint of the story, as no one seems to care that Shirley takes on the male appearance and mannerisms.

Thus, in my opinion, the major question this film raises, is why cant boys wear dresses, when girls can wear pants? Why are feminine attributes considered lower status, but male attributes higher status? I think the answer is that most people still think of females as being inferior, and any male that does anything feminine, wears anything femininm, is degrading himself, so it is unfavorable. Females that imitate the masculine and wear pants, are upgrading themselves, so that is acceptable. Men and women will never be truely equal, until this kind of subconsious prejudicial thinking ends.

The film clearly states that the boy is not homosexual, nor does he want to be a girl. The film is harmless viewing fair.

For every woman who has ever put a dress on a boy(who hasn't?), or a man, this is a movie to see. Any male who does not feel degraded in a skirt, is a male that truely sees females as equals. I have had personal experience with boys and men that like to wear dresses, and find them facinating.

Happily, the story ends well, with everyone accepting a boy in a dress, the nuns redeeming themselves, and the fat woman throwing away her chocolate cake. A nice enjoyable movie in spite of its serious subject matter. A victory for womankind where feminitity is no longer considered degrading.

A Good Drama with a Message Directed by Respected MacLaine
Bruno (Alex D. Linz of "Home Alone 3") is a boy in a Catholic school. Other boys, however, always picks on him, and his superior nun (Kathy Bates) is not particularly kind to Bruno and his mother, considering them just another troublemakers. And his estranged father (Gary Sinise), a local policeman now dating with another girl (Joey Lauren Adams, "Chasing Amy") avoids his ex-wife and son, also thinking them as a disgrace when one day Bruno is hit by a car, sent to hospital, and found ... wearing girl's dress. The last point represents the message of this film directed by Shirley MacLaine, who also appears as Bruno's grandmother. (This is her debut as a director of feature-length film though she once co-directed a documentary film "The Other Half of the Sky" in the past.) A boy Bruno loves wearing girl's clothes, and he finally shows the people around him that to be different is OK.

Alex D. Linz portrays Bruno's gradual recognition of his true self-esteem with charm, and Shirley MacLaine, as always, shows her gifted comic sense as his plucky grandmother who comes to understand him. Though I found Gary Sinise overacting, trying to give stress on father's anguish, the acting is uniformly good, including newcomer Stacey Halperin playing Bruno's "Diva" mother. There is also a cameo appearance of Jennifer Tilly, but it was a too short one for me as Joey Lauren Adams's.

The film proves that Shirley MacLaine has a talent as a director, always keeping the ball rolling, but at some places the film suffers from its inefficient script that clearly needs re-writing. Some viewers might feel dismayed at the negative descriptions of the teaching nuns, one of them played by Kathy Bates, who, after Bruno was picked on in school, unaccountably preaches and scolds Bruno, not his bullies. And that happens more than once, which makes me wondering why his mother doesn't think of sending him away from such a horrible place. But the film's has a more fundamental problem with the way of presenting Bruno's wish of wearing girl's clothes, which is not developed enough to convey the fiim's precious message. At one place, Bruno narrates that he watched a dream of being chased by angels, and clad in white, he insists in front of the angry superior nun that what he is wearing is holy vestment. But later he is dressed in a cowgirl costume, which confuses the point he made before. Does he just want to be dressed like a girl? Or an angel, which he sees several times in his visions?

This could be a minor thing if I didn't see an European film dealing with the same topic, Alain Berliner's "Ma Vie en Rose," which, with all respect to Ms MacLaine's work, should be considered better made. As a whole "The Dress Code" is a promising work from a respected actoress, whose name, however, deserves a little better treatment of the theme.

"The Dress Code" was given a theatrical (though limited) release in Japan in 2001 with its original title "Bruno," prior to American release.

This movie inspires Courage
I have long hair; I have sired three children. I shave my legs; I smoke a pipe. I wear skirts, but I am a man. I am not gay (sexuality is an afterthought, if anything). I envision myself as the ideal of the marble statue of a Greek hero, Michaelangelo's "David," or perhaps Donatello's. I am not a freak; I am unique. I am an individual and I am not afraid. Thank you, Shirley MacClaine and David Ciminello (I hope I spelled that right). ... Read more

Reviews (304)

A must see!
Mallrats has no plot whatsoever and makes no sense at all, but it is quite possibly one of the best movies in the world! It's so freakin' funny that you don't even care that it has no credibility or base in real life. I reccomend to everyone...especially people who need to loosen up and relax a bit. So if you're in the mood for vulgar humor this is perfect

The bastard child of the New Jersey Trilogy
Despite the scathing reviews of film critics and relatively poor box office receipts, Mallrats endures as one of the funniest if not THE funniest film Kevin Smith has ever penned/directed. Clerks was a brilliant low budget film, and many felt Kevin Smith fell into the sophomore jinx with his second film. Mallrats, is to me the pinnacle of his comedic writing. Brodie Bruce (Jason Lee) is the most powerful character in a menagerie of side-splitting faces that come and go throughout the film. Granted there isn't much of a plot to Mallrats, but to me that doesn't seem important to the progression of the film and its entertainment value.

smoochies boochies!
This is my first Kevin Smith movie, so i cant really compare to clerks or chasing amy. But this movie was great. It was cleverly thought out by Kevin Smith and i can see now why there is such a cult following from him. The movie has plenty of one liners and offensive talk to keep you laughing. Reccomended to everyone looking for a good laugh thats at least 15 years old. Kevin smith was hilarious as was the rest of the cast, and the ending (the game show) was the best part in the movie.

this is hilarious
(S. Dohertery is not the main of the movie!!?) This is one of the funniest and cleverest movies I've ever had the pleasure to watch. I love this movie. Kevin Smith is genious. If you liked Clerks or Chasing Amy (this one's follow-up) you're sure to enjoy this one. It takes you on a journey of a couple of self-described losers who both after getting dumped by thier girlfriends go hang out at the mall where they find about a dating show of the boy's girlfriends father, who she will be paticipating in. Any way they come up with some sort of scam to get both thier girl friends back, with the likes of Jay and Silent Bob to lead the way. It's kind of a love story, but has more comedy. God, the scene where the two are in a thrift shop, inside of a three nippled fortune tellers shop is quite a piece of memorable hilarity.

Ignore the bashers, movie GOOD. Fire BAD! FIRE BAD!
Okay, this isn't Kevin Smith's best, but there are extenuating circumstances. First of all how do you follow Clerks? Secondly, this was a studio production not an indie like Clerks, so Mister Smith didn't hgave total control over his vision. For more on this read the notes in the Chasing Amy DVD. Aside from being hamstrung by hollywood execs (honestly, you will never find a more wicked hive of scum and villany than in movie studio boardrooms), this movie was very funny. Comic geeks will love the references to all their favorite heroes and the questions they ask each other about them. Come on, haven't you wondered about how prehensile Mister Fantastic is? Did the Invisible Woman give him that name? Just wondering...
While I thought this movie was really funny I know it really isn't for everyone, just die hard view askew fans. Even those not from Jersey. Pay close attention especially to the credits for tie ins to other works of Mr. Smith like the monkey from Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. There's lots of other little tidbits but that would be telling... ... Read more

Amazon.com

A remastered set with new 5.1 Dolby Surround audio, commentary tracks, new documentaries and deleted scenes.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Before he became an overrated filmmaker, Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous) was a reporter for Rolling Stone who was so youthful looking that he could go undercover for a year at a California high school and write a book about it. He wrote the script for this film, based on that book, and it launched the careers of several young actors, including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, and, above all, Sean Penn. The story line is episodic, dealing with the lives of iconic teen types: one of the school's cool kids, a nerd, a teen queen, and, most enjoyably, the class stoner (Penn), who finds himself at odds with a strict history teacher (a wonderfully spiky Ray Walston). This is not a great movie but very entertaining and, for a certain age group, a seminal movie experience. --Marshall Fine

Dazed & Confused
You remember high school? Really remember? If you think you do, watch this film: it'll all really come racing back. After changing the world with the generation-defining Slacker, director Richard Linklater turned his free-range vérité sensibility on the 1970s. As before, his all-seeing camera meanders across a landscape studded with goofy pop culture references and poignant glimpses of human nature. Only this time around, he's spreading a thick layer of nostalgia over the lens (and across the soundtrack). It's as if Fast Times at Ridgemont High was directed by Jean-Luc Godard. The story deals with a group of friends on the last day of high school, 1976. Good-natured football star Randall "Pink" Floyd navigates effortlessly between the warring worlds of jocks, stoners, wannabes, and rockers with girlfriend and new-freshman buddy in tow. Surprisingly, it's not a coming-of-age movie, but a film that dares ask the eternal, overwhelming, adolescent question, "What happens next?" It's a little too honest to be a light comedy (representative quote: "If I ever say these were the best years of my life, remind me to kill myself."). But it's also way too much fun (remember souped-up Corvettes and bicentennial madness?) to be just another existential-essay-on-celluloid. --Grant Balfour ... Read more

Reviews (213)

"The 70's...oh my god, they obviously suck!"
That is one of many classic lines from this movie that makes it a classic. However, this movie could have been set in the 70's, 80's, 90's or 2003 and people would have seen themselves or their friends in this outstanding cast of characters. We all lived through high school, and we can all identify with the characters depicted in Dazed and Confused.

For example, there's the kid who's 27 and still hanging out with all the high schoolers, still trying to date high school freshmen 13 years his junior (Matthew McConaghey). For some kids, you can tell that high school will be the pinnacle of their sad, pathetic lives, and Ben Affleck plays this character to a tee. There are also the ludicrously bitchy and snobby girls (Parker Posey), the perpetually nice and perky girls (Michelle Burke), and the kid who comes to parties "to drink some beer and kick some ass." (Nicky Katt)

This movie is funny because it is so true. High school is pretty much the same regardless of decade or location. You have your jocks and your intellectuals, your snobs and the kids who are nice to everybody. In that way it's like real life, but in real life you're not bound together with 800 other kids you grew up with and who know your entire embarassing life story.

This movie depicting only one day in the life of a high school student is hilarious and touching. Though it will make you laugh out loud, it will also bring back memories of feeling inadequate or ugly that were magnified by the clausterphobic setting of high school. This movie features some stellar performances by actors who went on to become very famous. Though the characters in this movie could have gone to school at any time period in the 20th century, the 70's setting adds to the hilarity. Dive into this world of bell bottoms, bongs and Black Sabbath and try not to cringe when you recognize yourself or your friends in the wonderful cast of characters.

Smoked out hilarious
Ok, being born in 1974 I never got to experience the weirdness of the '70's. I've longed to live in the days of bell bottoms, platforms and the beautiful women with the straight ironed hair. This is one of those movies that captures exactally how I perceive the mid 70's to be. This film is about, well, graduation night and future freshmen and seniors. They basically go around smoking weed and trying to terrorize the up coming freshman. The line up is an all star cast of who's who in movies. Ben Afleck, Mathew Mcconaughey, Jason London and Milla Jovovich.

This is a film that takes a comedic, yet precise look at life in 1976. The music is absolutely awesome and the dialogue will keep you laughing from beginning to end. You get the guy that's always doped up, the jock, the preppy little bi**h and the freshman who wants to fit in. It's hard to describe just what this movie is about because it is really about nothing. One night in 1976 would have been just as good a title as "Dazed and Confused". I love this film. If you enjoy great humor pick this one up.

WOOD-A-BEEN, HAPPENIN'
Finally, a DAZED AND CONFUSED special edition. This is one of the best comedies ever made. Some people find it boring and plotless, but they're just unable to appreciate the honesty that comes along with the movie. Whenever I watch this movie, I watch the whole thing, no scene selections. There is just something about this movie that makes you feel comfortable. It is probably the familiarity that accompanies each of the characters that reminds you of people that you know. There is also something about the feeling of following the characters from the end of their last day of school into the party and concluding on the next morning. There is a feeling about joining the party that makes this movie watchable at most any time. You can feel like you are in the movie, and there is something about it that just wants to make you have fun or go hang out with your friends. People who haven't seen this movie will also be surprised to see the a lot of the cast, which includes many now-famous actors. This cast includes Jason London, Ben Affleck, Rory Cochrane, Mila Jovovich, Matthew McConaughey, and, well there is too many, but believe me, if you remember high school, or you like comedies and you haven't already, you have to check this movie out, and watch the whole thing. It is also good to watch it with a friend so you have someone to talk to about it. An unforgettable set of characters, some good jokes, an unforgettable party, and finally, some special features to go along with the movie. I was one of those people who was told about the movie from a cousin and I picked up the DVD (old one with no special features) and it became one of my favorites. The thing that surprised me was that nobody really knew about it, except for some older people, because the movie was like AMERICAN PIE when it came out. This special edition will definitely get some new recognition. The only thing that pisses me off is that when this special edition does come out, new people are gonna see it and they are gonna act like they discovered it, like I haven't seen it before them. That is gonna suck, but it is gonna be worth it when I see those special features. I hope they have some behind-the-scenes footage or a reunion of the cast or something. By the way, Richard Linklater is a genius who writes with honesty (he also directed this movie). I am gonna buy WAKING LIFE (also starring Wiley Wiggins), BEFORE SUNRISE, and see BEFORE SUNSET. If you liked this movie, you'll probably like DETROIT ROCK CITY and ALMOST FAMOUS. Those movies are good, but we'll get to those later. DAZED AND CONFUSED is a movie you gotta check out. I can't wait for this special edition. You'll also like AMERICAN PIE, THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, and a lot of other comedies with honesty. By the way, I forgot, there is some stupid dialogue in the movie, but it is overweighed by the good stuff, and you won't notice it until you have seen the movie around three or four times. By the way, that doesn't mean I think that the movie is stupid or anything, I can say that because I am a big fan, and I still really like that movie. Plus, you've got to take some stupid jokes along with every good comedy. Anyway, my hands are starting to hurt, and I'm running out of ideas. DAZED AND CONFUSED is one of the greatest comedies ever made. This isn't the only move coming out with a special edition. There is MEET THE PARENTS and a bunch of other UNIVERSAL movies coming out with special editions.

Hilarious!!
This comedy is a scream!! It perfectly captures high school in the 1970s - if you were in school then, you'll recognize everyone in this film as someone in your class. Every detail is perfect - the clothes, haircuts, parties, parents, attitudes, cars, everything. And unlike many teen movies, it doesn't pretend to be heavy or deep - its just and all out good time. I could not stop laughing, watching it, and the soundtrack is awesome.

Looks like someone's smoking the reefer...
I saw this movie and was certainly surprised at how different from its peers it is. "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is deep, and certainly funny, but it lacks that underlying tone of what will happen to the kids once they get out of school. "American Pie" is hilarious, but it's too bogged down by clichés. "Dazed and Confused", however, finds the perfect middle ground. Set in Austin, Texas, on the last day of school in 1976, the film follows a rouges gallery of colorful (if not fun-loving) teenagers who plan to spend the afternoon and night having as much fun as possible, and that's an understatement. The story itself is very simple, yet captivating and intriguing. Each teen spends his/her night doing something different, yet they all eventually convene at the party at the moon tower. It's like a combo of a day-in-the-life movie, an in-depth character study, and a great teen comedy. And it is of course the comedy that more then any thing explores the alienation and unsettling nature that teenagers feel, regardless of age or timeframe. We see this through such lines as: "I came here tonight to do two things: kick some ass and drink some beer. Looks like we're out of beer!" and "If I ever refer to these as the best years of my life remind me to kill myself." That captures how these kids feel about school, and about life. Cause hey, you want the best years of your life, forget high school. Try college ... Read more

Reviews (42)

Full of Heart
Within the most recent of pageant movies that have been released (Drop Dead Gorgeous, Miss Congeniality), Beautiful has been the one with the most heart. Beauty is a story about a girl named Mona who all of her live has wanted to be crown Miss American Miss. It seems as if her dreams will shatter when she finds out she's pregnant. But her loyal friend, Ruby, decides to be claimed as the mother of the child so her friend can pursue her dream. Mona and Ruby do their best to hide the secret from Vanessa (the baby) and pursue Mona's dream. Minnie Driver and Joey Lauren Adams were great as Mona and Ruby, the two friends who were inseparable. Hallie Kate Eisenberg, famous for her Pepsi commercials, is wonderful as 7 yr. old Vanessa. There's no doubt she will have a successful career, she was awesome! Beautiful shows how powerful friendships can be, how life can take a downturn any moment, and shows how, in the end, everything will end up right.

Great addition to the "chick flick" genre!
Minnie Driver acted brilliantly in this movie, even though her CHARACTER was a very annoying, self-centered person. Don't fear though, her character does grow to be loved. Driver's character has a dream to one day become "Miss America Miss" and she'll stop at nothing for a chance to wear the crown. Along for the ride is her childhood friend, played by Joey Lauren Adams of "Dazed and Confused" and "Mallrats". She's the rational, lovable one of the duo. Her character sews the funky costume