James

24 May 2012

Sean Penn Was Perfect For Jeff Spicoli

Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Brian Backer, Robert Romanus, Anthony Edwards, Ray Walston, Phoebe Cates & Forest Whitaker star in this funny 80's comedy. Even Nicolas Cage has a small part in this movie. PLOTJeff Spicoli(Penn) is a stoned surfer who always comes late to one of his classes that is taught by a very strict teacher named Mr. Hand(Walston) and Jeff and Mr.Hand face with Spicoli losing his pizza one time and being kicked out of class another time. Meanwhile Stacy Hamilton(Leigh) and Mark Ratner(Backer) are looking for their soulmates and are given bad advice by their friends Linda Barrett(Cates) and Mike Damone(Romanus).Also Brad Hamilton(Reinhold), who is the most popular guy in school is going through many different phases in his life including changing jobs.This is a great comedy.

24 May 2012

One of the seminal teen films of the 80s

With teen romps like American Pie and so on and so forth, there are a handful of films to which they owe themselves to. Fast Times at Ridgemont High is one of them, and is notable for the fact alone that it helped launch the careers of many future stars and even Oscar winners. The story follows a group of various teen types; most notably being Jennifer Jason Leigh as a shy, would-be vixen and Sean Penn as the class stoner. Watching the film nowadays sees that it really hasn't aged all that well, but it's still enjoyable thanks mainly to Cameron Crowe's scathing screenplay and Clueless director Amy Heckerling's (in her directorial debut) energetic direction. Also featuring Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, and Brian Backer in larger roles, but be on the lookout for small roles and brief appearances from Nicolas Cage, Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz, and Anthony Edwards as well.

John Smith

24 May 2012

Good but i expected more

27 years have passed by since this movie was made, many people talkabout it as one of the most iconic teen movies of all time, a film thattruly captures the spirit of the 80's etc. I never watched it before,so i decided to watch it now, it came as an obligation because i sawmany teen flicks recently and they praise this movie as one of thebest.My first overall impression on this movie was that it's kind ofshallow, story never hits the depth or anything like that, there aremany characters and you can't figure out each one's personality andgoals. Then on the other hand this movie is primarily set asteen-comedy and not drama, although there are many elements in 'FsstTimes at Ridgemont High' that can make people treat it as a teen-dramaalso. This movie can't compare with movies like 'American Pie' or'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' in comedy department, it's not nearly asfunny. But what i liked about it was that there is no beating aroundthe bush, it comes down to the point very fast and clean, sexualcontent is very well used in dialogs and sex scenes to carry over theteen spirit of the 80's, unlike some other movies that are very shallowat that department. Cast is pretty much famous, Sean Penn as leadactor, although i wouldn't say he is playing lead character in thismovie, unfortunately he is shown much less than i and i'm sure most ofthe viewers would like. He's been given a role of "complete idiot",funny guy, something like Steve Stifler in 'American Pie' but in thespirit of the 80's, which means more getting high and less prank jokes.This movie still deserves its trademark status of one of the mosticonic teen movies of the 80's and therefore of all time. A "MUST SEE"to everyone who likes teen flicks, a "MUST AVOID" to everyone who hatesthe 80's style.

23 May 2012

Awesome, Totally Awesome!

I think the character of Spicoli popularized the exclamatory catch-phrase: Awesome! High school grommets of today probably have no clue where this term originally gained it's traction. Spicoli was a great character, but for my money the real star of the movie is Brad Hamilton played by Judge Reinhold. The scene where Brad fantasizes about his sisters girlfriend is an all time classic hooter. This movie catches the mall-rat mentality of the early 80's perfectly. This is the flick that spawned a whole new genre and launched alot of great acting careers. Watch this movie and you will laugh loudly.

widescreenguy

21 May 2012

the original teenage angst film

this project was the starting point for the careers of a lot of verypopular actors including the Oscar winning Forest Whittaker.the results show.its is somewhat dated, with the references to Pat Benetar lookalikes,but I saw the same kind of stuff at that age.numerous memorable lines came out of the movie and a lot of genuinelyfunny scenes. Some of these characters could easily been inspired bypeople I went to school with. or should I say 'sort of' went to highschool since my 9-13 years consisted of 80% boredom 10 % ho hum and 10%'awesome! totally awesome!!' I finally got around to renting the uncutversion from the video store including the famous Phoebe Cates topless5 seconds. She sure was a hottie in 1982.sex drugs and rock and roll, all in a neat 97 minutes.

20 May 2012

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

This review is from: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Collector's Edition) (High School Reunion Collection) (DVD) This movie is about a bunch of kids trying to fit in and be accepted and of course there interests in the opposite sex. It's a good movie to see Jennifer Jason Leigh (nude) and Phoebe Cates (topless). If you're a Phoebe Cates fan then you should also get a copy of Paradise where she has many nude scenes including total front nudity.

20 May 2012

This high school film is NARLY!

No doubt about it, this is the best high school film ever made, and it is a cult classic. It was based off the book by Cameron Crowe, and it starred Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, and Ray Waltson as Mr. Hand. This film also included first timers who are now very well known: Nickolaus Cage(credited as Nickolaus Coppola), Forrest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz, Anthony Edwards(co-star of Top Gun, star of tv's ER), and Amanda Wyass (The very first Freddy Kruger victim, and former co star of tv's Highlander The Series). This film is what started it all in the 1980's, adapted by the book by Cameron Crowe, who also wrote the screenplay, is based on a true story. Cameron Crowe was a man in his early 20's from Germany, who came to Ridgemont High in California, and disguised himself as a student. He recorded all the events that entire year, and he then wrote the book. You will love both the movie, the book, and Jeff Spicoli(Sean Penn)! END

19 May 2012

I DONT KNOW

Those words have been emblazened into our minds the day Mr. Hand quoted Jeff Spicoli on his blackboard. And to answer his question, "Yes! We're all on dope!"I graduated in 1989 and feel fortunate to live in a time when girls dressing like Pat Benatar was cool. Heck I still listen to her. This movie is timeless, although the prices of abortions have gone up.This is perhaps the greatest movie of all time for one very important aspect. Nicolas Cage is in this film and does not speak one single word. Brilliant! Jeff Spicoli was the ideal high school student. Although we grew up on the west coast of Florida where there is no surf to speak of, we were all stoner beach bums. We wore Vans checkerboard shoes, hated wearing our shirts, and gave the teacher a hard time (when we bothered to show up at all!)For 80's high school life, this film was dead on.

Doug Galecawitz

18 May 2012

the 1980s

Fast Times At Ridgemont High is one of the most 80's movies around. It's so80's, it's Rubix Cube. It's so 80's, it's Pac-Man. You get the point. Thismovie is funny. Very funny and well acted by a group of up and comers in the80's. Forest Whitaker, Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Lee, the very yummyPheobe Cates. But the entire show is stolen by two people: Ray Walston andSean Penn. Walston plays the now infamous and legendary Mr. Hand. Aloha.Penn plays the even more legendary pizza munching, pot smoking, surfer JeffSpicoli. His portrayal of this stoner belongs in the movie pothead hall offame. With Cheech, Chong, Fonda, Hopper, and numerous others. The malls, themusic, the clothes are pure 80's. This is probably the Easy Rider of it'sgeneration. Watch it baked and the movie takes on a whole new life.Aloha.

TxMike

17 May 2012

The original American Pie, not a film for teenagers.

Even though the film is 20 years old, only now have I had the chance to see"Fast Times" from beginning to end. Because of the language, situations, andteen nudity, the network TV versions must cut quite a bit out. For 1982this must have been a raunchy film, and one which overall gives a verydangerous message to teenagers. I'd love to be able to discuss this with agroup of men and women now 35 to 40, who would have been teenagers in 1982,and find out how "Fast Times" may have influenced their sexual morals, bothpositively and negatively. Of course, Sean Penn as Jeff Spicoli is the standout star of this film. Now,20 years later and many other fine performances behind him, we can fullyappreciate what a fine actor he is. And Phoebe Cates (Mrs Kevin Cline now),water sprinkling over her, made her famous 13-second topless appearance at52:20 into the film (but who's counting?), and in slow motion it lasts quitea bit longer, her 18-year-old breast gently swaying as she reaches out tomythically hug her admirer who is really in the bathroom jerking off. Thenat 58:58 into the film, Jennifer Jason Leigh for 12 seconds in a nudereclining pose on a couch, her 19-year-old breasts and soft, rounded figurelooking classically Greek. Beautiful filming. The current release DVD isvery well done, and the picture is first-rate.So, what's wrong with this movie? The whole film treats sex and abortionwith the same gravity as holding hands and kissing did in the 60s. Afterher first sex experience, playing a 15-year-old, Leigh complains that "ithurt." Her friend (Cates), obviously more world-wise says, "just keep doingit, you'll get used to it." The whole film has a cold, calloused, amoraltone to it. A fun movie to watch and enjoy if you are adult enough todismiss it simply as "entertainment", but a very dangerous film forimpressionable teens who may want to use these characters as role models.

14 May 2012

Along with Up in Smoke...the two best comedies ever!

This is one of only a handful of movies that I continue to pull out and watch time and again. I haven't seen the DVD version and my VHS version is recorded in EP format from another VHS and even though the picture quality is slightly less than I would like, it still in no way diminishes the fact that this is a true classic and comedy masterpiece. Anyone who "experienced" that era (i.e. mid 70's thru mid 80's) would have to enjoy this movie. The opportunity to see great stars in the earliest stages of their career, not having even the slightest hint of what a great movie they were making just adds to the movie's greatness even though it seems like most of the actors and actresses involved now try to distance themselves from this movie. Especially Judge Reinhold, who has nothing to fear. He has established himself as a great actor and a similar scene in "Something About Mary" has all but made Ben Stiller a star. All the characters are well developed and acted and so, so believable. I think that's what really makes the movie work...it's believeability. Ignore the cultural naysayers and just "...wing on over to London and party with Mick and the Stones...". Buy It, Rent It, Live It!

killers54

14 May 2012

A pure Classic

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. The story is true tolife, the characters are like people you went to school with, and thelaughs keep on coming. Its got drama, romance, comedy, its great. Theycouldn't have provided a better cast. Jeff Spicoli is definitely my favecharacter in the film. Without Sean Penn this film would have beenfaltered but he is the saving grace. Providing most of the comic reliefeven in some not so funny situations. Great soundtrack, actingeverything, this movie is a straight up classic and if you haven't seenit i think there may be something wrong with you. Get out and buy itits worth it to have it in your movie collection. Killers54

FallenSoliderXX

14 May 2012

No shoes no shirt No Dice

wow what a great movie from the 80's. This is the kind of movie thatyou pop in your DVD and just laugh. Its a pretty simple movie abouthigh school, the mall, and kick ass music. Sean Penn plays Jeff Spicoliand Jeff is quite the character the stoner kind of guy you see in everyhigh school. With a great soundtrack so so acting and come on PhoebeCates topless its a sure watch and my favorite high school movie. Itsthe type of movie that is just pure fun to watch and I've seen it quitea few dozen times and I always end up laughing still at the jokes. Foranyone who wants to watch a great high school movie I would recommendthis movie 10\10

13 May 2012

Not the Collectors Edition you expect it to be!!!

This is really a fun movie, like many High School movies of the 80's, this one really hits home, it is likely the movie that inspired John Hughes to make what seemed an endless stream of movies about High School that followed in the years after this one, come to think of it, I can't recall movies like these before Fast Times in 1982, anyway this movie has it all, just about every personality you can think of is here, with Sean Penn in his star-making role as a stoned surfer dude that is funny in just about every scene he is in, Penn has since become a hardcore serious actor, but here he shows his comedic charm, especially his run-in with Mr.Hand(Ray Walston) a strict history teacher that echoes many teachers we all remember, Jennifer Jason Leigh also got notoriety here as a sexually curious young woman who will sleep with just about anyone, as if she is searching for love & attention, Judge Reinhold(Bevery Hills Cop)is on hand as Leigh's brother Brad who worships his 1960's automobile(can't remember year & make), with Forrest Whiitaker who like Brad worships his Iroc-Z Camaro that gets destroyed by Penn & Whittaker's younger brother, Phoebe Cates is Leigh's best friend who gives her advice on sex, Cates' pool scene is a classic that has Iggy Pop playing "life is strange", a song that fits the scene perfectly as Reinhold fantasizes about her, there are many future stars here such as Anthony Edwards(ER)as one of Penn's pals who is sort of unnoticeable here, as is Eric Stolz sporting long hippie-like hair, Nicholas Cage is here as an unknown, which brings me to my gripe about the Collector's Edition, when this movie aired on the USA Network or TBS or even TNT, there is at least 15 to 20 minutes of additional footage, that for some reason or another is non-existent on this DVD, WHY???? , one of these scenes shows Cage standing in line with Reinhold at the cafeteria, who is talking to Leigh about her first day in Mr. Hand's classroom, they jokely mock Mr.Hand, which is funny, although the scene is somewhat in the movie, it is cut short, another scene has Penn is the men's room telling Stolz & Edwards that he is getting a hit before going to class, this sets up the scene later when Penn shows up late, why Universal or should I say the filmakers didn't include these scenes is a mystery to me, I won't buy this until they do, these scenes add many more comical moments, one scene has Cates talking to Leigh about her first date over the telephone in which she is sporting her legs, a scene designed to make any man google, until they do a director's cut, I will not buy it, it is a shame they didn't include these scenes.

10 May 2012

I Cant Believe Its Been 24 Years Since This Movie Was Released

Anone who has experienced the perils and perks of high school can easily relate to "Fast Times At Ridgemont High". Even though it was made in 1981, the film is still relevant today, since this was the film that paved the way for "American Pie", "Road Trip", "Old School", and so many more college sex comedies. It also launched the careers of many now recognized actors, including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold and, of course, Sean Penn. It also introduced everyone's favorite martian, Ray Walston, to a new generation of audiences who ate up his perfectly smarmy history teacher.It would be hard to explain what the plot of the film, since there are really several differnt plots. One tells the story of a 15 year old virgin (played perfectly by a 20 year old Jennifer Jason Leigh) trying to score, another deals with a ticket scalper (Rober Romanus) trying to get his friend Rat (Brian Backer), while another, most famously, has stoner Jeff Spigolli (Penn) getting high, hanging out with friends and getting on the last nerve of his history teacher, Mr. Hand (Walston). The funniest scene in the movie is when Hand tells Jeff to report the front office, and Jeff shoots back nonchalantly, "You d*ck!"The special features are intersting. The soundtrack highlights really bring back memories (I've always loved music from the 1980s'), while the featurette and the commentary by writer Cameron Crowe and director Amy Heckerling is truly informative and funny. For further enjoyment, try spotting small roles by future stars Anthony Edwards, Eric Stoltz, and Nicolas Cage (credited here under his real name, Nicolas Coppola)."Fast Times At Ridgemont High" is an absolute laugh riot that will brighten up your day and put a smile on your face. And who knows, you may even get a little nostalgic and long for the 1980s' for just one more day.

10 May 2012

THESE WERE THE DAYS, WHATEVER HAPPENED !

When you watch this movie, you see how much fun life for a teen used to be. No bling bling, no wanksters, no drive by's, no gang bangers, no shootings, etc. Just straight up fun, the way a young persons life should be. Phoebe Cates is the bomb, and for the past 20 something years, I have never seen a celebrity even come close to being as beautiful as she is.

10 May 2012

DVD presentation rated.

First, this was probably the 2nd R-rated movie I ever saw at the theater when I was a kid (the first was PORKY'S). I was about 15. Watching it now at 34 really takes me back. The movie gets so many things right about high school life in the 1980s. FAST TIMES is a 5 star movie for we who were born around the mid-60s. The things we did...and the things we WISHED we were doing.So...why did I give it only 4 stars? The sound on the DVD was a bit disappointing. All that great 80s music...in mono! I read somewhere that it was originally made that way. Sometimes there was some popping in the sound too. What a shame. The picture, which is anamorphic widescreen, is quite a bit better. Only a little scratchy here and there. And Phoebe Cates looks like a shimmering princess...her inviting eyes...and her bright red lips that just seem to call out to you...oh! Sorry. Anyway, it all looks great. As for extras, its not too bad! I haven't listened yet to the commentary by the writer and director. There's some other features like production notes and cast notes. There is even a feature that allows you to skip to different parts of the movie to view the "Hangouts of Ridgemont high" and "music highlights". Those are nice to have. The documentary wouldn't run correctly on my PC-based DVD system (looked GREAT though). However, the trailer was terrific! I remember now why I got my friend Kevin Sloan, who looked a bit older than me but was also about 15, to buy my ticket. God I miss those times! There's a lot of great memories tied to this flick. It's one of the first DVDs I ever bought too. I don't regret it! If a version with better sound comes out I'll buy it too.

edmundmuskie

10 May 2012

It is still fun to watch

It has been more than twenty years since the very controversial Fast Timesat Ridgemont High came out. I am not one for teen movies (I hated AmericanPie) But I liked this one. This was an interesting little piece wheretherewasn't a lead character but there were a bunch of small parts that took upthe movie.The top billed was Spicoli, played by Sean Penn. Then there was BradHamilton played by Judge Reinhold, in one of his best parts, and hissisterStacy, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, and there are many more interestingcharacters in the film. The film had a lot of sex in the movie for theday.In the film there were some incredibly mature themes brought up likemasturbation, abortion, teen sex, drug use and some other interestingthings.It is a fun movie to watch and very funny. The movie has no realdefinitiveending that raps up the entire situation and that is what makes this movieso endearing is that it is just people at this high school interacting andliving very much for lack of a better term in the fast lane. And unlikesome of these teen movies today there is a conscious in this film and itisnot one of these stupid gross out films like the crappy AmericanPie.What interested me as well are all of the famous actors that were in thismovie before they became famous, like Judge Reinhold, Sean Penn, PhoebeCates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Anthony Edwards, Nicholas Cage, ForrestWhitaker and a few others. Judge Reinhold does the best job here out ofallthe actors, he just seems so natural in his part. Ray Walston who plays ahigh school teacher is also very funny in this film. This is not a greatmovie, but it is a nice film to rent and definitely worth watching.

07 May 2012

Very pleased with this order!

This review is from: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Collector's Edition) (High School Reunion Collection) (DVD) My son in Iraq asked for this movie (Fast Times at Ridgemont High). I was able to find this movie at a great price and with great delivery. He has already gotten it over there! BTW, a really funny movie.Thanks!

06 May 2012

hey bud! whats your problem?

this is such a good movie, you won't want to miss it. it's a hilarious movie, and you should see it.