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Posted: |
Jun 24, 2009 - 3:30 PM
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By: |
Thor
(Member)
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This 1982 classic is IMO one of the best teen films of the 80's, much due to the brilliant book by Cameron Crowe on which it is based. It's not a comedy (although it has many comic elements), but a well-crafted, intelligently written, well acted drama about teenage qualms - from sexual awakening to career uncertainty, Jennifer Jason Leigh is brilliant at playing these flirtatous beings that ooze sensuality and warmth (FLESH+BLOOD, anyone?). The late Ray Walston is convincing as the strict, sarcastic but also fair teacher, Judge Reinhold as the laidback and unwittingly charming big brother and Sean Penn as an all-out, BILL AND TED-like surfer dude. It all comes together very well. There is no original score here, but the film is literally wall-to-wall with jukebox period songs - that also have a narrative purpose. Jackson Browne's immortal "Somebody's Baby", for example, is used as a kind of leitmotif for Jennifer's sexual adventures. There is also a humourous version of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" used as a pick-up car stereo song for the insecure nerd. Oingo Boingo is ever present, this time the bluesy "Goodbye Goodbye" played over the end credits, which was only available on the soundtrack untill it was released on the BEST O'BOINGO compilation in the mid 90's. However, this is a slightly different version. There was also a short-lived TV series spin-off in 1986 (starring my favourite 80's hottie Courtney Thorne-Smith) that featured Boingo's "Fast Times" as the title theme (written only for the series and NOT in the original movie). This theme has never been commercially released, but is really catchy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFyWef1GfuU I've never seen the series, but I really like to.
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OH, GNARLY!!!
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Billy Squier's "Fast Times (The Best Years of our Lives)" is a classic and my favorite track from the film and disc.
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Also kudos from me on this one -- I love the film. And any director (or music suit-guy in the front office who is only interested in tie-ins to increase his bottom line) who decides to use Jackson Browne in a score has my undying affection. Mr. Browne is one of my gods...
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Posted: |
Jun 25, 2009 - 3:17 PM
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By: |
Holly
(Member)
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How I love this film! Boy, does this post bring back some memories. I remember taping it off of HBO and constantly watching it throughout my childhood and teen years. When I became of age and had the occasional date, my pop would always refer to the guy as a "Spicoli" - LOL! *Some of my favourite lines: [Spicoli has had a pizza delivered to class] Mr. Hand: Am I hallucinating here? Just what in the hell do you think you're doing? Jeff Spicoli: Learning about Cuba, and having some food. [a science class is visiting the morgue] Mr. Vargas: Are you in my class? Jeff Spicoli: I am today. [after Spicoli wrecks Jefferson's car] Jefferson's Brother: My brother's gonna kill us! He's gonna kill us! He's gonna kill you and he's gonna kill me, he's gonna kill us! Jeff Spicoli: Hey man, just be glad I had fast reflexes! Jefferson's Brother: My brother's gonna shit! Jeff Spicoli: Make up your mind, dude, is he gonna shit or is he gonna kill us? Jefferson's Brother: First he's gonna shit, then he's gonna kill us! Jeff Spicoli: Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it. ...Fast Times is GOOD TIMES!!!
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