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Buffy is bangin'.
This used to be my definition of a scary movie, back when I was having sleep overs in primary school. Now, I'd almost call it a comfort movie, like a bowl of pasta. It's interesting to go back and pick out early examples of Joss Whedon's humour. I wonder how the film would have turned out, had he been able to guide it in the way he wanted.
Though I'm a loyal fan of the TV series, Kristy Swanson was actually really good as Buffy. She strikes a good balance between light-hearted vapid and taking her fate seriously. And her martial arts is passable. Luke Perry's, however, is not. And Rutger Hauer's violin playing is awful.
Tell you what, if their movie depictions are anything to go by, cheerleaders sure have changed since the 90s.
Final Thought: Not everyone agrees with me, but Paul Reubens' death scene is one of the best things to ever happen in a movie.
Up Next: A Bug's Life (1998)
I bought this film because it has Mark Dacascos in it. Watching it again, there really is no other reason that I have it. It drags. It is so very long. It's visually absolutely beautiful, but surely the length could have been trimmed. I am certain that I've seen this film at least twice, yet there are entire sections of it that I don't recall at all. It was a bit fascinating to discover all the layers of the plot the I somehow didn't notice.
Final Thought: Dacascos has done so many B grade martial arts flicks, it's lovely to see him in something of this quality.
Up Next: Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)
A teen movie playing at cinema noir? Donnie Darko playing at detective? What saves this film for me is that, despite the dark subject matter, it has the occasional moment that reminds you that these are, after all, kids. This is an interesting film to watch immediately after having seen The Breakfast Club, I will say that. Rian Johnson is a bleak director, yeesh.
Final Thought: I'm left unsure of what to say after this film. You use half of your attention to translate their language, and the other half to keep track of the plot, so by the end of it you're a bit tired.
Up Next: Brotherhood Of The Wolf (2001)
Not many of the high school set films made at the moment will still be relevant in 30 years. Not many teen films come close to those of John Hughes.
I think the difference is that this film doesn't try too hard. A run through the school, a dance around the library... it doesn't need to be extreme. It's about who the kids are and how they get to know each other. Why they behave the way they do, why they conform to the stereotypes they've adopted. It's about understanding them, which I feel is why this film is such a classic, and why it resounds for so many people. Teenagers want to be understood, and this film takes the time to do that.
The scene where the characters tell why they are in detention is famous for being unscripted, yet it's so moving and provoking. By trusting them to ad-lib that scene, Hughes caught something raw and honest, which is so often missing amidst the hijinks and extremes employed by most teen films. And Hughes shows that the great mistake Mr Vernon makes is in demanding respect without giving it to these kids, and not even attempting to understand them.
Every time I watch this film, I am once again surprised by how good it is.
Final Thought: If you're going to call them The Breakfast Club, at least reference it at some point in the film before the final line...
Up Next: Brick (2005)
