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Can't Hardly Wait was a staple of my high school movie nights. I can remember watching it for the first time at a sleepover, never having heard of it before. My friends and I spent the following two years quoting it to each other at every opportunity, and playing the soundtrack at any party we hosted. We bonded over this movie more than many other things in the time we were in high school.
More than a decade later, this film is still just as fresh in my mind.
The thing is, I'm not quite sure how to explain why this film in particular rose above all the similarly themed movies of my teenage years. Perhaps it's that the characters are almost caricatures of the stereotypes they represent. Almost. They toe that line, so they still seem like real people, which means that the film doesn't get unbearable.
In my opinion, this was the best high school party movie of the 90s crop, and frankly, I've yet to see a movie made since that can stand up to it.
Final Thought: I HAVE NO LEGS!!!
Up Next: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
It's a bit too general to say that I don't like horror films. I don't quite know how to explain my relationship with them. I can't stand gore, so that rules out a majority of them. Some friends once decided that I simply had to see one of the Saw films, and I spent pretty much the entire movie with my face buried in to the couch. I still haven't forgiven them for that.
And yet... when a horror film is witty and thrilling and clever and suspenseful, I can't help but be lured in. It's terrible, but I can't help myself.
The Cabin In The Woods is the perfect example of the sort of horror film that I can't resist. It's written by Joss Whedon, so there's that. It confuses you because you'll simultaneously want to squeal in fear and laugh hysterically, and you just don't have enough breath for both, so you end up wheezing in a confused fashion.
The best thing about this film is that I went to see it with no knowledge beyond the fact that it was written by Whedon. This film is more glorious the less you know about it the first time you see it.
Seeing The Cabin In The Woods also coincided with my first visit to the Astor Theatre in Melbourne - a wonderful movie theatre that is a must for film buffs. The Astor Theatre loves film. And you couldn't ask for a better audience to experience this movie for the first time. We jumped in fright and laughed in relief as one. At one particularly tense, silent moment in the film, an audience member loudly knocked over their drink, causing nervous titters from all present, which quickly turned to shrieks as we were startled.
Final Thought: This is one of a handful of films that, as soon as I've watched it, I instantly want to watch it all over again. Seriously. Right now, writing this, I want to watch it, but that would be a horrible mistake because it's the middle of the night and I'll get spooked and The Bassist isn't nearby and I'm alone and vulnerable and I'll end up having to lock my bedroom door and nervously watch episodes of some inane sitcom until I manage to get to sleep.
But it's so good...
Up Next: Can't Hardly Wait (1998)
Computer animation evolved very quickly, and aged very quickly as a result. This is forgivable though, when presented with an enchanting story. And A Bug's Life uses the classic mistaken identity plot to tell a charming tale.
The writers are clever in the grand problems they create for such small creatures. The shift in scale is part of what's so interesting about the movie. The world in which it occurs is very contained, but you don't even notice until the very end.
Something in particular that I noticed - too often, applause is used as a cheap payoff gimmick in films. Not here. The ovation by the characters at the end is powerful in a way that I don't recall ever seeing in a live action movie.
Final Thought: I do insist that, before watching any Pixar film in my collection, one must first watch the short that accompanies it in order to make the viewing experience complete.
Up Next: The Cabin In The Woods (2012)
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)
