The Stöned Age

This is an awesome movie, but the reason why is pretty subtle (or maybe not so subtle). It is one of the few movies of this genre (rock n' roll pot smoking, sex, adolescent mayhem) which actually takes the audience seriously enough to bother putting in a plot, and a character -- Joe -- that is interesting, I mean, he's a nice guy who doesn't want to be a "worm," unlike his more-popular friend Hubbs, but he keeps getting cheated out of "his" chicks! I think this movie was cooked up as a studio marketing idea, that is, "Hey! Dazed and Confused is so popular right now, let's cash in on that craze and make a '70s kids-smoking-pot movie!" but the writer/director actually bothered to write something interesting instead of mindless eye-candy. Like a character in the movie says, "At least you've got something going on up there!" I also have to say that this is one of the few movies I've ever seen where metalheads are portrayed as the heroes. Too often headbangers in movies are shown as thugs, bullies or morons, but this flick dares to have heroes and sympathetic characters headbanging to Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult. A 10, definitely!

If I read another posting saying this movie is a Dazed and Confused rip-off, I'm going to puke! This picture is an entirely better, funnier and more believable flick. I know because I went through all those experiences in the late 70's, early 80's. Dazed received all the hype but Stoned Age is a completely better movie. The characters are all completely likeable and at no point is the movie annoying or down- right boring compared to Dazed.

Well, this is a party movie. I can't tell you how many times me and my friends have watched this film in relation to a record-breaking party night. Forget 'Dazed'. "YOU JUST GOTTA GO FOR IT!!!" If you are a young guy, this movie will become your bible. Celebrate your manhood and watch a great film before you tear loose on the women of your city. No fat chicks! Rock Out!

If you read my review of this one from August of 99, then you have my opinion after watching only once and being disappointed by its comparisons to Dazed & Confused. The fact is-- after I rented it, I thought of this movie often. I thought of some of the funny lines, but mainly it was thought provoking in a sense; as though it worked on a deeper level than it was meant to deliver on. The characters were somehow very believable and the situations, though far fetched in a movie way, really reminded me of being there years ago. For example, while Joe's ramblings are misguided and nonsensical, it was evident that he had higher aspirations. His dialogue was like how a kid like that might talk in real life-- not like someone reading from a script might. Hubbs and Tack were classic movie characters, as well.

Unable to get the film out of my head, I decided I had to own it. I ordered a copy and watch it about once a month or so, howling with laughter each time. My point is that my initial impression was not nearly as favorable as it is now, partly based on certain expectations. If you realize from the outset that you're watching a B-movie and just enjoy it for what it is, you may find the hidden gem that I found.

Well.. I'm a 'chick' and.. I love this movie! Its been a fave of mine for a long time now. If you're the kind of person that doesnt take things too seriously, you'll probably like this movie (or maybe not. who knows). Its super cheesy, and constantly makes fun of itself and its characters. The scene stealer of the movie, was Tack for sure. Which I'm sure any other fan of the movie can agree with me on. Tack holds many inside jokes for my best friend and I... and to this day whenever either my best friend or I have a new man in our lives.. our response to the other is always "allright! get you soooome!" ;-) ... If you're too stuck up to get the goofy humor of this movie.. get drunk and watch it or something... you just might laugh :-)