The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.
We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...
Dazed and Confused
Spine Number: 336
Director: Richard Linklater
Genre: Coming of Age Comedu
Before deciding to make nothing but movies/film series that take place in real time (Boyhood, Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight), Richard Linklater was about as quintessentially Austin as you could find.
By "Quintessentially Austin" I am not referring to the bullshit, gentrified, hipster theme park that people who "really got into South By Southwest (SXSW)" and decided to move here have turned it into. I am talking about a place that didn't have, need, or want the loads of California bullshit that has been dumped on us. No In and Out bullshit, no Shake Shack, no fucking Del Taco. Austin was a place where interesting individuals could come and actually create interesting stuff. How else does one city and one film school, light years removed from Hollywood, produce two of the most important and influential filmmakers of the 90's (Linklater and Robert Rodriguez).
When most people talk about Linklater and the 90's they naturally gravitate towards "Slacker," which is a very boring and overrated film, and keep your defense of it to yourself. I get it, I lived in the building where it premiered for two years and walked past several locations from it EVERY DAY while I was in college... I get it. I just don't like it. Instead we will be looking at ....
Dazed and Confused, Linklater's mix tape of high school in the 70's. Taking place over the course of one night Linklater creates a fairly unique coming of age story. We see young people at all the different stages of high school. We see beginnings, endings, and people who failed to notice that something had ended. More than a lot of these types of film, Dazed and Confused doesn't just wallow in nostalgia, it actually takes the time to create a place that feels genuine and populates it with characters who feel real.
So, if you haven't seen it, check it out. If you have, join us for our discussion.
Next Week:
Spine number 374: The Bicycle Thieves
Also, check this out.
The Life Masters is now it's own show with its own site and own dedicated feed. That's right, we have two completely different shows!
Right now check it out at www.thelifemasters.podbean.com.
You can also drink in our brilliance on Youtube for both The Film Thugs and The Life Masters.
http://fantasymovieleague.com/
Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.
It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.
You have an 8 screen theater.
Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under.
Then you compete against other theaters in your league.
It's fantasy football for movie people.
Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.
And remember, you can be a part of the show any time you wild like. How's that? All you have to do is call or e-mail us. If you live in the US, or any place that makes calling the US easy, just dial 512-666-RANT and leave us a voicemail. We will read the Google Voice transcript and play your message. It's both funny AND informative.
If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.
E-mail us at thefilmthugs@gmail.com and we will read/play whatever you send us, or you can e-mail thugquestions@gmail.com to be part of an upcoming "Ask the Film Thugs" show, where we answer questions on any subject without having heard them first.
Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.
Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.
Thanks for listening, and until next week...
Criterion Year Week 22: Hopscotch
Criterion Year Week 21: The Royal Tenenbaums
Criterion Year Week 20: Traffic
Criterion Year Week 19: Sullivan's Travels
Criterion year Week 18: Withnail and I
Criterion Year Week 17: Rififi
Criterion Year Week 16: The Rock
Life Masters Episode 30: Here Are Your Choices, You Don't Have Any Choices
Life Masters Episode 29: These Kids Today With Their Phones, Their Loud Music, Dan Fogleberg, Their Zima, Hula Hoops, and Pac Man Video Games
Life Masters Episode 28: At Some Point, You Gotta Movie On
LIfe Masters Episode 27: Sometimes Nice People Can Also Be Dicks
Life Masters Episode 26: Ever So Delicate
Life Masters Episode 25: The Incredible, But Somewhat Understandable, Vanishing Boyfriend
Whiplash: A special 28 minute version of 5 Minutes With The Film Thugs
Life Masters Episode 24: The Incredible Vanishing Husband
Life Masters Episode 23: That Exit Looks Mighty Nice
Life Masters Episode 22: My Son Loves Me, But I Don't Agree With Him
Criterion Year Week 15: Gimme Shelter
Criterion Year Week 14: Sanjuro
Criterion Year Week 13: Yojimbo
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