|
| • Advanced Search • Help |
Rock & Roll High School | Year: 1979 Classification: Comedy Directed: - Allan Arkush - Jerry Zucker - Joe Dante Actors/Actresses: - P.J. Soles - Vincent Van Patten The Cult Classic Rock and Roll High School Flick Okay, so most people liked "Grease" when it came to high school musicals. But I always had a preference for "Rock 'n' Roll High School." Did "Grease" have the Ramones? Did "Grease" have the school being rocked to the ground? Did "Grease" have a giant mouse worried about its children? This is the 1950's rock and roll teen movie updated to 1979 and instead of Annette we have P.J. Soles, in her one starring role of prominence after memorable appearances in "Halloween" and "S*T*R*I*P*E*S." P.J. is Riff Randell, the #1 Fan of the Ramones, which is just one more thing to be inscribed on her permanent record as far as Vince Lombardi High's principal Miss Togar (Mary Woronov) is concerned. Riff is aided and abetted in her never ending battle against the fascist policies of Miss Togar by her friend, Kate Rameau (Dey Young), who is cute, sweet and in need of a boyfriend. Fortunately, all of life's problems can be solved with the help of Eaglebauer (Clint Howard) and the Ramones. Of course, if Mary Woronov is in this movie, you know Paul Bartel must be nearby and he plays Mr. McGree, the only teacher who is hep to the Ramones. There are standard juvenile antics, ratcheted down a level or two for the purposes of this film, which is redeemed when the Ramones show up and save the day by destroying the school. "Rock 'n' Roll High School" is a film that embraces its shortcomings and total lack of pretentions. As with all good cult films, this DVD edition caters to the whims of its peculiar fanatics, offering up the concert footage of the Ramones shot for the film, decent commentary from the director, producer & writer, and an interview by Leonard Maltin of Roger Corman (sure, why not?). They were not trying to make a good movie here, which is why this is not a bad film but a staple of late night weekend programming. And did I mention it has the Ramones? The Kids Are All Hopped Up And Ready To Go It's hard to admit, but the recent death of Joey Ramone took a lot of the wind out of my sails, bringing with it a feeling of vulnerability, mortality and, yes, approaching middle age. Having said that, it's a treat that this part of his legacy is finally available again for all to treasure. Sort of a twisted mix of low-budget 1950's juvenile delinquent movies and 1960's beach comedies, "Rock 'N' Roll High School" has aged surprising well, thanks in most part I guess to the timeless appeal of the "brothers" Ramone. Highlights, besides the hopped up concert footage (filmed in front of an enthusiastic audience), include the Ramones pulling up to a concert venue in an old Cadillac singing "I Just Want To Have Something To Do," a fantasy sequence in which self-proclaimed #1 Ramones fan Riff Randall (P.J. Soles) imagines the band serenading her in her bedroom, complete with Dee Dee and his bass under a running shower, and the final scene in which The Ramones play the title track while the high school explodes behind them in a piece of perfectly staged incendiary directing by Allan Arkush. Timeless, mindless, exuberantly staged entertainment... Cult Classic + Ramones = Fun Fun This is a masterpiece of low budget cinema. Everything about this movie rocks. The Ramones are undoubtedly one of the best punk rock bands of all time and this film showcases them to great effect. Really fantastic live footage. PJ Soles is mighty sweet and Dey Young is even sweeter. Great stuff from Mary Woronov, Paul Bartel and the mighty Dick Miller as well. Some of the cornball dialogue is unforgettable. And did I mention that Dey Young is sweet? She used to make my heart go pitter patter watching this in high school. Buy Rock And Roll High School at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Rock And Roll High School Search with the Priority Search Engine on Rock And Roll High School This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
|
