THE STONED AGE (1994)

 

Directed By: James Melkonian

Written By: James Melkonian and Rich Wilkes 

Cinematography: Paul Holahan

Editor: Peter Schink 

Cast: Michael Kopelow, Bradford Tatum, China Kantner, Renee Ammann, Clifton Collins Jr., Kevin Kilner, Taylor Negron, Art Chudabala, David Groh, Jake Busey 

Determined to avoid another night of driving aimlessly around Torrance in the Blue Torpedo, Joe and Hubbs set out on a quest for fine chicks. Their paths soon cross with Tack, from whom they learn about a pair of radical chicks hanging out near the Frankie Avalon place. Over Joe's objections, Hubbs worms Tack out of the deal, and the pair take a slow ride toward their destiny.

The trailer for this movie drag me in as it was so hilarious at the time that this was a must-see and I have to say definitely not disappointed.

I am probably remembering it as better than it probably is but I generally like this movie as I saw it when I was a teenager and to me, it was a straight-to-home video classic 

This is truly the 1980s suburban teenager dream party film as it is actually nasty funny witty at some points and actually just generally kind of fun. It never overstayed his welcome and it keeps moving forward in the kind of buddy comedy and of itself, only the buddies are already friends at the beginning of the film. This is just like watching their misadventures throughout the situation of the night.

As it had the rebelliousness of a teen movie, even though you could tell, nobody was really a teen in the movie, and it seem more of a throwback to maybe a more certain California suburban lifestyle. They don’t make movies like this at all anymore, which is why it stays memorable whereas at the time it might’ve been just another and this film is rude and crude and not afraid to offend anyone, nor does he go out of his way to do that either.

It’s also generally unrepentant when it comes to the material of the film, which really feels like a throwback to the 1980s teen sex comedy. Only there is a lot of talking about sex in the idealization of women as sex objects, but there isn’t that much actual sex there is nudity. 

And Renee seems to be the sex object of the film that all men or most of the men desire throughout, she is the bombshell that brings all the boys to the yard literally but what I really liked was the ridiculous side characters and the comedy between them and how ridiculous they were. As she is treated like this precious object or treasure, that is meant to be held possessed, and had. Then discover while she is good, looking, she’s human, and not necessarily all that special.

Of course, by the end the main character realizes that it’s not all about sex it’s also about who you get along with, and who has a better personality, and you just generally vibe with, as far as chemistry. as he is more the romantic of the two, and though his best friend is a jerk. They still remain friends until the end. 

Think of this as a harder edge and less out their version of DUDE, WHERE'S MY CAR, and movies like that?

It’s also how I discovered the song Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult before it was heavily used again in the movie THE FRIGHTENERS. It also helped me to discover and appreciate the band also. Before they became legends with the infamous Christopher Walken, Will Ferrell Saturday night live cowbell sketch.

The film can be seen as two friends on a quest that never really goes out of anywhere that they are unfamiliar, but seeing it in a new light, and facing up to the challenges that they come upon on this quest. As after all, it’s about the journey, not the prize. They even learn something about themselves.

This is a general R-rated teen sex comedy. That’s a throwback and I appreciate it for what it is. It doesn’t try to be anything more. I mean the title loans to tell you what you’re in for so while it’s not great cinema, it is at least entertaining for the audience that would want to see a movie called The Stoned Age. And do not believe it to be a sequel to Encino Man. Which one of the actresses actually had a small role.

It’s just fun lowbrow humor. A fun, cold comedy that came from a short film and was intended to be the first of a trilogy starring the two main characters. 

You can look at it as a nostalgic throwback to dumb or stoner comedies along the lines of Pauly Shore, movies, or the dude where’s my car type.

Grade: C+