Tag Archives: Fast Times at Ridgemont High

A Playlist Shortlist

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Cameron shares some of his favorite songs from his own films for the March issue of Shortlist magazine. Without further adieu…

Film: Fast Times At Ridgemont High

Track: “We Got The Beat” by The Go-Go’s

“It says many things about life, love, hormones and the power of a mighty groove.”

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Film: Say Anything…

Track: “Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns” by Mother Love Bone

“I also used it again in Singles. It’s like a recurring character.”

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Film: Singles

Track: “Drown” by Smashing Pumpkins

“Corgan’s reaction was, ‘Sh*t! That’s the one I wanted to keep for myself.’”

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Film: Jerry Maguire

Track: “The Horses” by Rickie Lee Jones

“This gets me feeling the emotion on Renée’s face.”

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Film: Vanilla Sky

Track: “Freur” by Doot Doot

“This had lived in so many of my mixes, it deserved to reach the big screen.”

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Film: Vanilla Sky

Track: “Nothing Song (aka njósnavélin) by Sigur Rós

“Found on a bootleg.”

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Film: Almost Famous

Track: “Cabin In The Air” by Nancy Wilson

“Never on an album, but I’m always asked for an MP3.”

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Film: Elizabethtown

Track: “Come Pick Me Up” by Ryan Adams

“One of the best songs from the past 30 years.”

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Film: We Bought A Zoo

Track: “Go Do” (Remix) by jónsi

“jónsi is the Brian Wilson of his era, and this is proof.”

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Film: Vanilla Sky

Track: “Rez” by Underworld

“Every mix needs a song that says ‘keep driving’.”

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Filed under News
Mar 25, 2012

Big Screen News: PJ20, Fast Times, Famous & Say Anything…

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There’s a few upcoming chances to catch a Cameron film on the big screen.

  • The Hillcrest Cinemas in San Diego will be showing Pearl Jam Twenty tomorrow night only at 7pm. More information on their site.
  • Pearl Jam Twenty will have a free showing as part of College Radio day tomorrow at the University of Florida. More details here.
  • Almost Famous will screen on October 24th as part of their “Movies That Rock” series at the Shadowbox in Columbus, OH. Find out more at their site.
  • Lastly, catch Say Anything… on November 4th and Fast Times at Ridgemont High on November 18th at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto. They are both playing as part of their “Back to the 80’s: Teen Edition” film series. Get all the details over at the TIFF website.

 

Filed under News
Oct 10, 2011

Crowe’s Nest: Fast Times Book, IFC Zoo Interview & More!

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The Crowe’s Nest is a feature that collects random tidbits, etc. in one blog post. So let’s get started!

  • First off, glad you all enjoyed the Say Anything… deleted scenes. Don’t forget that we’ve already posted some Jerry Maguire and Singles deleted scenes.
  • The Bookfinder has released their 100 Most Sought After Out of Print in 2011 and the Fast Times at Ridgemont High book is ranked at #16. As we’ve previously discussed, Cameron owns the rights to the book, but has no plans to re-release the book at this time. Keep looking for a copy at your local thrift store, used book store or at a garage sale!
  • Cameron chats with Matt Singer over at IFC. The first interview focuses on We Bought A Zoo, Matt Damon and the holiday release date. Part 2 revolves around the Say Anything… sequel (that we’ve previously covered) and Part 3 highlights Jónsi, the music of Zoo and future film plans.
Filed under News
Sep 1, 2011

Screenings: Singles, Almost Famous & Fast Times

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London’s Prince Charles Cinema will be showing a “Double Bill” of Singles and Almost Famous on September 5th. Thanks to Ian Miller for providing the details on this one. He’ll be reporting back with some pictures from the event, so stay tuned for that!

Closer to home, Fast Times at Ridgemont High will be showing at the Dryden Theatre in Rochester, New York this Friday, August 26th (and again on Sunday). Times and ticket information can be found over at their official site.

 

Filed under News
Aug 23, 2011

Fast Times at Ridgemont High: 29 Years Ago Today…

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The Scene That Wore Out VHS Tapes…

Can you believe it? . . . 29 years ago today marked the theatrical release of Fast Times at Ridgemont High in North America. Hopefully you picked up the new Blu-ray earlier this week, but regardless, it would be a great time to celebrate the film in any format (VHS, Beta, LaserDisc, DVD, HD-DVD, iTunes, etc.). All those different formats just validate Fast Times and its staying power. Maybe someday, the outtakes and deleted scenes will show up in somebody’s garage, but for now, we can always watch them during those TBS showings, right?

Cameron Makes His Mark

To celebrate the occasion, I’m sharing this insightful L.A. Times article I recently came across from December, 1981. Writer Paul Rosenfield was invited on set (after midnight) as filming had just begun. He captures the excitement of all these relative unknowns making a feature film for the first time (Amy Heckerling, Cameron Crowe, most of the cast, etc.). You’ll find  some great quotes from Cameron and Art Linson and it’s an enjoyable read.

Cameron (with sweet mustache) plays “Doug” in a promo shot that wasn’t used in the film

Please share your memories about Fast Times? When did you first see it? Was it back in 1982 or more recently? Chime in with your thoughts!

 

Filed under News
Aug 13, 2011

Available Now: Fast Times Blu-ray!

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Fast Times at Ridgemont High makes its blu-ray debut today. The high definition picture is certainly a step up from the DVD, but this movie is nearly 29 years old (more on that next week), so don’t expect a pristine transfer. The movie was shot in the early 80s and film stock back then was a bit on the grainy side. So the grain you see is supposed to be there. Maybe at some point Universal will do a frame by frame restoration, but I don’t think Fast Times has ever looked better. In addition to the old special features, you’ll find some new bells and whistles such as a Picture in Picture (PIP) feature that includes extended interviews and outtakes (from the previously seen documentary that’s also included). Shortcomings? I’d like a better cover (how about using the theatrical poster?) and the deleted scenes, but there’s always the 30th anniversary, right?

You can find more details over at the Fast Times blu-ray page. Pick up your blu-ray in you live in North America today. Overseas readers, don’t forget that the UK and Australian versions came out on late last month.

Filed under News
Aug 9, 2011

Crowe’s Nest: Fast Times Reunion Pic, Peter Bart, John Michael Higgins

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The Crowe’s Nest is a collection of random tidbits, etc. in one blog post. Here’s the latest:

  • In case you missed the Fast Times reunion at the Guys Choice awards on Spike TV, here’s a pic. Pictured above is (L to R) Brian Backer, Robert Romanus, Sean Penn and Judge Reinhold. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a picture that also included attendees, director Amy Heckerling and Forest Whitaker all in the same shot…
  • If you want to learn a bit more about writer, producer Peter Bart (who Cameron recently did a Q & A with at the Harold & Maude anniversary screening), you might want to check out this interview over at Culture Map Houston.
  • New York Magazine interviews actor John Michael Higgins. Among the topics was his musical experience on the set of We Bought a Zoo. Here’s what he said:

Did you sing with Justin Timberlake on the set of Bad Teacher, or Scarlett Johansson on We Bought a Zoo, which you also have out this year?
Justin is a professional; I would never dare to sing in front of him! Although Jason Segel and I definitely crossed paths, and he’s a good singer. And Cameron [Diaz] and I would dance a bit, off-camera. We were always doing silly things half the time. We Bought a Zoo was a more musical set. Scarlett loves to sing — she’s like a Mynah bird, she can imitate anyone — so every now and then, we’d get a good pop vocal going on. We’d make up a lot of stupid songs, joke songs, like a little piece Scarlett would write to sing to Matt [Damon] and he would sing something back. Nothing serious. And that’s how we communicated. Scarlett would sing, “It’s a really hot day,” or “I’m hungry for lunch.”

Filed under News
Jun 29, 2011

Crowe’s Nest: Fast Times Reunion, PJ20 Companion Book, Reader Art & More!

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The Crowe’s Nest is a feature that collects random tidbits, etc. in one blog post. Here’s the latest:

  • Many of the stars of Fast Times at Ridgemont High gathered for induction into the Guy Hall of Fame as part of Spike TV’s Guy Choice event. Cameron was unable to attend the taping on June 4th, but actors Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold, Brian Backer, Robert Romanus, Forest Whitaker, and director Amy Heckerling appeared together onstage in L.A. to accept.  You will have your chance to see it this Friday, June 10th on Spike TV. Check your local listings.
  • Contributors to the Pearl Jam Twenty companion book coming out on September 13th include Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl and Neil Young. Cameron is providing the foreword. The book was compiled and edited by authors Jonathan Cohen and Mark Wilkinson. It will include personal drawings, behind the scenes photos and much more chronicling Pearl Jam’s twenty years.
  • The Dallas Film Society will include Almost Famous as part of a free outdoor screening series. Almost Famous will screen on October 15th. More details can be found here.
  • Reader Jon Sholly dropped us a line to share his entry into a recent Indianapolis film festival. Local designers and artists are asked to create posters that reinterpret films from all eras. They are then sold to raise money for the festival. Jon choose Almost Famous and I thought you’d like to see his poster. Pretty cool, huh?

Filed under News
Jun 8, 2011

  • Almost Famous- Paramount+, Fubo, Pluto TV

  • Aloha- Netflix

  • Fast Times at Ridgemont High- Starz

  • Elizabethtown- Fubo

  • Singles- Criterion Channel

  • Vanilla Sky- Paramount+,Fubo

  • We Bought A Zoo- Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max