Tag Archives: Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Fast Times Blu-ray On The Horizon

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It seems that the Fast Times at Ridgemont High Blu-ray may finally be seeing the light of day. A UK release is scheduled for July 25th by Universal. The UK cover art is pictured above (funny how they are focusing on Spicoli and his buds with specific mentions of Nic Cage and Anthony Edwards). Expect Universal to also release the Blu-ray in North America and other countries this summer.

I don’t expect any new extras, but it will be great to see Fast Times in “high” definition 🙂 I thought I would be the first (of many) to do the corny “high” joke…

Stay tuned for contining coverage of the Fast Times Blu.

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Apr 30, 2011

FAQ: Fast Times…the Book

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I’ve received the same question (many, many times) over the years surrounding Cameron’s first novel, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and its availability. As you know, the book has been out of print for a number of years and is currently fetching big bucks on eBay, Amazon and other places. Who owns the rights? Will it ever be re-released? What does Cameron think? Here’s the skinny:

I asked Cameron if the book would ever be put back in print during an exclusive career encompassing interview (Who the Hell is Ricky Fedora?) back in 2002.  Here’s what he said:

“I think so.  The rights reverted to me a while ago.  If I do re-publish it, I’d probably want to write a new introduction… but frankly, we never did a sequel and I’ve never re-published the book because I like the fact that Fast Times at Ridgemont High lives in its own era.  It’s sort of a dog-eared memory.  I like that.  I was reluctant to even do the enhanced DVD, but it was so much fun to sit down with Amy Heckerling again.  In a lot of ways, that book is probably the favorite thing I’ve written. It was the first time I’d fully shut the world out, and written something that wasn’t for an editor, or for anybody other than my friends and me.   I really related to Brad. The pain and awkwardness of sex, love and friendship. The goal was to write something that was as aching as that time of life was for me (and others), but also funny.   It was kind of a Holden Caulfield time.  My girlfriend had dumped me, and I went down to San Diego and fell in with a whole new crowd.  They were wonderful people.  I’m still in touch was a few of them.  When people say, ‘I got a beat up copy of that book, it’s really good’. It means a lot to me. For a long time, people didn’t even know the book existed or they would say, “Did you know some guy wrote a book from your movie?’ [laughs]”

So there you go. For now, keep looking at your local book stores, thrift shops, etc. You just might come across a copy and for a decent price! I’ll keep you posted on a future plans to put the book back in print…

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Mar 3, 2011

Holiday Leftovers

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leftovers

I hope everyone had a happy holiday and a safe new year. Here’s a roundup for news tidbits from the past few weeks or so. More love from Entertainment Weekly on their Top 1000 of the past 25 years in a few categories.

In the 25 Best Soundtracks Since ‘83Almost Famous lands at #23, while Singles was ranked #13.

For the 25 All Time Best High School Movies, we had two Crowe related films make the cut:

  • 11.Say Anything…
Go on: Hoist that boom box above your head and turn up ‘’In Your Eyes.’’ Stand motionless with a fixed expression of unrequited but determined love. And watch Cameron Crowe’s ode to young passion, which made John Cusack the thinking teen’s heartthrob and should have done the same for Ione Skye. If the postgraduation romance between an earnest kickboxer and a sheltered valedictorian doesn’t win you over, repeat steps one and two and listen closer. —Hannah Tucker
  • 2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
 – When screenwriter Cameron Crowe went undercover to observe the species Teenagerus americanus, he returned with more than the usual grab-bag of anecdotes about horny, apple-pie-humping guys and the popularity-obsessed girls who must fight them off with a stick. He returned with 24-karat truth. To watch Fast Times today is to know exactly what it felt like to be fixated on sex, drugs, and rock & roll in Southern California circa 1982. It also launched careers and dished out still-relevant life lessons: Jennifer Jason Leigh (relax your throat muscles when fellating a carrot), Phoebe Cates (always knock before entering a bathroom), and Judge Reinhold (see above). And Sean Penn’s Jeff Spicoli, with his checkerboard Vans and bong-hit grin, was a geyser of catchphrases (‘’Aloha, Mr. Hand!’’). The film never strains for coming-of-age treacle. Maybe that’s why it still feels so…right. Especially Damone’s sage advice: ‘’When it comes down to making out, whenever possible put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV.’’ —Chris Nashawaty

 

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Jan 6, 2009

Seth Rogen On High School Movies

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rogensuperbad

Bill Hader and Seth Rogen in Sony Pictures new film, Superbad.

A story I missed from awhile back..Seth Rogen talked with PopMatters during the press for Superbad. He had this to say:

What were your favorite high school movies?

Fast Times at Ridgemont High was the best high school movie ever, but the opening party scene in Say Anything was the most realistic high school party scene ever depicted in the movies.

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Feb 13, 2008

High Def Format War Update

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fthddvd

I’m sure that many of you are following the High Definition Format War (HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray). They boast superior picture (1080p), sound (Loseless audio) and extra features. So far, this has only been relevant to a small number of movie watchers (early adopters/film buffs with HDTVs). These early adopters have picked sides and it’s been pretty ugly at times for something so silly. The big Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is coming up next week, so hopefully everyone can play nice (or studios will change sides, declare exclusivity, etc.) and we can finally get one format.

Anyways, I wanted to provide you an update on which of Cameron’s films are available on the next gen DVD format(s).

Fast Times is available on the HD-DVD format (since Universal is currently HD-DVD exclusive).

I’m most excited about Almost Famous (which was recently announced in the UK, Germany and Japan for Blu-Ray). It seems that all three versions overseas will get the Bootleg Cut. It’s very confusing as Paramount/DreamWorks owns the rights in the U.S. (which means HD-DVD only), but Sony holds the rights in most other countries (which means Blu-Ray). Also, Japan and the USA are in the same region, so if you have a U.S. Blu-Ray player, it will play the Japanese Blu-Ray! It also seems that UK release will be “all regions” and will also play on a U.S. Blu-Ray player.

Jerry Maguire has been rumored for Blu-Ray (Sony/Columbia is Blu-Ray exclusive) in the U.S. for quite some time (hopefully with all the extras from the 2 DVD set), but no formal announcements have been made. No word on Singles (Warner – which currently releases for both formats), Vanilla Sky and Elizabethtown (both Paramount owned and currently HD-DVD only)…stay tuned for all the latest news on this evolving soap opera

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Jan 1, 2008

EW’s Top 50 High School Movies Ever

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fasttimes

In the September 15th issue, Entertainment Weekly picks their Top 50 High School Movies Ever and two of Cameron’s films make the grade:

#2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

When screenwriter Cameron Crowe went undercover to observe the species Teenagerus americanus, he returned with more than the usual grab-bag of anecdotes about horny, apple-pie-humping guys and the popularity-obsessed girls who must fight them off with a stick. He returned with 24-karat truth. To watch Fast Times today is to know exactly what it felt like to be fixated on sex, drugs, and rock & roll in Southern California circa 1982. It also launched careers and dished out still-relevant life lessons: Jennifer Jason Leigh (relax your throat muscles when fellating a carrot), Phoebe Cates (always knock before entering a bathroom), and Judge Reinhold (see above). And Sean Penn’s Jeff Spicoli, with his checkerboard Vans and bong-hit grin, was a geyser of catchphrases (‘’Aloha, Mr. Hand!’’). The film never strains for coming-of-age treacle. Maybe that’s why it still feels so…right. Especially Damone’s sage advice: ‘’When it comes down to making out, whenever possible put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV. – Chris Nashawaty

#11. Say Anything (1989)

Go on: Hoist that boom box above your head and turn up ‘’In Your Eyes.’’ Stand motionless with a fixed expression of unrequited but determined love. And watch Cameron Crowe’s ode to young passion, which made John Cusack the thinking teen’s heartthrob and should have done the same for Ione Skye. If the postgraduation romance between an earnest kickboxer and a sheltered valedictorian doesn’t win you over, repeat steps one and two and listen closer. — Hannah Tucker

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Oct 4, 2006

Heidi Klum – Fast Times Homage

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klum

Heidi Klum does Linda Barrett/Phoebe Cates in this Fast Times homage as part of a series of pictures featured in GQ magazine’s 45th anniversary issue (September 2002). In it, Klum recreates famous females/indelible movie images including Jessica Rabbit, Catherine Tramell (Basic Instinct), Angela Hayes (American Beauty), Barbarella, Farah Fawcett and many more.

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Jun 20, 2003

Fast Times Book – An Early Glimpse

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FTGalleyProofCover

Most people first read about Cameron’s book, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, in the September 1981 excerpt published in Playboy magazine. I’m pleased to announce that its been added to the site. Check it out here.

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Apr 1, 2003

David Crosby: Remember My Name-Out Now on DVD/Blu-ray & Digital!


  • Almost Famous- Paramount+
  • Aloha- Starz, DirecTV
  • David Crosby- Starz, DirecTV
  • E-Town- FUBO
  • Fast Times- TUBI
  • Jerry Maguire- Netflix
  • Say Anything...- FUBO,Paramount+,MGM+
  • Singles- Vudu
  • Vanilla Sky- Prime Video,Pluto TV
  • We Bought A Zoo- Disney+