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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

American Graffiti

Discussion in 'Lucasfilm Ltd. In-Depth Discussion' started by obi-rob-kenobi4, Jan 18, 2012.

  1. ezekiel22x

    ezekiel22x Chosen One star 5

    Registered:
    Aug 9, 2002
    Just caught the last 20 minutes again while flipping through channels. So, so good. Almost good enough to make me wish Star Wars had bombed and Lucas continued with smaller, personal films for the majority of his career. If it wasn't for Padme's Ruminations and the AOTC ending montage I'd drop the almost.
     
  2. GGrievous

    GGrievous Jedi Grand Master star 5

    Registered:
    Nov 6, 2005
    Actually, after Empire, Lucas should've done that. :p

    But then again, I'm not sure if we would have Raiders.
     
  3. Lord Revan

    Lord Revan Jedi Padawan star 1

    Registered:
    Apr 15, 2013
    Graffiti is a a classic. The cars and the music are top-notch.

    I think this is my mom's favorite movie.
     
  4. Darth_Nub

    Darth_Nub Manager Emeritus star 5 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Apr 26, 2009
    Ever seen More American Graffiti? It's sort of of a glimpse at just such an alternate future for Lucasfilm. Interesting, experimental, but not as emotionally engaging as its hit predecessor, and bombed as a result.

    It's really no wonder GL was so worried about ESB going over budget.
     
  5. ezekiel22x

    ezekiel22x Chosen One star 5

    Registered:
    Aug 9, 2002
    Yep. I'd actually say my emotional engagement is upped in the sequel given that it touches on some more serious conflict (although in a manner that still relied heavily on humor). Along with AOTC, More American Graffiti is the most underrated of the Lucasfilms for me.
     
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  6. GGrievous

    GGrievous Jedi Grand Master star 5

    Registered:
    Nov 6, 2005
    Radioland was released way too late imo. Had it been made in the early 70s as originally intended, it probably would've done better at the box office.
     
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  7. Orrelios

    Orrelios Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Feb 21, 2005
    Let's not forget that it's the 30th anniversary of the film this year. Go and give it a rewatch at some point; I'm sure I will.
     
  8. Orrelios

    Orrelios Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Feb 21, 2005
    40th anniversary; still thinking of ROTJ...
     
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  9. Michael McKean

    Michael McKean Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jun 5, 2013
    A very different film from Star Wars anyway. This was Lucas in his 'experimental' filmmaking.
     
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  10. DarthBoba

    DarthBoba Manager Emeritus star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2000
    I'd agree, especially film business wise. The studio was very resistant to paying the licensing fees for the songs used in the film.

    American Graffiti isn't much without those :p
     
  11. Darth Eddie

    Darth Eddie Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    May 14, 2013
    Yes, I love American Graffiti. I think I should watch it again. I wish I could remember more of those great lines... Here are some of my favorites:

    "Looks like a cross between piss yellow and puke green."
    "He who smelled it dealt it."
    "Get thin, turkey!"
    "Do you know John Milner? He's a good friend of mine..."

    Bonus: I've seen John Milner's car or an exact replica of it driving around my hometown.
     
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  12. DarthBoba

    DarthBoba Manager Emeritus star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2000
    I haven't watched it in years, I probably should again :p
     
  13. FRAGWAGON

    FRAGWAGON Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 3, 2012
    I'll man up and admit I've never seen it. I wish they would re-release it in theaters! That's how I first saw THX-1138, which I now regard as a masterpiece.
     
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  14. Son of a Bith

    Son of a Bith Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Feb 28, 2013
    I've never seen it either - but I just picked it up the other day, so that will soon be remedied. :)
     
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  15. Mange

    Mange Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jan 11, 2003
    It's available on both DVD and BD (yes, I double-dipped once it was released on BD... But then the BD doesn't include More American Graffiti).
     
  16. Darth Eddie

    Darth Eddie Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    May 14, 2013
    I see a lot of people deciding to go out and watch American Graffiti - well come back and report once you've done that because I'd love to get down with some AG discussion.

    A watched a part of it last night and I was reminded of more of my favorite lines.

    "What's your name?" "My name? Mud, if anyone sees you."

    and

    "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE FOR GOD'S SAKES!"
     
  17. Yanksfan

    Yanksfan Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Nov 3, 2000
    I loved Mackenzie Phillips and the tough greaser guy. Their dynamic was so funny to me.

    And Harrison Ford, of course. Good god......I'm just gonna stop before I start drooling and rambling, and thus lose all credibility.

    (As if I haven't already).
     
  18. JEDI-RISING

    JEDI-RISING Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Apr 15, 2005
    It's a great movie. The closest thing to life in the late 50's-early 60s that's been done on film. (Grease was a fun movie but not particularly realistic in some respects).
     
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  19. Darth Eddie

    Darth Eddie Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    May 14, 2013
    Hey people, you know the sequence at the sock hop where the band is playing and we see tracking shots through all the young dancers? I know this is basically the go-to cinematic method to shoot a high school dance, but I was wondering if American Graffiti represents the first time it was tried. Can anyone prove me right or wrong?
     
  20. Darth_Nub

    Darth_Nub Manager Emeritus star 5 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Apr 26, 2009
    Personally, I really enjoyed American Graffiti because although it was set in the late 1950s/early 1960s, it was still the same as my own teenage years (1990s), in terms of how the characters behaved, what they wanted to do - they were horny, confused, not as smart as they thought they were, prone to very stupid decisions. At the same time, it wasn't judgemental, all that was being said was "This what it's like to be a teenager" - unlike the 'teen movies' which came before and always had very conservative messages, or were simply complete fluff divorced from reality.

    American Graffiti might seem a bit innocent now, what with pornography available via keystroke to anyone (rather than exchanging magazines or VHS tapes stolen from some friend's father's stash), social media lunacy, sexting and all the other craziness, but Curt, Steve, Terry the Toad, John, Debbie, Laurie and Carol aren't really very different to kids the same age now who just want to have a bit of fun, and not worry too much about what they'll be doing when they hit forty.
     
  21. GGrievous

    GGrievous Jedi Grand Master star 5

    Registered:
    Nov 6, 2005
    Oh god. I don't want to see an American Graffiti 3 set in modern times now.
     
  22. Roberto Calrissian

    Roberto Calrissian Jedi Knight star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 26, 2012
    Never saw the movie spoilers please
     
  23. Darth Eddie

    Darth Eddie Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    May 14, 2013
    You mean you're asking for spoilers? Because if you aren't, then boy are you about to be spoiled.

    Richard Dreyfuss leaves for college, Ron Howard sticks around, Toad gets laid, and Harrison Ford gets completely creamed in a race with John Milner.
     
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  24. Roberto Calrissian

    Roberto Calrissian Jedi Knight star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 26, 2012
    Stay on topic please.
     
  25. Club Obi-Wan

    Club Obi-Wan Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jun 2, 2013
    Count Yubnub likes this.