Sadly Over-hyped

Did you people see the same film I saw?

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

The Stoned Age (1994)*** (out of 4) Buddies Hubbs (Bradford Tatum) and Joe (Michael Kopelow) are out driving around looking for some fun chicks when they hear about two of them. They decide to pay them a visit even though they belong to a crazed criminal and soon they're trying to score with them as well as get some alcohol. THE STONED AGE is a pretty lame brain movie but that really doesn't matter because it's a lot of fun. The cast is excellent, the director keeps things moving at a very good place, there's sex and nudity, a lot of drinking, mean pranks and a great 70's rock soundtrack. Many people have called this a dumbed down version of DAZED AND CONFUSED, which actually isn't fair because both films set out to do something completely different so it's not really fair to compare the two. With that said, this film here has so many hilarious moments that it's impossible to not really enjoy it. I think a lot of the charm comes from Tatum and the rather silly Joe as they get into one bad situation after another. Or, should I say that Joe gets into one bad situation after another and you just want to see the guy catch a break. The little journey here certainly isn't anything ground-breaking but it's a lot of fun and we get some great laughs along the way. The stuff dealing with Blue Oyster Cult is very funny and the chemistry between the two stars is very memorable and it's too bad more movies weren't made with them. I think ones entertainment level will probably be even higher if you can relate to these two guys. The driving around, looking for girls, smoking weed and just getting into trouble. The film is very innocent and oh so much fun.

It's sad that many people who commented on this gem, either didn't get it, nitpick over it's faults (yes they are there but all movies have them), or want to compare it to Dazed and Confused. They are two different movies altogether. For one the kids in Dazed and Confused were essentially the 10% - rich, athletic, and popular kids in school partying it up. Then of course there was the rest of us.If you were an average teen in the late 70's or early 80's, driving, drinking, and smoking whatever you could afford then you got this movie for sure. Smoking skank weed out of a crushed Shlitz Malt Liquor tall can - been there, did it. Driving a vehicle that was a barely moving invitation for the cops to bust you (try a brush painted green Chevy Luv pickup for nasty)- did that too. Getting wasted and crashing the rich kid/jock kegger with your friends - did that more times than I can count.I especially liked how the writer/director portrayed Joe and Hubbs - for once long haired, hard rock listening, beer swilling, stoners weren't turned into violent sociopaths. There was no nannying Lifetime style message about drug and alcohol use. These were good kids, who while on the wild side, would more than likely grow up to be pretty responsible adults - like most of us did.It's sad there was never a follow up to this one. I liked the characters enough that seeing them in later years (can you picture both Joe and Hubbs being the father character, dealing with the hip hop listening punks of today - I could)would surely be worth seeing.This a great, nearly forgotten gem that deserves the 10 I gave it. Crack open a tall OX 45, light up some lumbo and enjoy

What could be better - then to see your loser self from (stoned) ages ago - being poetized on video. And in a such a talented way - that you just feel that warn rush of such a proper nostalgia - totally and completely overwhelm! Like a pleasant and giant tidal wave. If you were ever into Hard Rock and (or) Heavy Metal - DO WATCH THAT MOVIE! If you were born in 60s or very early 70s - DO WATCH THAT MOVIE. It will probably end up in your video collection. Oh yeah! And if you EVER wore a leather jacket with nothing under it - hunt the copy of this movie - if it is the last thing you do! It's worth it! It's just a story of one rocky(ing) night of a teenage life of two cool losers. But that story is told in a most talented, unforgettable and brilliant manner. PRAISE!

Bit of advice to low budget filmmakers - have your film take place during the present day. Setting your film in the past is expensive and takes a lot of time and energy. This movie's depiction of 1970's era Southern California is so bad, it's as if they made no effort whatsoever. I mean, the very first scene has Crump's brother standing on the side of the highway as Ford Explorers and late 90's model Volvo Station wagons go cruising by. I didn't even know it took place in the 70's until Joe had his 8-track eaten by the Blue Bomber. Even the wardrobe and hair is terrible. Half the cast looks straight out of the Seattle grunge scene - tight, ripped jeans, leather jackets and long, straight hair. Hell, Hubbs looks more like the dude from the Cult than a 17 year-old high school kid in the 70's. The "hot" chick adds even more confusion, with her late-80's, metal groupie, "she's my cherry pie", Warrant video ensemble. Now, with that said, there are some great moments. Tack is hilarious and perfect. Joe's brush with Blue Oyster Cult and "the laser" is classic. The soundtrack of Ted Nugent, Sabbath, and the aforementioned BOC totally rocks (guess we know where the budget went). The Schnapster rules (*ping!*) Mike Dick and Mike New York and all their cases of talls rule too. Kind of amazing how such a bad flick can have so many classic moments. As a matter of fact, every poorly contrived scene of bad dialogue and even worse wardrobes is actually worth sitting through, if just for that one scene where Tack starts talking about his zits. Dazed and Confused, one of my all time favorite movies, doesn't have a single scene as funny, as candid, as just straight up randon, as that one. "I don't want no chicks with zits, I want fine chicks!" Amen, Tack.