ACID HOUSE PROFILE
MOVIE: Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
DIRECTOR: Sidney Lumet
YEAR: 2007
DRUG INVOLVED: Cocaine
The movie title refers to an old Gaelic toast that reads "May you spend 30 minuets in heaven before the devil knows your dead." The story revolves around 3 characters: Hank is a down on his luck father who is looking for some extra cash, Andy is his brother and a drug addicted accountant, Charles is their father and owner of a jewelry store. What happens next is a piece by piece breakdown of the robbery of that jewelry store and the repercussions that it has on a family.
This movie is extremely powerful. The non linear piecing togather of the plot is quite brilliant; taking 3 points of view and slowly revealing the whole story as each character lives through the experience. The acting headed by guys like Ethan Hawke (Hank) and Phillip Seymor Hoffman (yet again as Andy) is exceptional, not to mention Marissa Tormei who is a total knock out and plays Hoffman's wife. This movie is dark and gritty and keeps you glued to the edge of your seat until the end. However this very hard and visceral look at the effects one decision has on the stability of a family is not really what I would classify as an acid house film. The drug use (by andy only) was very brief and the movie wasn't really drug themed it was more about greed, and though addiction to money could qualify a movie there were no true "acid house" type scenes. All in all this is a hard hitting, no holds barred film but just not the right type for our list.
SUMMARY:
ACID HOUSE APPROVED: No
WHY WAS APPROVAL DENIED: Not the right type of film
FAVORITE SCENE: opening with the bank robbery was a very bold and I think successful move
ACID SCORE: The Devil gets 8 hits out of 10
ACID HOUSE PROFILE
MOVIE: Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
DIRECTOR: Russ Meyer
YEAR: 1970
DRUGS INVOLVED: Cannabis, LSD, prescription pills, MDMA, peyote
This cult classic from 1970's is a trip man, its like totally crazy, what im trying to say is I really dig that scene. First before I get into the movie take a look at those pictures and just try to deny that this is an acid house film. Meet Casey, Petra, and Kelly who are the young girl group "The Kelly Affair". Run by their manager Harris they are pretty small potatoes and after playing a Senior Prom in an undisclosed town in New Mexico Kelly decides to visit her aunt in LA. After her Aunt introduces her to Ronnie "Z-Man" Barsell her band catapults to fame under the new name "The Carrie Nations". What ensues is a sex filled, drug induced, wild, insane trip into the pitfalls and perils of fame.
In a word... insanity. That is the best way I can boil down this wild 70's era acid flick. It has many elements of a typical counter-cultural 70's film: bad acting, lots of nudity, on screen drug use, technicolor, and lots and lots of craaaazy slang. While there is lots of cheese this movie has a number of bright spots: it was visually stunning, had lots of progressive visual design, very distinctive editing work with quick cuts with little to no camera movement, and a killer soundtrack that I am listening to right now. There is a mountain of things that make this movie unique and you really have to see it to believe it. If you dont mind a little cheesy acting and some strange story line then I would really suggest you watch this. Not only is this an acid house film but it is also an acid golden oldie and might end up being the root of the entire class of films, only time will tell on that one.
SUMMARY:
ACID HOUSE APPROVED: Yes
WHEN WAS APPROVAL CONFIRMED: Listening to Z-Man's Shakespearean speeches
FAVORITE SCENE: The opening number (all original music in the film!)
ACID SCORE: Crazy man i dig it 8 hits out of 10
ACID HOUSE PROFILE
MOVIE: The Big Lebowski
DIRECTOR: The Cohen Brothers
YEAR: 1998
DRUGS INVOLVED: Cannabis, LSD
This movie has really got it all! Its Joel and Ethan Cohen, its Jeff Bridges, its a totally fucked up plot line, its damn hilarious. Farce is actually the oldest form of comedy, with writers as ancient as Aristophanes writing the genre. In this flick Jeff Bridges IS Jeffery Lebowski or "The Dude". The Dude has been mistaken for millionaire Jeffery Lebowski whose wife Bunny owes lots of money. The Dude decides to hit his millionaire counterpart for money because of a ruined rug that really "tied the room together". After Mr. Lebowski sends The Dude on a courier mission things go to hell and a handbasket quick and The Dude is threatened by everyone from nihilists, to porno tycoons and a slightly pushy artist.
This movie is really the pinnacle of perfection when it comes to an acid house film. It has a hilarious and totally quotable script with funny men Bridges, John Goodman, and my personal favorite actor Steve Bushemi who have excellent banter when they all appear on screen together. The movie also has the trademark trippy scenes and lots of gratuitous drug use mainly by The Dude who is a major pot head. And finally with all the crazy and hilarious farce that goes into the plot the movie ties together at the end like a detective novel. The film did run a little long for my taste and if it were me behind it I might have cut one or two scenes to make it a little more lean but I really think this movie has got the corner on drug films and not only makes it into the house but also gets to be distinguished as an acid house classic.
SUMMARY:
ACID HOUSE APPROVED: Oh yes
WHEN WAS APPROVAL CONFIRMED: I think Jeff Bridges flying over LA cinched it
FAVORITE SCENE: after Jackie Treehorn drugs The Dude, hilarious
ACID SCORE: An unheard of 10 hits out of 10
ACID HOUSE PROFILE
MOVIE: Blow
DIRECTOR: Ted Demme
YEAR: 2001
DRUGS INVOLVED: Cocaine and Cannabis
Another piece of genuine American drug history, we go from New York in the late 60's to Miami in the Late 70's where George Jung was about to invent America's window to the world of cocaine. George Jung is a pretty average kid from Massachusetts who moves out to California to get away from the normal grind of life. After he gets hooked up with Derek Foreal, a drug pusher, his life dramatically changes putting him on a crash course with Pablo Escobar and becoming Americas link to the Latin American drug trade.
This film has a lot going for it right from the start. Off the bat its a great, unusual, crazy, and true story about a guy who wont be seeing daylight as a free man until 2015. It's got Johnny Depp an excellent actor who plays his part here with passion. Most importantly it has that great drug movie polish that makes it just the kind of movie we are looking for. With some nice visuals, a great sound track, and lots of coke how could this not be an awesome movie or a perfect applicant to the acid house. Not only acting as a great drug flick but also a story of the false sense of power one can get from earning quick, easy, and illegal cash.
SUMMARY:
ACID HOUSE APPROVED: Yes
WHEN WAS APPROVAL CONFIRMED: After Derek throws George what look like about 2 lbs of pot
FAVORITE SCENE: The photo montage after George strikes up a deal with Pablo Escobar
ACID SCORE: an easy 9 hits out of 10
For more Acid House action please stay tuned to this blog... this message will now self destruct.
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