Glory Daze (1995)

I rented Glory Daze at a little film place in West Davis, CA. It spoke volumes to me because I was in a similar situation to that of Jack, the main character, the only difference being, my "ex-chick" was not seeing some other jackass. I left Davis, CA and started a new career, only to come back here for her...the wrong reason, but my life is better just the same. I'm lucky in a way, but it was inevitable, real, true, first love doesn't die EVER. I'm here, and I loved this movie, especially after I got to know Santa Cruz a little bit. I don't KNOW it, don't get me wrong, but it has a place in my heart, if only a little one. Alyssa Milano, is the princess of staying young, and gives this film an energy it may have sorely lacked without her. Ben is the perfect "angst". Patrick is the perfect "eccentric" Vinnie, the clever artist/social commentator. It's a very local NorCal flick mixed in with some good faces, I loved it, and it really does speak to the graduating, broken hearted NorCal crew. Just watch it and reflect, buy it, and reflect for a lifetime, but don't let it keep you from moving forward, and living it up in the here and now. Peace.

Ben is superb in this angst-ridden comedy about the end of senior year in college at a west coast university. Ben is ONLY SUPERB when there are over 4 other cast members with a lot of speaking parts.Affleck is like The Eagles. They're only good as a band. Solo, they're really marginal. I don't have to list his flops."Glory Daze" is pretty much a guy flick. I enjoyed the destruction of the frat house, the woven scenarios of the other cast members and the fact the writer/or director finally had an Asian actor in a role that had lines.Afflect re-visits his "Chasing Amy" depression and whining that was tolerable, but we've been there before. However for Ben fans who haven't seen "Chasing" its a whimpering treat.In summary, rent or just buy the DVD for the funny French Stewart lines, the destruction of the frat house, the Asian guy who actually has lines, that Milano chick, the music and the fact that there is no happy ending. I love comedies from Hollywood that don't have happy endings. Its sort of like "Animal House", it has an ending, but not particularly happy---it just ends.

Any one who a had a social life as a student at U.C. Santa Cruz, will love this movie. This movie was very poignant for me having spent my own college years doing the same exact stuff portrayed in the movie. It has just really helped me (nearly 10 years later) to find a bit of closure with what the heck happened back then during the greatest time of my life! I feel the acting was genuinely good. Ben really made the best out of this role. I can tell that the writer/director banged out enough background info. for the actors, so that they could know exactly how their characters should act. I love the scenes of Santa Cruz and especially liked the bus scene between Ben Affleck, Lhea Remini, and Brendan Frasier. Not only was Brendan dressed like I was back then, but I swear, I think, I had a convo. on the bus with a girlfriend while waiting for the damn train to pass, too. Yeah, every bus ride was an adventure! There is a strong moral in the movie, it's hard to find but it can be gleaned from any college graduate. Freedom from Fear leads to a Fear from Freedom. As for any banana slugs out there, save this movie when your thirty and you'll completely realize why you did what you did, and how Santa Cruz will always be on your mind. That's a good thing I believe, because we lived in a very special place that seems to create amazingly talented and successful people. John Garcia -Class of '95 U.C. Santa Cruz, Oakes CollegeCurrently a Certified History Teacher!(Oh yeah, and Alyssa Milano is always so Stunningly Gorgeous!)

I suppose the low rating this movie is running is due to all the adult votes out there. Any teenager, especially any teenager who understands the references to Camus, should love this movie. Ben Affleck turns in a wonderful performance, as per usual. That boy's delivery is scary good, and the dialogue deserved such panache, if you will. If you happen to listen to punk music, well then, you should adore this movie's soundtrack as well. It is so fitting to every scene (with the exception of the live band.) The movie is worth watching for the cameos alone: Matthew McConaughey, Brendan Fraser, Janeane Garofalo, Matt Damon; all wonderful, but tiny, parts. This is certainly one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Any one who liked Dazed and Confused, to Empire Records, to (aiming a bit higher here,) The Breakfast Club, should love this movie. See it. Now.