Get Crazy (1983)

Started off OK but quickly got boring. Couldn't see the point of this film after about 20 minutes. The best thing about it is Lou Reed's performance of Little Sister at the end

Allen Garfield (billed as Allen Goorwitz) plays the owner of a concert hall in Los Angeles, preparing for a New Year's Eve rock and blues blowout, who is threatened with a takeover attempt by slimy concert promoter Ed Begley Jr. Director Allan Arkush knows how to make a cult film, and this one comes complete with hip casting, some great music, wild gags and in-jokes, but what is accomplished with cheerful rebellion is soon mitigated by shapeless scenes and static slapstick, one out-of-control, overeager sequence after another. Despite the work of three credited screenwriters, the dialogue is pothead-smug and has no snap, and Arkush frequently resorts to tastelessness to get a cheap laugh (such as a naked babe sharing space in a bathtub with a guy in scuba gear). The overall tone is jovial and chummy, as if we were co-conspirators in the picture's euphoric craziness, but Garfield is too intense an actor for his role--he pretends to have a good time, much like the rest of the cast, and it doesn't wash. There isn't, in fact, one character in this group as lovable as Riff Randell from Arkush's 1979 midnight-movie entry, "Rock 'n' Roll High School". ** from ****

You haven't seen an outlandish movie like this in a long time. Or more correctly, you haven't seen a movie like Get Crazy, ever and you never will again. It's a unique, one of a kind, smart satire, set on New Years, 1983. I know exactly where I was that night, but it wasn't really memorable, yet this movie will be, once you've seen it. It's set in the Saturn Theatre, where the biggest rock concert ever, is under way. The enterprising owner Max Wolfe, (a great Alan Arkush, in a performance, unlike his others) is propositioned by a greedy developer, Colin Beverly, (a fantastic Ed Begley Jnr, hamming it up-nearly every actors fantastic in this) and his goons (who act as a Thesaurus to Beverly's remarks) to sell his theatre to make way for a bigger, more stylized and modernized one. Chili dog, eating Max, unobliging, and defiant, finds at the end of the night, a bomb has been planted in the theatre, set to explode at of course, Midnight. But before that we meet an array of the most craziest rockers every assembled, though you can't top idolized and aging punk rocker, Reggie W..ker, a real well you know, wonderfully played by Malcolm Mcdowell in one of his best ever performances, the last of the three best, all just mentioned, although Miles Chaplin good too, runs forth as Max's parasitic nephew. The pleasant performances of Stern and his new woman, provide a nice romantic element to the film. The crazy s..t, and rib poking humor is so original and consistently funny in this movie, and you just gotta meet, Bob Dylan lookalike rocker Audine, played brilliantly by too a famous rocker. Even Fabian gets in on this, adding to his acting resume, plus rocker Lee Ving, plays an uncaged and feral drummer and ornament to a rebel girl's band, who likes to headbutt walls, but also give strange signatures. And you can't leave without meeting, druggie robot, electric Larry, who lights up like a Christmas tree with his big case of colored goodies. The send up Blues character's scenes are classic. There's just so much original and funny s..t in this off the wall 80's flick one, as if a movie buff, this is one to put on that bucket list. That granted, your New Years will never be as wild as this one, or may'be some of you, wish it could be. I did think Chaplin kicking that poodle, though was in bad taste, although it did bounce back, barking on cue again.

This movie is a great parody! I love it! Being a musician I loved how all the acts play off King Blues. Lee Ving is Piggy and is at his best in this movie. Malcolm Mcdowell plays the part of the Egotistical Rock Star as only he can. Howard Kaylan of Flo and Eddie (AKA the Turtles) plays a great parody of Jerry Garcia. Fabian and Bobby Sherman make great henchmen for bad guy Colin (Ed Begley Jr.) Lou Reed As Folk Singer Auden is eccentric and closes the movie as only he can. Director Allan Arkush captures the world of Rock Concerts perfectly with all the characters you would fine at any event. If you can't tell I love this movie. A must see for any rocker who enjoys a good comedy about the industry. Needs to be on DVD!!