Dazed and Confused may be hailed as the tiny film that launched so many big names in film today. And yet, maybe one of the biggest things to emerge and still linger is the phrase, "alright, alright, alright" uttered by Wooderson – a stoner, go-with-the-flow kind of a guy played by Matthew McConaughey. In fact, in accepting the many awards he later picked up for his lead actor role in Dallas Buyers Club, McConaughey referenced this phrase over and over.
Dazed and Confused was not a huge moneymaker at the time it was released, only making a little over a million dollars on its theatrical run. But as we view this film again nearly 20 years later, it becomes very clear that this story about the musings of a group of Texas junior and high school teens is probably the best snapshot of a period of time that has long passed.
And when I watch an indie film go on to become a cult classic, I cannot help but make some connections to our own local cultural offerings from our very active filmmaking community. With so much talk about the coolness of Austin, Texas these days, I cannot help but feel that part of their street cred is rooted in the history of events like the filming of Dazed and Confused. Can you imagine what Buzzard could do for our region as this locally crafted film is being hailed as one of the best films of 2015?
This film is a part of the Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Movies in the Park series and is free. Thee event will have plenty of local food vendors, too. But if you would like an adult beverage you will have to bring your own and an ID as this event is an open container friendly event. (Yes, you can walk around like an adult with an adult beverage not concealed in a brown bag.)
As with all the films at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, they want you to be comfortable but offer a few simple suggestions to enhance the group experience. If you bring a blanket, please sit in the front section of the lawn. Should you bring a chair, be mindful that your seating area is in the back. Smokers should be seated on the edges of the venue. And if you were to play a drinking game while watching this one, for the love of God do not choose to take a drink each time "man" is uttered by the stoned characters. If you do choose "man," plan on partaking 203 sips (and calling Uber or a cab after).
Admission: Free
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