One genre of film we have yet to touch on can induce intense laughter, gregariousness and the strange desire for Funyuns, Ding Dongs, Jolly Ranchers, Hot Pockets, Chipwiches, Hawaiian pizza, Rice Krispies Treats, Harvest Cheddar SunChips and chamomile tea. You won't see many movies of this genre winning Oscars, but we want to recognize some of these films for their unique achievements. So, in honor of yesterday's Patriot's Day, we are proud to present our top five stoner films of all time.
Kicking off our countdown at number five is "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" (2004), a film about two potheads searching for the perfect "munchies" meal. We also considered Dave Chappelle's "Half Baked" (1998), but Neil Patrick Harris' role tipped the scales in favor of "Harold & Kumar." In the film, John Cho and Kal Penn's search for White Castle is sidetracked by racist cops, extreme skateboard punks, a cheetah, a good Samaritan with hideous boils and a psychotic raccoon. Even Nicole Richie would order some sliders and fries after watching this stoner epic.
Originally financed by a church group, our number four pick, "Reefer Madness" (1936) (originally titled "Tell Your Children"), attempts to warn viewers of the dangers of "marihuana." There's only one problem: The movie is unintentionally hilarious. This cautionary tale has worse acting than "Speed 2: Cruise Control" (1997) and lower production value than a made-for-TV movie on the Sci-Fi channel. According to the movie, marijuana leads to hallucinations, murder and rape. The scenes are so over-the-top that even the most stolid Bible thumpers have to crack smiles.
A stoner/action movie may sound paradoxical, but Judd Apatow's gang pulled it off with "Pineapple Express" (2008), coming in at number three on our list. Much like "Hot Fuzz" (2007), the movie's strength lies in its lampoons of action movie clichés. After all, what's funnier than watching a grown man force-feed another man kitty litter? The adorable friendship between the tubby Seth Rogen and headband-wearing James Franco is equally effective. These Jewish jokesters prove the point that it's always better to use the buddy system.
Our most cliché choice, "Dazed and Confused" (1993), holds the number two spot. Combining drug influences, sexuality, a psychedelic soundtrack and a young Ben Affleck spanking defenseless freshmen with a wooden paddle, this film epitomizes the '70s coming-of-age story. As a bonus, it stars a young Matthew McConaughey before he sold his soul to the romantic comedy devil. The real and rebellious characters in this film have helped it garner cult classic status.
Like many stoner flicks, the plot of our number one choice, "The Big Lebowski" (1998), doesn't revolve around marijuana. Movies that rely too heavily on ganja jokes often go up in smoke themselves. If you have to be high to find a movie humorous, that movie is low-class.
The Coen Brothers crafted "Lebowski" with all the trimmings of a film noir and a crime drama core. This dark comedy is driven by characters like John Turturro's pedophilic bowler, Jesus, John Goodman's volatile Vietnam vet, Walter, and Sam Elliott's mustachioed, baritone narrator, The Stranger. And beneath all the White Russians, Creedence Clearwater Revival and nihilists is the guy who put the "bud" in "Buddha," Jeff Bridges as The Dude.
We do not condone drug use, but we do condone films that condone drug use because they are oftentimes enjoyable. For those active citizens who oppose drug usage in the media, we are not trying to make a statement on the moral status of drugs; we're merely saying that they can be very entertaining. And we might chuckle the next time your children or younger relatives watch Disney's "Alice In Wonderland" (1951).
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Zach Drucker and Chris Poldoian are freshmen who have not yet declared majors. They can be reached at Zachary.Drucker@tufts.edu and Christopher.Poldoian@tufts.edu.
