Insomniac Cinema continues to be a hot ticket at the Regency Theatre on Friday nights at the witching hour at the stroke of twelve midnight.
One weekend, I was forced to jostle my way into the Theatre, amid a throng of restless excited youths (18-24) storming the gates for a screening of the cult classic, "Dazed and Confused".
Inside the Theatre, a wild roar prevailed right throughout the per-show entertainment.
Regency now offers up visual puzzles (a snippet of celluloid frames give clues as to the title of a film) and Pop Culture quizzes, in addition to the standard movie trivia we've come to pine for at the Fairfax District location.
For example, were you aware that the "Mona Lisa" is actually three paintings in one?
To save big bucks on art materials, artist Leonardo da Vinci simply painted over creations he was not satisfied with, which later offered up dilemmas for Art Historians to resolve in the aftermath.
Yeah, cool stuff to keep swimming around in the old grey matter; after all, 'ya never know when such mindless trivia may come in handy!
Just as the silver screen was about to spring to life, a young employee leaned out the window of the projectionist's booth, and screamed at the buzzed audience:
"Are 'ya ready to be dazed and confused, freshmen?"
A roar went up, the theatre went dark, and the credits rolled!
Within the first few frames, we caught sight of long-haired teens toking on joints, and getting all primed-up and ready for the last day of school.
"School's out for Summer" - a monumental "hit theme song" for the youth of America - blasted out from the screen. In spite of the fact it is an olden-golden goodie, the catchy tune still causes shivers to spontaneously run up and down the spine.
Ah, what an adrenalin rush!
Essentially, "Dazed" is a kids' flick, about young juniors who close-out the semester in high school and brace-up to face the Seniors as they head off to College come fall.
So, there is a lot of teen angst, a fun shenanigan or two, and a robust - albeit awkward - pursuit of carnal knowledge at wild drug parties along the way.
The constant quest for the answer to life's most meaningful question is posed with great candor, here.
Will I get into her pants?
The dialogue is hilarious.
In one scene, a cute gawky teen excitedly notes that he plans to party-hearty at a shin-dig later that night 'cause he heard that a nubile young thing "with knockers out to here" will be in attendance.
And, hood-winking the liquor store attendant is a rite of passage, in-of-itself.
The wildest scenes occur when the Juniors are forced to partake in a handful of humiliating antics - at the hands of their task-masters - the Seniors.
One strident young woman hands out baby pacifiers to her young charges, then screams at 'em double-time:
"Down you Freshmen Bit**es, now!"
Each plunges to their hands and knees - at which point - they are squirted with all manner of condoms - er - condiments - ketchup, mustard, and the like.
At one juncture, the female Juniors are forced into a pick-up truck like cattle and driven through a local car wash.
The end result?
Their virgin nipples end up standing at attention beneath their tight t's and stretch-sweaters to the joy of the young studs in the audience.
The boys in the feature usually just "take the position".
At the sight of a Senior - the Juniors generally turn around and prop themselves against a wall - a door, whatever.
At this juncture, the seniors wallop 'em royally on the buttocks with a paddle.
It's uncanny.
When Matthew McConaughey does it (the "Fool's Gold" star makes a brief appearance as the local stud) the act stirs up quite an erotic moment.
Looks like he's had some practice, I betcha.
And, oh my God!, one of those bullies just happens to be Jennifer's ex - acctor Ben Affleck!
All fresh-faced and eager, Ben capably inhabits one of the few roles he's been handed over the years, with a certain charm that is memorable.
McConaughey is a bottle blond - with tight butt and bulging biceps - and the quintessential California student body inclined to partake in a little drugs, and booze, and rock 'n roll!
Basically, this film is all pap, without any substance at all; but somehow, it grows on 'ya!
As I watched the nerds, the jocks, and the "cool guys" struggle for supremacy - I was inclined to ponder - was my youth ever like that?
Hate to admit it, probably!
Too bad youth is wasted on the young, eh?
