Heavy Metal Thunder

Ok, I know we've gotten away from the lists you've all come to know and love. I promise there will be more to come soon. Oh yes, very soon, however, I feel the need to talk about a movie that rocked my world last night, Easy Rider.

I've never seen a more technically flawed movie that I loved so much. To dwell on it too much would be sacreligious, but I feel the need to at least mention some of its problems. The editing style, or lack thereof, is atrocious. These weird back and forth cuts during scene transitions are quite annoying, but are eventually abandoned, which kind of makes it more annoying. At least stick with it. The musical editing is a bit queer, with uneven cuts and such. Aside from that, there's nothing wrong with the plot, save for a very light plot.

*SPOILER WARNING*

Ok, all that said, there's a reason why this is one of the most influential films in American cinema. The cinematography in it is excellent, with many a beautiful shot of chopper riding through the great western deserts of the US. The soundtrack is awesome, and paired with the plot line, a great time capsule of counterculture, circa 1969. Peter Fonda is the essence of cool (Tao of Steve style), and Dennis Hopper gives a great Dennis Hopper performance. Jack Nicholson comes in about 45 minutes into the film and steals the show for the half-hour that he's in it. Which brings me to some spoilers.
I hate rednecks. Especially Louisiana Cajun-necks. The baseball bat beating death of Nicholson with about 20 minutes remaining is horrible enough, but watching Peter Fonda take a shotgun blast to the face, mid-cycle to end the film was gut-wrenching. American Chopper in flames.
A scene post Mardi-gras celebration, with acid-dropping in a New Orleans cemetary, that comes out of nowhere, makes the film. An avant-garde 10 minute moment that takes the movie to new levels. It's this scene that I think most makes the film so enjoyable.
If you like wanting to shoot yourself at the end of a movie, check it out.