PRINTHigher than the rainbow
Movies people watch while under the influence
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
May 1, 2008 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Jon Stewart has a pressing question: “You ever see the back of a $20 bill ... on weed? Oh, there’s some crazy s—, man. There’s a dude in the bushes. Has he got a gun? I dunno! RED TEAM GO, RED TEAM GO.” This quote from Half Baked conveys how an altered mind-set can inject a cinematic flavor that everybody experiences differently.
When it comes to illegal substances and film, Bobby Black, executive editor at High Times magazine, says that two kinds of movies are made: movies that are about substances and movies that are good to watch while under the influence. Although Vox doesn’t promote illegal substance use, here are a few flicks that offer altered experiences while enjoying some off-screen entertainment.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Stoner tag line: “The Ultimate Trip”
What it’s about: 2001 is a science fiction film that contains ideas of evolution, technology, artificial intelligence and aliens.
Under the influence: 2001 is a movie no one can fully understand in one sitting, even while sober. Black says it is good to watch while under the influence because there are scenes in which there is little to no dialogue. “People wouldn’t get it when they are straight,” says Black. “When you are high, you get it. You are so focused on it. The mind is more creative, and you make connections people wouldn’t make (otherwise). It makes you look deeper into the story.”
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Stoner tag line: “Fast Food. High Times.”
What’s it about: For Harold and Kumar, pot is an everyday experience. When they get the munchies for White Castle, they embark on an adventure for little burgers with big flavor.
Under the influence: Out of all of these movies, Harold & Kumar offers the most slapstick chuckles for the straight edges in the crowd. Although the unadulterated might giggle a bit, Black says, those under the influence would guffaw. “Sometimes as I’m watching it high, I can watch the whole thing and have no idea what it was about,” says MU student Jordan, who wished to remain anonymous. “I can’t connect the past five minutes to the next scene.”
Up in Smoke (1978)
Stoner tag line: “It will make you feel VERY funny.”
What it’s about: The famous stoner duo, Cheech and Chong, is deported to Mexico by accident and talked into driving a van filled with an ungodly amount of illegal substances back to California.
Under the influence: Up in Smoke is an exaggerated stereotype about potheads, but as in life, sometimes the stereotype is true. This film is the first of 10 times that Cheech and Chong have hooked up on screen. Black says even though this movie is not a realistic portrayal, it is still the ultimate stoner movie.
Half Baked (1998)
Stoner tag line: “They’ll do anything to save their best bud.”
What it’s about: Friends don’t let friends rot in jail. When Kenny gets thrown in jail for killing a diabetic police horse by feeding it junk food, his friends bail him out by selling pot. This feel-good comedy gives friendship a new meaning.
Under the influence: This is about as much of a stoner movie as you can get. “You must be crazy to see it sober,” Black says. Sometimes sober people will give a small chuckle, and other times they will find it not funny at all. The humor is “geared to the feeling of being high,” Black says. “They use little visual effects. When they are supposed to be stoned, they will slow the scene and stuff, so it makes more sense while under the influence.”
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Non-stoner tag line: “Gaiety! Glory! Glamour!”
What it’s about: Dorothy Gale and her house are carried away by a tornado and dropped onto a witch in a land where little people wear bright colored clothing, dance and sing. There she finds some motley sidekicks and begins her journey down the yellow brick road begins.
Under the influence: Rumor has it that if Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is played when the MGM lion roars the third time, the experience is taken to a high point when the movie and album coincide. Black says the band will not openly admit it was done on purpose. “There are lots of parallels,” he says. “The movie will change scenes, and the dialogue will be a mirror.”
Mean Girls (2004)
Non-stoner tag line: “Welcome to Girl World.”
What it’s about: In a plastic-infested world, Lindsay Lohan must go from being the average teen to a Barbie doll. She goes above and beyond any drama-filled reality show to prove that she is the queen bee.
Under the influence: “Movies that are surreal take on a new life,” Black says. What better to watch under the influence than a scene in which students act like jungle animals in a cafeteria? “Any movie that you love watching and you think is funny will be so much better while you are high,” says Southeast Missouri State student Anna, who also wished to remain anonymous. “I love Mean Girls. It’s hilarious. The scenes just become so surreal.”
Let's not forget the most blatant substance reference in The Wizard Of Oz: the fact that they all drop down asleep in a field of poppies.
Posted by Caroline Evans on May 7, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Report Comment)