Grew up in Texas in the 70s, and this is EXACTLY what it was like.

"Dazed and Confused" (about teens in the 70's), American Graffiti" (about teens in the 60's), and "Fast Times At Ridgemount High" (about teens in the 80's) were all defining movies about the era they were set in.

American Graffiti, 60's highschool. Dazed and Confused, 70's highschool. Now for the 50's, The Last Picture Show and the 80's, Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

I can tell you, as a toker for 30+ years, that the stuff they/we were getting in late high school and early college, wasn't that good. I mean, it did the job for about an hour and that was pretty much it. So, the amount that you're seeing is actually par for the course, back then. They're just maintaining, is all. :)

This film is highly accurate. I can put names of real people to the characters in this film.

Fun drinking game,take a shot everytime Mitch grabs his nose.

This is such a lovely movie. Imagine after two hours it feels like you know all these people, like you've experienced the entire day with them. So REAL. So undressed. I love it.

I graduated in 1979 and this is without a doubt the best representation of that time period in any movie I've seen!

I feel like this is the most authentic view of life in high school no matter what decade you grew up in.

YOU: "She was in 'Big Daddy'!" Me: (Headslap, sighing in disappointment) Okay, you need to react to "Chasing Amy" soon. Also, if you think all Linklater's films are long, you probably haven't "Before Sunset" so you probably set up reactions to "The Before Trilogy" as well. You'll especially love "Before Sunset" especially, lots of long takes. And yeah, Kenosha's a real city btw; I mean, it could be an anywhere, USA kind of town, but yeah, it's in Wisconsin.

So very authentic to the 70’s. Cars, sound track, fashion. I swear I had that very shirt Ben Affleck wore when he gets the payback.

And now you know why Matthew McConnaughey always says "alright, alright, alright".

I was 23 years old when this movie came out. I was 6 years old in 1976. This movie gave me some nostalgic feelings of my childhood. I was a teen in the 1980s which was my all time favorite decade.

Checkout Fast Times At Ridgemont High for an '80's trend movie and what's better is it was filmed in the '80's. Great cast and great soundtrack. i.e. Sean Penn and Nicolas Cage, Phoebe Cates and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

"What's the point of the movie"? To get Aerosmith tickets.

Favorite movie ever. I watched it daily when i discovered it. 5 times in one day was the most. I know the script by heart 😂😂

McConaughey’s “Alright” dialogue is the 90’s equivalent to Eddie Murphy’s exuberant laugh in his early 80’s comedies. They become trademarks for these actors, and how we remember them best.

I was lucky that my little college town got one of the limited screenings of this back in '93. I was 19yrs old. My friends and I, (all stoners), hadn't heard anything about it. We saw the poster for the film at the theatre and figured 'What the hell, this looks like fun'. I walked out just having seen one of my favorite movies of all time. Glad you liked it too!

During the lockdown, the cast reunited virtually to do a script reading of this. It was awesome!!!

Shanelle: "Maybe he's hiding it so it can be 'Anytown, Suburbia'. Like That 70's Show" Every episode of That 70's Show: "Hello Wisconsin!"

I graduated in 1975 so this movie really hits home. More than that however, it was just so much fun to see you having so much fun reacting to this. Top tier reactor alright alright alright. 😁

This is one of my favorite soundtracks of all time! My parents saw most of those bands in the 70s and I’m so jealous. I wish I was born sooner to experience teenage life without the internet. Creating real connections like this is so much better.

It was filmed in Texas, and every year the town has a Dazed and Confused reunion, a bunch of the actors have gone back for it, there is a documentary on it on youtube.

Incredible movie, with the best soundtrack! it took me back to my high school days. Gotta love a movie that features TWO songs by Black Oak Arkansas! I was a freshman in high school during this time, and it really did bring me back in time! But there were no swats where I went to high school. Though there were a lot of police on campus due to the forced bussing... I also remember the cars... Late 60s, early 70s muscle cars were the BEST! A guy down the street had a 70 Dodge Hemi Daytona, dayglow orange, drop nose and 5" high rear spoiler!

As legitimately as this feels 70's...Fast Times is quintessential 80's.

I feel like this does capture highschool in such a universal sense. I can’t relate to the time period, or the hazings, but I still feel like I lived through this.

The opening to That 70's Show says "Hello Wisconsin" in every episode.

Watching this movie is like watching my older brothers. BTW, another film that launched a lot of careers, The Outsiders.

I am so glad you loved this movie Shanelle. I get emotional watching you react to this because of how much this movie means to me. There is an amazing making of documentary on KZfaq and in interviews with the actors, they said it was the best time they've ever had. They were all just a bunch of real people for the most part, who were put together for a few weeks. They became incredibly close with one another, and you see that on the screen. This is that one movie that I can watch endlessly, and it always make me feel okay with life. I loved your reaction, thanks for sharing this.

I live in Austin where this was filmed and see locations driving around, always puts a smile on my face. If you want to see a version of Austin in the '90s check out Linklater's "Slacker" which has even less of a narrative. Excellent move to watch this soon after "American Graffiti" because they definitely have a similar vibe to me.

Meet pooka shells twin brother and watch Mallrats.

Totally just realized Benny is Rip from “Yellowstone”. 😆

In the Midwestern town I grew up in; my last day of High School was in 1973. By playing Soccer, my circle of friends was on the periphery of “the “Jock-kingdom”. Soccer was an unacknowledged sport in 70-73 and was part of my identity. Those of us on this squad, were not considered on an athletic team; but more of a partying squad All in all; from my experience; “Dazed and Confused” was a very accurate retelling of the high school experience in 1973. VTR

Favorite coming of age movie Is "Singles" by Cameron Crow. The Post College era of peoples lives, struggling with the world they were supposed to change.

While it isn't high school, Animal House would also be a great reaction.

it's soooo full of very successful actors, what a gem of a film one thing I've noticed about films like this where the characters are having the funnest time of their lives is that they are always the most re-watchable

There's a great "making of" doc here on YT with a ton of interviews and BTS stuff. Def check it out. Also, check out Linklater's 1996/7 youth dramady Suburbia based on Eric Bogosian's stageplay.... one of the most underrated 90's teen/youth movies ever.

I was born in 1984, but I've lived in 1976 for a day thanks to this film.. you feel like you're part of the group and every rewatch is like catching up with old friends.. it always hits harder when you watch as summer is about to begin.. it's always sad but satisfying when it ends.. This film is easily in my top 3 all time and possibly #1.. I've seen it a million times.. all the characters are great.. my favorite character can change from watch to watch, but I'm a huge fan of Mike, he just cracks me up every time.. Mitch is awesome, it sucks that Wiley Wiggins didn't do much acting after this because he was great.. there's a lot of deleted scenes that's on the DVD and can be found on KZfaq.. I'm just going to stop here before I start to nerd out, but I'm glad that you loved this film!

It was filmed primarily in Georgetown, TX area (kinda a suburb of Austin, I had dated a girl from there & she told me stories of going to see the filming) and is based in Texas. And this filmed launched SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many damn careers....a couple of them Oscar careers.

I loved this movie in highschool, and was always so jealous that my school wasn't like this.

This was the most enjoyable reaction I've watched on KZfaq! Very honest, very complete, and loved your commentary! Thank you!

Not many people realize the Red Headed male "Benny " also plays Rip on Yellowstone

This was my life in High School, same cars, music, beer, weed and friend's. A great time to be young.

I went to high school in the mid-eighties. Shortly before I started, the school took away the in-school smoking room, because students were putting their smokes out on the carpet.

"I was going to go tell them to wrap it up so I could record " You will never leave Long Island! 🤣

This movie is like, proto mumblecore, where the dialogue feels like the actors were given the role, then improvising the beats. It's so real. I was a teen in the 90s, and we had this 70s revisit with grunge being a lot like classic rock, guitar oriented rebel rock. So watching this, it felt like just an alternate version of my life. The party scene was basically every party I ever went to, and every character was someone I knew to one degree or another.

This was my reality, just 12 yrs later, updated ever so slightly. Making the drag in your car, swimming in the water tower, chasing and sometimes catching your favorite girls. Smoking sometimes, drinking more than you should, and music always. I remember the visual cues that remained from the 70's, and they are spot-on in this movie.

I grew up in Lil ole' Iowa...city of around 50,000. My freshman year was 82', six years after this. This movie IS my freshman year. We had hazing (which we were okay with), we got stoned A LOT, we hung out at arcades and roll arenas...we had lots of parties down by the lake... I was the freshman and my classmates envied me because all the Senior guys adopted me... and my mom hated it because I was always having seniors and juniors stop and pick me up...especially the "older girls". This is such a flashback. But by the time I was a senior, four years later... completely different atmosphere... completely different experience. My senior year is very VERY much like Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Thank you for the stroll down memory lane.

This is one of those movies that "everything changes" for everyone and they are never the same again. Movies like this gives the audience nostalgia. Another good movie to see like this is Fast Times At Ridgemont High.

Second best soundtrack behind Almost Famous, imo. I am one of those who is obsessed with the 70's; love that 70's Show as well. I mean... the 70's had the best music, cars, and clothes. The 70's rock.

This was one night in my life... I was a freshman in 1976 and this is EXACTLY what it was like. The best music, best friends, best drugs and, say it with me, the best times of my life. I watch this movie one or two times a year at a minimum.

This movie was exactly like my high school years. I probably did everything in this video, including getting drunk and getting my ass kicked by someone tougher than me! Glad you're back with an incredible movie!

The soundtrack is excellent, I still own or have at least at one point owned probably every song on this soundtrack and still listen to a lot of it. You should watch Almost Famous next, unless you've already seen it.

Shanelle There is a table reading of the script from a few years ago with the actual cast! A must watch!!!

Absolutely love this movie and relate to so much. I love how you pointed out the cricket sounds and the quiet moment after Mitch gets his beating. That after scene and sound effects always takes me back to my young teen years (early 90s). Hanging out in an empty parking lot walking home from a friends house, or walking a girlfriend home at 2am or later. The air is quiet, a bit muggy, and the only sounds are our footsteps, small talk, and the crickets and frogs. Simple memories and sounds like that I just cherish and miss so much.

GREAT Reaction Shanelle! Thanks for sharing the vibes, the thoughts, and the feels.

I was a child in 1976 and living abroad to boot but I can tell you this film unequivocally captures the spirit of ‘76 (a catch phrase from that year actually as we celebrated the 200th birthday of the US). I can’t say enough good things about this movie either. It’s a gem. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

The period detail is exactly correct for 1976 or thereabouts--the bowl haircuts, bib overalls, etc.

the soundtrack was so good it was 2 or 3 CD's. CD's were these things us "old timers" listened to music on in the old days.

I'm pretty sure I have seen this movie about 100 times and it never gets old. One of my favorite movies of all times. I know I'm not that old but growing up in the 80s (graduated in 92)this movie is so relatable. We didn't have cell phones, internet, none of that bs. Life was so much simpler and better back then. Absolutely loved your reaction.

You should do "O brother where art thou" soon

One key thing about "Dazed and Confused" that many don't point out is that it came at a time when teen movies, ensemble high school comedies and the like were not happening for a while. For someone growing up on 1980s and even 1970s high school/teenager movies, it was refreshing to see this. Add to that the 1970s nostalgia was starting to really become a major aspect of the 1990s. The movie was supposed to have a wide release and had a lot of buzz and the trailer attached to major releases but Universal scaled it back extremely. It got more notice with the home video release but I was lucky to see a screening at a college movie theater.

Seniors at Mauldin High School from South Carolina used "Dazed and Confused" as the theme in 1995. I was in the "Class of '95." This movie was a big inspiration for that decision.

This movie has the greatest soundtrack ever

This is my all time favorite non-car movie, although it has a lot of great cars. Someone once said you can watch this movie anytime, and it feels like you're just catching up with your friends. That made me love it so much more.

GRAFFITI/RIDGEMONT/DAZED - Trifecta of high school. Period.

I've watched this reaction so many times. Such a genuinely good movie.

I was high school Class of 76 in Memphis. EVERY detail of this movie felt spot-on to me.

You should watch “Everybody Wants Some!” Same director and same great vibe. Came out 2016.

I was in high school when this came out and my group of friends were kind of a mix of stoners, gearheads, and art class guys in garage bands, this movie was perfect for us. I've seen it so many times, it's one of those movies I just have playing even if I'm not actually watching it, but I do remember one day I was, and just happened to notice young Renee Zellweger, I had to rewind it a couple times to be sure but it made sense since I knew she was from Texas too. She is in the blue truck with a pacifier in her mouth, I also believe that's her getting checked out by Wooderson when he's leaning on the wall of the pool hall, she's wearing a striped top, and I think she can also be seen at the beer bash later. Btw idk if it was in the trivia but I remember hearing that Sean Andrews and an underage Milla Jovovich ran off during the production to get married and that some of the beef between Jason London and Andrews had to do with Milla, and Andrews was allegedly trying to upstage London. Another fun fact is that during production most of the actors were staying together, separated by gender, and they actually did develop some strong rapport, if I remember correctly Ben Affleck did not stay with the other actors though, and that lack of rapport kind of played into his relationship as O'Banion with the rest of the characters.

This is 100% accurate portrayal 1976 high school. I attended Alvin High School (30 miles south of Houston) and EVERYTHING I experienced is represented in this movie; the graduate who couldn't move on from hanging-out with high school kids, the story of John Bonham of Led Zeppelin playing a one-hour drum solo, cruising, trunk filled with beer and kids getting high EVERY weekend night. Even the Aerosmith concert. Aerosmith played in Houston that summer and I was there! Tickets couldn't be bought on-line (no internet) and only two places sold concert tickets; Foley's department store and one other place in Pasadena, Southwest Records & Tapes. Those were incredible days to be a teenager.

Linklater is one of my favourites. He makes very interesting and entertaining movies that are almost entirely based on just people interacting with eachother.

The hazing and being friends after is pretty accurate. Depending on how cool you were with being hazed. It somehow showed how "mature" you were and therfore worthy of being under a senior's wing. I personally was made to try to lift up a school bench while repeatedly being told what a wimp I was, etc. The bench was bolted into the cement. Also went through "freshmen kidnapping" where the upperclassmen came to your house, blindfolded you and tossed a bunch of you into a back of a car and then took you on walks through grocery stores or tied you together with other freshman to slow dance on the football field. Afterwards, everyone met at a designated parents house to have a pancake breakfast. So, yes, our parents were fully in on it. It was never abusive, just a little embarrassing, and everyone got a laugh and felt closer to each other after. Those days are long gone.

So interesting side note...Kevin Smith was inspired by Linklater's "Slackers" to go into film production (besides already attending and dropping out of film school prior, himself). He then made a little indie film called "Clerks" (my all-time favorite movie). This film grew shortly to high acclaim.. His second film, "Mallrats," was acclaimed as a bust (I think it's great, but I love me some Kevin Smith). However, "Mallrats" has cast members including Jeremy London (Jason London's twin brother), Joey Lauren Adams (Kevin Smith's girlfriend at the time and also an inspiration for his next film "Chasing Amy" which Adams also starred in), and Ben Affleck. *edit* How rude of me to drop all that fanboy knowledge on you without saying something about you! Loved the reaction! You said at the end that you would watch it again. This movie, most definitely, needs to be watched several times before appreciating it as it should be. One thing though....I understand you were only using the thumbnail of the cover art to the movie to showcase, but, and I may be mistaken, I don't remember you showing any scenes with Milla Jovovich 🤣. I could be wrong though.

loooved your commentary, so funny!!! i heard you mention something about rehearsals, which reminded me that i thiiiink i read somewhere that there were actually no rehearsals at all for this movie! and yes, most of it was improvised!! linklater gave nearly every cast member their own personal playlists full of '70s songs that their character would listen to and basically just let them take it from there :) so cool, i love the way he directs! he's so laid back, def my favorite director :)

*Great reaction, Shan!* Love this movie. I saw it in the theater, but very few others did, as the picture bombed at the box office. It became a cult classic some years later. But most people today who weren't around back when it came out, just assume it was a huge hit in theaters, like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and American Graffiti had been in their respective original runs. But it was just the opposite. In 1993, people simply weren't interested in '70s nostalgia--it was too recent. The Grunge era, which harkens back to the '70s musically and fashion-wise, was just taking off, but it would take a few more years to permeate the culture before people were ready for '70s nostalgia. The waters were tested again 5 years later in '98, this time successfully, with the launch of a new TV series called, "That '70s Show". Had, "Dazed And Confused", come out in '98, and any year up to and including this year, it would've been a smash hit! Timing is everything.

Having been raised in Texas & gone to highschool in the 90's I can say that this movie is HIGHLY accurate. And as the kid who could buy beer at 17 I was huuuuuuuuuuugely popular in my town. And we'd often go to my friend's family christmas tree farm and have keggers. This film always brings me back to highschool.

I love that many 70's clothes were back in style in the 90's when this came out, and it's come back full circle. Now Zoomers, bring back Jncos. Signed, a Millennial that misses the clothes from when I was a kid.

I think Cynthia's speech about "preamble to the future" is key to the movie because it's really about a bunch of characters deciding to live in the moment. Mitch decided to hang out with older kids and make out with an older girl, Pink decided to go get Aerosmith tickets instead of sign his commitment, Tony decides to kiss Sabrina, Cynthia decides to make a date with an older creep, and Mike decides to pick a fight with a thug who kicks his ass. In every instance they set aside the future for the now. The fact that the movie takes place in a 24 hour period highlights the ephemeral quality of these moments.

We use to watch this movie almost every weekend. We had a take a shot game every time Wiley grabbed his nose.

Love that this is inspired by someone's actual life and takes place near Huntsville Texas

Almost Famous should be on your watch list. I love that movie.

Kenosha is a real place and the opening credits end with Ashton shouting,, "Hello, Wisconsin!" This movie is set in Texas.

Yessss so happy I found someone who’s reacted to Dazed and Confused. It’s one of if not my favorite movie.

I'm usually very critical of anyone from GenX doing a reaction. But, I'm glad I gave you a chance. You seem to get the movie's premise. Just subbed!!

I haven’t seen this one in 20 years. I remember watching it in the theatre. Still a great movie.

As a Strong Island film nerd, I am thrilled to discover your channel. For Dazed, you said all the same things I remember thinking on my first watch back in the day. You can feel the casual last-day fun vibe from every performance.

I always love it when someone new sees this. When it came out, for three weekends in a row, we went to the theater three times to watch this movie. I wouldn't ever call it the best movie ever, but by far it is my favorite movie ever.

I remember watching this on tv with my 10 year old daughter in '98 or so...she was "Team Mitch" 1000%. Love this...one of my favorites! I would have been 12 when this took place, but I can still recognize everything that happens here...it feels so real.

I was in my early 20s when this came out.. was born in 72 so I'm just barely old enough to remember a bit of 1976. To this day I still love this movie it's all wrapped up in the nostalgia of growing up and being young for me.

It's Austin TEXAS. The high school was my middle school. We still have Top Notch and the only place with Moon Towers

Yeah this movie has such a killer soundtrack. I grew up with all of these songs back then. They were a staple of the summers growing in Michigan in the 70's. I can remember cruising a place called Hines Dr. where I grew up just west of Detroit or hanging out at the lakes. All the cars would have their doors open and the stereos blasting out the popular music of the day. I had just turned 3 years old 8 days prior to when this movie takes. And yes it takes place in Texas near Austin.

I'm glad you liked this. Having graduated in 1972 I completely relate to this movie. I went to school with all these characters.

Seniors were allowed to smoke on school property at my school in New Jersey in an outdoor area called "the commons" up until like '92. Still blows my mind to this day

This is one of my all-time favorites. My high school years were 76-80 so I always get nostalgic when I watch it. By coincidence my wife and I watched American Graffiti last weekend. We had both seen it many years ago, but had never realized until our re-watch how much Dazed and Confused owed to it. Similar themes and characters throughout.

Take a drink every time Slater says man...it’s like 4 beers in the first 10 minutes!!!

about Matthew's character here, you can connect his line "I get older, they stay the same age..." on his character in "Interstellar"

My friends and I have watched Dazed and Confused every summer since the movie came out. It’s our tradition 🙌🏼

This movie has always been one of my favorites. It was filmed very near where I live. Yep, in Texas. And I’m 47 and did most of those freshman initiation rituals when I was in school. Air Raids and Fry Like Bacon still make me smile.

One of the all time best soundtracks you'll find anywhere.