I Like Movies

Easy Rider, who likes, who doesn't like?

And as an extra, is it still relevant? Has America changed significantly since 1969? Genuine questions, not trying to be critical, just interested.

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LeopoldBloom · M

The biggest change is the polarization. 50 years ago, liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats were common. Today they're almost unheard of.

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@LeopoldBloom I can't really speak for the US, but over here there's very little difference between the conservative and liberal sides of politics these days. In the 50s through to the 80s, you knew what the parties believed in. Now it's all a homogeneous blob.

LeopoldBloom · M

@Bushranger Here it's just the opposite. The American people are probably more divided now than at any time since the Civil War.

Elevatorpitches · F

Easy rider was a study of rebellion in its early stages...one easy rider was a leftie and one a rightie and it didn't matter because they were both outlaws to greater America.

Now everyone is a rebel and you don't need an outrageous costume and bike to get blown away.

Everyone is a road shooter now and everyone else is a victim .

There's no neutral "backdrop" America anymore. Everyone's an actor, on one side or another, its is all ruin, and no one thinks they're going anywhere anymore, even for a vacation.

And its not a movie anymore.

And NOTHING is easy anymore.

Carazaa · F

I haven't seen that movie and didn't live in California in the 60's but I tell you this place is like the wild west compare to Europe. I don't know about Australia, but the tv, and world news here is about the USA. In a lot of countries the world news is about the world. But here its about the USA. This is the world to most people here. And almost everyone has a gun somewhere hidden and many smoke marijuana which is unheard of in Sweden. Yeah its the wild west. Its very individualistic. But the food is cheap and super good in restaurants. And people are friendly!

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Carazaa · F

@Abstraction You live in Australia too?

Carazaa · F

@Bushranger 👍 me too!

Abstraction · 61-69, M

@Carazaa Yep, I'm an aussie.

Iwillwait · M

Love that movie.

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Bushranger · 70-79, M

@Iwillwait That was a great scene. I'll look for a clip of it. Apparently they were smoking real weed and were quite stoned when they filmed it.

Would have been a fun production to work on, I think.

Iwillwait · M

@Bushranger the gif I posted was not from theovie obviously. But... Yes, I understand that there was a record of "Method Acting," on set. 😌

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@Iwillwait Dennis Hopper was in an Australian movie, Mad Dog Morgan, about Dan Morgan a famous (or should that be infamous) bushranger. His behaviour on and off set did nothing to endear him to fellow cast and crew or to the local police.

Bit of a wild lad, you Dennis.

Platoscave · F

OMG I wanted to chat around here this evening...but DON'T get me started on that stuff...

The short answer is: ...more change probably than any other time in history.

The ride on that wave of change...was too bumpy for any cyclist. The movie was just a little warning.

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@Platoscave I'm not from the US, but there were similar but less obvious social distinctions here in Australia during that era. From what I've seen from my own country, things did improve for a couple of decades, but seems to be starting to swing back to that era in terms of social division. Perhaps the warning wasn't headed, or the message was forgotten.

Abstraction · 61-69, M

It was more a cult movie because it had cool bikes. It was ok, nothing special.

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@Abstraction I suppose it depends on your state of mind when you first saw it. It certainly made an impression on me, and the bikes were only a very small part of that.

bijouxbroussard · F

I really liked it, it I haven’t seen it in years. The U.S. has changed considerably since those days, though.

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@bijouxbroussard In what way? For better or worse?

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