http://newcritics.disqus.com/the best in web criticismenSat, 14 Jul 2007 12:30:09 -0000http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/07/13/happy-50th-cameron-crowe/#comment-1376854<p>I too am an optimist and it is increasingly tough to be this way amongst the growing world of nihilists and self loathers. I love all the Crowe movies you cite and agree with most all you’ve written. I think ‘Almost Famous’ is the most important and impactful rock film made since ‘Spinal Tap’. Do all films have to end in a plane crash? NO! I thought that was the most telling sign of the guys’ optimism: the band lives, vat least for a while.</p><p>Fast Times pure genius. Thanks for posting this Shamus. It’s a rainy day here in Atlanta, Georgia and I think I’ll go boot up Famous and Fast Times right now.</p>Tony AlvaSat, 14 Jul 2007 12:30:09 -0000http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/07/13/happy-50th-cameron-crowe/#comment-1376853<p>Yeahbut...in every one of his movies that I've seen, the ending is pure treacle. Which is even a worse problem than it seems because the earlier parts of the movies are just as good as you say. Somehow, at the wrap-up, the balance between honey and vinegar shifts badly. Billy Wilder definitely did not do that.</p>estivFri, 13 Jul 2007 09:26:13 -0000