American Drive-In

Sad excuse for a film. No redeeming qualities whatsoever. I am a huge fan of drive in theaters, but this dud helps me understand why they seem to die out over time. That and the invention of the VCR, cable TV, stadium seating, surround sound, and escalating land values. Okay, so maybe this movie didn't put an end to drive in business, but I assure it is a really bad movie. Like a previous reviewer, I did not make it all the way through either.

The movie is pretty lame and innocuous for the first half--there is a raffle joke that goes on insanely long. But once the bad guys decide they are going to give it to poor Emily Longstreth, the movie just gets gross. Although she is never fully naked, one of the punks literally has his hands all over her, and it is shocking. Glad to see this rape as humor trend has vanished. Where's Poppa, The Knack, even the ending of Young Frankenstein utilized this "comic" device (as have many other films, I'm sure) and it's good to see political correctness is good for some things.

Danny Nucci said recently of this film, "...if it ever sees the light of day. I'll kill myself". Danny Nucci was replying to a question sent to him during the Yahoo Chat Event he participated in on March 7, 2001 at 3:oopm Eastern. He was asked by sensuaz28, "What was your first movie you were in? Nucci replied, "The first film was called "A Night At The Drive-In". "It's a mock horror movie that if it ever sees the light of day, I'll kill myself". Well I was able to purchase a used VHS version of this video through a service of Amazon.com. The title of this film actually is "American Drive-In". There is alot of sexual content in this film and it is not for children to see. Why doesn't Danny Nucci want anyone to see this film (if that is what he is implying)? He was very young! He's the young boy riding the bicycle. I would call this a good, silly, low-budget insomniac film. It might even make you miss this those good 'ol days of going to a drive-in movie.

this movie combines social satire with deep philosophical questions under the lens of the drive-in theater. characters are niched, with each car having its own perspective on the movie and the culture of the drive-in. the only thing that's lacking is the horror aspect, with most of the 'horror' happening on the big screen. the hooligans are the perfect slap-stick villains, while little old ladies just want to know what's going on. the 'attempted rape' that seems to have bothered others is over-the-top and completely satirical. all in all, American Drive-in is perfect for any fan of Hard Rock Zombies. Sabu lends him musical genius to this film as well (even though most of the songs are already in Hard ock Zombies).

American Drive-In brings back memories. Memories of the Drive-In (a slowly dying American Institution) and of silly, sexy Eighties flicks. The story is simple: a diverse bunch of lunatics descend of the Drive-In one night. There is the beautiful blonde, the beautiful brunette, the hunky (but slow) good guy, the sleazy gang leader, the sexually frustrated babe, the heart of gold dominatrix, and a midget. The prerequisite amount of sex is on display, combined with chase sequences, and car explosions. The plot hangs together, but that isn't the reason to check this flick out. Check it out because it is entertaining and it reminds us what films became at the dawn of an era when VHS and Cable pushed out our beloved Drive Ins.