Lame on so many levels. Lame because there is hardly any story, just vox pop of American “judges” from High Times sitting in Amsterdam Coffee Shops and babbling about marijuana. Lamer, still, because most of these people are assholes. Half of the enthusiasts are horticultural savants who sound no hipper than a Star Trek geek when rambling on about variants and various methods of hydroponics. The other half put up a facade about peace and love, but then go on to complain about who is cheating who to win the “Cannabis Cup.” There is none of the harmony and understanding they claim smoking pot brings them — only the apparant inability to bathe. I didn’t think gripy put downs and I’m-less-commercial-than-you one ups were part of the scene, but what the hell do I know? Watch only if you want a heavy case of bad vibes.
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Welcome
Jordan Hoffman is a New York-based writer and film critic working for The Guardian, Vanity Fair, Thrillist, Times of Israel, NY Daily News and elsewhere.
He is the host of ENGAGE: The Official Star Trek Podcast, a member of the New York Film Critics Circle and challenges you to a game of backgammon.
what (or who) made you watch this?
It was on TV! And it was such an exhausting afternoon that I couldn’t gather the energy to move my thumb to change the channel.
dude! your comments are totally apreciated. in fact, lame as you thought those people were, i challenged you to decide what you thought of them instead of manipulating you into thinking my way (which may not be right for you).
yes, it’s a very commercial event, right from the start by selling tickets to be a judge, selling space in their market, paying off the “judges” by coffeehouses giving free pot, etc. but i never had to tell you this, you got it and told me that. as for the disharmony. i don’t create it, that just there. and if that’s what you’ve gotten out of it, then i’ve succeded as a documentarian.
and believe it or not, some who view the film really like the people they see. we each have our own perception and that’s a good thing.
the plan was to show you a reality that i saw and let you come to your own conclusion about right or wrong or who they are – just like we get to do in real life.
now, as for a story. nope, not much a story there. but there was one theme throughout. choice. whether they are choosing the best coffee house, or best hash food, or to wear hemp clothes, or even look at pot as a spiritual end, they are each making choices in thier life that help define them. and while these choice are seemingly mundane, every choice defines who we are, for good or for bad.
i really want to remind people that we have choices.
now while i may not think the film is lame, i too think it fails on many levels. it is thin on story. technically is was bit iffy (especially the audio – argh). but i learned a lot from it.
i do think i honestly and fairly presented the truth and did my best to hold back my reality to respect yours.
one last thing, i made it specifically for the theatres (it played in over 50 cities before going to tape and on tv). the big screen does manipulate the viewer because it’s larger than life and seemed to make the film bigger generally. you are not manipulated the same way watching the film on a tv. so if you do get the chance to see it at the theatre, check it out. it looks and feels different.
and i must say that i so very much apreciated jbr’s question to you of what or who made you watch it. that simple choice of deciding to muster up the energy to change the channel, or not, while mundane as the choice may be, does define who you are and becomes a reflection of your personality. again a good thing. all the best.
doug wolens
Hi Doug —
You seem like a cool guy and definitely have a lot of passion for your work. I look forward to seeing your name on future films.
JH