Somebody had to write this kind of review, so it might as well be me. Gus is usually stingy on the pulchritude, and this movie is the stingiest ever. The camera focuses lovingly on teen boy and girl faces, all of which are lovely, but there is absolutely no sex or skin in this flick. The protagonist occasionally takes off his shirt, and that is the end of the erotica. Sorry. Having said that, there is a lot going for this little film.
First of all, it's a great date movie. Nothing much happens, so if you spend time making out, you won't miss anything. There is little action even though the plot ostensibly centers around resolving a violent crime and/or accident (which is displayed quickly, but rather starkly, thus making it not a film for the kiddies...or squeamish adults).
As a skateboarder movie, it's to skateboarding what "Endless Summer" is to surfing. There is a lot of boarder park footage, both of actors and real Portland kids, and it is all stunningly hypnotic, with guys defying death, and gravity, with every turn.
The cinematography is gorgeous. Every shot is carefully mounted and the Oregon and Portland scenes are exquisite. Even the indoor shots are sheer poetry, especially a shower scene (which focuses only on the guy's face...sorry again), which is an homage to dripping water.
The soundtrack is terrific, a riveting and eclectic mix of every kind of contemporary music (pop, rock, punk, folk, rap, country) and a lot of the magnificent (Fellini composer) Nino Rota's canon. If nothing else, because of the visuals and song track, this picture works as a fancy, extended music video.
There are a couple of future stars to keep track of. Gabe Nevins, as protagonist Alex, has an angelic face and is a mini-Brando in his sultriness. His two romantic interests, Taylor Momsen, as a bitchy cheerleader, and Lauren McKinney, as a Jodie Foster-like cool chick, are both wonderful actresses, and lovely to gaze at. All the other teens, mainly guys, are handsome and hot, and the camera spends ample time ogling their faces as well as their athletic escapades.
It is nice to see that condoms are mentioned as a necessary adjunct to teen sex, but parents may be upset to see that the dare-devil skateboarders do not wear protective gear, neither padding nor helmets. Yikes!
Put that's part of the fun, isn't it? Most of these boarders are throwaways and outcasts, so safeguarding their doubtful future is the last thing on their minds.
First of all, it's a great date movie. Nothing much happens, so if you spend time making out, you won't miss anything. There is little action even though the plot ostensibly centers around resolving a violent crime and/or accident (which is displayed quickly, but rather starkly, thus making it not a film for the kiddies...or squeamish adults).
As a skateboarder movie, it's to skateboarding what "Endless Summer" is to surfing. There is a lot of boarder park footage, both of actors and real Portland kids, and it is all stunningly hypnotic, with guys defying death, and gravity, with every turn.
The cinematography is gorgeous. Every shot is carefully mounted and the Oregon and Portland scenes are exquisite. Even the indoor shots are sheer poetry, especially a shower scene (which focuses only on the guy's face...sorry again), which is an homage to dripping water.
The soundtrack is terrific, a riveting and eclectic mix of every kind of contemporary music (pop, rock, punk, folk, rap, country) and a lot of the magnificent (Fellini composer) Nino Rota's canon. If nothing else, because of the visuals and song track, this picture works as a fancy, extended music video.
There are a couple of future stars to keep track of. Gabe Nevins, as protagonist Alex, has an angelic face and is a mini-Brando in his sultriness. His two romantic interests, Taylor Momsen, as a bitchy cheerleader, and Lauren McKinney, as a Jodie Foster-like cool chick, are both wonderful actresses, and lovely to gaze at. All the other teens, mainly guys, are handsome and hot, and the camera spends ample time ogling their faces as well as their athletic escapades.
It is nice to see that condoms are mentioned as a necessary adjunct to teen sex, but parents may be upset to see that the dare-devil skateboarders do not wear protective gear, neither padding nor helmets. Yikes!
Put that's part of the fun, isn't it? Most of these boarders are throwaways and outcasts, so safeguarding their doubtful future is the last thing on their minds.