Rollerbladers everywhere know that
this years holiday season, there is a particularly large number of
new videos coming out. All these choices can be a bit overwhelming
when looking at known and not-so-known crews. This review aims to
help you fruitbooters distinguish between the videos out there that
are great, and those which, blatantly speaking, are simply flooding
an already saturated market. It's important for me to state that this
year, overall, I've been disappointed with a majority of the videos
that have been released. This does not imply that there were some
truly exceptional videos that do deserve your attention. Those
reading this should also note that we have reached a new turning
point in rollerblade media; where we need to decided which videos
deserve to be made into a full length feature film, and videos that
should be put online. IT all boils down to quality. Today's filming
technology is far beyond what it was five years ago. This only widens
the gap between what is great and what is mediocre, or worse. With so
many films that have come out this year, I believe that the best of
the year is still to come. Keep in mind we are all still waiting on
the release of 4x4's “Drip Drop;” I expect this to be the best
video of the year. And we can't forget about the upcoming release of
“Sleaze,” “2 Faded” and more. But as we wait for these
releases, this is where recent videos stand.
To start off, it's obvious that the
number one movie this year is the Non-Sense Crew's video, “Savor
the Flavor.” A video that I actually and I mean literary shit my
pants the first time I watched it. J/K!!!!!!!!!! BAHAHAHA. Okay, for
real now...
“Clip 4” – SCORE: 9.7/10
-The production quality of this video will astound you. This is a
film that is finally on par with other action sports media. The
standard this video set is where every rollerblade video needs to
be. The filming is top notch, and I mean TOP notch. It represents
all types and styles of skating; park, street, what have you. Great
replay value. For me it has, without a doubt, lived up to the hype.
This is one of those videos that simply has to be seen. You're going
to know off the bat it is worth your money. Also how are you going
to pass up Oli Shorts best section since “Face the Music!?”
“Mushroom Blading” –
SCORE: 9.5/10 - After my all time favorite video produced by the
SOL Crew (“Better Than Baseball”), I was very excited for the
release of this video. Just like BTB this is going to shatter
everything you thought rollerblading should be, and that is the
point. I won't even talk about how unique it is, you can watch the
trailer and already tell that. The editing and filming is superb,
just like in all their videos. However, it felt more like an update
to BTB then a full epic film like most the SOL Crews films. Small
downfall to a great video.
“Radius Media Issue 3” – SCORE: 8.9/10- There are so many skaters out there that don't get the credit they deserve, and this video proves they can hold up there own against the pros. There is nothing that really stands out in this video, it really is just great skating by great skaters. The sections felt full and not in anyway half-assed or rushed. No filler, all killer for sure. Plus you know with a full David Seizmore section you can't go wrong. Once again my third and final pick is well worth your money.
Now for 2008's Holiday video
reviews.
Jolly Jolly Heart breaker's, “Eat
Your Heart Out” – SCORE 5.2/10 –
Now a lot of people are going to hate
on this video. People who have not even seen it hate on it. That's
rollerblading for you. Personally I am friends with most everyone in
this video and I think they are all great people. They do a hell of a
lot for rollerblading. By reading the back of the DVD you're going to
notice this video is more about having fun then showing you the
craziest or the “coolest” tricks. Honestly, in respect to the
description it succeeds. This video is fricking fun! The problem with
“Eat Your Heart Out” is what a lot of current videos suffer from;
way, waaaay to much footage. Your going to feel overwhelmed by the
second or third time you watch it with just how much footage your
brain is trying to take in without exploding. Now, there is plenty of
good footage, some ok and some truly bad stuff. If they would have
taken the absolute best footage from this hour long video and made it
into 30 minute video it could have been considered a pretty solid
effort. So many people have sections you're going to lose track of
who is who. The music is not going to help that either. It blends
together, to say the least. Now on the upside of “Eat Your Heart
Out,” you have two great sections. Sean Conn is up there with
Farmer on negative tricks, I kid you not. He is bad ass. I love his
section. He really is pushing the limit and it is incredible. The
second is Stefan Brandow's section. He worked very hard on this
section and it came off great. He has pulled off some very stylish
tricks in there. Keep in mind he has two sections in two different
videos. This video and “Get that Gaup.” I feel if he would of
taken clips from both sections and put them in one video he could
have had something truly great. Even with that said it is an awesome
section. I would have to say that to truly enjoy “Eat Your Heart
Out,” you need to know the great people that put it together and
understand how much they love rollerblading. Personality spills out
in this video. There is some really funny footage before each
persons section that is going to give you a good sense of who that
person is, but just like the video in general, even this drags at
time. Some videos tend to lack personality, but this video doesn't
fall into that margin. So should you buy it? Well your going to be
taking a risk, I will say that. If you can appreciate a carefree, fun
video, then this video is well worth your green. Also, you're not
going to want to miss Sean Conn's negative tricks, trust me.
“We are Valo 3” -SCORE-8.5
We are Valo 3 Review from Ryan benner on Vimeo.
Hawke Trackler's, “Get That Gaup”
– SCORE-7.2/10-
Like “Eat Your Heart Out,” this
film has a lot of my friends in it so I know they have put a lot of
time into this. I am not the biggest fan of Hawke Tracklers edits and
sometimes filming. He's a great guy. Whenever I watch his edits, I
tend to walk away not entirely impressed, nor do I feel entirely let
down. I will explain more on that later. With that said this is by
far his best and most accomplished effort. It has many unknown
skaters but don't worry, their sections are in no way half-assed. The
video showcases the skating well enough but not to the point beyond
what you expect, and thats the problem. I wish we would have seen a
little less “default fish eye” shots and some more long lens and
double angle type of things going on. This video comes off successful
in its own respect. You're not going to see any weak sections. They
are all strong, which is great. One section thats is really going to
stand out is Ben Poling's. He really tried his best and it shows. He
should be really be proud of a great section. Now as for the editing.
First you have some good music and then some really played out stuff.
Your going to hear the typical music you expect in the sections. This
is unfortunate because I think the skating could of really been
enhanced if the this-sounds-cool mentality had been kept in mind to
better suit some of the skaters style better. In many sections, the
music does not keep up with the skaters in general. In Ben Polings
section for example you have this great electronic song and you're
wanting to see jump cuts or some type of transitions or personality
shots in there and it's totally missing. So once again this takes
away from the solid skating and puts the video down to a mediocre
level. I am talking about the technical aspects a lot in this review
but I feel it is important to note the skating is strong. If you
decided to buy this video don't worry, you will receive the quality
footage that you're looking for. So with the negatives and positives
of this video pointed out, I would go as far to say if your looking
past all the great pro videos coming out and wanting to get something
under the radar with some unknown guys, this is your video. Good job
Hawke.
So thats it for part one. I think
the best is still to come with the 4X4 video and “Fade Nation 2.”
I actually saw the Vibarlux Video but I only saw it once and I don't
feel right reviewing it until I see it a few more times. Stay tuned!