Lords of Dogtown
An unapologetically radical true account of three teenage surfers from Venice Beach, California who pushed skateboarding to the edge and redefined the world of sports. Stacy Peralta, Tony Alva and Jay Adams comprise the Z-Boys, a group of outsiders until they pioneer a new skateboarding style that becomes a worldwide phenomenon. But when their hobby becomes a business, the success shreds their friendship.
Director(s)
Catherine Hardwicke
Thomas Robinson Harper
Vernon Davidson
James Alan Hensz
Kenneth Roth
Jay Ostrowski
John O'Rourke
Stephen P. Del Prete
Lyn Matsuda Norton
Trisha Burton
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Reviews
Wuchak
***The birth of skateboard culture*** In the mid-70s, the accomplishments of the innovative Zephyr skateboarding team of Venice, California, are dramatized based on events chronicled in skater Stacy Peralta’s documentary “Dogtown and Z-Boys” (2001). John Robinson plays Stacy, Emile Hirsch plays Jay and Victor Rasuk plays Tony (aka T.A.). Heath Ledger is on hand as Skip Zephyr while Rebecca De Mornay appears as one of the teens’ struggling mother. While I suppose “Lords of Dogtown” (2005) is a sports flick, it’s just as much a coming-of-age movie detailing growing-up on the bad side of Venice, aka Dogtown, the birthplace of America’s skateboard culture, which influenced the world. It reminded me of the dissolute environment depicted in “River’s Edge” (1986) with elements of Jim Morrison’s hedonistic misadventures from “The Doors” (1991), but combined with skateboard action, like skating in dry backyard pools and various competitions. It’s a good movie with slightly amped-up events (so what else is new?), but somewhat hampered by a curiously dismal air with occasional dialogues that don’t work. Maybe I found it slightly depressing because it reminded me of the glory & shame of my teen years. The 70’s soundtrack is great, however. The film runs 1 hour, 47 minutes and was shot in the Los Angeles area, including Venice Beach, Imperial Beach and Santa Monica. GRADE: B-
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