surfing movies
#3
DVD Talk Reviewer
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Region Free
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't seen enough surf films to give you a best and worst list, but I'd say that Blue Crush has some of the best surfing scenes ever integrated into a non-documentary surf film. Unfortunately, it suffers from a terrible romantic plot. It would have been far better had it been a little more like Girl Fight and a little less like Pretty Woman.
For surf documentaries, I can see the historical significance of Endless Summer, but it didn't really draw me in. I'd love to find a film that presents surfing in as compelling a manner as Dogtown and Z Boys does skating, but I haven't seen it yet.
The worst surf movie I've seen, if it really qualifies at all, is Gidget Goes Hawaiian. Not only do the stars not actually surf, I don't think they even use real water.
For surf documentaries, I can see the historical significance of Endless Summer, but it didn't really draw me in. I'd love to find a film that presents surfing in as compelling a manner as Dogtown and Z Boys does skating, but I haven't seen it yet.
The worst surf movie I've seen, if it really qualifies at all, is Gidget Goes Hawaiian. Not only do the stars not actually surf, I don't think they even use real water.
Last edited by Yakuza Bengoshi; 11-19-03 at 04:33 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Endless summer 2, Narrated by Bruce Brown (On any sunday) is one of my favorite surfing movies, and favorite movies.
Point break is pretty good but totally different.
In God's Hands was fair, from what I remember. But the surfing they do show is awsome.
But if your looking for just a pure surfing movie (just a glorified highlight reel) than I can't help you.
Point break is pretty good but totally different.
In God's Hands was fair, from what I remember. But the surfing they do show is awsome.
But if your looking for just a pure surfing movie (just a glorified highlight reel) than I can't help you.
#9
Guest
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#10
Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best: Bill Delaney's Free Ride
Why: Groundbreaking slow-mo footage at Off-The-Wall, tube duelists Mark Richards and Shaun Tomson
Worst: Point Break
Why: Because Patrick Swayze paddles like a dork.
Why: Groundbreaking slow-mo footage at Off-The-Wall, tube duelists Mark Richards and Shaun Tomson
Worst: Point Break
Why: Because Patrick Swayze paddles like a dork.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by thunnus
Worst: Point Break
Why: Because Patrick Swayze paddles like a dork.
Worst: Point Break
Why: Because Patrick Swayze paddles like a dork.
I've seen Big Wednesday myself and its pretty good, I was under the impression this was the quintessential surfing movie.
Endless Summer is in my netflix queue, gotta check that out...
#13
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Good:
Blue Crush (not as cheesy as people here make it out to be, I really enjoyed it and the surfing scenes are incredible)
Step Into Liquid (the most amazing surf footage I've seen, came out this year)
Five Summer Stories (the definitive 70s surf movie, an undergound classic, I don't think you can get it on dvd)
Really bad:
North Shore (awful eighties Karate Kid wanna be)
Blue Crush (not as cheesy as people here make it out to be, I really enjoyed it and the surfing scenes are incredible)
Step Into Liquid (the most amazing surf footage I've seen, came out this year)
Five Summer Stories (the definitive 70s surf movie, an undergound classic, I don't think you can get it on dvd)
Really bad:
North Shore (awful eighties Karate Kid wanna be)
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Endless Summer and North Shore are my two favorite surfing movies. I used to worship Tommy Curren when I was a kid (and a surfer) and he was in North Shore - I remember how that was such a big deal back then. Now it's like - who cares?
I like Point Break, but that's not really a surfing movie - it's more like a movie that has surfing in it. I like it though.
I like Point Break, but that's not really a surfing movie - it's more like a movie that has surfing in it. I like it though.
#16
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A must own, IMHO. And it has plenty of re-watch value, which I find to be rare. Aside from surfing, it provides a great time capture of 60-70's culture and mindsets. Highest rating for a collector.
P.S. I wish I had not watched Blue Crush....it was terrible.
Last edited by Big Quasimodo; 11-20-03 at 01:40 AM.
#19
Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Endless Summer and North Shore are my two favorite surfing movies. I used to worship Tommy Curren when I was a kid (and a surfer) and he was in North Shore - I remember how that was such a big deal back then. Now it's like - who cares?
Surely one of the greatest, most influential surfers ever. He was also my favorite surfer to watch.
Perhaps you were thinking about Endless Summer 2?
#20
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
good: really depends what style movie you are looking for
Big Wednesday (hollywood)
Thicker Than Water (surf vid)
worst:
if it has surfing in it i supprot it. however, north shore was a pretty ridiculous movie...although i liked the surfing scenes. i thought in god's hands was pretty bad too
Big Wednesday (hollywood)
Thicker Than Water (surf vid)
worst:
if it has surfing in it i supprot it. however, north shore was a pretty ridiculous movie...although i liked the surfing scenes. i thought in god's hands was pretty bad too
#22
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: "Sitting on a beach, earning 20%"
Posts: 6,154
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Narative surf films:
Best- Big Wednesday and In God's Hands- both films rule because they don't make the same mistake that almost every other narative surf film makes: Ending with "The Big Contest". Big contests are not what surfing is all about and concluding with one typically makes the lead character appear egotistical
Worst- Blue Crush, North Shore
Documentary surf films:
Best- Endless Summer 1 and 2 Yeah it's cliched and obvious but these films earn their reputation 100% (the first one in particular).
Search for Surf To my knowledge these are only available as a compilation film on VHS but they are an extraordinary time capsule of '50s surf pioneers. Going to Hawaii then was like going to the Brazilian rain forest now.
Worst- Step into Liquid Some of the finest surf photography ever taken, that was subsuquently assembled by an 8 year old. I worked for a post house for 1 year and have only limited experience on the Avid, but I could cut this film better than Dana Brown. Local kids in HB and Newport who make amature videos of their friends show more skill cutting then this big budget dud. What a blown opportunity.
Best- Big Wednesday and In God's Hands- both films rule because they don't make the same mistake that almost every other narative surf film makes: Ending with "The Big Contest". Big contests are not what surfing is all about and concluding with one typically makes the lead character appear egotistical
Spoiler:
Worst- Blue Crush, North Shore
Documentary surf films:
Best- Endless Summer 1 and 2 Yeah it's cliched and obvious but these films earn their reputation 100% (the first one in particular).
Search for Surf To my knowledge these are only available as a compilation film on VHS but they are an extraordinary time capsule of '50s surf pioneers. Going to Hawaii then was like going to the Brazilian rain forest now.
Worst- Step into Liquid Some of the finest surf photography ever taken, that was subsuquently assembled by an 8 year old. I worked for a post house for 1 year and have only limited experience on the Avid, but I could cut this film better than Dana Brown. Local kids in HB and Newport who make amature videos of their friends show more skill cutting then this big budget dud. What a blown opportunity.
Last edited by Pants; 11-20-03 at 02:17 PM.
#23
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Raccoon City, OR
Posts: 1,721
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not a fan of surfing movies... but one I did enjoy was "Blue Juice" - a SCOTTISH surfing movie (a sub-sub-surfing genre, obviously) that was quite enjoyable even for non-surfers like myself...
It stars Ewan McGregor, Catherine Zeta Jones and Sean Pertwee.
It stars Ewan McGregor, Catherine Zeta Jones and Sean Pertwee.
JC is at the end of his Twenties and is living with his girlfriend Chloe in a small coastal town in England. He is a surfer legend and some day, three of his friends show up, including Terry who is about to get married. While he is supposed to have the last good time in his life, Josh (a successful Techno music producer) tries to figure out what type of music he likes most and Dean, who sells drugs on a regular basic, must face the fact that his life is not what he would like it to be. JC has his own problems with Chloe: Will he stay with her and run a surfer coffee shop or travel around the world without her?
#24
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah - USA
Posts: 5,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last edited by Hendrik; 11-20-03 at 03:03 PM.
#25
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Raccoon City, OR
Posts: 1,721
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Hendrik
...erm... BLUE JUICE was a Cornish surfing movie, not a Scottish one...
...erm... BLUE JUICE was a Cornish surfing movie, not a Scottish one...