Lords of Dogtown
Movie Rental Review
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United States/Germany, 2005
U.S. Release Date: 6/3/05 (wide)
Running Length: 1:45
MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Sexual situations, drugs, violence, profanity)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Victor Rasuk, John Robinson, Michael Angarano, Nikki Reed, Heath Ledger, Johnny Knoxville, Rebecca DeMornay
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Producer: John Linson
Screenplay: Stacy Peralta
Cinematography: Elliot Davis
Music: Mark Mothersbaugh
U.S. Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Movie Rental Review Rating: 8/10
Lords of Downtown is about a trio of skateboarders called the Z-Boys who were notorious for skateboarding in empty pools and took the skateboarding sport to higher levels. These higher levels included being able to launch a career and become an overnight superstar. As I watched this movie, I found myself back in the early 70s remembering building my own skateboards out of old roller stake parts. With the money from my paper route, I was able to by real skateboard trucks, urethane wheels (when they came out) and the new plastic boards. I had posters of the Z-Boys on my walls doing the impossible pool tricks. It was definitely a life style. This movie really did a great job in recapturing this life style. The Z-Boys came out of a team sponsored by a continually drunk and/or stoned Skip Engblom (Heath Ledger) who owned a surf shop named Zephyrs. The three skateboarders that stood out in the team were Jay Adams (Emile Hirsch), Tony Alva (Victor Rasuk), and Stacy Peralta (John Robinson). Jay was the seed that ignited the sport, for him, it was about going for it even if you do not land the trick. Tony was all about topping Stacy and who eventually started his own skateboard company. Stacy was all about perfecting the tricks that also eventually started his own skateboard company and names like Tony Hawk came out of it. This group guys did it right and followed their passion. Another feature of this movie was the cinematography, it was also very 70s which added to the overall experience.
The Movie Rental Review found this movie really takes a person back to their younger years. It will also help to provide a little history for those young skateboarders who need to know where the roots of the sport.
