Lords of Dogtown (2005)

Did you people see the same film I saw?

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Lords of Dogtown (2005): Dir: Catherine Hardwicke / Cast: Emile Hirsch, Heath Ledger, Rebecca De Mornay, Johnny Knoxville, Nikki Reed: Set in the mid 1970's about a small group surfers and skaters. The film chronicles their true story rise to fame, those who refused, and those who were robbed of the success they deserved. It is realistically portrayed by director Catherine Hardwicke despite it being sometimes distracted or unfocused. The cast bring realism to characters who struggle with fame, upbringing and death. Emile Hirsch plays a skater who was rejected by locals yet gains success before being turned in the wrong direction. Heath Ledger steals scenes as a skateboard manufacturer who produces the team but despite all efforts he ends up watching them all depart to disappointments elsewhere. Interesting that Ledger is intelligent enough to remain true to himself and his work. Rebecca De Mornay plays a hippie mother on dope. Perhaps more screen time would have benefited. Johnny Knoxville is featured as someone out to steal a team promising fame and fortune. The role is straight forward but different for Knoxville. Nikki Reed is featured as a female romantic interest but thankfully the characters are written in a realistic manner in terms of their enthusiasm. Great skateboarding action and strong conviction of fame, success, betrayal, friendship, and the passion behind it all. Score: 9 / 10

"Lords of Dogtown" was a really great movie, it did a good job of telling the story of the Z-Boys and keeping the viewer interested in the movie. The acting was great and Heath Ledger was a good addition. As the movie progressed it got somewhat dry at portions, but picked back up. It was visually pleasing with great angles, and the whole look and demeanor of the characters really represented the movement of the time period. Overall I recommend this movie if you are a fan of skateboarding or biographical movies about popular culture figures. I rated 6 out of 10 just for the reason that there are portions of the movie that become slightly less interesting. Tony Hawk was a funny addition considering what he does. - Christian J.

Lords of Dogtown is a film about the legendary Z-Boys, who are credited with the creation of modern day skateboarding. The film chronicles the height of their success in the late 70's and their struggles in creating and rising to the top of a whole new industry. The story is terrific, written by one of the actual Z-Boys, but the way it was filmed was problematic. The beginning of the film is very choppy and confusing, honestly it's difficult to know who is who and what's going on until about the half way point of the film. The Z-Boys are the basis and stars of the film, but it's Heath Ledger who steals the show. He really had a gift for picking up on every mannerism and movement a person makes. People who know his character, Skip, say it's scary how much like him Ledger was. He was a truly gifted actor who would have been a legend. As for the film, it was interesting and a lot of information about a sport I always liked but never really thought much about. It's a bit confusing and shot in a weird style, but overall it really was pretty good.

Listen - I'm an "old lady" who has absolutely NOTHING to do with boarding! And I loved this movie! Only saw it in 2010 - after Heath's death - but it's timeless. Call it a docudrama or whatever....Peralta did a great job telling the story and keeping more real than just skateboarders entertained & learning. My kid's a biker, and like I said I'm an old woman - but I SO enjoyed watching this story of skateboarding's beginning told through the lives of a bunch of street kids. I would love to know more about this same group in their recent lives! Life's about the rides AND the journey! Good job, Peralta! Good job actors! Hope Jay & Tommy are well!