7.1
The radical true story behind three teenage surfers from Venice Beach, California, who took skateboarding to the extreme and changed the world of sports forever. Stacy Peralta, Tony Alva and Jay Adams are the Z-Boys, a bunch of nobodies until they create a new style of skateboarding that becomes a worldwide phenomenon. But when their hobby becomes a business, the success shreds their friendship.
John Robinson
Stacy
Emile Hirsch
Jay
Rebecca De Mornay
Philaine
William Mapother
Donnie
Julio Oscar Mechoso
Mr. Alva
Victor Rasuk
Tony
Nikki Reed
Kathy Alva
Heath Ledger
Skip
Vincent Laresca
Chino
Brian Zarate
Montoya
Pablo Schreiber
Stecyk
Elden Henson
Billy Z
Michael Angarano
Sid
Mitch Hedberg
Urethane Wheels Guy
Benjamin Nurick
Browser
Stephanie Limb
Peggy Oki
Mike Ogas
Bob Biniak
Cheyne Magnusson
Jim 'Red Dog' Muir
Don Nguyen
Shogo
Melonie Diaz
Blanca
Mark Kubr
Donnie's Friend
Rene Rivera
Mr. Peralta (as René Rivera)
Chad Fernandez
Reef Ryan
Jim Muir
Security Guard (as Jim 'Red Dog' Muir)
Chris Chaput
Russ Howell
Matt Malloy
Contest Official
Jack Smith
Del Mar Announcer
Steve Badillo
Ty Page
Bill Cusack
Del Mar Judge
Kirk Ward
Bill Bahne
Eddie Cahill
Larry Gordon
Laura Ramsey
Gabrielle
Sarah Blakley-Cartwright
Vickie (as Sarah Blakely-Cartwright)
Bob Biniak
Restaurant Manager
Eric 'Tuma' Britton
Marty Grimes
Chuck 'Chaz' Hosack
Irate Husband (as Chuck Hosak)
Chelsea Hobbs
Caroline
Reid Harper
Lookout Boy
Paulette Ivory
Magazine Reporter
America Ferrera
Thunder Monkey
Sofía Vergara
Amelia (as Sofia Vergara)
Johnny Knoxville
Topper Burks
Raphael Verela
Topper's Bodyguard
Jay Adams
Party Guest
Ned Bellamy
Peter Darling
Tony Alva
Oregon Man at Party
Charles Napier
Nudie
Joe Virzi
Capitola Race Starter
Skip Engblom
Seattle Race Starter
Stacy Peralta
TV Director
Daniel Venegas
Vato
Tony Hawk
Astronaut
Joel McHale
TV Reporter
Bai Ling
Punky Photographer
Shea Whigham
Drake Landon
Lucas Gasperik
Jay Clone
Ray Flores
Long Beach Announcer
Benjamin Anderson
Long Beach Judge
Alexis Arquette
Tranny
Travis Peterson
Young Surfer
Rebeca Silva
Sid's Nurse
Noah Abrams
Agent (uncredited)
William Alva
Stoned Surfer (uncredited)
Jeffrey G. Barnett
Val (uncredited)
Leslie Berger
Cashier (uncredited)
Jeremiah Bitsui
Cholo (uncredited)
David Burden
Magazine Photographer (uncredited)
Shelley Burkard
Topper's Girlfriend 2 (uncredited)
Arnold Chen
Magazine Photographer (uncredited)
Christopher Estes
G&S Team Skater (uncredited)
Alexander Garcia
Judge (uncredited)
Eric Gerleman
Restaurant Manager (uncredited)
Sean Goodman
Santa Cruz Team Rider (uncredited)
Mary Grace
Hippie Girl (uncredited)
Julie Marie Hassett
Featured Pregnant Woman (uncredited)
Ricky Hausz
Party Friend (uncredited)
Noël John Howard
Infinity Skate Team (uncredited)
Emmanuel Howell
Skateboarder (uncredited)
Reef Karim
Dr. Angelo Gamboa (uncredited)
Joe Koons
Groupie #2 (uncredited)
Samantha Lockwood
Topper's Girlfriend 1 (uncredited)
Tia Marrie
Neighbor (uncredited)
Allie McCulloch
Party Girl (uncredited)
Jason David McFadden
Pimp at Gas Station (uncredited)
Tim McIlrath
Singer (uncredited)
Dax McKeever
Security (uncredited)
DeWalt Mix
G&S Team Skater (uncredited)
Marat Oyvetsky
Punk Rocker (uncredited)
Tom Peha
Alva Skate Team (uncredited)
Camilla Rantsen
Lotje Alva (uncredited)
Jeremy Renner
Jay Adams Manager (uncredited)
Robert Robbins
Surfer (uncredited)
Anthony Rodriguez
Gangster (uncredited)
Jane Schmidt
Del Mar Fan (uncredited)
Tony Shore
Skater (uncredited)
Gary Sievers
Unemployed Man (uncredited)
Victoria Spark
Nurse (uncredited)
Stan Strocher
Capitola Classic Fan (uncredited)
Bridgetta Tomarchio
Party Girl (uncredited)
Frank J. Tsacrios
Judge (uncredited)
Stone Van Gorder
Judge (uncredited)
Gina Venditti
Surfer Girl (uncredited)
Tarita Virtue
Fan (uncredited)
Eric West
James Smith (uncredited)
Katie Whicker
Topper's Lady (uncredited)
Director
Catherine Hardwicke
Writer
Stacy Peralta
May 13, 2019
6
***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-