Videograss' The Last Ones Portland Premiere

I'm sure it's hard work, but the subtitle 'All the Labor' is a little much.

Seriously. Snowboard movies in July!? Yes, July. Mostly it was because the VG session was up at High Cascade, so they could get everyone - from the ender to the gaffer - to show up at the premiere. But still, it is July and I'm not really in that mode yet. This video did precious little to change that.

Joe Sexton had a killer part. He can do all the rail tricks. Chris Bradshaw still has steez for leagues. Bryan Fox had more backcountry shots than the rest of the film together. I'm not sure why he films for VG, he must like those guys a lot. It's clear he's the token backcountry guy. He certainly rode more pow than me last year and his part had me itching a little. Scott Stevens had another part that left me shaking my head and laughing. So long as I'm still laughing and not slapping my forehead. One binding, no bindings, board-to-board transfers, you know the drill. Fun shit that you would never think of.

Overall it was a fun movie. Mostly because the crowd was so amped. That was the most in-to-it the crowd has ever been for one of these midweek premieres ever and that made for such a rad night. Too bad I can't invite that crew over to watch shred flicks with me all the time, then I might buy this one. As it is I won't. You just can't repeat that theater experience. Sorry if you missed it. Keep an eye out for showings near you.

The beer line was packed. Feel free to play 'name that pro.'

Videograss World Premiere Tonight!

Bagdad Theater, Doors @ 6, Show @ 7:15, Two Movies, No Cover, All Ages

Shred-tober?

I can see Rock-tober, Jock-tober, Shock-tober, Cock-tober and even Manitowoc-tober; but Shred-tober doesn't so much roll off the tongue as it stutters and gets spit out. Shred video double features are fun, though, whatever you call them. Sporting goods mega-store US Outdoor is teaming with K2 for three nights of action for a quality cause. That cause is Portland ripper Kevin Nimick's battle against cancer. All shows are $2 and at Portland's Clinton Street Theater. Here's the rest:

Videograss Leaves Grass Stains on Portland

Mr. Popper's Penguin is actually the subtitle of Gus Engle's section.

Videograss brought the whole crew out for a real-deal world premiere of both their movies, Retrospect and Shoot the Moon. Going in I thought there might be the feel of an 'A' movie and a 'B' movie, but it wasn't the case. So much that I can't really distinguish them in my mind anymore. Retrospect played first, so I'll talk about it first.

Title: Retrospect

Riders: Alex Andrews, Alex Cantin, Ben Bilocq, Austin Smith, Curtis Ciszek, Bryan Fox, Ethan Deiss, Jake Blauvelt, Jake Kuzyk, Harrison Gordon, Knut Eliassen, Xavier De Le Rue

Points of interest: The first rider's part ran in front of the obligatory sponsor section. Not sure I've seen that before. I like it. A decent dose of quality freeriding, including a surprise (to me) part by De Le Rue. Of course you know where Blauvelt, Smith, Cizek and Fox do most of their riding (hint: not on rails, with some exceptions). Ethan Deiss owned rails like Superman. The bespectacled rider never did find a phone booth to change out of his Clark Kent garb and into the cape and tights, though. No matter, the secret is out now.

Quick Verdict: Great balance of riding. Quality flick, but nothing extraordinary. Lacked lifestyle. All trick porn.

Imagine a brief intermission here. Product toss, raffle drawings, rock-paper-scissors, etc. NEXT!

Title: Shoot the Moon

Riders: Chris Grenier, Darrell Mathes, Gus Engle, Jake Olson-Elm, Jed Anderson, Johnny Miller, Jon Kooley, Jonas Michilot, Jordan Mendenhall, Justin Bennee, Louif Paradis, Nick Dirks, Nima Jalali, Will Tuddenham, Zac Marben


Points of Interest: Lots and lots of urban in this one. Then again it's about the best urban around. Jake OE slides things in ways I've never seen. Jon Kooley returns with a sickness. Gus Engle and Nick Dirks are true characters. Louif and Jed, well, they are just going to have the best video parts until they're dead or in jail, like the rappers say.

Quick Verdict: 90% urban, 100% trick porn yet still 100% enjoyable. Goes to show that if you do it well, you'll get the result

Videograss: Shoot the Moon Premiere

Is it that time already? Seems like snowboard movies come out earlier every year. I just found out about this one. Videograss' Shoot the Moon and Retrospect; Friday, August 12; Portland's Bagdad Theater & Pub; doors at 7:30pm; raffle drawings; autograph signings; oh yeah, and it's free. Minors allowed with parent/guardian. Check the flyer or Videograss' site for more info.