Colin McKay
Filmmaker Mike Hill profiles one of the skateboarding world's most revolutionary figures in this documentary tracing the life and career of World Industries founder Steve Rocco. Founded in 1989, World Industries made waves throughout the skateboarding industry by ambushing the corporate world to re-write the rules of the game and usher in a refreshing new era of companies that were owned and operated by skaters. While many thought it could never be done, Rocco accomplished the formidable feat with a little help from such talented friends as Rodney Mullen, Jason Lee, Mark Gonzalez, Natas Kaupas, Spike Jonze, and Jeff Tremaine. A cultural revolution that changed the public perception of skateboarding from that of a passing teenage fad to a thriving anti-authoritarian counterculture, the rise of World Industries ultimately resulted in the creation of some of the most unlikely cult heroes in contemporary sports. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Rocco
- 2003
- PG13
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Gaylord Films producer Casey La Scala makes his directorial debut with the teen comedy Grind. Just before entering college, young skateboarder Eric Rivers (Mike Vogel) decides to take a road trip from Chicago to California with his smart friend Dustin (Adam Brody) and his wacky friend Matt (Vince Vieluf). Despite their underdog status, they intend to make it big in the world of skateboarding in the wake of legendary touring skater Jimmy Wilson (Jason London). They end up recruiting a fourth team member named Sweet Lou (Joey Kern) as Eric romances the film's token attractive female Jamie (Jennifer Morrison). Grind also features appearances by real-life pro skaters like Bam Margera, along with an energetic pop/rock soundtrack. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colin McKay, Mike Vogel, (more)
- 2002
- PG13
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The director (Rob Cohen) and star (Vin Diesel) of the previous summer's hit The Fast and the Furious (2001) are reunited for this spy thriller billed as a next-generation James Bond adventure. Diesel stars as Xander Cage, a nihilist extreme sports enthusiast nicknamed "Triple X" because of a large tattoo covering his back and neck. Cage's illegal stunts and poor attitude (he's given to spouting dialogue such as, "Have you ever been punched in the face for talking too much?") land him in jail, where he's recruited/blackmailed into government service by the National Security Agency's Augustus Gibbons, who likes Cage for his skills and expendability. The new secret agent is assigned to infiltrate a Russian crime ring called Anarchy 99, whose access to biochemical weaponry is making the United States extremely nervous. With the help of some high-tech gadgets from weapons master Toby Lee Shavers (Michael Roof), Cage is able to make his way into Anarchy 99, where he targets the group's leader Yorgi (Marton Csokas) and falls for the organization's second-in-command, Yelena (Asia Argento). XXX (2002) is the first in a hoped-for franchise of sequels for the film's producer, Revolution Studios. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vin Diesel, Asia Argento, (more)
- 2001
This program from Tapeworm is an issue of the long-running extreme sports video-magazine 411. Featuring some of the best skateboarders around, the series also highlights some of the hottest competitions and skateboarding abroad. Released in 2001, 411 Video Magazine: Skateboarding, Vol. 5 includes trips to San Jose, CA, and Kwala, Australia; the program looks at skaters such as Mike Frazier, Willy Santos, Pat Channita, Brian Young, John McGrath, Tully Carlton, Max Schaaf, Paul Zaunich, Reese Forbes, and Neil Urwin. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
