Hardflip (2012)
Hardflip follows the story of Caleb (Randy Wayne) a young skater whose ill mother (Rosanna Arquette) and absent father (John Schneider) leave him reaching for the only hope he has...becoming a sponsored skater. After his mother falls ill, Caleb finds a stack of old love letters. He sets out to find the father he never knew and inadvertently begins a journey he never could have expected. This story explores what happens when we let go of our anger and pain and forgive those who have hurt us most.
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Touches You
So much average
A Disappointing Continuation
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
This was an OK movie. It wasn't great, it was...OK.The cinematography was pretty good, but it could've been more.The acting was OK too, though Caleb is one angry looking dude- for the whole movie! He's a young guy with a good future ahead of him I think though.The story was a common one- a broken family goes through a hardship which brings estranged members together again. Not original, but it worked for this movie.The one aspect that may or may not appeal to viewers though is the Christian (or religious) message within. Early on you get an idea where the storyline is going. Towards the end, it's in your face a bit, but not offensive.That is probably the one aspect that will not win over many people- you either are already a Chrisitian, or you are open to the message, or you can just ignore it and watch the movie, or it'll be a deal breaker and you'll hate the whole thing because of it.For me, it didn't bother me, but I'm sure for others it may....
The movie has some good shots visually, and slow motion camera helps to view the trick properly if you wanna learn some. Otherwise the story telling is too slow, movie is trying to capture too many important themes and thus the spectator looses the attention. I also believe that it is religious propaganda that could not be more obvious. As the main character only starts winning when he gets a skateboard with Jesus on it, is misleading message to the public. It should not be about believing in Jesus what makes your life better, but the message should be that through believing to yourself and working on your goals and yourself will bring you what you crave for.
Good message - gotta forgive ourselves and others. Writers/actors true to their beliefs without gagging me with them, and without the bad acting, writing, and directing often found in a "Christian" movie. There is hope. Liked the authentic skating and real skaters. It could have been shortened up, paced-up in spots - we get the angst without dragging it out quite so much. Yet it doesn't short-sell or oversimplify the pain of the situations that a lot of young guys, absentee fathers, and single moms deal with. That's life for a lot of people, we don't just get over it like society tells us to. Movie doesn't rely on gratuitous sex or violence to sell itself,which is nice to see for a change.
The film Hardflip is packed with skating, an awesome and talented cast, and great music, but what really makes this film incredible is the message it carries, to let go of Fear and Pain while embracing Forgiveness and Faith. This film has the ability to resonate with many teens and Parents alike by focusing on issues that many deal with in our society. Randy Wayne, John Schneider, Rosanna Arquette, and Christopher Michael do an amazing job in this film along with featured pro-skaters Christian Hosoi and Brian Sumner. If you enjoy a film that will lift your spirits high than this film is one for your Blu-ray/DVD collection.