As human beings, we are always in search of inspiration to enrich our lives and strengthen our characters. Whether it's through art, music, literature, or sports, immersing ourselves in cultural experiences can have a profound impact on our personal growth. For many e-skaters, their passion for skateboarding has become a defining aspect of their identity. It's not just a sport, but a lifestyle that has inspired countless individuals around the world.
For those looking to combine their love for e-skating with their love for cinema, this article highlights five must-watch movies that will provide the perfect cinematic thrills. These films are not only for the ones that have passion for the skateboarding world in general, but they also offer powerful messages about perseverance, overcoming adversity, and the importance of community.
With each movie, viewers will be transported to a world where the thrill of the ride is only matched by the passion and dedication of those who live for it. So, buckle up, grab your e-skateboard, your popcorn and get ready for an adventure like no other.
Minding The Gap: A Story Of Friendship, Skateboarding And Growing Up
"Minding the Gap" is a 2018 American documentary film directed by Bing Liu that follows the lives of three young men in Rockford, Illinois who bond together through their love of skateboarding. The film explores the theme of male friendship and the ways in which it can both help and hinder the subjects as they try to find their place in the world. The film examines how abuse can manifest itself in relationships and the lasting effects it can have.
The film was a critical and commercial success, and won numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The film's soundtrack features a mix of genres, including hip hop, punk, and classical music, and the title is a reference to the phrase "minding the gap," which is used by the subjects of the film to describe their experiences growing up and navigating the space between childhood and adulthood.
Skateboarding is an important part of the film, and it serves as a metaphor for the characters' struggles and the importance of their friendships. Despite its focus on skateboarding, the film is about much more than that and explores important themes about abuse, relationships, and the struggles of young men growing up in difficult circumstances.
Where to watch? Watch Minding the Gap Streaming Online | Hulu (Free Trial)
Tron: Legacy
"Tron: Legacy" is a movie that takes place entirely inside a software program where the father of the protagonist has been trapped for 20 years. The young hero Sam Flynn has grown up an orphan because his dad was seduced and abducted by a video game. A call comes for Sam to join his dad in throwing virtual Frisbees at the evil programs threatening that digital world. The film steps nimbly over such obstacles and hits the ground running, in a 3-D sound-and light show that plays to the eyes and ears more than the mind. Among its real-world technology is a performance by Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn at two different ages—now, and 20 years ago.
The movie's plot is impenetrable, but that doesn't matter since the movie looks great. Both "Tron" and "Tron: Legacy" can fairly lay claim to being state of the art, and this time that includes the use of 3-D. Since so much of the action involves quick movement forward and backward in shots, the 3-D effect is useful, and not just a promiscuous use of the ping-pong effect. Jeff Bridges plays three roles in the movie effectively, and Sam and Olivia Wilde make plausible projections of human emotions in an environment devoid of organic life, including their own.
The movie doesn't bother with scientific explanations for how everything is possible, which is just as well. Isaac Asimov would have attempted some kind of scientific speculation on how this might all be possible, but "Tron" is more action-oriented. The movie's artificial world is wonderfully well-rendered, building on the earlier film's ability to create a digital world and embed human actors. In conclusion, "Tron: Legacy" is a thrilling movie that may be difficult to understand, but it is still a visual and auditory delight.
Where to watch? Tron: Legacy | Disney+ (disneyplus.com)
Skate Kitchen
Skate Kitchen is a 2018 American drama film about an 18-year-old girl named Camille who is passionate about skateboarding. Camille meets a group of female skateboarders known as the "Skate Kitchen" and joins their group. The movie depicts the struggles of female skateboarders in a male-dominated culture and the bond that forms between the members of the Skate Kitchen.
The film features a cast of mostly non-professional actors who are actual members of the Skate Kitchen collective. Skate Kitchen premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and was released in theaters later that year. The movie was praised for its realistic portrayal of female skateboarders and their daily lives.
Skate Kitchen was a critical and commercial success, and its positive reception led to the creation of a spin-off TV series called Betty, which premiered on HBO in 2020. The film also features a diverse cast and highlights the importance of representation in media. The soundtrack includes music from artists such as Princess Nokia and The War on Drugs. Overall, Skate Kitchen is a compelling portrayal of female friendship and the world of skateboarding.
Where to Watch? Skate Kitchen | Watch the Movie on HBO | HBO.com
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is a 2013 film directed by and starring Ben Stiller, based on a short story by James Thurber. The movie follows Walter Mitty, a daydreamer and introverted photo editor for Life magazine who frequently escapes into his vivid imagination.
When the magazine is about to publish its final print issue and Walter's job is at risk, he embarks on a real-life adventure to track down a missing negative for the magazine's final cover, which was taken by famous photographer Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn). This leads Walter on a journey around the world, from Greenland to Iceland, Afghanistan, and the Himalayas, all while encountering numerous obstacles and facing his fears.
Throughout the film, Walter's daydreams frequently intersect with his reality, blurring the lines between what is real and what is in his imagination. As Walter faces various challenges and meets new people, he begins to gain confidence in himself and his abilities. Ultimately, Walter finds the missing negative and gains a new perspective on life, realizing that he can have adventures in the real world instead of just in his daydreams. The film ends with Walter returning home to Life magazine and publishing the final print issue, but with a new sense of purpose and fulfillment in his life.
Wadjda
"Wadjda" is a 2012 Saudi Arabian film directed by Haifaa al-Mansour. The film tells the story of a young girl named Wadjda who lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She is a 10-year-old girl who dreams of owning a green bicycle that she sees in a store window every day on her way to school. However, her mother and society at large discourage her from pursuing this dream, as it is considered improper for girls to ride bicycles.
Wadjda's mother is preoccupied with her own problems, including her husband's desire for a second wife, and is often absent from home. Meanwhile, Wadjda befriends Abdullah, a boy in her class who helps her find ways to raise money to buy the bicycle. Wadjda enters a Qur'an recitation competition at school in the hopes of winning the prize money and purchasing the bicycle. She also sells homemade bracelets and snacks to her classmates.
Throughout the film, Wadjda faces many obstacles as she tries to achieve her goal of buying the bicycle, including criticism from her conservative society and disapproval from her school teachers. Despite these challenges, Wadjda remains determined to succeed.
In the end, Wadjda's father, who had been largely absent throughout the film, surprises her with the bicycle. Wadjda's dreams have finally come true, and she rides the bicycle with joy and freedom, symbolizing her defiance of societal norms and her pursuit of her own dreams. The film ends with Wadjda's smile as she rides her new bicycle down the street.
Where to watch: Wadjda | Apple TV
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