Sunset Surf » DVD’s

21 Days later – Mentawais – Mr B Productions DVD review

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:53:36 +0000

Another Mr B special.

’21 Days Later – Mentawais’ follows seven of Britain and Ireland’s finest surfers on a three week boat trip around the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, home to some of the most perfect waves in the world! Featuring some incredible sessions at a variety of epic spots such as Macaronis, HTs, E-Bay, Lances Left, Pit Stops, Bank Vaults and more. Learn about the spots and share the surfers experience as they embark on the trip of a lifetime.

“I think it’s every surfers dream, isn’t it, to spend 3 weeks on a boat with perfect waves, good friends, good times…I didn’t want to go home” - Alan Stokes.

Featuring Reubyn Ash, Lee Bartlett, Easkey Britton, Robyn Davies, Sam Lamiroy, Mike Morgan and Alan Stokes. Also including a host of international professional surfers we met along the way.

This trip was organised by photographer Roger Sharp of Slide Magazine, which is now online at: www.slidemag.co.uk

Check out our gallery for 21 days later also here.

We always like Mr B’s productions, they are down to earth and featuring “local” talent always makes for an appealing film. The familiar accents, the common way of relaxing and chilling out all strike a chord and seem a long way from some of the surf super stars where they seem to be rich beyond belief but without the soul.

The result is the film 21 Days later – Mentawais takes you away almost on an autobiographical holiday. As with all Mr B’s films they are wave packed. Rather than have seperate scenes for interviews and surfers comments, its dubbed over the action, so you get the best of both worlds – you get to hear what the guys think about a spot, whist watching them or one of the others surf it.

As always the footage is well shot, and the camera person (can’t be sexist) gets in a good position to really help you capture the feel for the waves, the perfectness of them, and also the risk to skin on the nasty looking shallow reefs.

Whilst the perfect, seemingly endless waves of the mentawais seem a million miles away from windy september swells in the UK / Ireland its great to showcase the talent that our Islands produce and to show that in really great conditions these guys are ripping it up with the best in the world.

So to sum up.

With this film you get to see a load of great UK / Irish surfers – both male and female, living the dream! Spending 3 weeks in world class surf, ripping up it. The film is a veritable wave fest, I dont know exactly how many shots there are but there is lots and lots
Its another one of those films that by the end of it you feel like you are there on the trip with them.. and then when you realise you are not, its time to start saving!

Well done Mr B, Another diamond job, keep them coming

Sunset Surf A++ Approved.

Available from:

www.21dayslater.com or

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/mrbproductions1

One California Day Surf DVD Review

admin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:23:18 +0000

One California Day

What can I say, this is a legendary surf film!

I remember when I first saw an advert for the film in The Surfers Path, and I remember thinking that it looked like it might be a good film. Well it was a good film, in fact it was a great film. But why?

Well for a start its ram packed with legends. The likes of Joel Tudor, Alex Knost, the Malloys, Taylor and many many more, including cameos from Greg Knoll, Skip Frye, Tom Curren etc.. Whilst a film containing just great surfers is reasonably sure to be at the least a good film, its not just the surfers and guests in this film that make it great.

The film runs you down the Californian coast, taking to you to some of the great breaks and beaches including San Diego, Long Beach, Santa Babera, Santa Cruz etc.. and some not quite so well know breaks too. California has such a rich and diverse surf history, shaping many of the great surfers today, and providing the rich history of some of historys greatest surfers and icons.

It combines a tour of california, with a history lesson taking you into the past of surfing styles, board shaping and the culture of California throughout the 50′s, 60′s and onwards. One California Day has a fantastic pace about it that makes it one of those immersing films that you just can’t stop watching, but at the same time makes you want to just go and immediately surf!

Definitely one for the shelf or film repository, and whilst I could go on and on, all that is left to say really, is that this is just one fantastic film, featuring a brilliantly put together soundtrack, which is half the battle of creating a good film.

Absolutely no problems giving this film an A+, recommended watching anytime and time and time again.

Want to watch it now? Well then do it! This film is available through our surf film partner thesurfnetwork.com, click the image below to buy and immediatly download to iTunes in high resolution! What more could you want!

One California Day

Build Worldwide

Released: 2007

Running time: 96:00

File size: 1.10 GB

Format: Widescreen

Substance Surf DVD Review

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:14:23 +0000

Substance

You should buy this DVD if you can say yes to any of the following

a) You like surfing

b) You like Action packed surf DVD’s

c) You like surfing and Action packed surf DVD’s

d) You are human!
Mr B has yet again brought to our screens action packed, and I mean action packed footage from around our local shores.

Featuring probably 50 plus different surfers, there is hardly a scene without some great manouvers, wicked airs, and generally awesome wave trickery!

What makes this DVD different from all the rest?

Well for a start its great to see so many great local surfers at their peak in local waves, whilst the waves are not always the picture perfect waves you often see frequenting popular surf magazines, there are some cracking scenes with waves that you would argue are some of the best in the world – certainly not melancholy!

The DVD features Big waves, bigger waves! And also realistic size waves for the more human of us!

A cool feature on this DVD is the little text snippets that you get in each section, pointing out the name of the surfer in that section and also usefull / less facts about them or the scene. Little speech bubble with arrows, ive not seen that on a surf film before and it made me smile.

There are some classic action scenes featuring some heavy and hollow looking waves, breaking on lovely slabs around the coast, there really is plenty of talent in this film, and in England and Ireland and Mr B seems to tracked it all down J

I think this DVD also boast the largest and knarlyest wipeout section I have seen on a surf DVD, probably a full 5 minutes long with some really nasty looking wipeouts to make you wince and laugh at the same time.

The quality of the filming is great, and you get the atmosphere of the locations transmitted through the TV through realistic lighting and great quality film, its another one that makes you feel like you could be there watching in person rather than on TV.

As with all great surf films its got great music to boot, all seamlessly edited in with the action.

If you are not human, you might not like this DVD, otherwise, get it bought!

As with Mr B’s other films we loved it, its just is a great showcase of the waves and talent that could be just at your doorstep.

Def init ely Sunset Surf approved filmage! Buy it now!

Check http://www.mrbproductions.co.uk/substance/

Press Release:

Mr B Productions and Wavelength Magazine bring you a new level in British and Irish surfing. Shot entirely in Britain and Ireland, Substance features some of the best waves and best surfing ever captured around the British Isles. Perfect Waves, Epic Sessions, Incredible Surfing, ALL AT HOME!

Length – 58 minutes Bonus – over 40 minutes of Bonus Features – comes in special edition DVD case with booklet.

Driven Surf DVD Review

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:13:55 +0000

Driven

Ireland is hot at the moment for surfing in all its various forms, but especially hot is the big wave scene over there.

Driven takes an in depth documentary approach to the Journey two guys take on the way to big wave surfing. Both the surfers involved, Alastair Mennie and Andrew Cotton are experienced surfers and decide to pit their skills against something new – Irelands big wave scene.

Its a great documentary too, it really gave us the personal feel, like we were there on the journey with Mennie and Cotty. Its a warts and all film, showing the guys at their best and their not so best, which is what makes the film all the better. All too often surf films only showcase the best talent, surfing flawless waves, and with only a wipeout or too thrown in for amusement. Driven takes you on the full journey, the days when the surf is rubbish, but they go out anyway, when things go wrong and how the guys deal with ever changing unreliable elements that create the wonderfull sport we all love.

The filming and music on the film is also great, Mr B has been banging out some really good productions recently (watch out for reviews of substance and performing monkeys coming shortly) the filming is certainly up to the standard that we all have come to expect from modern surf films yet maintains that feel that you are almost there – I find the gloss on some surf films prevent you from really feeling part of the action.

Bottom line, a top draw production, and as the press release below says – whether you are a surfer or not, this is a great documentary about an incredibly fast growing extreme sport!

Sunset Surf Approved A*

Press Release:

‘Driven’ is one of the most exciting and interesting surfing stories ever to come out of Britain and Ireland and will fascinate surfers and non-surfers alike. Focusing on 2 experienced surfers Alastair Mennie and Andrew Cotton as they come together to tackle the giant waves of Ireland’s West coast, which in the last couple of years has been exposed as legitimate big wave surfing territory on a world scale. The film follows the 2 surfers through all their highs & lows from their first experiences as a tow team, training sessions, big waves: both ‘tow’ and ‘paddle in’, one of the most incredible wipeouts in world surfing and many huge wave sessions since. Experience the work, preparation, motivation and total commitment it takes to surf big waves in Ireland.

State of Play Surf DVD Review

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:13:19 +0000

Another great film to come out of the UK’s surf scene.

We just love Uk Surf films – you may get that impression from our UK film reviews! But its true, and whilst we are obviously a bit bias, if you are british, there is something about seing your local breaks, your local weather, the atmosphere captured on film for you to re-live.

State of Play follows on from the good run of British surf films, most of its filmed in the UK with some additional scences from abroad.

The longboarding is great, very progressive but a nice mix of traditional and new school. The bigger wave footage at Croyde is great. What some of us wouldnt dare do on a shortboard, the guys are making look simple on longboards! Great noseriding and footwork from some of the UK’s unsung hero’s of the scene.

It features good footage, the filmings done well, with our only complaint some slightly dodgy music in the abroad scenes, but then i guess some of that is personal taste! Perks of doing the review

All in all another cracking UK Surf film, we are bias, but then with films this good we really dont need to be

Stamped with the Sunset Surf seal of approval. Well worth a buy.

As with everything these days, you can view a trailer on youtube… see below

Super Slide DVD Review

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:12:33 +0000

Super slide Review

A Classic look at longboarding and its history. We love this film, some really great old footage of some of the legends and pioneers of surf.

Its got it all when it comes to longboarding DVD’s, footage of baby ripples being nose ridden, and footage of monsters being nose ridden! Its shot well too, you get to really focus on the foot work of some of the worlds best loggers, there is lots of interviews talking about the progression of early day longboarding to modernday longboarding and what the differences and benefits have been.

Its a good educational film too, as it highlights what the pros are doing with their feet, their techniques etc… which can help you to fine tune your own technique.

To sum up, a classic, well worth a watch.

Press Release

Catch a wave! Super Slide explores the history of classic longboard-style surfing, with plenty of remarkable archival footage, as well as a look at Joel Tudor, a world champion surfer who has inspired a revival of this old-school style. With this video, you will never be called a ho-dad again.

Sea Fever DVD Review

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:12:01 +0000

Sea Fever Review

Its always a pleasure to review DVD’s, and Sea Fever was no different. We usually get some of the guys round pop open a couple of drinks, and sit back and enjoy.

The emerald isles have always held a fasination for me, the seemingly endless variety of waves make it a real treaure – something for everyone!

Sea Fever comes from a number of angles, one is the old timers, who have been surfing in Ireland since the 60′s, the interviews show you how things used to be, and especially the limited equipment that they had access too, perhaps something we take for granted in this modern era. It does however highlight their dedication and love for the sport, and also the fact that surfing is for everyone, often on DVD’s and TV you only see the latest showcases of young talent, but they old boys are still chargin too!

You also get taken into the world of Irish big wave surfing, which is something that is on the up, and so it should be, whilst the water may not be warm, the quality of big waves is certainly there, and the atmosphere that the DVD creates around Aileens, is great. On one hand you have the massive angry swell pushing in big waves, and on the other hand you have the cliffs! No way out!

Full respect to the local chargers, who make it seem and look easy, although we were in no doubt that its certainly not as easy as they make it look – as was highlighted on the DVD, if you don’t know what you are doing, it could be life or death.

Living in the UK, whilst its nice to watch surf DVD’s showcasing the best waves from around the globe, we always enjoy local films. Part of surfing in the UK is enduring the weather and the often very changeable conditions, and Sea Fever highlights this, but also reminds you of why we love it so much.

All in all its definitely one to watch, especially considering its Ken’s first production. We look forward to seeing his next installment, which given that Irish big wave surfing is forcing its way onto the global big wave scene, is hopefully sure to ensue..

Sunset Surf stamp of approval.

Press Release

Sea Fever – Filmed over the course of two years to capture the mood of Irish surfing throughout the seasons.

Sea Fever is an insight film into the surf culture that has developed in Ireland over the last forty years. With dramatic footage from Ireland’s giant wave ‘Aileens’ (Aill na Searrach) at the 700 feet Cliffs of Moher and close-up interviews with the troubadour surfers that brave these 40 – 50 foot waves to Kevin Cavey and the early pioneers of the 1960s & 70s with their rudimentary equipment and spirit of adventure, Sea Fever sets out to capture the character and craic of Irish surfing.

Sea Fever is Ken O’Sullivan’s first production

Billabong Odyssey DVD

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:11:31 +0000

“No special effects….. what you are about to see is real!”

BILLABONG ODYSSEY
UK SMASH HIT COMES TO DVD January 31st 2005 – Double Disc Collectors Edition

Its not one of those films that when you sit down to watch it, you have no idea what you are about to see…

It’s been pretty well marketed, and if like us you had / have seen the trailers, it certainly leaves you with a keen anticipation of the whole film.

Its relatively unusual for the majority of surf films to receive the amount of hype that Odyssey got, and whether you are a surfer or not, it raised interest in the sport.

So when we sat down to review it, we were pretty keen to see how it differs from the majority of surf films out today.

A lot of the films made today contain 90% of wild footage, and contain little narration or storyline, which we are not saying is bad. That’s where Odyssey is vastly different. It’s a story, a documentary, about a group that has a mission. That mission is to seek out and surf the worlds largest waves, wherever they maybe!

The footage is shot excellently, and it’s great to be able to get to see what goes on behind the scenes. The way that the guys train, all the safety issues they have to take into consideration. It’s also nice to see that they are all good friends and the joint search for big waves has overcome competitive ambitions.

The film itself contains some of the most incredible footage, the editing, the music and the sound effects that are used all create a great atmosphere to allow you to be engrossed into the film for the full length of it.

We are all surfers so we can only comment from that background, but there wasn’t many of us that watched it that didn’t come away thinking – “I wish I could do that!”

From the warm waters of Hawaii to Europe and America, the team cover a great deal of the sea, and they discover and surf some amazing spots. When the guys hit a spot and spend some time surfing a big wave location, the cinematography gets you in all the right places, and when the guys get wiped out, you are wincing for them!

If you are not a surfer and are just curious about what its like to surf some of the biggest waves on the planet, this film is for you. If you are a surfer and want to see some of the biggest waves on the planet surfed with style, skill and passion, this film is for you!

As for the footage of Teahupoo! You’ll just have to decide for yourself, crazy or plain insane!

Its one of those films that is certainly a must see, and if you can, a must to own as you are going to want to watch it time and again.

A Sunset Surf rated awesome film!

Press Release

Billabong Odyssey took the UK by storm, becoming one of the most talked about independent films of the year. Unusually for an independent, little known SURFING movie UK theatrical trailer
it captured the media¹s imagination, with everyone from Jonathan Ross to Richard and Judy raving about it!
Huge media support and word of mouth means millions of people have heard of it, downloading images of Œthat wave¹ from the net. It¹s success on screen means it is now enjoying an extended national tour but for many the release of the DVD is the first time they¹ll have access to some of the most breathtaking footage in cinema history.
So why did Billabong Odyssey become a UK smash hit? With a screen average of £2,000 in its first weekend Billabong performed well above many blockbusters in the UK box office top 10. Why? Because it¹s simply breathtaking, boasting the most astonishing opening sequences in the history of filmmaking, which you¹ll want to play again and again. And with the release of the DVD you¹ll be able to. Watch it and understand why widescreens were invented. This three-year, globetrotting quest for the world¹s biggest wave is nothing less than spectacular.
DVD EXTRAS
… 35 minute interview with Star Mike Parsons, on being petrified, on Œthat wave¹, on the danger of big wave surfing and the loss of his best friend Mark Foo … 30 minute interview with director, Philip Boston on the mentality and danger of directing the star of the film Œjaws¹ – 100 tonnes of water! … Interview with Bill Sharp, expedition leader of the search for the biggest wave in the world. … Bonus 2nd disk in depth look of the history of big wave surfing documentary, with incredible footage only surpassed only by Billabong Odyssey. …

Synopsis
A surfer is towed by jetski onto the tip of a rising wave, the camera pulls back and the wave begins to swell. As your eyes re-adjust to the change in scale, the camera pulls back further, and within seconds the wave has risen to a monstrous 70 ft a thousand tons of moving liquid arching over the surfer¹s head. Accelerating up to 55 mph, he flies through the arc of rushing water in a race to pull clear before it collapses upon him. This is the beginning of Billabong Odyssey , an epic journey that brought together the greatest surfers in the world with just one goalŠ to surf the biggest wave in history, and live.
Billabong Odyssey offers a breathtaking journey into the world of big-wave surfing. Forget everything you think you know about surf movies, this is a film that shatters pre-conceptions. Unrivalled in its abundance of jaw-dropping footage, the film is also a moving journey into the lives and psyches of the few surfers equipped to ride giant waves. A human tale of triumph and disaster, it has received accolades from critics and audiences alike. Billabong Odyssey culminates in the world tow-in championships at legendary break JAWS, off the coast of Hawaii. A final sequence that almost claims the life of one of the expedition¹s top surfers, it provides a nail biting climax to an utterly remarkable and completely unforgettable piece of filmmaking. And as you watch the spectacular footage unfold, don¹t forget to keep reminding yourself, there are no special effectsŠ what you are about to see is real.
Film festival award: ”Prix du Public” [Public¹s Award] Festival International du Film de surf Certificate : PG Director: Philip Boston Film run time 87 mins DVD extras : 65 mins approx Cast: Brad Gerlach, Brian L. Keaulana, Mike Parsons, Bill Sharp, Darryl Virostko, Darryl ‘Flea’ Virostko

Awesome!” RICHARD AND JUDY
“An Awe-inspiring film” FHM
“A mesmerising, fearsome an exhilarating journey” Total Film ***** “Jaw dropping” The Guardian
“Astonishing” Empire

The Review

Blue Horizon DVD

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:10:36 +0000

The Yin & Yang story of the 2 time world champion Andy Irons and 21st century soul surfer Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich. While Andy slays all challengers to his throne in the closest title race in history, Rastacharms the rest of us with his joyous worldly view and magical performances. When you’ve seen Blue Horizon you will know all you need to know about the current state of the surfing art. From the award winning film maker Jack McCoy.

The Review

Billabongs blue horizon showcases two of their sponsored riders. World ASP Tour champ Andy Irons and Free surfer Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich.

The film aims to show the different way of lives of the two characters who essentially both live to surf, but go about it in very different ways.

Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich is sponsored by Billabong ‘just to surf’. He is not a competition surfer although has been at the top in his past. Andy Irons is a sponsored team rider, and competes with great success in the world renowned ASP world tour, where he has and continues to have huge success.

The film follows the seemingly separate and different lives of the two surfers, there is a good amount of footage of Andy competing in the highly competitive ASP tour, and the film shows you the kind of pressure the pro surfers have to face, life is not an easy ride for a pro. Over a very short period of time we follow Andy going from break to break day after day competing at the top level.

On the contrast the film shows Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich and his life around his free surfing. He is able to live a much more paced life, and you get the impression that being able to ‘just surf’ makes for a pretty stress free life. Obviously he has responsibilities with Billabong to live up to and gets involved in a large amount of press shoots. He is often found at the major breaks when they are going off. Some stunning footage of both Dave and Andy at Teahupoo show how both surfers are extremely talented.

Often we only get to see the fame and fortune side to the ASP tour and surfing professionals, but Blue Horizon goes behind the scenes to show you the real stresses and strains that the Pro tour puts on a surfer. Andy however lives to compete and takes it all in his stride like a duck to the water. On the contrast ‘free’ surfers are not highlighted so much in the popular media due to the very nature of ‘free’ surfing. And it’s a welcome dream for many of us to peer into, a life where you are paid to surf!

The film was made by renowned surf filmmaker Jack McCoy – and there is no question as to the quality of the footages, the content or the soundtrack. Another great production.

It’s a film that shows you how life could be. How 2 seemingly different characters paths meet through a joint love for surfing.

A Sunset Surf recommended DVD. Definitely one to brighten up those rainy winter days!

The Elusive Surf DVD

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:09:52 +0000

The elusive story;

11 months, 25,000 miles, a cold winter, hot summer and more waves the you can shake your stick at .(nob). A lone film makers blinkered mission around the coasts of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

‘I never arranged to meet anyone, just turned up when the chart looked good and filmed whoever was there at the time.’

The results was a big range of hidden talent and breaks, local characters, visitors, pros on photo shoots, die hard van people (we salute you) and some truly world blass waves.

2ft chop to 25ft tow. the elusive

The Review

What makes a great surf film? Is it the pro’s featured in it? Is it massive hawaian waves? Different people obviously have different ideas, but one thing that certainly can make a surf DVD is the soundtrack.

The elusive takes you on a journey, by its simplistic use of a toy car and a map, your are always waiting to see where the van stops and where you are going to visit next!

The filming is first class, and the content matches. It may not be the ASP world tour professionals, but then if you live in England, Ireland, Wales or Scotland then you just might not want to see that all the time.

Its so refreshing to see a film that combines the best local talent with the best local breaks. You can get right into the film as the breaks all look familiar. From the slop to the huge monsters, the personalitys to the unknown surfers it all seems familiar, like you could be out surfing with anyone of the guys filmed at anytime and at anyone of the breaks. The talent that is out there, going on un-noticed is a great testomony to our small Islands.

The music matches the atmosphere of the film sublimely, helping you on your way through the journey, and it really is the icing on an already tasty cake.

The Sunset surf team all loved the film. When the surf is flat, blown out or just not happening, its a great one to put on to remind you what we love about the UK and not forgetting Southern Ireland. The fickleness of our breaks, the swell, and the down right cold we have to endure, its all brought out in the elusive.

If you live in the UK or southern Ireland, then like us, you will want to get up and explore the gems that we have on our coastlines. Its all there just waiting for you..!

The bonus 70′s footage is also class, showing us that the pioneers were tearing it up way back then, just like surfers today.

A Sunset surf approved, definite addition to your DVD collection.