Saturday, March 14, 2009

Presentin'

The Present: Cool 16mm film feel but a very clunky feel. Weird voiceovers that didn't go together or say anything new. Songs that would stop mid wave. Good waves with cool angles, but were sped up to nonsense. Nose cam of Rasta's mouth hanging open for 5 minutes. No thanks. This was not the movie I was so hyped on way back when this trailer came out. Shit back then, I was so stoked I even did a quick drunken late night awful remix of the trailer. I think I'd buy the trailer on DVD, but not the movie.

Five years to make this? Seems like a thrown together side project mishap that happened to come from a very talented guy.





2.8 @17secs from 170

12 Comments:

At 7:56 AM, Blogger Mr. Lentini said...

a bad review of thomas cambell--I like you more now...ballsy

 
At 1:15 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

accurate review, unfortunately. Lentini is right, takes balls to post-up against the prevailing winds and I was wondering when someone would do just that. How long was that phone skit with Knost and Junod, like 4 1/2 minutes... "Hey Al, yea, just shaping a few boards, yea, I'm the pastor at my local church, yea hey I would love to go to Africa"..." We could dress up, in suites." I understand he was at the editing table in NY on Thursday night before the Friday opener in Encinitas.

 
At 1:29 PM, Blogger pushingtide said...

Maybe it was his first time looking at that edited version?

I love his other films, this one just felt super thrown together. And I could tell a lot of people felt that way by the nice golf applause going on.

Just expected more.....

 
At 1:29 PM, Blogger pushingtide said...

But I am just one dude that loves to surf in the dark am so who cares what I think....

 
At 1:49 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

kinda refreshing to hear someone tell it like it is and not just swallow this stuff up like everyone else.
im really interested to see the film now.

thomas campbell has a real monopoly on the alternative side of surfing its frustrating. everyone just laps that shit up.

good on ya for being honest.

ross.

 
At 12:20 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Waiting for the Tyler Warren flick up next. Should be good, love watching that kid surf. Also, If you haven't already, check out the trailer for Mike Black's new one "JAZZ THE GLASS!"

 
At 3:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey, you said weren't going to post a review! lol

Good one though. I enjoyed the film, but like you, some of the editing seemed rushed to say the least, but I know nothing about making films.

Rasta's mouth bugged me too! lol

Sped up sequences were annoying as at first I would think, shit, how come I don't make fast waves like that??

I thought the phone convo was a send up/tribute to Endless Summer, and also, to show the two extremes of exisitence - wild party kid versus grounded, spiritually guided man (check out recent TSJ article for more on Michel). In a way, be happy with who you are now, in The Present. Maybe I'm reaching after reading to much Mindfulness stuff lately.

But the big waves in Africa footage - mind blowing. RR - Rasta Rips

 
At 2:21 PM, Blogger Toddy said...

I reckon he never should have used a New York editor. Heh heh.

 
At 6:29 AM, Blogger Rick said...

Oldy's films are also about "ride everything" but lack the pretension that comes with Campbell. I haven't seen the present yet but I do look forward to it cause I like to see knost's epileptic style on the log.

push yours is still my favourite surfy blog. seen. ras

 
At 10:53 AM, Blogger Morgan said...

i too was very let down by the film. here is my review...

http://bogustard.blogspot.com/2009/03/bogus-roeper-reviews-present.html

 
At 4:03 AM, Blogger Rebecca Olive said...

Ooh! A collective of people who didn't necessarily love it.

I'm not quite so ballsy, but I tried too!

 
At 1:24 PM, Blogger sylvain said...

"thomas campbell has a real monopoly on the alternative side of surfing"

tsss
hey guys there is not only the us in the surf industry anymore...
http://vimeo.com/4486189

 

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