What can be said that already has not been said about this crew, as enigmatic as the smile on a Cheshire cat? Well if you are wondering pop this DVD in and prepare to smile, to be amazed and to be overtaken by the creative minds behind Adam2. This DVD is produced by Loaded and shot, chopped, scored and performed by Adam Colton and Adam Stokowski. On the back of the DVD bulleted points are; Innovative Longboarding and progressive film making, after watching the DVD that’s not even the half of it.
The video starts out with a screen roll giving the secret past of these momentum magi, leading into the earlier works of the crew. One of the first things to be impressed by is how much nicer these videos look on the big screen. Additionally it is to be noted that although some of this footage is old due to riders standards it has lost none of its impressive nature. Even watching the remaining footage does not take away from the origins of the rider and directors earlier works.
The second chapter follows the riders as they crossed the country for the benefit Greenskate Lab, the skate across America portion of the DVD holds some of the most captivating footage on the disk the scenery and absolute stark stoked reality of their long trip. I showed it to a few of my non-rider friends and this portion of the disc kept them locked, in their eyes (and mine) the riders were uber men. The dvd covers the entire trip the trial and tribulations as well as the good friends made on the way most notably Lonboard Larry who became a dear friend of the crew when they became stranded.
This flows into the LBL portion of the disk now even though these videos have been watched on the computer the massiveness of the rider’s dexterity is just that much more impressive in dvd detail and ya don’t have to wait for it to download. Beyond that the artistic nature of the shots and scene settings in synchronicity of the riders innovative boardwalking manipulation just seems more intense. Throwing the Dancers across curbs down sidewalks and slathering sweet turns on smooth as creamed tofu tarmc.
On wings the DVD slips into flow with loaded and the Video Fly easily one of the most tranquil videos the squared masters have put together, the sheer organic nature of the video and the unforced velocity is a masterpiece and the sublime method of it’s delivery just seems to soothe and at the same time propel you to ride. To contrast this you get loose which exposes the dynamic nature of the riders skills in a more urban environment. With the next video… I’m still wondering.
Ridge riders has to be one of the most captivating sequences on the DVD if it be the nostalgia of the blue ridge hills I don’t know. The boys strapping the speed on and commanding the tree shrouded hills just conveys the true singular nature of their riding. The smooth dropped knee body extensions on the turns. There is a bit of my being that watched with portion and lived it, if but vicariously through the squared crew. This is beautiful riding in beautiful settings, velocity in solid visual perfection.
This video continues with intense displays from Luis on both the terrain of bowls but streets as well. It’s amazing to think that even showcased with the Adam2 crew his riding still is impressive, well… it is. The kid is just straight up monkey nuts freebasing jelly beans talented. The Loaded segment continues with the boys riding the smaller of the Loaded lineup the Fish utilizing the foamie to flip twist and trick nice sunny streets with head spinning camera transitions. Although some of the videos are showcases of primary equipment they still remain engaging and inspirational.
The DVD is not just chock full of center stage videos there is also massive bonus material, an assortment of scenes and settings with familiar friends popping up along the way. It’s cool to see the smiling reality behind the sicker than smoke and mirrors personal life the squared imply to be, able to see the natural existence much of the bonus footage provides this exact thing. Similar to my opinions on Ridge, The Cowboy and Me was a personal favorite. To think that with the professional DVD delivered so nicely, with such quality footage and editing and my favorite is the sheer visceral realness of bombing down that hill, knowing it had eaten others and not just before but on that day and to still commit not to the ride but to capturing it. The camera may sway the rider may be outframe in a blur of gravel. You however are there locked in with them. Awesome.
It’s hard to place this DVD it’s a documentary, a display of skill of the riders, a showcase of artistic editing and directing and a inventive utilization of products from two very inspired but different board makers. The sheer genius behind the riders skills alone sets the tone from the DVD, from the very beginning the Squealing Barker TomCat, eclectic, insane, motivated and all the while. Smiling. The DVD delivers 23 videos 8 of which are exclusive to this release weighing in at a solid 150 minutes. Every single video is worth watching. If that doesn’t do it for you 1$ from the sale of every DVD goes to stoked mentoring, which is a foundation to teach at risk kids to ride. Either way “Make You Smile” is a strong release and well worth a gander check below for locations to buy the DVD and go here for the video trailer .
Locations you can buy the DVD
Loadedboards
http://www.loadedboards.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?product=DVDs
Skates on Haight
http://www.skatesonhaight.com/Loaded-boards-Make-You-sMile-DVD-p/dvdlbmys.htm
Longboard Larry
BlackDiamondsports
http://www.blackdiamondsports.com/Loaded_Make_You_Smile_DVD_p/loaded_smile.htm
Extremeoutdoorsupply
http://www.extremeoutdoorsupply.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_27&products_id=982
The Longboard Store
http://www.thelongboardstore.com/dvd/adam_squared.htm
Purpleskunk.com
Mile High Skates
more to come…..
visit whoisadamcolton.com , loaded boards.com and www.stokedmentoring.org
