Catherine Hardwicke Flashback #2

This month's movie: Lords of Dogtown (2005)

 

A fictionalized take on the group of brilliant young skateboarders raised in the mean streets of Dogtown in Santa Monica, California. The Z-Boys, as they come to be known, perfect their craft in the empty swimming pools of unsuspecting suburban homeowners, pioneering a thrilling new sport and eventually moving into legend. 

Find more videos like this on Catherine Hardwicke

Lords of Dogtown Trivia:

-David Fincher (The Social Network, Fight Club, Zodiac) was once attached to direct.  

-Emile Hirsch claims the hardest trick he performed for the film was bombing down Bicknell Hill in Venice because he had to do the trick fast, shirtless, and with the camera car alongside him. 

-Original Z-Boys Jay Adams, Tony Alva, and Stacy Peralta all made cameos in the film.

-During the scenes of Alva and Peralta traveling, the Astronaut who asks to try to ride the skateboard is skateboarding legend Tony Hawk.

-Due to a busy shooting schedule and time constraints, the scene where Jay shaves his head had to be shot in director Catherine Hardwicke's own bathroom.

Check out more trivia here.

Lords of Dogtown Reviews:

Mike Clark writes: "It's hard to think of a movie since 1950's Sunset Boulevard that has gotten more dramatic impact out of a pool."

Owen Gleiberman writes: "Hardwicke is the rare director whose work is at once kinesthetic and delicate." 

Peter Travers writes: "Directed with vigor and wit."

"Recounting Skateboarding's Upstart Days" from The New York Times

"But Mr. Peralta does have gratitude. "The biggest feeling I have is one of utter relief that this period of our lives, this touchstone, wasn't done improperly," Mr. Peralta said. "She got it."

A little extra with one of the movie's best moments:

Check out the documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) that inspired the film.

Where Were They Then...?
Amanda Seyfried - Veronica Mars series (2004-2006)
Gary Oldman - Batman Begins (2005)
Julie Christie - Away From Her (2006) (Best Actress Nomination)
Billy Burke - Ladder 49 (2004)
Virginia Madsen - A Prairie Home Companion (2006)
Lukas Haas -Alpha Dog (2006)