Customer Reviews

Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been waiting for a documentary about Hosoi. He came after me as a skater but I think that this documentary shows the bridge from where Alva [the greatest of all time ever]and Jay Adams [the most rad skater]left off and the extention of air continued. It shows how versitile Hosoi was in adapting to the emerging street skating that left many vert skaters behind. It also shows how Tony Hawk (though supportive of Hosoi in the documentary) was really a pale version of Hosoi. It was as if Hosoi was the Jay Adams of his day and Tony Hawk was the Stacy Peralta. Sure Peralta and Hawk were able to capitalize on skating and convert it to monetary fame, but the two who really ripped in their time were Adams and Hosoi. It is a must see for skaters and those unfamiliar with the subject. It is well made and suitable for everyone. I liked it better that the Gater Rogowski documentary. There is a duality to it that enables the viewer to see the rise of this prodigious skater and his sincerity in wanting to contribute after he was released from the pen.

This is a great film. Since I grew up skating more in the 80's I appreciate this film almost more the Dogtown and Z-boy (both great flicks). The film showcases one of the best skateboard competition rivalries between Christian and Tony Hawk, style vs. technical. It also goes through the transition from when vert skating was big to when street skating came to the forefront. Christian was one that could do both very well. If you are an old school skateboarder or just one that would like to find more out about their roots this is a perfect film. Towards the end it goes into Christian becoming a Born Again Christian which being agnostic I was worried would be too much, but it was done very tasteful and didn't detract from the film at all. One of the best things for me was to see the recent footage of Christian ripping the pools.

If you are a skater you will love this documentary. The ups, downs, and ups again of vert legend Christian Hosoi. Lots of classic footage of Holmes and other sk8 legends, great interviews as well, and an excellent story along the way. I like that it wasn't sugar coated, just a raw, honest story. I really enjoyed it, Christian is a cool guy.

I had wanted to see this video for some time, I just never got around to it. I found a "gently used" copy on Amazon and ordered it. It arrived quickly, in perfect condition.
I'm 59 years old and started skating on metal wheels and a chunk of 2"x4". In the mid-70's, I was a part time skate guard and managed a small skateboard shop a couple of days a week (as well as my full time job) This is just to point out my love and involvement in skateboarding.
Christian Hosoi came along shortly after I moved on from skating but I was aware of him and always loved his style. This video really tells the whole story of his rise and fall as a young skateboarding icon. Powerful yet tragic!
It it fantastic to see him survive his mistakes and put his life back together. I can only hope that any young viewers will learn from his mistakes and realize that even the best can "fall" but that it is never too late to rise again.
Awesome skating and a well produced video. I highly recommend it.........

If you followed Christian Hosoi or Tony Hawk or any of the 80s skaters this documentary is awesome. It really took me back to when I was younger. I practically forgot how good Christian was and didn't really know what had happened to him. This DVD explains the whole story and has a lot of original footage. It was so cool I had to order it for my brother.

There is another excellent documentary about a fallen 80's skate legend---"Gator--The Rise and Fall of Mark Rogowski", or something like that. Both guys were brilliant skaters, innovators of modern skateboarding. Unfortunately, both of them made a lot of money as teenagers, and neither had strong family units to keep them sane. Rogowski ended up getting into drugs and committing the rape and murder of a young woman. He's in prison for life. Hosoi got into drugs and went to prison, found God, and is now working his way back. Tony Hawk, on the other hand, had a strong family unit(his father Frank Hawk, in particular), and we all know how he turned out. It's really pretty sad. Christian Hosoi was more popular than Tony Hawk at his peak, but his drug use and immaturity kept him down. Now, everybody knows who Tony Hawk is---but only skaters know Hosoi. Good movie, but it manages to be depressing and uplifting at the same time.

My daughter had seen this on an HBO special. She wanted it to own. It arrived promptly. And she is thrilled with it

I bought this for my brother and unfortunately he already had it, but in his words he says "Dude, its awesome!" Christian Hosoi is a skateboarding legend and it is an inside to his life. If you love skateboarding, you should buy this.

This movie captures the rawness that transpired during the rockstar days of skateboarding and it's leader HOSOI. Fantastic movie! I can watch this movie over and over again and not get tired. Sick skating and even sicker skate personalities. I strongly recommend this movie to die hard skateboarders or posers trying to learn the roots! SKATE OR DIE!!!

This movie is a very emlightning movie of a skateboard star finding glory and fame in the outside world leading him to truth and glory of the inside world. Loved it!