50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, the best surf film offered on Amazon, October 8, 2004
This review is from: Singlefin: Yellow (DVD)
Well, this is without a doubt the single best surf film ever made and to be honest, the price on Amazon is much better than you'll find at any surf shop. I paid $30 for my copy (and two copies for a couple of friends).
Jason Baffa (director) has assembled perhaps the most pure piece of cinema on surfing ever. Shot on 16 mm film, the texture is perfect in reflecting the rays of sunlight and the enthusiasm of surfers. It is a longboard film, but applies to all surfers and non-surfers. The board, SingleFin: yellow, refers to a 9'6" single fin, classic nose rider longboard that is yellow, designed and shaped on film by west coast shaper Tyler Hatzikian (sp?). While creator gives birth to this golden chariot and rides it for the first time, the experience is extended to several other friends around the world for their experience and input. Hence, the most unique surf film ever: The board is the central character.
With loving detail and care, Baffa lets us all in on the shaper's world, the surfer's world and the world of the board only to be reborn (I won't give away too much). It's a psuedo documentary, but the special features with story boards and additional comments shows this was planned all along. It's a masterpiece simply unparalleled in surf film lore.
Singlefin has been building an incredible groundswell of cult following in the past year. One viewing and you'll see why. While there wasn't as much bonus material included in this DVD as, say, Step Into Liguid, the additional stuff is still far more than most surf films that have made it to DVD. Check out the director's commentary, too, as Baffa makes multiple viewings well worth your while with insightful details surrounding the challenges to making the film.
Baffa also plans a pending release of a making of DVD for Singlefin accompanied by a soundtrack CD of the music.
And Oh the music. Folks, this is perhaps the best musical soundtrack ever done for a surf film. I've got Step INto Liquid and Soundtrack and to be honest it's somewhat cliche.
Singlefin has nothing cliche about it and Baffa astutely selected some of the most alternative and progressive west coast artists to set the score for his musical backdrop. Bluebird (yes, a very hardcore band) is featured prominantly but with some of their best and esoteric music ever made from their mystical Black Presence CD. It's progressive and moves the genra forward instead of relying on tired themes. Oma Yang provides the powerful closer on SIngleFin and a plethora of folk and other progressive artists coupled with some original score from Baffa and company provides the clear winner of all time for surf film sounds.
If you love surfing, get this film. If you love good filmmaking, get this film. Baffa provides a sober, clear, serious and spiritually profound look at the world of surfing devoid of cliches that will never be rivaled. It's simply the best surf film ever made.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Novel, July 7, 2005
This review is from: Singlefin: Yellow (DVD)
I'd read/heard the hype but I'm not one to listen to other people much so, I bought my copy off Amazon and enjoyed the hell out of it. I don't know who's idea it was to feature a board over a surfer but it was genius! As if the board had a life of it's own. The surfers, as talented as they are, took back-seat to "Yellow", the real star of the film, and highlights how one board can be ridden in any number of ways on any number of waves (oh, Bongo, that was a steep drop). No inane comments from the competitive surfing peanut gallery, just a short answer to "Why do you surf?" was all that was needed to add "depth" to one singlefin: yellow. A great flick.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant! Buy it!, April 12, 2006
This review is from: Singlefin: Yellow (DVD)
This is my absolute favourite film... and that includes all genres! I have watched this about 15 times and I never tire of it. The cinematography and soundtrack are superb and the story is great. Although it is purely longboarding, that doesn't matter because the quality of the surfing is very high and really they could be riding any size of board and it wouldn't take away from the overall vibe of this film. It strikes the perfect balance between surfing and story.
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