Dogtown and Z-Boys is the movie that ‘Lords of Dogtown’ wanted to be. It’s the documentary by Stacy Peralta, one of the Z-Boys of the title, that explores how the skateboarding movement started. It’s brilliant.
Being created by one of the “original three” (Stacy Peralta, Jay Adams and Tony Alva) it has the most unique quality: It can make someone who doesn’t know anything about skateboarding *care* about skateboarding. Let me say it again: This movie made me CARE about skateboarding! No, I didn’t go out and buy a board, I don’t have a death wish, but it moves with such tender momentum that can only come from someone who was there that you can’t help but fall in love with the passion, if nothing else. Beyond this, the movie is technically excellent. Well written and toned, it explores the birth of the movement in a way that it easy to understand for everyone, but technical enough to make you feel like an insider. Special attention was paid to the editing on this movie and it’s stunning. The kinetic feeling you get – even watching this on a 27″ tube TV – is incredible. I’m actually not sure why so few people have seen this movie, but it’s not just a favorite, it’s a must in my book, which is why it’s on this list. Go watch it. You’ll be surprised.
