Grind (2003)

Sadly Over-hyped

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Grind was a movie that randomly popped into my mind one day, for I remembered it was one of the few skateboarding movies out there. I hadn't seen it until now, and all I can say is that I'd maybe like it if I saw it at age 8 when it was released. Plot- It doesn't even try. A kid takes his dumb friends on a road trip to skate at a competition. Some funny things happen along the way but none of it feels genuine.Writing- Cringe worthy at most parts. It all felt so awkward, and it seemed as if an entirely new script would have been fine as long as they still met up with Bam Margera and company. Acting/ Characters- The writing always brings down the characters, and as stated, I thought it was very poor. Not the worst, but I mean the characters goof around in the weirdest ways, none of them are distinctive beyond a one or two word stereotype, and you end up with relative good actors playing poorly written hooligans. So in turn, the acting in itself wasn't bad, just awkward. I really got annoyed with the character Sweet Lou that is almost identical to McConaughey in Dazed in Confused. He looks like a total fool.Quality- Yikes. I watched this hoping that at least the skateboard scenes would be juicy, much like an action film with dull moments in between. The skating scenes are awful, they could have just filmed it like a real video. All you see is their feet, barely an attempt for realistic stunt doubles, and the tricks they do are laaaame- you will not be dazzled, fellow skaters. This movie looks like it was shot in a hurry, the most bland angles, lazy editing.Overall I gave this a 3 mainly because I'm considering the nostalgia aspect- people who saw this as a kid may like it, but I didn't, and I don't. I also don't give 1's much. It has no pizazz, no realism or insight into the lives of skaters, no driving plot points. Just attempts, failures, and success, all driven by an awful sense of humor and the sheer obligation to simply make a skateboarding flick for the big screen.

I just saw Grind for the first time, it was on HBO earlier today and I got to see the whole thing. I thought the movie was really good. The reviews I have read from critics were way harsh, this movie didn't deserve that. It seems to be a favorite among viewers, it is definitely my new favorite. The actor Vince Vieluf that plays Matt is definitely the star of the movie, he's funny as hell. He's like the "Stifler" from American Pie of the group.Seems it's playing on HBO often lately so I'm going to have to watch it again. I see that it's available to rent or buy on Amazon so you can watch it there. I need to buy it on DVD too.

This movie was a good movie for being a skateboard movie. its about a four kids following their skateboard hero across the country to try and get him to sponsor them on his tour. along the way they run into some problems and some girls. there are also appearances by people from the movie Jackass such as, Bam Margera, Preston Lacy, Wee-man, and "Danger" Erin, also an appearance by Tom Green. The movies soundtrack is what really stuck with me because I didn't see this movie when it came out I saw it a couple years later but over all this movie is was a good movie. it made me laugh and was a make you feel good movie and was really enjoyable to watch.

Grind is a film that will amuse its targeted audience and people who are just looking for silly escapism. Where's the harm in that? None, if that's what you're looking for, but those seeking out charm, wit, and style in their characters and plot will have to keep their head held high and continue to walk along the long road of film.I'm not a person who skateboards. I know many who do and see no problem with it. If I attempted to do some of the things I've seen my friends do I'd probably either be in a wheelchair or be boasting to everyone. Grind makes no subtle approach that it's a film for the skaters in the world. That's not to say that if you don't shred some rails at all you'll be lost, but for a regular patron the "cool" factor on the skating scenes wears thin after a while. I'll put it this way; they are delightfully repetitive.The story is slim, but efficient. A group of metal-heads want to venture out to Santa Monica to partake in a huge skateboarding event. They create a fake company named "Super Duper," and they hit the road. The group is made up of Eric (Vogel), Sweet Lou (Kern), Dustin (Brody), and Matt (Vieluf) who delivers the most laughs.Everyone in the film reaches the point of likability, but no one dares to break the stereotype of just some ol' skater punks. Everyone just works out of their gender and personality roles. Notice how I didn't say anything special about each of the boys. Because they're so vaguely similar it's hard to distinguish them apart sometimes.Much of the MTV Jackass crew make appearances throughout the film. Preston Lacy, Ehren McGhehey, Jason "Wee Man" Acuna, and Bam Margera are all seen in certain points of the film. They're like the sprinkles on top of a bland sundae. They harm absolutely nothing, but they're not a whole big part of the experience.The best scenes take place when the group doesn't feel the need to impress the camera with their skater lingo and just be themselves. While they release some of their inner-selves to us, they only give vague representations of what they should begin to unleash throughout the whole film. Not just parts few and far between. If these characters had shown more to their persona, it might've made for more of a coming-of-age story rather than just an all out party.Grind is charming with its amusement in itself and glistening in its innocence because it isn't trying to be bigger than it should. Take one look at the poster, and you know the film. I like how it isn't trying to hide anything from the viewer, but at the same time I don't like how it doesn't provide the viewer with enough character development to actually get familiar with them. Before many people jump all over me and say it isn't about that, stop and think. Would this film be more remembered and relatable to its audience if it developed some characters instead of caricatures? Starring: Mike Vogel, Adam Brody, Vince Vieluf, Joey Kern, Jennifer Morrison, Bam Margera, Jason "Wee Man" Acuna, Preston Lacy, and Ehren McGhehey. Directed by: Casey La Scala.