Sports Never Die

Unlike past films by Taylor Steele, surfing's premiere film producer, Sipping Jetstreams is anything but the norm. With a sense of natural whit and an eye for beauty, this romantic surf novel unfolds throughout the worlds most untouched destinations with today's best surfers, period. Teamed with famed TW Surf Photographer Dustin Humphrey, Sipping journeys uncharted routes from Egypt to Greece, Italy to the Caribbean, Cuba to Japan all the while capturing the happenings and personalities of today's most sought after athletes in a never before seen platform. Sipping Jetstreams will be one of the best films of the decade, if not ever. Athletes Include: Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Dane Reynolds, Bruce Irons, Rizal Tangjung, Benji Weatherly, Shane Dorian and many, many more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

By FemFoison (USA)
5.0 out of 5 stars Lush, vivid cinematography

I first heard mention of this film a year and a half ago, in a "preview" blurb in some magazine in a waiting room. Suffice to say I was thrilled to finally get my copy. I was expecting something along the lines of Step Into Liquid, so it took me about 20 minutes to really get into it. If you're a fan of Baraka, or any of the Qatsi films, you'll probably enjoy this film, but the lack of narration, commentary, or dialogue might put some viewers off. If you can look past that, though, it becomes a photo-documentary (to music) about our relationship with nature and with each other. I can't say I fell in love with the soundtrack right away, but nevertheless it warrants a solid 5-star rating. Despite all odds the directors succeed brilliantly, conveying beauty, the human connection, and even humor, and everything I felt was "missing" could be found in the Bonus features (director commentary, behind the scenes, etc).

Point of interest: The segment in Cuba is particularly demonstrative of the perfect juxtaposition of music and imagery.

By Rob Nesta "big island underground"
4.0 out of 5 stars Sipping Heaven

"Sipping Jetstreams" embodies the fantasy of every surfer - the surf trip.

With stunningly beautiful cinematography, the film chronicles pro surfers in line-ups across the world, as well as the people who inhabit each specific part of the globe. Much of the non-surfing footage is of subject matter usually captured in photos - sunsets and sunrises, locals sitting and smiling, flowers blooming, and the like - but instead of feeling that Taylor Steele missed the entire point of video, I found myself in love with each of the places the surfers travel. In a surprising twist on the typical surf film - which usually has at least some monologues by surfers, talking about the line-up or psyche - "SJ" is completely dialog free save for an introduction about the appeal of travel. That being said, the movie plays almost like a 36-minute long music video, featuring some of the best music and footage synchronization that I've ever seen in a surf movie - or music video, for that matter.

However, those looking for a more straightforward surf video (a la "Billabong - Frothing" or "Absolute Mexico", etc.) will be disappointed, since the film is by my estimates half surf footage, half about the locals. If I had one serious beef with the film (and this is nitpicking, at best), it's that some of the waves that are surfed are marginal at best: Egypt, and part of the Japan trip. It was almost as if they had filmed there just for the scenery shots, then said "well, we're here, get in the water!"

My favorite part? In a surreal sequence, a blonde shaggy-haired skateboarder (he's probably famous) manuals down a Cuban street as 1960s-era Cuban cars drive past, set to the Buena Vista Social Club. I found myself fascinated by the contradictions, and somewhat alarmed as he kept skating and clearly startled several Cuban drivers coming around corners (do they not dislike us enough already?!) But in a nice shot later on, we see the same skater watching as kids shred with his board, and later him laughing with two Cuban kids on some steps. (The Jamaican sessions were also good, too - I like a little reggae with my surf.)

Without a doubt, this is a film I will be watching over again - just not as much for the surf, as for the surf escapism.

By steveirwin "steveirwin" (Seattle, WA United States)
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully filmed

This is a gorgeous film to watch. The DVD comes with a book of photographs and the packaging is very high quality. The scenery and travel shots in this movie are worthy of hanging on a wall. The surfing locations are more exotic than the norm, which is a nice change - and the music is also paired well and in fact, I hope they release a cd as I'd purchase it. It really is a unique surfing film from the many others I've seen. However, the one big disappointment was there's no narrative, and I personally would've liked to know where they were during each session, what beaches, who was surfing etc, along with the usual entertaining travel tales expected from such a journey. There is a DVD option for "director's commentary" that gives some background - but interviews with the surfers and more on the why/what/where/when/how and especially, how interacting with locals, was something I really wanted to know more about to. (and i know this is a surf film first, but I think those extras would've really enhanced this film) Still, it's worth watching and makes a really nice gift to any surfing enthusiast - and anyone who enjoys travel photography.

• Actors: Al Merrick, Kelly Slater, Tom Curren
• Directors: Josh Landan
• Producers: Scott Stankey
• Format: Dolby, NTSC, Color
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
• Studio: Thirty Four Films
• View Details and Buy!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

By Michael Crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars Not just a surf movie

This is an inspiring movie. I usually start to get tired of just listening to surf lingo and watching waves on the typical surf movie. This is really the story of a legend who is an unassuming individual who not only has helped shaped the face of surfing, but nutured and developed what is arguably one of the most awesome stable of team surfers ever. What is most impressive is the love and interest he has in these guys as people , not just talents. His love and dedication to the sport is what is inspiring. I highly recommend this movie. In addition, the soundtrack is awesome.

By Anonymous "Professional Artist"
5.0 out of 5 stars THE GREATEST SURF DOCUMENTARY OF OUR TIME

FLOW: THE TRUE STORY OF A SURFING REVOLUTION documents the rise of some of the greatest names in the history of modern day surfing. It is at once a film that briefly follows the evolution of modern day surfing and the transition to shortboarding. You learn about how Al Merrick began shaping and the design breakthroughs that took place between him and the surfers that he shaped for that would change the sport forever. There are several mini biographies on Channel Islands riders including Tom Curren Kelly Slater, Taylor Knox, Bobby Martinez, Dane Reynolds. The soundtrack to this film is incredible, it enhances the film and takes it to another level. Brandon Boyd's narration is first class supplemented by interviews from some of the greatest names in the sport. The film is an hour and a half long, and after I saw it for the first time, I couldn't believe how powerful it was. Flow radiates on an emotional and spiritual level, it brings you beyond the action in the water and into the hearts and minds of some of the greatest surfers of our time. The DVD is packed with Bonus features and a subscription to Transworld Surf.

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