Last night we watched 'One Wild Ride' in a attempt to catch up on the movies we've been sent to review. Today kicks off the weekend, and the famous Easyriders, American Iron and Cycle Source photographer, Markus Cuff showed up at the headquarters to investigate '50s Vincents at Century motorcycles for a Back Street Heroes(UK magazine) feature shoot. After dinner I forced Markus to witness another motorcycle film Free To Wander, by 4130 Studios Films. It was collecting dust and California earthquake debris and I needed to honor the men who struggled through the effort to make a film about a group of rogue riders. Besides, we were working with Licks Customs and they sell the DVD on their web site.
I hate to be harsh on a domestic film, made by brothers, and shot from Sturgis to Chicago, then New York, but it lacked direction, a story line, or an adventure. I thought for a moment that it was a saga about a bunch of guys riding to Sturgis. It even contains subtitles with Day One, then Day Two, then no more days. It's sort of a party video; you can play during a party and just check out from time to time. The music ain't bad.
Some of the bikes are cool, some of the shots are tough, and maybe there's a message in Rich Phillip Grabbe’s effort to make a film about guys who can wander from one dark berg to another backyard shop in another industrial city. Maybe it speaks of the American experience. Where's the adventure? They didn't build old motorcycles and attempt to ride them to Sturgis. They got on their bikes and rode from town to town, to shop, to shop. There were no wild animals, struggles, yeah a guy got cut, but they patched him up in a van, and he stumbled into another saloon for a drink, and hit the road.
–Bandit
Layla here, Bandit and I are gonna do the Siskel and Ebert deal. While Bandit’s review gave a thumb up and one down; I give it two-thumbs up. This was a good first attempt at a film showcasing a handful of chopper builders with originality not seen since the ‘70s. I enjoyed the music, and what Richard doesn’t want you to know is that he created and produced all but one song himself, music and lyrics. The film did jump around, but if his attempt was to let you see his view of garage [bike] choppers, he succeeded. I loved the close ups of Keino and Paul Cox, two sexy dudes that I could look at all day long. I also enjoyed the cruising & culture scenes of New York.
I couldn’t help but admire the determination of these builders when they told their stories of how they made it to this point in life. With so many passionate men and women out there today building bikes, it is truly the passion that separates those who make it from those that don’t. For love or money, with these guys it’s love and this film captures that.
Like Bandit said, it’s a good film to have in your library and play during a party. I would recommend anyone thinking about getting it, to snatch a copy before they’re gone.
–Layla
There you have it. Next week we will review Iron City Blues and Showdown In Durango. I have high hopes for Showdown in Durango, a film based on a crew who hauls the gear out to shoot a party at 4-Corners, only to run into a political war, when the event was shut down by the man. Hang on.
