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Peter Haan
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
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Jul 27, 2013 - 03:16am PT
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Good one there, J-Do.
I think the film has some uses though. We get to see Dougie and YC in a rather unique situation at tea; we see Jeff Johnson who is here a picaresque character and in real life too, trying to find his way and in a rather stunned and weakened fashion that at times serves the issues and at times just weakens the movie. I think the "answer" wasn't found here, the movie didn't quite get on its own feet. I think the original conjecture didn't prove to be worthy or real enough.
The funky mountain climbing was not strong at all as part of the arc of the tale and ended up being decorative or anecdotal tangents. I really wanted it to be but what I walked away with was lots of bits that I adored, like someone' slide show.
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Steve Belford
Sport climber
Poway, CA
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Jul 27, 2013 - 11:50am PT
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What a perfect title for this film. It did go 180 degrees south…….straight into the crapper. I saw it shortly after it first came out. While I enjoyed some of the camera work the part near the end where they started moving some rocks around as part of some long-term project really killed it for me. Whatever “green” message that this film had was completely destroyed at that point. The amount of time, money, and fuel that it took to do so little was unbelievable. How about hiring some locals and get it done.
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maldaly
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Jul 27, 2013 - 01:23pm PT
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What Donini said...
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crunch
Social climber
CO
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Jul 27, 2013 - 02:14pm PT
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I enjoyed the movie, but I've forgotten almost all of it.
About the best bit I do recall was modern footage of Yvon and Doug, priceless curmudgeons both, exchanging sparse, unhurried, pithy banter, each effortlessly sounding like some late-period Clint Eastwood character.
Timmy sort of just appears, out of nowhere, as if the film-makers inserted a few scenes shot for a different project.
A movie needs more of a message than, "We've got lots of funding."
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fivesix
Trad climber
hope, alaska
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Jul 27, 2013 - 04:28pm PT
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I didn't like it. The bitching and complaining before their treck up a choss pile made me want to kick that guy in the crotch. I'm not the violent type, either. I agree with some of the other posts up top about the lead character being an idiot. Every adventure deserves some kind of trip report, but not a full blown documentary. There are much more epic things on my facebook news feed that don't have a film about them. As for "overly simplistic" views, I agree with that, too. All I Can by Sherpa Cinemas got more in depth with their message and it was a freakin ski flick.
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pyro
Big Wall climber
Calabasas
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Jul 27, 2013 - 09:16pm PT
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some of the replies are just crap!
this film keeps me going.
Donini i can't believe you drink wine from a box.
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
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Jul 27, 2013 - 09:42pm PT
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Pyro put a hat on it.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Jul 27, 2013 - 10:01pm PT
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The film is very disappointing. It is a vapid attempt to receate the magic and spontaneous adventure of the storied Fun Hogs. The protaganist is boring, the surfer more so and the climbing sequence is pathetic.
The production values are excellent but that doesn't begin to make up for the silly story line. It is also unfortunate that the interview with Chouinard and Thomkins failed to mention the other members of the Fun Hogs team (Tejada Flores, Dorworth and Jones) who were an integral part of a legendary adventure.
Lito Tejada Flores (a total novice at the time) did an exemplary job of filming the Fun Hogs. The film is a classic that may lack production values but has an honesty that draws you in and enthralls you. 180 Degrees South is a pale and dishonest attempt to recreate that adventure.
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MisterE
climber
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Jul 27, 2013 - 10:10pm PT
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The omissions were a real disservice - I agree with Jim.
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pyro
Big Wall climber
Calabasas
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Jul 28, 2013 - 12:11am PT
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Last time I checked we all are entitled to any kinda opinions!
Great flick.
One worth bumping..
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Jul 28, 2013 - 12:27am PT
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Where can I see the original fun hogs film?
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Fletcher
Trad climber
The great state of advaita
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Brandon: You can find Mountains of Storms here:
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mountain-of-storms-dvd?p=D1005-0-000
It may be available in other venues as well. I have a copy around somewhere, but have yet to see it (my kids keep me busy!). I look forward to it like a bottle of wine I'd save for a special time. I suspect I'll savor it!
While it wasn't an all-time great by my modest and humble subjective criteria, I found 180 Degrees South to be enjoyable; I have a fond recollection of it. I liked its meditative, non-linear feel. Not all journeys are going to be the stuff of legends. They can be full of anticipation, have exciting moments as well as periods of excruciating boredom and trials. And delightful unexpected turns, such as the side trip to Rapa Nui.
But you can take inspiration from those legendary journeys (a la Mountain of Storms) and do something that has meaning and significance on some level. Maybe that's lesser, but the original trip did get Jeff to get out there and try his own take on it. It didn't turn out the way he expected, but I've never been on a journey that did. It doesn't mean it wasn't worthwhile in some way. Better than sitting around thinking about it but never acting upon it.
There is a part where he and YC had boated into some remote rocky beach (on the way to the approach) and were camped out eating shellfish. If I recall correctly, YC said something profound about the simple sense of being and presence and of just some guys hanging out doing that. I found that inspirational and moving. Not exactly blockbuster action, but appreciated nonetheless.
YMMV. :-)
Eric
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