jackassworld

When it comes to skateboard-themed movies the genre’s crown jewel is, without a doubt, Thrashin’ (1986). It was the time, the tricks, the music, the fashion: the four horsemen of ’80s skateboard apocalyptica (not to mention Eddie Reategui’s eyebrow). Everything to come since this epic cult film—Gleaming the Cube (1989), The Grind* (2003), Lords of Dogtown (2005)—pales in comparison. Thrashin’ has withstood decades of contenders, none of which could trump its time-proven/lifted “Romeo & Juliet” plot line (or Eddie Reategui’s eyebrow), so I’m always somewhat skeptical when a new skateboard flick comes along to try and unseat the undisputed titan. With that, enter the next would be Daniel LaRusso (or perhaps I should say the next best random hero Ryan Dunn): Street Dreams, a new feature film due out in theaters June 12th (West Coast) and June 19th (East Coast).

Please be aware that everything to follow word-wise is taken directly from an official press release (except for that asterisked aside about The Grind sucking loads of babirusa cum, that’s all me):

Street Dreams synopsis: Derrick Cabrera, like all skateboarders, dreams of being sponsored one day. He has all the talent in the world to make it happen but some major roadblocks to overcome before he can make the dream a reality. He is receiving pressure from all sides, his parents are stressing him because he is failing in school, his girlfriend thinks he is a loser, his best friend has become his rival because he is better than him. Things come to a head after Derrick gets arrested and a fight ensues with his father resulting in him running away from home. He does the only thing he knows how to do and opts to follow his dream to the Tampa Am contest, one of the only ways an unknown skater can get noticed.

Official Street Dreams Site: www.streetdreamsmovie.com

* Following the release of The Grind, I didn’t think a studio or financier would ever back another feature centered around the world of skateboarding. And rightfully so. It sucked and blew loads of babirusa cum.