August 4, 2007

Walk

Walk Scott Herriott, a self-proclaimed lazy***, had no desire to hike 2,658 miles (at least in the same calendar year). So, instead, he went out and interviewed those who were attempting to do so. From late April to early Oct. of 2003 he tracked down over 100 intrepid/insane souls who were in the middle of committing a half year of their lives attempting to trek the Pacific Crest Trail…one of the worlds most geographically diverse paths that winds from the Mexican border in California up to the Canadian border in/out of Washington state. The result is “Walk”, an insightful and funny look at those who partake of the journey that is long-distance hiking. The film was an official selection of the Greenwich, Malibu and Olympia film festivals in 2004. Along the way Scott learned of motivations, how regular folk smell to long-distance hikers, and, surprisingly, that hawks sometimes attack unsuspecting adventurers. Most of the walkers have trail names like Lugnut, Batteries Included, and So Far (who deemed most of those who attempt the hike as Bohemian Masochists). For Potato Picker, its his second long-distance hike and since he enjoyed his “…first mid-life crisis so much… he thought hed have another. Scott also learned of the beloved stops that these trekkers congregate at…including Kennedy Meadows General Store (the beginning of the much loved and feared High Sierra), Seiad Valley Cafe (home to an infamous Pancake Challenge that only 7 have conquered in 17 years), and Pooh Corner (a house where a retired husband and wife (Trail Angels) allow the tired and the filthy to hang out for a day or two and climb their indoor rock wall if they so desire). If you love the outdoors and wry humor, this is a must for your DVD collection.

DVD:  NTSCSee what it’s like out on the Pacific Crest Trail, Beautiful scenery, Hear wild and interesting stories from the tired and the filthy
Company: Soka Soka Productions  (2004) (2004-02-24)
List Price: 
Amazon Price: $14.95

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Lonely Planet Six Degrees Series 1: Havana

Lonely Planet Six Degrees Series 1: Havana “The best way to explore a new city is to connect with the people who live in it. Join jetsetting presenters Toby Amies and Asha Gill on a radical urban adventure as they plug into city after city with the help of its most colourful and clued-in residents.

Havana

Presenter Toby Amies hooks up with fixer Flacco who gains him entrée to a rehearsal for an Afro-Cuban Santeria rite and a seat in the bleachers at a rollicking Havana rodeo.

Street photographer Leslie Sinclair takes Toby on a photographic assignment in the city’s cramped camel buses. Surreal artist Damian Aquiles invites Toby to witness how Cubans celebrate the coming-of-age of their daughters by inviting him to his home town to experience a quinze. Toby wangels his way into the studio of hip-hop producer Pablo Herrera to find out why Cubans have had enough of the Buena Vista Socia Club and are now fusing traditional Latin rhythms with American hip hop beats.

Enjoying the Havana high life at a Cuban fashion show, Toby falls head over heels for actress Yoandra Suarez. After going to a concert of Havana’s hip-hop finest, Toby has a disastrous encounter with Yoandra on the set of her latest film…”

DVD:  NTSC
Company: Beyond Entertainment Limited  (2006-12-14)
List Price: $15.00
Amazon Price: $15.00

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