Bones Brigade: An Autobiography
By Jeffrey M. Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Inspirational stories from Tony Hawk and other pro skaters.
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Bones Brigade: An Autobiography
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What's the Story?
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, former Z-Boy Stacy Peralta assembled a group of young, promising skateboarders, who came to be known as the "Bones Brigade." In BONES BRIGADE: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY, many of the original members share their memories, good and bad, for the camera. A kind of father figure to some of the more troubled boys, Peralta guided and coached them through an early era of skateboarding parks, the downfall of skateboarding, and its rise again in the late 1980s. The group also produced popular skateboarding videos. Eventually, some of the team members, notably Tony Hawk, became highly successful competitors. Today, most of these men are still following their dreams -- and still making a living.
Is It Any Good?
It's hard to believe that, more than 10 years after Dogtown and Z-Boys, director Stacy Peralta would make another skateboarding documentary just as entertaining. Though it employs a standard "talking heads" format, Bones Brigade digs a little deeper into the emotional side of things, especially given that most of the interview subjects are speaking to their old mentor; they tend to open up a bit more deeply and honestly than in a typical documentary.
The movie has tons of great footage from the 1980s, clearly demonstrating the amazing skills of people like Hawk and Rodney Mullen, even to non-fans. Yet the skaters get a good, long chance to talk about their old fears and anxieties, as well as those times when their passion seemed to slip away, and it took a great effort to rediscover it. Interviews from rival skaters and celebrity fans provide a little perspective as well. This is a terrific movie, especially for teens looking for a little inspiration or guidance.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether these skateboarders, Tony Hawk above all, are role models for teens. Does it matter whether skateboarding is a "respectable" sport?
Was fame a goal for these athletes? Or did fame come about as a result of following their passion? What's the difference?
How did teamwork help the individual skaters achieve success?
Do any of these skaters present a positive body image? If so, how?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 2, 2012
- On DVD or streaming: December 4, 2012
- Cast: Lance Mountain , Rodney Mullen , Tony Hawk
- Director: Stacy Peralta
- Studio: Magnolia Pictures
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- Run time: 110 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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