Date: 10/4/02
Author: Chris Brooksby

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All or Nothing Released on VHS
All or Nothing VHS Cover Art Photo Gallery
All or Nothing World Premiere
Review: Boombox by Cadmium Productions

The new Hyperlite team film, All or Nothing, is the latest movie to come to us from Ronn Seidenglanz at Sidewayz productions and Hyperlite, and it rocks! I saw the pre-release version of this movie a couple of months ago when Wakesports Unlimited did a premier of the film in conjunction with Hyperlite and Alliance Magazine, and couldn't believe how good this movie was. However, after seeing the final version of the movie, it has gotten better...lots better. This is a review of the just-released DVD version of the film, which is slightly different than the VHS version with all of the usual added features and a couple of extra sections.

All or Nothing focuses on the talents of Shaun Murray, Brian Grubb, Ricky Gonzalez, Scott Byerly, Danny Harf, Chad Sharpe, and Parks Bonifay. As you would expect with this many talented riders in the film, the level of riding is going to be super high. Couple that with one of the best production teams producing wakeboard videos today and you have a kick ass video. So with that, let's get going.

The first rider up in this movie is Shaun Murray. Shaun's section starts out with scenes of Shaun's normal big and super smooth riding interlaced with scenes of atomic bombs going off and the carnage that comes with it. One thing that I keep hearing in the shop is how Shaun seems to have stepped up his riding in this video. I have to agree it seems more technical than it has been in the past, but still super big and buttery smooth. The VHS version of the film continues with additional footage of Shaun doing lots of really technical riding against a slower, less ominous soundtrack than the first part. In the DVD version of the film, this extra segment is added at the end of the film in the bonus section. The bottom line is, wherever they decide to put the footage, it is great. It's got lots of super technical riding with everything from Shaun riding a wakeskate being towed by a truck through a puddle (complete with a slider in it) and falling on his ass, but coming up with that trademark Shaun Murray smile, to Shaun hitting this crazy slider that they tow behind the boat. Truly amazing.

Next up is Brian Grubb. Brian does things on a wakeskate that clearly should not be possible. His section in this film is just another of the growing examples of how it's not possible that someone can ride a wakeskate that well. His section is full of his usual stuff, with large amounts of shuvits, wake to wake varials and assorted sliders. But the one move he does that gets me every time I watch this film is when he hits this kicker and throws this big floaty 180 that just goes forever before he lands. It is insane, as is most of the footage in Brian's section. I think this film is worth owning just for this section alone.

Ricky Gonzalez is the next featured rider and his section definitely reflects his personality; lots of chicks, going big behind the boat, chicks, sliding stuff and more chicks. Some of the highlights of this section include Ricky hitting the slider that they towed behind the boat and Ricky sliding some dock at night in a marina somewhere. Probably the most amazing thing is this huge indy tantrum he throws to blind then passes the handle and lands with it between his legs. Note to self: do not try this at home.

Danny Harf is always looking to have some fun and his section feels lighter than most other riders sections, probably because he is always goofing around and usually has a big smile on his face. This section starts off very funny, giving some solid insight into what Danny is like to be around. That being said I am not going to give it away here, you gotta buy the movie. I will, however, talk about Danny's riding, which, as usual, is really big, technical and stylish. I think Danny is one of the best riders off of the wake out there. Not to take anything away from him hitting obstacles, but I just love his variations of tricks that he throws off of the wake and this film really highlights his style with some great footage.

Chad Sharpe lets it rip next, which is pretty much what Chad seems to do best. Chad is one of my favorite riders because of his attitude about hitting the craziest stuff and his section is chock-full-o him jibbin' docks, buoys...pretty much anything that gets in his way. We also get to see Chad on a Wakeskate. It turns out he is pretty good on one. I always look forward to seeing Chad in a video because I know that he is going to charge everything with an abandon that you don't see often.

There is more great Byerly footage in this film than footage of anyone else. Scott has so much style that everything he does in this segment is great. And while the wakeboarding is insane, it is the wakeskating that stands out for me. A highlight of this section has got to be Scott standing on top of a slider being towed behind the boat holding a wakeskate in one hand and a handle in the other. He walks over to the edge of the slider and acid drops off the edge riding away on the skate. The other highlight has got to be Scott riding into the wake and popping a big 'ol kick flip on a wakeskate. It is so clean.

Parks. Holy Smokes! Everything about Parks' section, from the beginning to the end, is amazing. Stuff like him skiing at an age when he surely is too young to be potty trained, to him hitting this HUGE gap slider where it seems he flies forever, and exploding on impact when he lands. In this section there is one of the craziest things I have ever seen on a wakeboard; Parks riding waves at Teahupoo in Tahiti. The consequences of falling on a wave there are super heavy, with a shallow impact zone and big thick pounding waves, which almost guarantee a beating for any mistakes. Then strap a board onto your feet and risk going over the falls with your legs strapped in. My stomach hurts just thinking about it and Parks is out there charging. I can't write anything what will do this section justice. There are just too many things that are mind blowing. This section is so good, it is my favorite section in any wakeboard film produced. Every time it is over, I am left slack-jawed at what I have just witnessed.

As you have probably figured out by now, this is another wakeboard video that I like, which means that it gets played a lot in the shop. Obviously the riding in the movie is really good, but the soundtrack is good as well. The music is pretty diverse with everything from Tommy Lee cranking out his version of David Bowie's "Fame," The Sex Pistol's covering Frank Sinatra's "My Way" and Blackalicious.

Track Listings:

• Shaun Murray's section: "Hiroshima" by William Stromberg from The Trinity and Beyond; The Atomic Bomb Movie and "A Journey into Ambient Groove 4" by Sofa Surfers from Klein Records.
• Ricky Gonzalez's section: "Fame 02" by Tommy Lee from the record Never a Dull Moment from MCA Records. Go out and buy this album. Not only does it rock, but Tommy Lee wakeboards.
• Danny Harf's section: "Shallow Days" by Blackalicious from the record NIA from Quannum Projects.
• Scott Byerly's section: "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd from the record Wish You Were Here from Capitol Records.
• Parks Bonifay's section: "Hope Overture" by Clint Mansell from the Requium for a Dream soundtrack from Warner Bros., and "Down on the World Again" by Social Distortion from the record White Light White Heat White Trash from Sony Records. Also, "Heaven" by The Rolling Stones from the album Tattoo You from Virgin Records.
• Mellow Extra Section: "Loungin'" by Guru from the record Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 from Chrysalis.
• Hard Extra Section: "Conditional" by Living Sacrifice from the record The Hammering Process from Solid State Records.

The movie is super cool in the sense that it captures the personality of each of the riders in their sections. I have been told that each of the riders picked their own music that plays during their sections. One thing about Sidewayz Films that I always like is the music always seems to flow with whatever is going on, and this film is no exception. The DVD version of the film is, in my opinion the one to buy due to the added footage including a section with Erik Ruck that is not on the VHS version. The bottom line is that this is a great film and would make a great addition to anyone's wakeboard movie collection.

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