Regardless of your location check out Step into Liquid by Dana Brown.  He is the son of famous director Bruce Brown, the maker of the epic Endless Summer and Endless Summer II.  Brilliantly, in his fathers foot steps, he continues to magically depict the surfer's journey and plight.  It is, for some, the third time an actual surf film documentary has been shown on the big screen.  It is the second in my lifetime with the memorable Endless Summer II in 1994 and now 2003 with Step into Liquid.  Even after almost a decade, viewing Step into Liquid, I still carry the same star struck look in my eyes, wanting to instantly clear the deck and go out for a surf, plus share the experience with anyone I meet.  With out revealing to much, he continues to amaze and inspire with his loving lens and his story telling ability.  All set to a rocking soundtrack, he so generously reveals to the world the beauty of surfing and ocean living.  He captures your attention and brings to light what many can not even put into words.  With visions dancing in my memory, I can not put my finger on my favorite segment, perhaps it is the guy who has surfed 10,000 days in a row, his determination plus the love and support of his daughter, or the industrial wave rider in Texas chasing oil tankers in the Houston Ship Channel ( around here we thought is was an urban legend ) or the stoked-ness of Great Lake surfers.  I found myself being extremely touched by several parts of this captivating film, not by the parts you are supposed to feel touch by, no...I was touched by the beauty and pureness of the film.  I really enjoyed seeing the Vietnam Vet, with his teenage son in tow, return to Da Nang to seek out waves and felt that segment really captured the essences of his father's film making.  Plus, share in a trip to Ireland where he proves you can find waves and beauty everywhere you choose to see it and how you can always enrich others.  It was nice watching generations of surfers celebrate life.  I found actual tears rolling down my face at the visually miraculous ending where a couple fearless riders share the experience of a lifetime, and we get to watch like a bird in the sky, as they bravely travel 100 miles off the San Diego coast to ride monster 60ft+ waves from the core of the powerful, mysterious ocean all accompanied by the sounds of a harp.  He documents that the wind died down and it was as if the ocean knew and came to play, as I wiped my tears and instantly felt my heart ache with longing and desire.  It was completely stunning, breathtaking, epic even.  You could hear a pin drop in that theater as patrons viewed in amazement and awe.     

 

Dana Brown brings awareness, vision and validity to the world of surfing.  He proves the avid surfer Dale Webster right when he describes surfing as "the ultimate spontaneous involvement in a natural medium."  I am deeply passionate about surfing and experience does vary from person to person but Dana Brown hits the hammer on the head when he says..."Talking about surfing to a non surfer you come off sounding a little silly."  This film is for YOU and definitely worth a look and will remind you why we all got started, so check it out before it is gone.  It is worth a day trip and can make a flat spell worth the wait.  Check out http://www.stepintoliquid.com/ and check your local listing and spread a little ALOHA where ever you live.

 

On a personal note, this film is exclusively showing in my town at River Oaks 3, a local art house "Landmark Theatre" near my home, which I visit frequently.  They still run midnight movies playing titles like "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and recently the Ramons' classic "Rock n Roll High School."   It is located in River Oaks on West Gray in Houston, Texas.  It is a breezy little spot in this huge city filled with trendy shopping, Epicurean cafes and coffee houses.  After sitting in a packed house to view this film, it was flat so I decided the next day to go chill, drink a cup of mean coffee outside, work a little and watch the crowd.  I watched viewing after viewing sell out.  The type of people who attended were from all walks of life, young and old, surfers and non surfers, males and females, groups of friends, single patrons, couples, families and even grandparents enjoying this cinematic masterpiece together.  I was so shocked but delighted at the out pour of people.   It somehow brought me a smile, a little comfort and some level of inner peace to just reap a little of the powerful progress in the world of surfing.  

 

Reviewed By: Dawn K.Lastovica 2003