Pedal (Book & DVD) by Zephyr, Ken Miller, Swoon Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Pedal (Book & DVD)
Book Review: A really cool package
Summary: 4 Stars
The book is great, I love the photos, but was expecting more words to go with them. Only downside is the cover fell off the first time I opened it up, the glue let go. I think I can fix it up with something a bit better though.
The documentary is pretty good, an interesting look into the lives of some NY messengers. It only seems to scratch the surface though - there must be so much more of a story there. I would have liked to have heard from more people. And coverage of CMWC would have been good too.
I'll definitely watch it a few more times before lending it out to friends. Overall a really cool package.
Book Review: Don't Judge a Book by Its Photographer
Summary: 3 Stars
Anyone familiar with the current art scene would jump to buy this and understandbly so with the names involved, unfortunately, it's a disappointment. I hate to slam it because I like Sutherland's work, but I was just hoping for so much more out of the documentary. Most of the interviews are boring (mainly because they last too long), there aren't very many messangers shown, there's nothing on the film about the CMWC, which could've at least provided him with more interviews, and there's only one messanger whose life is shown beyond the surface.
Book Review: I LOVED this film!
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this film! Who knew a gritty (in an artistic way) documentary could have surprises and tiny little "plot-thickens" moments? My only issue (other than the fact that it wasn't six hours long, I could have watched it with fascination all day) is that the binding on the book failed the moment I removed it from its box. I was very sad, but didn't want to bother sending it back; then I wouldn't have had it for a few days. I liked it so much that I just figured I would buy a second copy when able.
I wish it were easier to find more films like this; Fixed-Gear Cycling is an extremely niche market, but I, as well as anyone else I have talked to, am very addicted to it. I wish there were far more films than this out there. And if there are, I wish they were easier to find.
And for others who share the above opinion, here are a couple other films I have come across:
"Fast Friday," a documentary,
"Quicksilver," a very old Kevin Bacon film from 1986,
and...I haven't found more! :(
ADDITIONAL REVIEW INFORMATION:
This film is so good, I DID buy a second copy. I am compulsively careful with the book so the binding has not failed on the new one, I also super-glued the old one together, which worked just fine!
I have also discovered a few more fixed-gear documentaries available from Amazon.Com:
"Still We Ride," less about fixed-gear but important to the lifestyle,
"Red Light, Go!," a documentary about NYC "Alley-Cat" races (excellent!),
and several films, purely track-bike action; some popular, others more obscure:
"Macaframa,"
The "Bootleg Sessions" Four-Volume video project,
"MASH,"
"Council of Doom,"
and, hopefully!, more I haven't yet discovered!
Book Review: Not as great as i thought it'd be
Summary: 3 Stars
As a former messenger and current bicycle enthusiast, i usually enjoy any documentary or movie on being a bike messenger. I just exspected more from this one. Its kinda depressing at times (tho, being a messenger can be depressing at times so i understand). The packaging and book are nice tho.Book Review: PEDAL is powered by the NY city streets... deep in the funk.
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD is for all those interested in the subculture of bicycles, not just bike messengers or track bikes, but fighting for space with cars/taxi cabs, pedestrians and the police. This documentary is fast paced alongside those in the messenger (outlaw) community, and shows the true grit of the rotten apple. While the book has very little text, the small amount is amazing, and it is covered with beautiful pictures of roudy messengers competing in the Bike Messenger World Championships. A MUST BUY FOR ANY BICYCLE ENTHUSIAST. Definitely worth watching over and over again.
More Pedal (Book & DVD) reviews:
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