08/09 : Heart Films : Volume 3

My initial reaction was: Wow, and Wow! Heart Films Vol. 3 is artsy, has a very authentic and folksy feel, and really should be called "A Tribute to Powder." The entire first half of the movie is filmed in the backcountry in breathtaking powder, with trees and cliff drops and I started to notice that if it wasn't at least 3 feet deep fresh, they weren't in it! The snow is totally amazing and yet understated. There is commentary (with subtitles, which I love) throughout that totally adds to the authenticity of it. The beginning half is one of the most gorgeous, continuous backcountry portions of a movie I have seen. The other thing about Vol. 3 is that each location filmed could be its own movie and I would be satisfied, but there is so much all in one that you really have an entire experience. It all stands out, but one of the coolest sections is in Hokkaido when they are riding with the locals and it is in black and white, in sick pow pow, and the soundtrack is only drumming.

Nowhere is there anything sculpted until about half way through when they are at Heart park. It made me wish I was there! With a lot of features jam-packed, and a whole crew of people, it is a super fun session with multiple riders hitting things all at once (I call it the popcorn effect because you have people popping up here and there and everywhere). The snow-box/ square feature that they are messing around on looks like a blast.

The second half of the movie is more the serious steeps back-country. Lonely, powerful country- Canada and Alaska and snowmachines. The commentary on the hiking and goal setting/ achievement adds thought process to the motion, which I found to really help portray what is going on in each scene. There is a theme of camaraderie and support throughout.

Don't miss the extras, which are creatively hidden in a circle around the main menu. There is a lot to them.