Another Day in Paradise
Is the new MMSA snowboard film hotter and lappier than its predecessor? (Photo: MMSA/Peter Morning)
Just in time for opening weekend, “Another Day in Paradise” premieres Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. in the Village at Mammoth.
Often referred to as Hot Laps 2 (or Hotter Laps “this time it’s personal,”) the all-Mammoth video showcasing snowboarding in and around Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is not to be confused with the popular Phil Collins song or the unpopular 1998 film starring James Woods and Melanie Griffith.
In actuality, the film is a vast improvement to the original. At 34 minutes in length, ADIP is just long enough for the A.D.D snowboarders of the iTunes era. It’s a wonder why production companies even produce DVDs since heaps of quality footage is available online for the average shred-porn addict looking to get a fix.
But ADIP stays relevant amongst the mundane releases of the 2011 season. To be completely honest, the most refreshing aspect of the film is not what it has but what it lacks. Thankfully, there’s no nauseating interviews with athletes telling you things like, “snowboarding is more than a sport…it’s life,” (a la Travis Rice in That’s it That’s all). There’s no ridiculous lifestyle shots of rich kids in tall-tees throwing up West Coast with their hands and pretending they’re Tupac’s long-lost Caucasian cousin (a la every Tech 9 movie). The Phil Collins track “Another Day in Paradise” is MIA, and there’s certainly no slow motion shots of reverse snowfall (a la every snowboard movie ever made).
The film opens with last year’s closer, Gabe Taylor, 29, who performs some of his best riding as of late. Dropping huge lines in the Mammoth Crest area as well as shredding inbound spots like a huge drop-off of Carson’s (backside of Chair 5). Gabe Taylor looks good…real good, but I mean that in a purely platonic bromeo way. This might have to do with the fact that he was instrumental in the film being made, I don’t know.
Mammoth team rider, Lonnie Kauk’s part is awfully similar to his section in last year’s film…aka spinning his ass off of everything. Trevor Jacob has a well-rounded section featuring quite a bit of park and even some skateboarding. For some reason, he’s now promoting a side project called GKC (which I believe is some sort of fried chicken franchise). Anyway, Greg Bretz reminds us that it’s okay to have a gaper gap and Mason Aguirre again professes his love for hip hop and Zooba pants.
ADIP closes out with rookie Tyler Flanagan, as he “Flanagans” all over Main Park. Tyler’s section is all park and it’s infuriating to watch. Not because he showcases his new Machiavelli tramp stamp with his name across his shoulders, but because he makes everything trick look so damn easy.
However, the best section belongs to Shayne Pospisil. Backed by a souled out Fitz and the Tantrums track, Pospisil displays his trick cornucopia in the park as well as the backcountry. His section is an honest argument that he might be one of the most underrated riders this season.
Besides the aforementioned riders, the film features Matt Hammer, Clint Allen, Peter Benchetler, Alex and Jared Dawoud, Eddie Wall and Scott Blum to name a few. There’s even some even some footy of Whiskey Creek bartender Cornell Agee Jr., a nod to Mammoth snowboard team coach “Nacho,” and a RIP shot of Oren Tanzer (now working for Quiksilver).
The film was shot and edited by MMSA cameraman Greg Weaver who weathered an entire season behind the camera and a solid two months behind his editing computer. Weaver claims he’s satisfied with this year’s movie, even though he couldn’t get all the footage he wanted. “It’s tough to get the time with all these guys because they all have other filming obligations with their sponsors.”
Though the film will undoubtedly be well received, Weaver claims MMSA will not be making another film next season. “We’ll be working on a web series that may end with a final movie. But the focus this year will be on these weekly web-isodes. Plus, we’ll be working more with skiers.”
ADIP will be released as a free DVD insert in the January Super Park issue of Snowboarder magazine as well as a Japanese magazine called Snowstyle. It will also be available for free download on iTunes, MMSA’s site and Snowboardermag.com. Be sure not to miss the free premiere at 8 p.m. in the Village on opening weekend followed by The Sounds at Canyon Lodge.
