All This Mayhem

I wasn't friends with the Pappas brothers, only ever watched them skate when they would come to town, but growing up a skater myself with many of the same freedoms and benefits that come along with getting paid to do it, this documentary is all too real.

This is a must-see regardless of your craft or sport, because unlike many documentaries about famous athletes who fall to addiction, depression and/or violence, you feel a real connection to these kids. They're your neighbors kids, your classmates, your friends, your bullies... No matter how you relate, there's a genuine feel that will grab your emotions and make you pray there's a happy ending. Although in your gut you know in the end there won't be the Pappas brothers holding hands and skipping into the sunset to Leslie Gore's "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows".

My only negative about the documentary is the soundtrack. Just awful.

Many people we deem 'winners' or as 'the best' are not. They just were generic enough to fit in the system and wanted the fame more than others (even to the extent of selling their own identity and/or soul for it. The world believed them and so it is so. And vice versa about the so called 'losers'. This is a story that shows this phenomenon and more. I love it when invisible people and their story are made visible, especially those with an authentic story and struggles. Interesting story, impressive.

As they say, truth is much stranger than fiction and coinciding with that perfectly, truth is often far more interesting than fiction which in the case of this fantastic documentary is absolutely the case. For those like myself who knew very little about the skateboarding scene in the early 90's and in particular the often unbelievable story of Australian siblings the Pappas brothers. Eddie Martin's informative and well-crafted documentary will take you on an unforgettable journey to the highest highs (sometimes quite literally) and the lowest lows of an equally inspiring and tragic tale set around the world of competitive skateboarding.

All This Mayhem is a film that allows those of us who may not care for skateboarding to not only get sucked into the world of half pipes, vert ramps and 900's but to care for the those inhabiting it. Filled to the brim with homemade and professional stock footage director Martin does a wonderful job of moulding in clips between talking heads, radio interviews and news broadcasts to create a cohesive and unbiased look into the life and times of the Pappas brothers, two bogan (recommend you look this word up on google) brothers from the rough suburbs of Melbourne who not only dreamed big but achieved big in a journey that must be witnessed to be believed.

Tas and Ben Pappas are what you'd call the quintessential red blooded Aussie, bull-headed, at times arrogant, fierce competitors and against all odds completely likable. There the type of characters that despite there penitence for a rough as guts exterior, you know deep down there the type of people that would have your back no matter what the odds. The brother's rise through the ranks of the skateboarding world (right through to their dealings with the snobbish sell out that seems to be Tony Hawk) is something utterly unique and compelling and the brothers remain throughout, figures you can't help but be glued to. Martin has compiled at once a great mix of friends, past associates and film clips to create a world that at times feels like a narrative feature not a documentary and it's a credit to the filmmaker's talent that he can draw such true emotion from an undeniably affecting tale.

What transpires throughout All This Mayhem can be described as an emotional roller-coaster full of ups and downs and expect to be moved to tears by elements of this real life tale, a tale that against all odds acts as a cautionary tale of what the fall from great heights can look like. An at times joyous and fun ride but also an equally moving and compassionate one, come the final heartbreaking statement from Tas Pappas you'll be well aware that All This Mayhem is not only one of if not the year's best documentaries but one of the year's best films period. Get your skates on and track down a copy today!

4 and a half awkward Hey Hey It's Saturday appearances out of 5

Greetings from Lithuania.

"All This Mayhem" (2014) is a highly absorbing and involving documentary about lives of two brothers skateboarders, who came from Australia to USA and at one point concord the world of skateboarding. There are a lot of skateboarding footage, and i'm not a fan of skateboarding, but i do like to watch it so there was a lot of "wow" moments when these brothers were doing what they did best. And this movie also tells full story, of what those brothers also did aside from skateboarding, and it's truly a sad story.

Overall, "All This Mayhem" is a highly involving documentary even for those who don't like skateboarding itself. At running time 1 h 40 min it never dragged and was highly involving from star till finish and also it tells a very true story. Kinda must see documentary.

I must say I went to the cinema not expecting to much, But it exceeded expectations to the point where i would put it up to one of the best docos this year easily. It reminds me of "The Lords of Dogtown" documentary. But blows it out of the water. It is a must watch, as it shows a lesser known side of Australian sport. All this Mayhem will appeal to a wide range of people, especially people who played the Tony Hawk games and noticed the Australian Skaters weren't in the games. It has a completely different view on the world of skating and follows the tragic story of, to me are the most influential Australian skaters to date. Enjoy GO WATCH THIS FLICK