Under the Boardwalk

...and frankly, I'm amazed at how highly it's rated by the few IMDB users who have seen it. But then despite playing an unnamed surfer in the film, I don't have much interest in surfing or surf movies.

The plot is very pedestrian, alternating between a surfing competition and light romance. Pretty bland fare. During filming (under the working title "Wipeout") most of the crew knew they were creating bad cinema.

Note: the day shots were filmed in Seal Beach, and the night shots were filmed in Manhattan Beach, although they are supposed to be the same place in the film.

This is the surfing version of the skateboard movie "Thrashin'" (I am not sure which one was made first). Plot is guy falls for girl and finds out she is the sister of his enemy. Subplot is whether or not he wants to become mainstream sponsored or not. It is entertaining for an 80s movie. Roxanna Zal as "Gitch" is hot, at least from what I remember. This movie is not as good as "North Shore" but it is entertaining none the less. I am still waiting for it to come out on DVD, I just have a copied version on VHS. Other good surf movies to watch are "Big Wednesday" and "In God's Hands". "North Shore" offers the most catch phrases but all four are entertaining surfing movies.

Two L.A. surf gangs, The Vals (the rich kids) and the Locs (the poor kids) are rivals but one of the Vals falls for a Loc's sister and all hell breaks loose. This is all in the middle of a big surf competition that the Locs (basically Reef, the leader) are desperately trying to win.

There's constant fighting, surfing, partying and two people falling in love who agree there's more out of life than surfing. And there's Gitch, she's just a bad-ass chick that does her own thing. She teaches country bumpkin Andy all about fitting in.

The movie is definitely not a household name and I'm sure about 99% of the population hasn't seen it. But for some reason, as a girl who grew up in the Midwest, this movie ignited my obsession with surfing. It's cheesy and totally 80s but it is my favorite movie ever! When this movie finally became available on DVD a few years back, my sister-in-law (also her favorite movie) surprised me with it. I thought I would realize the corniness after all these years but it is still as good as the first time.

Basically if you like surfing and cheesy 80s movies, I totally recommend it, dude.

Under The Boardwalk is a great guilty pleasure film. It has eighties lingo, cheesey music,and comic relief. A b-movie cast list including Keith Coogan and Danielle Von Zerieck. The film is basically about surfers who have beef. You have the rich surfers and the poor surfers who don't get along. When Nick Ryan falls for Jenny a enemy's sister there'll be hell to pay. Check it out for b-movie night.

This story opens 20 years into the "future", where one surfer is regaling another with the tale of Nick (Richard Joseph Paul, "Oblivion" 1 and 2), an amiable dude who could clearly aspire to a lot, although he's currently content with his lot in life. He catches the eye of Allie (Danielle von Zerneck, "My Science Project"), another serious sort who is otherwise tired of dating surfers. The trouble? They belong to different warring factions in the Southern California surfing community, "Vals" and "Lokes". Keith Coogan ("Adventures in Babysitting") plays Andy, Allies' sweet natured, naive cousin from the sticks.

Overall, "Under the Boardwalk" is nothing special, but it entertains in capable enough fashion, thanks to director Fritz Kiersch ("Children of the Corn" '84) and a talented crew including cinematographer Don Burgess ("Forrest Gump"). The "Romeo and Juliet" inspired story allows for a fair amount of predictability, yet the movie remains appealing. It gets by thanks to its combination of comedy and drama, and its well chosen cast. The waves, of course, are out of sight, and the surfing sequences are very well executed. The score is by David Kitay ("Clueless"), and the soundtrack features an eclectic and catchy assortment of pop and rock, including an appearance by Surf Punks.

The young cast is quite engaging. Also putting in appearances are Roxana Zal ("River's Edge"), Stuart Fratkin ("Teen Wolf Too"), Steve Monarque ('Friday the 13th: The Series'), Hunter von Leer ("Halloween II" '81), Brian Wimmer ('China Beach'), Christopher Rydell ("Trauma"), Wallace Langham ('CSI'), Elizabeth Kaitan ("Silent Night, Deadly Night 2"), Greta Blackburn ("Chained Heat"), Kurt Fuller ("No Holds Barred"), and Paul Carr ("The Bat People"). How nice it is to see the always welcome Dick Miller, in a small role as an official, and what a hoot to see Sonny Bono in a couple of scenes as an "ancient" surfer. Tracey Walter once again steals every scene he's in, playing a philosophical beach bum who calls to mind his similar role in "Repo Man". He even croons "Amazing Grace" at one point!

This probably wouldn't have nearly as much resonance for viewers who aren't part of the culture depicted here (certainly, there's a ton of So Cal jargon tossed around), yet it does have some charm.

Seven out of 10.