Bosch and Rockit

Read the What Walt's Watching review then add my bit: I thought the ending was great. It was the right choice for a movie about a kid. His life is just opening up to him.

For those who've watched Point Break (the OG) & North Shore - movies with surfing in them have come a long way since editing goofy-footed stunt doubles into the action.

The title "Bosch & Rockit" combine two Frank Zappa' song titles, which per se is pretty cool.

Written and directed by actor/surfer Tyler Atkins, B&R is a charming story about a teenager growing up in the beautiful Australian landscape between his passion for surfing and two disfuncional parents. While the drama side of the story could have easily made this a heavy watch, Atkins infuses the whole movie with a charming and ethereal quality that is engrossing.

The surfing scenes and overall scenery are breathtaking. Luke Hemsworth (Bosch) and pro-surfer Rasmus King (Rockit) did a stellar job in protraying their characters, and while Hemsworth's talent is well-known to anyone by now, King's acting here is nothing short of a revelation. Photography is great and the soundtrack prompted me to look it up when the movie ended.

I read somewhere that Atkins stated during a Q&A that this film is essentially about the heavy consequences of the unconscious decisions that parents make. Well, that is exactly the first thing that you'll be pondering on by the end, but also and more importantly, it leaves us with an important and often overlooked truth: it is NOT what happens to us that define us, but it is how we respond to it.

Catch it if you can.

Good story base but drawn out screenplay just weighs it down. The Dad's character is well acted and as much of an antihero as also a guy you want to have a beer with.

Rockit, the illiterate son who is in need of Adderall or a heavy dose of stun gun--almost ruins the stellar acting on his own. It's heavy handed in goofiness even when it should be time for some serious times. It's a serious fragmented family drama with beautiful backdrop of the Australian coastlines, coupled with fantastic surf footage isn't lost but the child actor and his heavy dose of shrill just ruined what appeared to be a troubled but unique father son as "buds" story arc. The music/score was also distracting and intrusive seemingly happening every 90 seconds at that-- with sappy music blaring over what could be reflective character moments.

5.5/10.

Bosch (Luke Hemsworth) and his son Rockit (Rasmus King) are extremely close and obsessed surfers. Bosch and his friends grow and sell weed. His police buddy Keith comes by with an unknown corrupt partner who forces him to sell a package of coke. Deb (Isabel Lucas) falls for Bosch. Ash-Ash falls for Rockit.

Rasmus King seems to be around 16 here and I find his voice a little annoying. It's both his performance and the character as written. Rockit is acting like a clueless brat. He actually thinks that his father is a spy. It's a lot easier to take with a younger character. As for drama, the story takes away some of the tension when Keith solves their situation. I was expecting a showdown at the mother's house. I assume that Keith knows the location. There are some interesting moments. The puppy love is adorable. The story has potential. In the end, I would get a younger and better actor for Rockit.

Went into this not expecting much and left feeling so many emotions! Took me on an emotional roller coaster. Laughs, tears, sadness, love! I highly recommend this film. Luke Hemsworth was unreal and the child was great, can't wait to see future projects with him in them.