Alex Flores: ConquistadorThe only American rider to crack the top three at Stuntwars, NorCal's Alex Flores is looking to make 2006 the year he breaks out. Helping him along is the recent release of Conquistador, his first-ever DVD. Artistically shot and superbly edited by noted filmmaker Craig Beckman, much of the footage comes from south of the border (where Flores has a extensive fan base) to give it a more exotic feel than the typical stunter fare. Conquistador follows Flores and fellow riders Brian "BS" Steeves, Shahin Croes and others through the streets Mexico City, Guadalajara, San Jose De Gracia (Flores' parents' hometown) and stateside locales like Humboldt County, earning this film a welcome LDF (Loading Dock Free) rating. Many of the scenes are shot on 16mm film that, when cut in with '60s B-roll footage Beckman dredged up from some film studio basement, creates a dirty, gritty and overtly artistic mood for the film. The soundtrack is classic Beckman, with a mix of underground cuts, cult classics and mainstream tunes from Ozomatli and Brian Setzer to get your head nodding and foot tapping in the first minutes, all of which makes Conquistador the best video we've seen so far this year. www.alexstunts.com
TightFX: The WannabiesIn all things, there can only ever be one "first," and this release by 50 stunt group TightFX, dubbed The Wannabies, is the first all-street 50cc video ever produced. Cut from footage shot over the past several years across the country, viewers watch 80-plus 50s hijack the streets of Dallas, 50s stunting at Hollywood's Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theater (where the boys are offered sexual favors in exchange for wheelies) and lifestyle footage, including a night of drinking that would make Sam Adams himself turn sober. One of the advantages of taking three years to put together a video is that everything from the very first wheelie to the latest bar trick can be included to show just how far 50 stunting has progressed recently, as this vid does. The Brotherhood between mini riders runs deep, and appearances by Low Budget Stunters, Jokerz Fiddy Crew and Houston Fifty Domination help keep the action poppin' but by far the best part comes at the end, when the TightFX crew takes a jab at Fifty Nuts 2 in the closing credits. For any rider or lover of 50s, this is a must-own video.www.tightfx.com
Servin' It Up: Mana The NaturalHawaii-based Mana Holmes is living the dream of every amateur stunt rider. Discovered via a video clip on the Internet, he was taken under wing by #1 Stunter Darius Khashabi and today, just a year later, he's got his own video release entitled Mana The Natural as part of Khashabi's Servin' It Up franchise. And don't think that he doesn't deserve both the video and the title: Holmes' total bike control with the ability to combo, circle and climb around on a bike like an alien is stunning to see. His preternatural wheelie skills are just the beginning: Holmes' ability to climb tables, garbage cans and walls on his motorcycle will leave other stunters with "WTF?" envy all over the place. Shot on location in the lush Hawaiian Islands, Northern California and Khashabi's backyard, The Natural is rounded out with appearances by fellow Team Servin' it Up members Khashabi, Big Joe Molina, Joe Brown and Jason "J-Bling" Pullen, along with outsiders like Merk, Team Outermost and the obligatory Kaneone (he's the stunt world's P. Diddy equivalent, popping up in everyone's video). Keep an eye on your bike's key if Mana comes around or you'll find your bike doing things you though were impossible.www.servinitup.com
Apex Films: The RevolutionApex Films is no stranger to quality DVDs, and with release of The Revolution, the team from Sin City has taken editing and authoring to an new level. With a slick, Hollywood-style opening, integrated Google maps, professional camera work and killer stunts like a flying wheelie by Phil Licciardi, The Revolution is top dog in a market of mutts. As far as a rider roll call, well, listing the riders who don't appear would be easier, as more than 40 of the biggest names from across the country share screen time here. And talk about locations: L.A., Vegas, Florida, Albuquerque, streets, canyons, lots, comps, drag strips, etc.-you want it, The Revolution's got it. Camera work is clever and varied, getting all up in the grill of the riders on occasion to present a first-person view of what the rider sees from the saddle. The only element we found lacking is some additional off-the-bike lifestyle footage to show us more of the riders' personalities, but on-screen text commentary (and jokes) that give insight into the high level of difficulty of some of the stunts is a cool touch. Producers and editors beware-there's been a Revolution in the stunt video world.www.apexfilms.com