MovieChat Forums > North Shore (1987) Discussion > Cult-status worthy

Cult-status worthy

posted 19 years ago by empire430
30 replies | jump to latest

This isn't a good movie at all in most respects. But whoever Turtle is gives a terrific comedic performance, and the actor that plays Chandler was very good too. Those two, and the beautiful landscapes make the movie. I mean, what guy doesn't want to move to Hawaii, have some hot local girl with a flower in her hair hit on him from horseback, and live with a great mentor/teacher on the beach? I think the movie works because its really a fantasy, and because Chandler and Turtle deliver. Its also the first to portray the Hui - a real group from the North Shore that protects "their" waves from outsiders. Locals really do get all the waves at peak season, unless you're big time. A little surfing trivia:

1) Mark Occilupo is one of the best surfers of all time, and is currently a mainstay in the Top 10 in the ASP Tour - Association of Surfing Professionals Tour. He played himself in the movie.

2) The guy who plays Turtle runs a surfing school out in Cali.

3) Lance Berkhart is actually Laird Hamilton, the Laird Hamilton that is the best surfer in the world right now, and maybe of all time. He's married to Gabriel Reese, and is so rich from endorsements he doesn't even have to be on the ASP Tour to make a living. He's currently the American Express poster boy. With his looks, wife, and talent, he got a pretty good hand dealt to him in life from the big guy upstairs. And he's exactly the opposite of his character in the movie. He's maybe the most cerebral, adventurous, kind, insightful, and introspective athlete in the world today. He stars in countless documentaries, and after I saw one, I became a huge fan. Pretty cool dude.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] vasek_krejci 19 years ago

Occy was excellent in this movie, "c'mon in Alex..." "I've see bigger waves..." yadda yadda. Hilarious. This movie is great, if you like surf movies and comedy. As a surfer, Occy rips, def. But Occ has gained some weight since this movie. Laird Hamilton is not the best surfer in the world, come on(!) (-: He may be the best big wave surfer, but what about Taj Burrows? That kid riiiiiiiips.

Laird Hamilton definently has balls, but I wouldnt say he's the greatest in the world right now. He can get towed in behind a jet ski, but that's about it. I wouldn't say he has so much technique or skill. You're totally forgetting Slater, The Mob, Curran, Curren, and more. don't be a Haole, Haole. (-: Freaking hilarious. It was cool to see da Hui in this film, I agree. Blue Crush ripped them off though, didn't portray them honestly. I'd like to see a movie about the Duke though. He and his friends totally revolutionized surfing. Peace, out, groms

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] globalworks787 19 years ago

sure the movie has occy and hamilton... but dont forget vince mohiloka, aka gerry lopez, a great old school surfer from the 70s. one wonders how they got all these folks for the movie. oh, best quote: GO GET IT ROGER

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] empire430 18 years ago

haha this is the best thread on IMDB. I've tried to tell people this, but nobody listens to Turtle. hey, at least they didn't get your board.

[–] matteroffact 18 years ago

Oh my days - "Go get it Roger" is the best quote in North Shore! Can't believe anyone picked up on it, the girls voice is hilarious. Right I'm off to Hawaii to ride the big waves of the North Shore. Yeah yeah...no!

[–] sulldoggy 18 years ago

he kicked ass in Big Wednesday

[–] J_W_Mack 18 years ago

It's ridiculous to understate Hamilton. The guy is THE modern pioneer of big wave surfing. Nobody does it like he does it. Slater, etc. are great on the competetive level, but Laird is a freak with the stuff he does.

[–] usedcarr 18 years ago

Laird is the best waterman of our generation, he surfs anything, anywhere in all conditions. He is one of the most down to earth, polite and respectful guys I have ever met in the water. Most of the ASP pros cant hold his trunks.

[–] sulldoggy 18 years ago

2 words!
GREG NOLL

[–] MovieBro 18 years ago

To those that surf and are in the industry.North Shore is a cult movie.For kooks that think everyone that surfs talks like that well we all know what they are. Its really funny watching this cus Laird is HUGE now.He is The big wave surfer for now.Had no idea the guy that played Turtle still acts. Not to mention having such a good speaking part in a movie as good as Tombstone.Thats pretty dang cool.

Give a guy a gun, he thinks he's Superman. Give him two and he thinks he's God.

[–] rams_lakers 18 years ago

Turtle is a joke to most of us who live, or in my case lived, in Hawaii. Much of the movie has the pidgeon accents way off, and Turtle's is more like the "tourist from Cali who moves to Hawaii and tries to fit in" accent. Whoever directed or wrote the slang really didn't spend much time talking with the locals. "Bradda-bra?" Yeah, right...

Saying this, I still like watching this movie for the nostalgic scenes and familiar areas. When I mentioned that I recently saw this movie the other day to a few friends who still live in Hawaii, they groaned. We could easily do a mystery science theater on this sitting around and watching it.

[–] empire430 18 years ago

Dude, its a movie. Not a reality TV show. Its about a surfer from Arizona, for christ sakes, and your biggest issue is Turtle's accent? Wow, lighten up a little.

[–] Rubygirl214 17 years ago

I think Turtle kinda was the guy who moves to Hawaii from the mainland and tries to overcompensate with the pidgin, etc!! I knew Matt Adler back then from High School, and he came back to the San Fernando Valley talking a bit like that!! This movie cracks me up because I hung out with Cali surfers all the time in the 80's before surfing was the behemouth it is today. I kind of miss how it used to be, that's why I like watching this movie.

But rams_lakers, you are 100% correct that it would be a funny as hell Mystery Science Theater with all the old school surfers ripping on it!!

I remember all that day-glo!! My ex boyfriend had those stupid trunks Matt wears in the contest when he's talking to Chandler!! SO classic!

My favorite surfer back then was hands-down Tom Curren. I just loved him for shunning the corporate end of it. Also, great to see Mark Foo (RIP).

I can't believe this was 20 years ago!!! I remember Matt was in Hawaii shooting this! A bunch of our friends went over to see him there.

"You're such a pillow case!"-Heathers

[–] vincenet19 18 years ago

Yeah this was my cult movie when I was like 10 years old, I watched it like 20 times :P

"Hell's waking up every goddamn day and not even knowing why you're here." - Marv

[–] heathernutphum 18 years ago

Me and my cousin was totally obsessed with this movie one summer. I would walk to the movie store and re-rent it like once a week. Finally the store owner asked if I would like to have it since I was spending my allowance to rent it, but my mom wouldn't let me keep it (crazy lady!). We memorized every line and would act out the whole thing every night! Those were the days!

[–] betoul13 18 years ago

WOW. People are forgetting that MARK FOO was in this too. AND DEREK HO.

But most of all, I swear that I saw Israel Kamakawiwo'ole at Kiani's Luau playing 'ukulele. He isn't credited, but there can be nobody else that looks or sounds like him

[–] sonomanightowls 17 years ago

yeah, ya know, I'm pretty sure that was Iz too. That was precious.

TJ

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] MovieBro 17 years ago

Just found Turtles aka John Philbins web page.The Acting reel is worth a watch,amazing actor and he teaches Surfing.Learning surfing from Turtle,now that is f'n cool.This film is full of famous surfers.I don't thinkg GERRY LOPEZ has been mentioned yet either.He is my hero.Lives in Oregon now though,I guess he got sick of the North Shore scene.It's a mess and could possibly get worse if more hotels get built.

I never get sick of watching North Shore.It is probubly the greatest horrible movie ever.So bad it's good.Best surfing movie to date is Lords of Dogtown because that film shows localism and the stoke the best.Blue Crush had potential but was just to corny.North Shore is so corny that its awsome.

Anyhow here are Turtles sites:http://www.prosurfinstruction.com/intro.html
http://www.johnphilbin.com/

Seriosly check out the acting reel.

Where have all the Arizona surfers gone?hahahahahahah

"...And I owe them all money." - Jack Sparrow(POTC:AWE)