As sure as the seasons change Ralph Fatello gets out his surf videos. This year he has two: Greeting Seasons and GrooveMasters.
     The local long boarders get their due in GrooveMasters. The triple fin guys used to see the long boarders as a throwback or oddity but here we see them as a comfortable community of very able surfers. They get the classic long gliding ride although they can get a modern move in when they want.
     As with all of Ralph's video you get to see plenty of surfing in the New England breaks. The production is quality with good music, it's always easy to take in.

     Greeting Seasons (clever) takes you through a year of ocean action in New England from Jan. 2007 to Nov. 2008. Sometimes it seems like none of the beaches have sand, it's always surfers working their way through rocks to get to the breaks. You have to wonder at the hardiness of the surfers who have wet suits on almost all year because even if the air is warm the northern Atlantic isn't.
     Greeting Seasons comes up with two big celebrity surprises. First you get legendary Tom Curren surfing in conjunction with some event. One would never expect to find the three time ASP champ in NH but there he is and Ralph got him.
     Next Ralph films gentleman surfer Shaun Tomson. This former world champ was just checking out the surf in NH!. I love Shaun so that was a big thrill for me.

     If you like to check out the local surf scene this is the only place to go.
     You can get the videos at ….www.surffreeordie.com .

     Ralph Fatello was always into surfing even during his days playing on the scene in the Vinny Band. When the BGN did a "Day in the Life" feature on Ralph it was all about the surfing. Now Ralph works his design agency (www.adlantic.com) and still spends his time surfing.
     Also, he does one or two surf videos a year. The DVD's spotlight surfing in New England, New Jersey and Cape Hatteras, mostly. It's a kick to see the NE surfer in his element. These guys can cut it with lots of nice moves and some respectable waves. The winter surfing sections will give you frostbite just looking at them. These surfers are hardcore like the warm weather riders can never be.
     Ralph does good production and you can see here what he will bring to the documentary on the Rat. One of his biggest strengths is matching music to visuals. All the DVD's have small side elements like jokes or interviews but nothing gets long because Ralph is going to show surf action, that what it's all about for him.
     The surfing community is lucky to have someone like Ralph cranking these things out. Pictured here is his 2007 epic. All his DVD's can be bought in some surf shops in New Hampshire where he is based or on www.surffreeordie.com his web site.
     This is the real deal, local action in the Atlantic. Very worth it for the interested.

     What a wonderful opportunity this is. A chance to see The Cabinet of Dr Caligari with some updating and it was done locally.
      This film is so influential on many areas of art. I'm not going to go into the history and such because it has been done elsewhere. (Check out Wikipedia for a start.)
     I know we all have trouble getting through silent film but this is too good not to tackle under any circumstance and here it is a pleasure. Tim Casey has cut the title cards and added subtittles which keep things moving. Hayim Kobi has added a winning electronic score. It's here in 5.1 surround sound if you want to crank it out and you should. It perks up the whole experience for the modern vewer.
     Not having seen this for some time I was amazed again at the incredible set designs. To think these were done in 1920 is a source of wonder. Goth fans have to digest this, I mean it's mandatory.
      This is available at www.lowbudgetrecords.com which is also Mr. Curt's label currently.
     Very highly recommended.