The Daily Think

Break out the Powell Peralta and lets go skateboarding, Gleaming the Cube demands you bust your knees and ankles trying to pull a sic ollie. “Gleaming the Cube” is a film that captures the essence of the Southern California skateboarding scene and the cultural ties to the Vietnamese community. Directed by Graeme Clifford and starring Christian Slater, the film follows the story of Brian Kelly, a young skateboarder who sets out to uncover the truth behind his adopted brother’s death, all in the shadow of Disneyland in the lovely town of Anaheim.

CULTURAL SETUPS

What sets “Gleaming the Cube” apart from other skateboarding films is its strong ties to the Vietnamese culture. The film depicts the struggles of Vietnamese refugees who fled to the United States after the Vietnam War. It shows the challenges they faced in adapting to a new country and the racism and discrimination they encountered.

The film also showcases the vibrant Vietnamese community in Southern California, with scenes set in Little Saigon and featuring Vietnamese-American characters. Through the character of Vinh, Brian’s best friend and a Vietnamese immigrant, the film explores the cultural differences and similarities between the Vietnamese and American cultures.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – ORANGE COUNTY BABY

In addition to its portrayal of the Vietnamese culture, “Gleaming the Cube” also captures the spirit of the Southern California skateboarding scene in the late 1980s. The film features some of the best skaters of the time, including Rodney Mullen and Tony Hawk, and showcases the style and creativity of skateboarding during that era.

The skateboarding scenes in the film are exhilarating, with impressive tricks and stunts performed in various locations throughout Southern California. The film also highlights the DIY ethos of the skateboarding culture, with scenes of the characters building their own skate ramps and making their own equipment.

Overall, “Gleaming the Cube” is a film that seamlessly blends the Southern California skateboarding scene with the Vietnamese culture, creating a unique and compelling narrative. It is a must-watch for fans of skateboarding and those interested in the cultural diversity of Southern California.

WHITE BROTHER AND VIETNAMESE BROTHER

My best friend to this day is my Vietnamese twin, and the relationship between Brian Kelly and his adopted brother Vinh is very familiar. The film explores the cultural differences and similarities between Brian’s American culture and Vinh’s Vietnamese culture, as well as the challenges of navigating those differences within a family unit.

One of the key themes of the film is the idea of assimilation and the struggles faced by immigrants and their families in adapting to a new culture. Vinh’s parents are Vietnamese refugees who fled to the United States after the Vietnam War, and they are shown as struggling to adapt to American culture while also maintaining their own cultural identity. This is particularly evident in a scene where Brian and Vinh’s parents are trying to order food at a drive-through and struggling to understand the fast food menu.

The film also highlights the similarities between the two cultures, particularly in terms of family values and the importance of loyalty and respect. Brian and Vinh share a strong bond despite their cultural differences, and their relationship is shown as being based on mutual trust and respect.

THOSE SICK DECKS

The skateboard brand that is most prominently featured is Powell Peralta. The film showcases various Powell Peralta decks and merchandise, including the skateboard decks used by the main character Brian Kelly and his friends. The most iconic skateboard deck in the film is probably the Powell Peralta Bones Brigade deck that Brian rides. This deck features the iconic skull and snake graphic that is now synonymous with Powell Peralta and skateboarding culture in general. Other Powell Peralta decks are also seen throughout the film, including the Caballero Dragon and the Guerrero Warrior.

The Powell Peralta brand was one of the most influential skateboard companies of the 1980s and played a significant role in shaping the skateboarding culture of that era. Its team, known as the Bones Brigade, included some of the most legendary skateboarders of all time, such as Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, and Steve Caballero.

WHY YOU MUST RENT THIS AT BLOCKBUSTER NOW

Truth be told, “Gleaming the Cube” isn’t that bad of a film and really shows how freaking cool Christian Slater was a teenaged protagonist. The portrayal of a mixed family that is navigating the challenges of cultural assimilation, while also highlighting the importance of family and loyalty offers a nuanced exploration of diversity and the complexities of navigating different cultures within a family unit. Make some popcorn, and go back to the 80’s with this VCR Classic.