Matchstick Ski Movie Review, Seven Sunny Days

This past weekend a big storm hit our area. We were busy packing for Europe so we went for a short hit. Tasty nonetheless.

I know, it’s time to watch mountain bike flicks and head for Moab — at least for some of you sport attention challenged (SAC) individuals out there. But for those of us with focus and commitment to ski alpinism, nothing better than hitting this year’s ski movies one more time. Thus, how about a couple guest bloggers take on this year’s Matchstick Productions offering, Seven Sunny Days? After all, Matchstick just got doing a fairly major shoot near here in the Aspen area. This was one of my favorite ski flicks to date, but hey, let’s hear from guys more qualified to judge:

Louie Dawson — My Take

I have watched the Seven Sunny Days about, well, I don’t really know how many times, but it is a lot. This year’s matchstick productions DVD is great. It has terrific music, some funny parts, and it features some of the best skiers in the world. I have always liked MSP’s movies because they only feature alpine skiers, no telemarking or snowboarding, (except one shot of a snowboarder taking a beater fall). The film has a nice balance between big mountain and park skiing.

Humor is an integral part of most ski movies, and this one has a lot. I liked the great spoof on James Bond featuring Shane McKonkey, complete with ski base jumping, guns, and explosions (what more do you need?). There are also some other some funny parts (who knew Colby West could imitate accents so well?). There isn’t much of a story line to it, besides some passing references to skiing on sunny days, but the good parts make up for that.

Matchstick productions has been churning out ski movies for years. It seems each one is better than the last. Seven sunny days definitely fits that mold. The flick feature locations around the world and some of the best skiers, from park and pipe to big mountain. Of course, this isn’t a film about backcountry skiing or ski mountaineering, but it is one that you can watch in awe of the amazing athletics of the athletes.

As always, MSP chose a great slew of music for the movie. I downloaded most of the songs right away after watching it. And my dad even likes most of them.

In all, I think Seven Sunny Days is this season’s best offering in the realm of big budget, unnarrated, pro skiing films.

David Downing — My Take

MSPs latest movie does well at capturing the true skiing experience. An opening sequence of storms rolling in, deep powder skiing during greybird days — and lines you could actually imagine yourself skiing. The film is not just about showing the adrenaline rush of skiing, but the FUN of skiing.

This isn’t to say the movie doesn’t ramp it up. There are the usual park and cliff huck fests; the park rats bringing it to the backcountry; some one hit wonders, etcetera.

But the highlights of this movie would be Eric Hjorleifson & Mark Abma. Eric may be the next Seth Morrison for MSP (since Morrison now films with TGR). Hjorleifson is an exciting skier to watch, he skis strong and aggressive, and looks good doing it. Hjorleifson is even shown HIKING and SKINNING up a few lines. WOW, wonders never cease! He, along with Abma show that the best skiers can ski not only big mountain lines, but have amazing ability in a park as well. Both of these guys hold their own on a ginormous (yes, ginormous) gap jump in Whistler with the best park skiers of the day. Proof that to make it in pro skiing, you’ve got to have a full set of skills.

7 Sunny Days is definitely one of my favorite MSP films to date. It has a regular spot in my DVD player on snowy nights, anticipating another day of confronting my serious addiction.

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One other thing from Lou: The film makers at Sweetgrass Productions are releasing trailers for their upcoming (in fall) release of “Hand Cut.” Which is said to be a roots style flick with perhaps a bit more voices and earn-your-turns ethos than some of the recent music videos. Check out their trailers. I like the “sweetgrass” music in the trailer.