Love the frog jump! This movie was so fun to watch. I laughed out loud and felt a real connection with the people who are so into it. I mean, they are REALLY into it. There's the one guy George who wants to jump a frog so bad and he is such a pitiful shlub but you end up just rooting for him to win (I won't give anything away!) We read Mark Twain in school but never this particular story. I'm glad to get the whole picture. It's so great to see that there are still communities that cherish this part of our country's heritage. I wish I could go to the actual frog jump after seeing this movie. It's hilarious that just anyone can go and rent a frog and be part of it.
5 Reviews
A tight and entertaining "expose" of the Grand Sport of Frog Jumping
emacap8 September 2016
This clever, tight, and entertaining visit to Calaveras County in California gives the viewer an insight into a seldom understood and appreciated sport called "frog jumping".
Started as an offshoot of Mark Twain's story, this sport is now celebrated every year by hundreds of dedicated "frog jumpers", who take enormous pride in their care and methodology of dealing with their beloved bullfrogs.
It is a fun, slightly over an hour long trip into a totally alien (to most Americans!) of an American sport!
Laden with humor, brilliantly chosen music, and clever touches, I would recommend this little documentary by Justin Bookey highly.
Started as an offshoot of Mark Twain's story, this sport is now celebrated every year by hundreds of dedicated "frog jumpers", who take enormous pride in their care and methodology of dealing with their beloved bullfrogs.
It is a fun, slightly over an hour long trip into a totally alien (to most Americans!) of an American sport!
Laden with humor, brilliantly chosen music, and clever touches, I would recommend this little documentary by Justin Bookey highly.
Humorous Splice of Americana
spencermart12 July 2007
I really liked this documentary! While the primary story is about a sport that I never knew existed (competitive frog jumping), it also wholesomely, and cleverly, shows modern small town life: Like a modern day Green Acres. But for real.
The filmmaker seems to have descended upon this rather hidden hamlet, camera in-hand, and allowed the town tell its own story, almost completely free of narrative. He also makes sophisticated use of the sport's extensive history to help advance the story.
What I enjoyed most is the rich irony in the life stories of the competitors. I don't know if that was intentional, but it definitely made viewing this docu an enjoyable experience, even though I generally think use of animals for entertainment purposes (the contest, not the docu) is cruel. By and large, a good time.
The filmmaker seems to have descended upon this rather hidden hamlet, camera in-hand, and allowed the town tell its own story, almost completely free of narrative. He also makes sophisticated use of the sport's extensive history to help advance the story.
What I enjoyed most is the rich irony in the life stories of the competitors. I don't know if that was intentional, but it definitely made viewing this docu an enjoyable experience, even though I generally think use of animals for entertainment purposes (the contest, not the docu) is cruel. By and large, a good time.
Funny, fresh, and right on target!
DarleneTipton24 July 2006
I grew up in Calaveras County, attending the Frog Jump every year, and no one has ever captured the nuttiness and fun of it nearly as well as this film. It follows several serious frog jockeys from training (yes, frogs can be trained) through the final competition, and at the screening where I saw it the audience was laughing and loving every moment. Previous attempts at filming this have ended up merely eccentric and dry; "Jump!" actually goes into the minds of the competitors, the locals, and (dare I say it?) the frogs. Even if you're not familiar with the Mark Twain story, you'll come to an understanding of why this particular contest is so near and dear to the locals. A picture of true Americana -- a joy to watch!
Go Ahead and JUMP
ophelia_necro22 May 2007
My Grandpa started taking me to frog jumping contests when I was 5. I really enjoyed this documentary. It captured the essence of the event very well. For someone not familiar with the event first hand (until taking on the project) the director Justin Bookey did an excellent job representing the historical elements of the contest and Angels Camp; from the Mark Twain story that started it all to the traditional family event that it has become. I recommend this movie especially to people who have been to the Calaveras County Fair and experienced the Jumping Frog Jubilee but people that enjoy Gold Rush era Californian history, Mark Twain and of course FROGS! will also find this movie entertaining.
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