Mr. Movie

‘Reel Rock’ as close to actual rock climbing as you can get

After spending 19 days on the wall, Tommy Caldwell, pictured, and Kevin Jorgeson reached the summit of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park for their historic first free ascent of the Dawn Wall on Jan. 14.
After spending 19 days on the wall, Tommy Caldwell, pictured, and Kevin Jorgeson reached the summit of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park for their historic first free ascent of the Dawn Wall on Jan. 14. ©Corey Rich

I rarely look forward to movies. After a quarter of a century of reviewing movies, you kind of take them as they come. The Reel Rock movies are the exception. They’ve been showing annually in the Tri-Cities for the past 5 or so years, and I’ve grown to love them.

This is Reel Rock’s 10th anniversary, and Reel Rock 10 has one movie that is around 50 minutes, one that is a riveting vignette, a six-minute tribute, and three 20 or so minute shorts. The last three have spots that will have you howling. All five offer jaw-dropping climbing, and spectacular and equally jaw-dropping scenery.

I was blown away catching this on my 27-inch IMac and envy you getting to see it on a screen that is light years bigger.

Reel Rock 10

Directors: Josh Lowell, Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen

Stars: Alex Honnald, Tommy Caldwell, Daniel Woods, Kevin Jorgensen, Dean Potter

Mr. Movie rating: 5 stars

Not rated. Probably PG-13 for mature themes and some language. It’s playing at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 only at the Battelle Auditorium in Richland.

5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen.

4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it’s your type of movie.

3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on DVD.

2 stars to 1 star: Don’t bother.

0 stars: Speaks for itself.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 1:14 PM with the headline "‘Reel Rock’ as close to actual rock climbing as you can get."

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