Reviews Of The Schengen Files, The Swiss Account, Better Than Chocolate & Midwest Unknown

Reviews Of The Schengen Files, The Swiss Account, Better Than Chocolate & Midwest Unknown

Posted August 11, 2011 at 8:58 am · Comments are closed ·

A chance for you to win something for free and a few thoughts on The Schengen Files, The Swiss Account, Better Than Chocolate and Midwest Unknown just as soon as the cops are done swiping my credit card…

The Schengen Files

The Schengen Files

The Schengen Files

The Schengen Files is a short ~20 minute video that chronicles some of the hardest sends from the latter portion of Paul Robinson’s recent stint in France and Switzerland.  The movie starts with Robinson repeating a couple of the more well documented problems in Font and closes with rare repeats of lesser seen problems like Trip Hop (V15) and Angama (V15) in Font and The Story Of Two Worlds (V15)in Switzerland.

Almost entirely shot and edited by Robinson and girlfriend Alex Kahn, The Schengen Files is beautifully done, which belies the fact  that this is really their first major filmmaking effort.  If one of the only negatives people can come up with after seeing the movie is that they want to see more then, I think Paul and Alex are on the right track.

For under $7 this movie is a no brainer for any fan of bouldering videos.

Website:
Cost:
  • $6.99 – HD Download
Trailer:
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/22542769 w=540]

 

Better Than Chocolate

Better Than Chocolate

Better Than Chocolate

Like The Schengen Files, Better Than Chocolate is another example of the evolution of climbing media these past few years.  The movie is the first effort from Haroun Souirji who describes the movie as “a one man low budget project about bouldering in Switzerland. It’s edited, filmed, produced and advertised alone.”  Well, he could have fooled me because the movie has a nice polish to it and is tightly edited throughout.

The hour long movie is sort like if you would hit the random button on your MP3 player as it features a random assortment of climbers and problems from throughout Switzerland.  For the American audience many of the climbers will likely be unfamiliar, but there is footage of Paul Robinson sending Ill Trill and the variant to From Dirt Grows Flowers as well as appearances from familiar names like Chris Webb Parsons, Michele Caminati and a brief cameo by Fred Nicole.

Again, for fans of bouldering videos this is most certainly worth adding to your collection.

Website:
Cost:
  • $14.99 – HD Download
  • $27.99 – DVD
Trailer:
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/20190704 w=540]

 

The Swiss Account

The Swiss Account

The Swiss Account

The Swiss Account is the story of three Americans (Jon Glassberg, Connor Griffith and Carlo Traversi) visiting the boulders of Switzerland with very brief guest appearances  made by the likes of Paul Robinson, Adam Ondra, Alex Puccio and Dai Koyamada.  What ensues is pretty much what you would expect:  climbing, antics, beautiful scenery, more antics, controversy and tons of amazing looking granite boulders.

Your enjoyment of the movie may vary depending on your tolerance levels for non-climbing shenanigans and techno music, but the quality of the footage is generally pretty good and the quality of the boulders is well established at this point.  I personally thought the sequence where Traversi gets pulled over for speeding and has his credit card swiped by police on the spot was a highlight of the movie, but I’m guessing he might beg to differ.

At almost an hour The Swiss Account would be worth dropping some money on to watch, but thanks to sponsors like Revolution Climbing, La Sportiva, Five Ten and Verve Clothing the movie is 100% free.  Seriously.

Website:
Cost:
  • “FREE whether you like it or not”
The Actual Movie!
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/26475347 w=540]

 

Midwest Unknown

Midwest Unknown

Midwest Unknown

This last video is not really on the same level as the previous three, but I wanted to share it since it has a local connection to boulders I’ve actually climbed on.  Filmed and edited by Ian Cotter-Brown, Midwest Unknown gives  a taste of the bouldering in Wisconsin and Minnesota at areas like Governor Dodge, Rattlesnake Mound, Taylors Falls and Devil’s Lake.  The quality of the footage and the editing are not of the highest quality, and it’s probably overpriced when compared to the other offerings out there right now, but if you’ve ever thought about bouldering in Wisconsin then this movie could be worth checking out.

Website:
Cost:
  • $10 – Download
Trailer:
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/26722415 w=540]

Free Stuff

If you made it this far then congratulations.  Here’s how you win free stuff.  Simply leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered for the chance to win a free download (including extras) of Better Than Chocoloate.  The winner will be picked one week from today (8/18/2011).  Good luck!

Posted In: Bouldering, Contests, Reviews
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86 Responses to Reviews Of The Schengen Files, The Swiss Account, Better Than Chocolate & Midwest Unknown

  1. JK August 11, 2011 at 2:03 pm #

    Awesome job with the review it looks like I’ll be getting the Schengen Files!

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    • Harvey August 13, 2011 at 12:24 am #

      I’m psyched on the review! I’ve been trying to figure out which movie I should buy next and the winner is… The free one. Next may be Better than Chocolate though, it looks sweet!

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  2. Beta August 11, 2011 at 2:11 pm #

    I can’t wait to get home and watch these.

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  3. Allan E August 11, 2011 at 2:16 pm #

    Top quality stuff.  

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  4. Gideon August 11, 2011 at 2:26 pm #

    First time commenter, long time obsessive reader (as long as that sounds cool and not…uncool).  You had me at chocolate.

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    • Narc August 11, 2011 at 2:27 pm #

      Glad we could bring you out of your hiding spot 🙂

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  5. Scott Strong August 11, 2011 at 2:26 pm #

    I concur.  Carlo getting pulled over and his $640 ticket face were priceless.

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    • David August 11, 2011 at 2:45 pm #

       Was it really for $640?! And I thought $280 was terrible…

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  6. Michael K Johnston August 11, 2011 at 2:27 pm #

    The Schengen Files is worth buying, if only for The Story of Two Worlds. Better than chocolate is really enjoyable, and I especially liked the stuff with Robert Leistner. 

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  7. andre August 11, 2011 at 2:28 pm #

    Thx for the review! I also very much enjoyed the scene where Carlo gets pulled over – just got myself a 280 ticket.. crazy swiss

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  8. David Reifert August 11, 2011 at 2:46 pm #

    Only 30min in Narc and the free goodies are already having a heavy impact, ha!

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  9. Daniel Hatley August 11, 2011 at 2:54 pm #

    i liked swiss account and can’t wait to check out the others!

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  10. Daniel Hatley August 11, 2011 at 2:54 pm #

    i liked swiss account and can’t wait to check out the others!

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  11. Chris August 11, 2011 at 2:54 pm #

    great review. gotta love free stuff, especially when its quality. plus i had no idea wisconsin had any climbing whatsoever

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  12. isaac August 11, 2011 at 3:00 pm #

    So many boulders. It’s really pretty brilliant to be able to swipe the credit card for speeding right then and there. I mean it sucks, but at least you can avoid a court date. right?

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  13. Tony Brengosz August 11, 2011 at 3:05 pm #

    If anything, midwest unknown has me excited for the fall. 

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    • Narc August 11, 2011 at 3:13 pm #

      YES. My employer has ruined my weekday climbing plans but you should make me come out on the weekends injured or not.

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  14. sweaty August 11, 2011 at 3:32 pm #

    i demand all of your free shit.

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    • Narc August 11, 2011 at 3:36 pm #

      Triathletes and volleyball players need not apply

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      • sweatpants August 11, 2011 at 9:18 pm #

        zzzziiinnnnnnggggg! Ouch

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        • Steve August 12, 2011 at 1:39 pm #

          What about Badmintoners?

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          • Narc August 12, 2011 at 1:42 pm #

            100% in

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  15. Mark August 11, 2011 at 3:49 pm #

    I wantz the free videos!  Give me ALL of them.

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  16. Prescottalex August 11, 2011 at 3:50 pm #

    Like the reviews! Always looking for new climbing movies and reviews are helpful. Thanks Narc! 

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  17. mh August 11, 2011 at 3:52 pm #

    So sick!

    After a long series of misfires, a few friends and I are planning on finally hitting Devil’s Lake this September.Gnarly.

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    • Narc August 11, 2011 at 3:58 pm #

      Nice! Where are you guys coming from?

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      • mh August 11, 2011 at 5:45 pm #

        I want to say my buddy and the group he’ll be bringing are working out of Verona, WI. Me, I’ll be coming in from work in Dallas. We’re both native Californians though (San Diego & Oakland, respectively).

        I think I hit you up with some questions about the Lake when I was working in Chicago about, oh…last fall…so this has really been a long time coming!

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  18. Anony August 11, 2011 at 4:25 pm #

    Good reviews.

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  19. Crimpin' Ain't Easy August 11, 2011 at 5:14 pm #

    Narc, does posting a crappy joke yesterday give me extra credit?

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  20. Rho August 11, 2011 at 5:20 pm #

    The Schengen Files was totally worth it for the price. They did an excellent job for their first video project. I’ll have to check out Better Than Chocolate next.

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  21. Alex August 11, 2011 at 5:31 pm #

    the Midwest  bouldering look amazing. think i may have to take a trip out there. 

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  22. Vlad August 11, 2011 at 5:48 pm #

    I only watched the Swiss Account out of all of these. It didn’t make me very psyched. These kids need to grow up. The boulders looks sweet and I’d love to watch the other vids as well.

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    • DanDan August 11, 2011 at 6:08 pm #

      Rest assured, they have more fun than you and climb harder than you. It got me psyched, but that’s because I like rock climbing. Maybe you need to lighten up.

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  23. Nicci 0 August 11, 2011 at 7:20 pm #

    Midwest bouldering sucks. Do not come here. Go to hueco, where the cool kids are.. 

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  24. Chris August 11, 2011 at 7:24 pm #

    Good article, i’ve seen the swiss account and its pretty damn good

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  25. miso soup August 11, 2011 at 7:32 pm #

    Commenting for free stuff.  Want to see Schengen Files but can’t bring myself to pay 35 cents a minute when I could just watch The Swiss Account again.  Haven’t logged in, if I win will you know who I am?

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  26. Andres August 11, 2011 at 7:34 pm #

    Pick me Narc!

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  27. Andrew Bisharat August 11, 2011 at 7:34 pm #

    I liked the Schengen Files … a good drinking game is to drink every time Paul looks at his hands after falling on a problem …

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    • isaac August 12, 2011 at 4:24 pm #

      I am guilty of this frequently as well, looking for something to blame.

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    • mh August 18, 2011 at 4:13 pm #

      even better, hands on hips!

      probably my favorite video out of this lot so far though

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  28. Mattdq99 August 11, 2011 at 9:52 pm #

    well sign me up!

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  29. Nietzsche August 11, 2011 at 10:06 pm #

    Glassberg’s video is for free so he doesn’t have to pay for music rights.

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    • Zarathustra August 11, 2011 at 10:31 pm #

      you are the man Nietzsche, too bad you are not a nihilist… 

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      • Nietzsche August 12, 2011 at 9:37 pm #

        I seriously hope this is jemerson… and you are correct Nietzsche wasn’t a nihilist.

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  30. Lee Cujes August 11, 2011 at 10:55 pm #

    Comment inserted. Pleasure requested.

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  31. Brandon August 11, 2011 at 11:06 pm #

    nice write up, especially on the swiss account–i’m getting it now!

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  32. Mark August 11, 2011 at 11:22 pm #

    Great reviews, def going to check some of these out.

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  33. Mark August 11, 2011 at 11:22 pm #

    Great reviews, def going to check some of these out.

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  34. Montgomery Philip August 12, 2011 at 12:06 am #

    free stuff!

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  35. Zach Wahrer August 12, 2011 at 12:45 am #

    The Swiss Account was very good. Definitely impressed that a 1 hour vid was released for free!

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  36. Adam Ladwig August 12, 2011 at 1:22 am #

    Looking forward to watching the Midwest Unknown soon

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  37. Pat Campbell August 12, 2011 at 2:37 am #

    Paul is a beast, I’m psyched to see Better than Chocolate!

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  38. AR_Sweek August 12, 2011 at 2:46 am #

    The Swiss account is pretty good, especially for a free video.

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  39. Ian CB August 12, 2011 at 2:53 am #

    Hey thanks for the review!  Definitely appreciate it!  

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  40. Ian CB August 12, 2011 at 2:53 am #

    Hey thanks for the review!  Definitely appreciate it!  

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  41. Connor Griffith August 12, 2011 at 8:09 am #

    All those people in the swiss account are foolish noobs. But I would love to see Better Than Chocolate for free!!

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  42. Anonymous August 12, 2011 at 10:04 am #

    Thanks for the reviews, I’ll check out the midwest video

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  43. Andrew August 12, 2011 at 10:17 am #

    The scene where Carlo Traversi gets pulled over makes me giggle.

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  44. Sam Lightning Bolt August 12, 2011 at 12:32 pm #

    I love ACID!!! I mean drinking!….I mean climbing…I’m getting my movie references crossed again.

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  45. Sol August 12, 2011 at 12:55 pm #

    Neato!

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  46. Emily August 12, 2011 at 4:12 pm #

    thanks for the reviews and the trailers! The swiss account will definitely be watched later. 

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  47. chetroy August 12, 2011 at 7:41 pm #

    word word

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  48. SSS August 12, 2011 at 7:55 pm #

    I like climbing videos. And free stuff.

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  49. daustin August 13, 2011 at 1:14 am #

     I want to go to Sweetzerland!

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  50. kris August 13, 2011 at 2:49 am #

    Ok, I guess I will.

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  51. winston August 13, 2011 at 9:09 pm #

    Midwest unknown would have been better if it showed more people from the Twin Cities. That place has one of the best scenes around, and there are some great boulders close to the city, as well as up by Duluth.

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  52. ciuppa August 13, 2011 at 11:47 pm #

    The Scene … May not be cheap … but soooooo looking forward to this one!

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    • Narc August 13, 2011 at 11:55 pm #

      Yep. Certainly one to look forward to.

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  53. Nexus 6 August 14, 2011 at 3:21 am #

    Thanks for the reviews, love your site. Looking forward to seeing these.

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  54. Bob Rosenbaum August 14, 2011 at 6:46 am #

    woop woop!

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  55. Jean-Nicolas Vollmer August 14, 2011 at 8:57 pm #

    Thanks for the reviews! And keep bringing the climbing news!

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  56. Humphrey August 15, 2011 at 6:37 am #

    Great videos. Would love to win one!

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  57. Oliver Chong August 15, 2011 at 10:47 am #

    Pretty cool that The Swiss Account was released for free and even more cool was Carlo’s response to the controversy.

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  58. Granite August 15, 2011 at 8:28 pm #

    Good review! I think I will definetly watch the 2 first ones!

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  59. Michelle Linhart August 16, 2011 at 5:26 am #

    So many new videos to watch! And here I was, about to go and have a marathon and re-watch all the other climbing videos I own. Yaaaaay for climbing movies! 😀

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  60. Paul Lilin August 16, 2011 at 7:22 am #

    Love free stuff !

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  61. Neudson Aquino August 16, 2011 at 11:10 am #

    I’m really a climbing movie fanatic! Didn’t watch those three above and would love to have a copy of Better than Chocolate!

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  62. Austin Prete August 16, 2011 at 7:33 pm #

    The Swiss Account was fantastic.  I would pay money for a video of that quality and length.  I’m looking forward to seeing the other videos reviewed here.

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  63. lstefurak August 16, 2011 at 8:12 pm #

    Dude i know it’s obvious that bouldering videos are easier to make but I really want some trad action. Can’t wait to see TC and Kevin on El CAP!

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    • Narc August 16, 2011 at 8:20 pm #

      you and me both

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  64. Coloclymer August 17, 2011 at 4:26 pm #

    I love chocolate, but I love climbing more. The title makes sense to me.

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  65. Fox August 17, 2011 at 5:11 pm #

    I’m in agreement with the posts above. I can’t wait to see footage of the Dawn Wall stuff. That project is crazy!

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  66. Duder August 17, 2011 at 8:32 pm #

    sometimes, i like to climb…………..

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  67. jwill August 18, 2011 at 12:16 am #

    watching The Swiss Account was the best lunch break ever…. except for the time that i had just enough time to redpoint my project 😀

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  68. Bertie August 18, 2011 at 8:04 am #

    Cool to see so many quality movies being released. Now just need to find the time to watch em all!

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  69. Narc August 18, 2011 at 1:08 pm #

    Thanks to everyone who entered!  Random.org picked Allen E as the winner so congrats to him.  I’ll be contacting you shortly.

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