If you've seen this video, what rating would you give it? 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Other videos put out by Toy Machine:   Good & Evil (2004)   Berzerker (2003)   Jump Off A Building (1998)   Welcome to Hell (1996)   Heavy Metal (1995)   Live (1994)

Sucking the Life Toy Machine 2003, 20 minutes Current Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Sucking the Life stuffs you in the van and takes you around the U.S. on Toy Machine's 2002 summer tour. Since most of the footage is from demos, the majority of the skating is in parks, but there are also some sections with legitimate street footage (mostly handrails). The production is relatively simple, with most footage being digicam shots with the fisheye lens. There aren't any real parts (aside from a Billy Marks montage), with most of the video following a demo-fireworks-demo-fireworks format. Oh, and don't be fooled by the first fake ending (watch it past the TV snow) or you'll miss out on the last section of the video. June 23, 2003 Sucking the Life has a real spontaneous, off-the-cuff feel to it, which is something that you'd more likely see on a web site than actually turned into a marketed VHS tape. That's not meant to be an insult, as this is definitely a fun video to watch. The skating is top notch, even if it is largely confined to different skate parks on the demo lineup. Billy Marks has a great section with a low skatepark handrail, turning out more tricks than a pimp. Even Ed shows up with some memorable noseblunt slides and frontside feebles. Josh Harmony pulls some ballsy stunts, which is good since he comes off as such a whiner off his board, you'd swear he has a bearded clam. And speaking of sexual organs, what Toy Machine video would be complete without a dose of homoeroticism, delivered by a dildo-wielding Ed Templeton? Factor in some good pyrotechnics, and you've got a short video that may not blow your mind, but should at least give you a few good laughs. Mr. Tips December 02, 2003 Sucking the Life consists of one 20 minute part that is a pure assault on the senses. Don't blink or you might miss one of Billy Mark's 300 kickflip to slide/grind variations. Ed Templeton also proves, once again, that age is only a number. Ollie impossible noseslides anyone? Young Caswell Berry proves himself to be a serious contender as well. He may have the best chest high kickflip in the biz. Sorry to break up the love-fest, but I have to point out the terrible camera angles that seem to infect the flow of the video from time to time. Sometimes it looks like the video was filmed from the inside of a fishbowl. I didn't even recognize my home park at first. At least Ed had the good sense to add a Smith's song at the end for good measure. All in all, a good effort. World1991

What to Expect: Featured Skaters: Caswell Berry Nate Broussard Diego "The Butcher" Bucchieri Josh Harmony Billy Marks Austin Stephens Ed Templeton Sound Track: If you dig the music from Sucking the Life, check out the soundtrack for it.