Skills Like This

Why would the writer(s) put the idiotic "Tommy" character in?! Why the dying grandpa?! I like this film. I'd _really_ like it if there wasn't so much stupid involved.

While I'm complaining, the sound mix is pretty bad. One last bit of advice to the producers: Please zoom in a little more; while I could easily see the molecules of the characters' faces during closeups, the atoms were hard to discern. ;^)

Just saw at the Edinburgh Ineternational Film Festival. I saw many films at the fest this year and Skills was definitely my favourite. The film is fast and furious and has really none of the usual American comedy clichés. About a bad playwright turned robber and his friends. The Tommy character has some brilliantly funny lines I sure will be repeated. All the performances are really strong. The actress playing Lucy is so natural and fun to watch. The film takes you on fast ride and you have no clue where you are going, and this is just one of it's charms. A wee bit edgy and maybe too fast an ending but I look forward to catching this one again. It is a Cool Comedy.

I found this film to be fun and engaging from beginning to end. The secret formula: interesting characters that push along the plot in unexpected directions. No amount of special effects or brilliant cinematography can beat the unique combination of honesty and criminal behavior find in the "Max" character. The supporting characters are strong as well. Max's friends Tommy and Dave balance their trio nicely, providing distinct points of view on what motivates them, why they do what they do. The film uses these three to reflect on what makes a life meaningful. With snappy editing that never feels overwrought, but keeps the story moving, I never got bored.

Greetings again from the darkness. A festival favorite from 2007 ... one of the ridiculous things about the movie business - why do we have to wait TWO YEARS to see a well received film, but the Hollywood machine keeps sending out mass-produced junk?

While easy to watch, this debut from director Monty Miranda is hardly an instant classic. The film's main writer, Spencer Berger, also stars as Max. Max is a flop as a playwright and his friends are quick to agree, once he finally admits such. On a whim, Max discovers that he does have a knack for stealing. This new found talent opens up Max's world. With his confidence renewed, he actually hooks up with the bank teller he robbed on his first job. Lucy is cute and is played pretty well by Kerry Knoppe.

Max's two best friends, Dave and Tommy, are played by (writer) Gabriel Tigerman and Brian D. Phelan. Dave is supposedly the put together one of the three, while Tommy is a HIM-BO who just wants to connect. If this sounds a bit messy, that's also how it plays on screen. There are some moments of brilliance, but also many moments that just aren't quite there.

The star of the film is Mr. Berger's impressive afro and the theme is apparently that none of us really know what we are doing are where we are headed. Hate to call it a slacker film (ala Clerks), but at it's core, that's what it is ... with an interesting soundtrack.

Kick *** movie! Total comic ride with a huge fro and some mad skills. Just saw at Denver Film Festival with some of the Cast and Director. This film is shot with in a mod style that gives it a very energetic look and keeps the pacing moving throughout. The acting by complete unknowns (to my knowledge) was pretty amazing.

I can't get some of these classic "dumba**" lines out of my head. There are a few scenes where you are totally caught off guard and there is some true tension but pay off with the laugh or the situation. The film really never lets the viewer catch up and there are surprising turns throughout the movie. Some have called this a quirky comedy but I see it as less traditional indie style and more action comedy style with a killer soundtrack. Oh yes this film is not just pretty hilarious it makes some really cool statements about following your path.