Skills Like This DVD with Spencer Berger, Brian D. Phelan, Gabriel Tigerman (Unrated) +Movie Reviews

Turning 25

Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 01/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Skills Like This"

Turning 25

Amos Lassen

A new movie to watch for is Monty Miranda'S "Skills Like This", the story of Max Solomon. Max (Spencer Berger) is facing a crisis; he has always wanted to be a writer but on the day before his 25th birthday, he realizes that this will never happen. He becomes desperate and has reached the point in his life that he has no ideas to write about so he turns to crime which seems to give him a new passion but sends his two best friends off on a journey. Tommy (Brian T. Phelan), his slacker friend enters the job market and Dave (Gabriel Tiger man) becomes completely obsessed with writing the perfect apology letter. Throw a love interest, Lucy (Kerry Knapped), into this and decision time comes upon the group.

In only three days, the lives of out characters are turned completely upside down and all because they think that larceny might be the best and only thing they can do. This is a very funny look at how a man can become a robber at the drop of a pin. The dialog is smart and witty and the viewer is taken on a fast ride to an unknown destination. Spencer Berger is not only the stat but the writer and both his acting and his script are full of charm. His white man's Afro hair cut is amazing and the lesson of what to do when one has no talent is a winner. This is the kind of film that becomes a cult classic and it can be seen over and over and still entertain.

"

Loved this movie!

Jean | Los Angeles, CA | 11/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw SKILLS LIKE THIS in Los Angeles, and I absolutely loved it - very funny, wonderful characters, and a really cool soundtrack. I highly recommend it!"

A really Great Film

S. B. | Los Angeles, CA | 11/16/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is a total surprise, it is funny, earnest, and truly unique. Honestly I never knew where it was going and I was completely engaged. I can't wait to see the unknown cast in the future. It's rare to see an independent movie that is actually funny without being pretentious, preachy and or poser-hip. The soundtrack, featuring mostly unknowns, is really worth tracking down."

It hit the mark.

M. Rothschild | Rocky mnts | 12/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The indie film rides high. They hit the mark with this one; funny, well-written, good acting. The guy on the cruiser is my favorite, but all the characters are gems."

Anticipated Amusing Indie Comedy Finally Comes To DVD

Daniel Terracina | Norman, OK USA | 11/29/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Skills Like This, winner of the coveted Audience Award at the 2007 South by Southwest Film Festival, is finally being released on video after amassing a great deal of buzz during its festival circuit. Directed by Monty Miranda, this artful comedy is uniquely amusing.

Spencer Berger stars as Max Solomon, an aspiring writer who realizes his career is going nowhere. Fed up with his ineptitude as a writer, he decides on a whim to rob a bank. He is surprised at how naturally he takes to being a thief. In a Robin Hood-esque turn, he doesn't even keep the money that he steals. Rather, he steals for the exhilarating rush that he feels. His two best friends react differently to his new chosen career as an outlaw. Brian Phelan plays the incredibly daft Tommy, who is fired up and ready for action as Max's accomplice. Gabriel Tigerman is Dave, a much more reserved person with the level headed thought that Max's antics will land all three of them in jail. Lucy (Kerry Knupe) is the attractive bank teller Max robs and not too later finds himself involved with romantically. As Max continues down his blossoming career of thievery, his friends have to make hard choices about the future, especially when his stealing habits begin to effect the people he cares about the most.

As far as special features go, this disc offers thirteen minutes worth of deleted scenes and another seven minutes of cast and crew interviews. Two trailers are included. One of these is a "fundraising trailer," which is a screen test with the cast that is designed to look like it was lifted straight from the movie. The director realized that this movie trailer for a movie that did not yet exist was a fantastic sales tool. In a month and a half, with the aid of this trailer, half of the money necessary to make the movie was raised. The SXSW acceptance speech is included, as well as biographies and information about the soundtrack. All in all this is a nice package of extras.

This offbeat comedy is reminiscent of Fun With Dick and Jane, infused with a splash of Napoleon Dynamite. Skills Like This does a good job highlighting the eclectic music scene in Denver, and the outstanding music displayed throughout the movie is definitely one of the highlights. The chemistry between the cast is genuine, and watching the three friends play off of one another is amusing. Though it is on the shorter side (the runtime is just under 90 minutes) and the ending really leaves some frustrating ends (for one character in particular), this honest indie movie features a comedy style of a very unique brand, and it is worth checking out."

Search - Skills Like This on DVD

Movie Details

Similar Movies

Similarly Requested DVDs

Movie Reviews