Mr. Right (2015)
In this time of responsible social distancing and self-quarantining due to the new corona-virus, we figured it was a good time to cull our Netflix list and find a true diamond in the rough. A suggestion I have for you is Mr. Right written by Max Landis and directed by Paco Cabezas. Mr. Right is not your typical Rom-Com. It's more tongue in cheek, which is humor I appreciate, and there is plenty of action to go around.
The Premise
Newly single Martha isn't looking for love but that's what she finds when she runs into Francis. She isn't put of by his casual "jokes" about being a hitman, but when people start really trying to kill to them, she thinks it might be time for a break.
My Take
I have self confessed crushes on both Anna Kendrick, who plays Martha, and Sam Rockwell, who plays Francis. So imagine my elation when I saw they were paired up in this film! They make an adorable, awkward, and super cute movie couple.
In Mr. Right, Francis never lies to Martha about being a killer. He slips it into casual conversation, telling her the truth the whole time. She never quite knows what to expect from him, which is why she likes him so much. He's new and exciting and not like any guy she's ever been with before. But when the bullets start flying, she starts having second thoughts, like any sane woman would. Then again, she really likes this guy...
Acting as Martha's voice of reason is her roommate and best friend Sophie (Katie Nehra). Sophie is immediately suspicious of Francis and has no problems voicing her concerns. She has every right to be worried about her friend. Especially because people like Tim Roth, RZA, Anson Mount, Michael Eklund and James Ransone are all after him.
The Verdict
A lot of times, movies that have all-stars casts like this make me nervous to watch them. Truthfully. I have found there are times not enough attention is paid to the script or direction and all of it goes to who stars in the movie. If you enjoy dark humor, action, comedy, and romance, I suggest giving Mr. Right a chance. It seems to have slid under the radar as far as movies go. I give Mr. Right 1 perfect clown nose. Why? You'll have to watch to find out.
Showing posts with label comedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comedy. Show all posts
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
I'm a big fan of heartwarming stories and an even bigger fan of tales of redemption. I was finally able to watch "The Peanut Butter Falcon", written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, which has been at the top of my Netflix since its release. It's one of those rare films that is funny, touching, and also manages to sneak in a life lesson at the same time.
The Premise
Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome, is living in a retirement home because he has no family left to care for him. However, that hasn't dampened his dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. After breaking out of the retirement home, he meets Tyler, who is running away from problems of his own. To make matters even more complicated, the duo are being pursued by Eleanor, an employee of the retirement home, and people seeking revenge for Tyler's wrongdoings.
My Take
Having spent a good portion of my professional life working in special education and retirements homes, I have a soft spot for characters like Zak. No one should ever be abandoned or made to feel it's impossible to pursue their dreams. I was fortunate that the educators I worked with were very good at what they did and (I hope) left all the children feeling loved and encouraged. That being said, the situation Zak was left in was very sad indeed and it highlights the need for more characters like Eleanor in schools and retirement homes.
Zak was played by Zack Gottsagen. Zach was naturally brilliant in this role and a perfect choice. Of course rumor has it that the role was written for Zack, so why wouldn't he be perfect? To back him up were fellow Texan, Dakota Johnson, as Eleanor and Shia LaBeouf as Tyler. I liked Johnson as Eleanor. She played Eleanor as soft spoken, sweet, and patient. All good qualities for working in retirement homes or with people with disabilities. As the opposite, Shia LaBeouf was gruff and impatient. He treated the character Zak as if he were no different than anyone else. That's also a good quality for people to have - not to talk down, shame, or belittle those that are different. So here you are with Zak book-ended with perfect examples of people he needs in his life. The overprotective "mothering" Eleanor and a "big brother" that takes no shit to show him the world.
I spoke earlier of a story of redemption. LaBeouf's character, Tyler, is in need of a little saving when he meets Zak. Tyler is on the lam when he and Zak first meet. He agrees to takes Zak just as far as his goal - a wrestling school - but the adventures they have on the way forge a bond between the two men. The actions Tyler takes in teaching, protecting, and befriending Zak renews his spirit when he is at his lowest point.
Rounding out the cast is Thomas Haden Church as Zak's all-time favorite wrestler, Salt Water Redneck, and real wrestler Jake 'The Snake' Roberts as Sam. Also, a special shout out to Zak's roommate played by Bruce Dern. He was the perfect accomplice to Zak's great escape..
The Verdict
"The Peanut Butter Falcon" was a well executed tale. It has all the elements of a great story - comedy, suspense, heart, wonder. I began to really feel for Zak and Tyler as they made their way to the wrestling school and as it came to the climax, I was pleasantly pleased at the way it all came out. I give "The Peanut Butter Falcon" 1.. 2... 3! 3 out of 3 wrestling moves. (I would count to 10 but that just seems really long haha!)
The Premise
Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome, is living in a retirement home because he has no family left to care for him. However, that hasn't dampened his dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. After breaking out of the retirement home, he meets Tyler, who is running away from problems of his own. To make matters even more complicated, the duo are being pursued by Eleanor, an employee of the retirement home, and people seeking revenge for Tyler's wrongdoings.
My Take
Having spent a good portion of my professional life working in special education and retirements homes, I have a soft spot for characters like Zak. No one should ever be abandoned or made to feel it's impossible to pursue their dreams. I was fortunate that the educators I worked with were very good at what they did and (I hope) left all the children feeling loved and encouraged. That being said, the situation Zak was left in was very sad indeed and it highlights the need for more characters like Eleanor in schools and retirement homes.
Zak was played by Zack Gottsagen. Zach was naturally brilliant in this role and a perfect choice. Of course rumor has it that the role was written for Zack, so why wouldn't he be perfect? To back him up were fellow Texan, Dakota Johnson, as Eleanor and Shia LaBeouf as Tyler. I liked Johnson as Eleanor. She played Eleanor as soft spoken, sweet, and patient. All good qualities for working in retirement homes or with people with disabilities. As the opposite, Shia LaBeouf was gruff and impatient. He treated the character Zak as if he were no different than anyone else. That's also a good quality for people to have - not to talk down, shame, or belittle those that are different. So here you are with Zak book-ended with perfect examples of people he needs in his life. The overprotective "mothering" Eleanor and a "big brother" that takes no shit to show him the world.
I spoke earlier of a story of redemption. LaBeouf's character, Tyler, is in need of a little saving when he meets Zak. Tyler is on the lam when he and Zak first meet. He agrees to takes Zak just as far as his goal - a wrestling school - but the adventures they have on the way forge a bond between the two men. The actions Tyler takes in teaching, protecting, and befriending Zak renews his spirit when he is at his lowest point.
Rounding out the cast is Thomas Haden Church as Zak's all-time favorite wrestler, Salt Water Redneck, and real wrestler Jake 'The Snake' Roberts as Sam. Also, a special shout out to Zak's roommate played by Bruce Dern. He was the perfect accomplice to Zak's great escape..
The Verdict
"The Peanut Butter Falcon" was a well executed tale. It has all the elements of a great story - comedy, suspense, heart, wonder. I began to really feel for Zak and Tyler as they made their way to the wrestling school and as it came to the climax, I was pleasantly pleased at the way it all came out. I give "The Peanut Butter Falcon" 1.. 2... 3! 3 out of 3 wrestling moves. (I would count to 10 but that just seems really long haha!)
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Return of Horror Fest - Teen Version
Yes Horror Fest made a (small) return to the Romero household this year. But please do not get your panties in a wad if you didn't receive an invite! It was dubbed Horror Fest Returns - The Teen Version for a reason. All of our children (ages 14-18) collectively agreed they wanted to host another 24 hour monster movie marathon. We the parents graciously allowed them to invite their friends over and allow them full fridge access for 24 hours and they could watch whatever Halloween movies they wanted. Here's what they chose this year:
Intruder (1989)
Victor and I picked this flick to start things off. The teenagers wanted a classic '80s slasher flick and this one has always one of our favorites. It's also a bit of a whodunit as one by one the overnight stock crew of a grocery store gets picked off in gruesome ways. Stay tuned till
Jason vs Freddy (2003)
This pick made me laugh because it turns out that half the kids watching the movie never saw the original Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street! How is that possible? So there were a lot of questions about the dream killer, but ultimately they enjoyed the battle between Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Always a classic, though maybe not so much a horror movie, Ghostbusters chronicles three parapsychologists as they capture ghosts around New York City.
Always a classic, though maybe not so much a horror movie, Ghostbusters chronicles three parapsychologists as they capture ghosts around New York City.
Hush (2016)
I'm a big fan of writers and directors taking control of their projects, especially when they're as well done as Hush. Written and starring Kate Siegel and written and directed by Mike Flanagan, Hush is a thriller about a mute and deaf woman terrorized by masked killer.
I'm a big fan of writers and directors taking control of their projects, especially when they're as well done as Hush. Written and starring Kate Siegel and written and directed by Mike Flanagan, Hush is a thriller about a mute and deaf woman terrorized by masked killer.
13 Cameras (2015)
Talk about creepy. Has anyone ever just given you the heebies jeebies? Actor Neville Archambault does a great job of it in Victor Zarcoff's, 13 Camera's. You can't help but feel for this couple that is being unwittingly spied on in this thriller.
Talk about creepy. Has anyone ever just given you the heebies jeebies? Actor Neville Archambault does a great job of it in Victor Zarcoff's, 13 Camera's. You can't help but feel for this couple that is being unwittingly spied on in this thriller.
Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
This was a first for many of our teenage guests. They thoroughly enjoyed each and every gory death (especially Johnny Depp's). And they loved Robert Englund's portrayal of Freddy, in this one and in Freddy vs Jason.
This was a first for many of our teenage guests. They thoroughly enjoyed each and every gory death (especially Johnny Depp's). And they loved Robert Englund's portrayal of Freddy, in this one and in Freddy vs Jason.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
This was solely for the thespians in the crowd, though the other guys loved Audrey II and Bill Murray's masochistic Arthur Dent. The theatre crowd was more into Ellen Greene and Rick Moranis. But overall, it was a win! (Of course)
This was solely for the thespians in the crowd, though the other guys loved Audrey II and Bill Murray's masochistic Arthur Dent. The theatre crowd was more into Ellen Greene and Rick Moranis. But overall, it was a win! (Of course)
The Conjuring (2013)
My daughter loves scary movies and she loves this one. Obviously it starts off the Annabelle series, but that's not why we like this one. It's very Amityville Horror (which we watched next) in that a family is haunted by an unknown presence. And it's supposed to have been based on a true story which always makes a haunting even scarier.
My daughter loves scary movies and she loves this one. Obviously it starts off the Annabelle series, but that's not why we like this one. It's very Amityville Horror (which we watched next) in that a family is haunted by an unknown presence. And it's supposed to have been based on a true story which always makes a haunting even scarier.
The Amityville Horror (1979)
This is one of my my husband's favorites, because of Margot Kidder, but that's okay. Of course by this time we started losing some of the teenagers. Haha They were dropping like the flies on Father Delaney. This one is also supposed to be based on a true story which always makes a story even better, in my opinion.
This is one of my my husband's favorites, because of Margot Kidder, but that's okay. Of course by this time we started losing some of the teenagers. Haha They were dropping like the flies on Father Delaney. This one is also supposed to be based on a true story which always makes a story even better, in my opinion.
Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
I have to tell you I don't know why I own this one and not any of the others, but I do. And it was the first time I watched it. It was a little long, and a little strange, but it was also a little unsettling, which is exactly what it was supposed to be. I obviously can't say much because it gives away the ending, but I did enjoy Paranormal Activity 3.
I have to tell you I don't know why I own this one and not any of the others, but I do. And it was the first time I watched it. It was a little long, and a little strange, but it was also a little unsettling, which is exactly what it was supposed to be. I obviously can't say much because it gives away the ending, but I did enjoy Paranormal Activity 3.
House of Wax (2005)
This one is kind of my guilty pleasure. I enjoy that in the end it's a brother/sister duo that team up (Elisha Cuthbert and Chad Michael Murray) and not a romantic link. Have you ever had a hot wax massage treatment? It's super satisfying. So being covered in the stuff seems like a great idea. But I guess these killers just take it way too far.
This one is kind of my guilty pleasure. I enjoy that in the end it's a brother/sister duo that team up (Elisha Cuthbert and Chad Michael Murray) and not a romantic link. Have you ever had a hot wax massage treatment? It's super satisfying. So being covered in the stuff seems like a great idea. But I guess these killers just take it way too far.
Death Note (2017)
Imagine having the power to kill anyone you want - and then giving that power to a teenager. That's Death Note. A great movie that keeps you in suspense up until the very end, Death Note is a great movie to add to any Halloween movie fest.
Imagine having the power to kill anyone you want - and then giving that power to a teenager. That's Death Note. A great movie that keeps you in suspense up until the very end, Death Note is a great movie to add to any Halloween movie fest.
The Babysitter (2017)
This is another one of our guilty pleasure movies. The Babysitter has all the elements - it's sexy, has dark comedy, and gore. A group of teenage Devil worshipers didn't count on the young boy they were babysitting spying on them. Hilarity ensues. Watch it.
This is another one of our guilty pleasure movies. The Babysitter has all the elements - it's sexy, has dark comedy, and gore. A group of teenage Devil worshipers didn't count on the young boy they were babysitting spying on them. Hilarity ensues. Watch it.
Student Bodies (1981)
This movie was a total spoof and the only one filmed in Houston, as far as I know. (Yay hometown!) If you loves spoof and don't mind the silliness of it all, this one's for you.
This movie was a total spoof and the only one filmed in Houston, as far as I know. (Yay hometown!) If you loves spoof and don't mind the silliness of it all, this one's for you.
The Banana Splits Movie (2019)
This is a new movie we added to our collection this year. My husband grew up watching The Banana Splits so it was only natural he would gravitate toward this movie. It was pretty good, considering the main characters had giant animation robots chasing them all around a TV studio for the duration of the film. Not as silly as it sounds.
This is a new movie we added to our collection this year. My husband grew up watching The Banana Splits so it was only natural he would gravitate toward this movie. It was pretty good, considering the main characters had giant animation robots chasing them all around a TV studio for the duration of the film. Not as silly as it sounds.
Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)
We can't have a Horror Fest without Tucker and Dale vs Evil. This is our favorite movie about mistaken identities. A group of college kids think that Tucker and Dale are hillbilly killers. After a freak accident in which the hillbillies save one of the college girls from drowning, the rest of the group meet their untimely ends in hilarious freak accidents.
We can't have a Horror Fest without Tucker and Dale vs Evil. This is our favorite movie about mistaken identities. A group of college kids think that Tucker and Dale are hillbilly killers. After a freak accident in which the hillbillies save one of the college girls from drowning, the rest of the group meet their untimely ends in hilarious freak accidents.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
The Babysitter (2017)
My favorite genre is horror-comedy. Movies like Tucker and Dale vs Evil are a staple in our home. We have found yet
another film to add to our list of absolute faves with The Babysitter. Brian Duffield, writer of The Babysitter, caught the innocence of childhood, the manipulation
of naughty teens, and the comedy of accidental murder in his screenplay.
The Premise
It's parental date night and Cole is stuck at home with his babysitter Bee. Not that he minds. Bee is smoking hot and they always have a blast. This time is different, though. Cole stays up to find out what happens after bedtime and finds out Bee and her friends are Satan worshipers and they need his blood to complete their ritual! Cole spends all night evading Bee and her friends, accidentally killing a few along the way.
My Take
I sympathize with Cole in more than one way. I always thought I had a babysitter for way too long. Then I was the babysitter for my little sister and all our neighbors. Now as a parent I feel for my kids. My mother-in-law lives with us - we have a built-in babysitter 24/7. Poor guys! So, I see a bit of Cole in myself and my kids. Except I was never as hot or half as fun as Bee.
Judah Lewis and Samara Weaving portray Cole and Bee, respectively. This is where the combination of writing, direction, and acting collide to make the chemistry of these two characters work perfectly. Cole is discovering girls and thus discovering Bee as an older woman. The awkward and tender moments between them are beautiful. It makes everything that happens later all the more tragic and emotional.
To be fair, Bee does try to protect Cole from all her evil doings. But, kids being kids, his curiosity ruins all her plans which leaves her Satan worshiping friends with no choice but to hunt him down. Bee's friends include Robbie Amell - the jock, Hana Mae Lee - the Goth, Bella Thorne - the cheerleader, Andrew Bachelor - the best friend, and Doug Haley - the nerd. Each friend, sadly, meets a tragic, and hilarious, end.
The Verdict
Now, I am biased because I love these kinds of movies. But given the combination of writing, McG's direction, and everyone’s acting, I personally recommend The Babysitter to anyone with a dark sense of humor and a twisted funny bone. I give The Babysitter 6/6 Satanists or was it 666??? I can never remember.
The Premise
It's parental date night and Cole is stuck at home with his babysitter Bee. Not that he minds. Bee is smoking hot and they always have a blast. This time is different, though. Cole stays up to find out what happens after bedtime and finds out Bee and her friends are Satan worshipers and they need his blood to complete their ritual! Cole spends all night evading Bee and her friends, accidentally killing a few along the way.
My Take
I sympathize with Cole in more than one way. I always thought I had a babysitter for way too long. Then I was the babysitter for my little sister and all our neighbors. Now as a parent I feel for my kids. My mother-in-law lives with us - we have a built-in babysitter 24/7. Poor guys! So, I see a bit of Cole in myself and my kids. Except I was never as hot or half as fun as Bee.
Judah Lewis and Samara Weaving portray Cole and Bee, respectively. This is where the combination of writing, direction, and acting collide to make the chemistry of these two characters work perfectly. Cole is discovering girls and thus discovering Bee as an older woman. The awkward and tender moments between them are beautiful. It makes everything that happens later all the more tragic and emotional.
To be fair, Bee does try to protect Cole from all her evil doings. But, kids being kids, his curiosity ruins all her plans which leaves her Satan worshiping friends with no choice but to hunt him down. Bee's friends include Robbie Amell - the jock, Hana Mae Lee - the Goth, Bella Thorne - the cheerleader, Andrew Bachelor - the best friend, and Doug Haley - the nerd. Each friend, sadly, meets a tragic, and hilarious, end.
The Verdict
Now, I am biased because I love these kinds of movies. But given the combination of writing, McG's direction, and everyone’s acting, I personally recommend The Babysitter to anyone with a dark sense of humor and a twisted funny bone. I give The Babysitter 6/6 Satanists or was it 666??? I can never remember.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Slow Learners (2015)
Finding love is hard. Being lucky in love is even harder. Especially if you are slow to realize who is right and who is wrong for you, even when they are standing right in front of you. Written by Matt Serword, Peter C. Swords and Heather Maidat, Slow Learners is a movie about love, friendship, losing your dignity and putting it all back together again.
The Premise
Jeff and Anne are best friends and co-workers who have a lot in common, including still being single in their thirties. They decide to take their summer break to look for love. By experimenting with different styles and lots of sex and alcohol, these friends find themselves (and love) after nearly losing each other.
My Take
Slow Learners is a love story in which the formula is near perfect. Boy and girl already know each other, lose each other and then have to find each other again. But of course, we are talking about slow learners so there are quite a few mistakes made along the way, much to the audience's delight.
Starring Adam Pally as Jeff and Sarah Burns as Anne, the movie starts off on a comedic note with a really bad date. Jeff and Anne decide to change themselves for the summer and see if what has been wrong with their love lives all this time has actually been them.
Over the course of the summer, high school guidance counselor, Jeff, gets in a bar fight, changes his style, gets drunk, has lots of sex and alienates himself from friends, Dan and Lenny (Gil Ozeri and Bobby Moynihan, respectively). Anne, who is either a librarian or an English teacher, gets a complete makeover, has numerous one-night-stands, many drunken nights and pushes away her best friend, Julia (Catherine Reitman).
In short, they both become the assholes they were idolizing.
So, what's a body to do when your friends hate you, you're hung over and you no longer know who you are? You go back to the beginning.
The Verdict
Slow Learners was an excellent film directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce. I think that it was the casting that made it so good, however. The principal players, Pally and Burns, were impeccable. They each had small nuances that made their characters totally believable. The supporting was amazing as well. From their cast of friends, Ozeri, Moynihan and Reitman, to their love interests for the summer, Reid Scott and Mary Grill, the casting was superb. I would tell you how many stars or whatever I give this film, but being slow learners, you probably wouldn't get it anyway.
The Premise
Jeff and Anne are best friends and co-workers who have a lot in common, including still being single in their thirties. They decide to take their summer break to look for love. By experimenting with different styles and lots of sex and alcohol, these friends find themselves (and love) after nearly losing each other.
My Take
Slow Learners is a love story in which the formula is near perfect. Boy and girl already know each other, lose each other and then have to find each other again. But of course, we are talking about slow learners so there are quite a few mistakes made along the way, much to the audience's delight.
Starring Adam Pally as Jeff and Sarah Burns as Anne, the movie starts off on a comedic note with a really bad date. Jeff and Anne decide to change themselves for the summer and see if what has been wrong with their love lives all this time has actually been them.
Over the course of the summer, high school guidance counselor, Jeff, gets in a bar fight, changes his style, gets drunk, has lots of sex and alienates himself from friends, Dan and Lenny (Gil Ozeri and Bobby Moynihan, respectively). Anne, who is either a librarian or an English teacher, gets a complete makeover, has numerous one-night-stands, many drunken nights and pushes away her best friend, Julia (Catherine Reitman).
In short, they both become the assholes they were idolizing.
So, what's a body to do when your friends hate you, you're hung over and you no longer know who you are? You go back to the beginning.
The Verdict
Slow Learners was an excellent film directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce. I think that it was the casting that made it so good, however. The principal players, Pally and Burns, were impeccable. They each had small nuances that made their characters totally believable. The supporting was amazing as well. From their cast of friends, Ozeri, Moynihan and Reitman, to their love interests for the summer, Reid Scott and Mary Grill, the casting was superb. I would tell you how many stars or whatever I give this film, but being slow learners, you probably wouldn't get it anyway.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
The Skeleton Twins
Family life is even more complicated than your run-of-the-mill average life. Can a broken family help each other heal after tragedy? Writers Craig Johnson and Mark Heyman have managed to capture the tragic side of life, and still make it entertaining, in The Skeleton Twins.
The Premise
Estranged twins, Milo and Maggie, are reunited after Milo's suicide attempt. He moves in with his sister only to discover that she isn't any more stable than he is. Personalities and opinions clash as the past rears his ugly head. The siblings try to mend their relationship, leaving collateral damage in their wake.
My Take
I have a feeling that this film doesn't get nearly the respect that it deserves because of the casting. Stars Bill Hader and Kristin Wiig are widely known for their comedic roles and The Skeleton Twins is a (welcome) departure from their norm. However, the roles of Milo and Maggie, respectively, are a chance for Hader and Wiig to really dig in and show the audience that they are much more capable than SNL and other cheap jokes. That being said, this is my favorite film of both of theirs.
Milo and Maggie contemplate suicide on the same day. The only thing that saves Maggie is that Milo actually attempts it. After visiting him in the hospital, they decide that Milo will go back home with Maggie for a while to recover.
At home, Milo discovers that the perfect life that Maggie is trying to live is not so perfect after all. Her husband, Lance (Luke Wilson), couldn't be nicer or more perfect but that's also the problem. Maggie is attracted to the bad boys. And Milo is still attracted to his old high school English teacher (Ty Burrell). The one who lost his job for their inappropriate relationship.
The Skeleton Twins isn't all drama. There are wonderful moments of sibling bonding mixed in with the suicide and affairs and dead goldfish. Milo and Maggie get high and Nitrous Oxide and giving a rousing lip sync to Jefferson Starship's Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. I can't hear that song anymore with thinking of Milo and Maggie.
The Verdict
Severely underrated. You can't go into The Skeleton Twins thinking, "Oh, what a funny cast." This movie shows you a more serious, and dare I say, better Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig. Director Craig Johnson brings out the best in overly positive Luke Wilson and gives you a different side of Ty Burrell. What happens when two damaged people need each other? They break each other down, then they pick each other up. That's family. I give The Skeleton Twins 2/2 twins. Give it a chance.
***
As a side note: Suicide is serious.
If you or someone you know thinks that suicide might be the answer, please talk to someone right away.
There's free help!
1-800-273-8255 (call toll free)
www.afsp.org
suicide.org
Save a life!
The Premise
Estranged twins, Milo and Maggie, are reunited after Milo's suicide attempt. He moves in with his sister only to discover that she isn't any more stable than he is. Personalities and opinions clash as the past rears his ugly head. The siblings try to mend their relationship, leaving collateral damage in their wake.
My Take
I have a feeling that this film doesn't get nearly the respect that it deserves because of the casting. Stars Bill Hader and Kristin Wiig are widely known for their comedic roles and The Skeleton Twins is a (welcome) departure from their norm. However, the roles of Milo and Maggie, respectively, are a chance for Hader and Wiig to really dig in and show the audience that they are much more capable than SNL and other cheap jokes. That being said, this is my favorite film of both of theirs.
Milo and Maggie contemplate suicide on the same day. The only thing that saves Maggie is that Milo actually attempts it. After visiting him in the hospital, they decide that Milo will go back home with Maggie for a while to recover.
At home, Milo discovers that the perfect life that Maggie is trying to live is not so perfect after all. Her husband, Lance (Luke Wilson), couldn't be nicer or more perfect but that's also the problem. Maggie is attracted to the bad boys. And Milo is still attracted to his old high school English teacher (Ty Burrell). The one who lost his job for their inappropriate relationship.
The Skeleton Twins isn't all drama. There are wonderful moments of sibling bonding mixed in with the suicide and affairs and dead goldfish. Milo and Maggie get high and Nitrous Oxide and giving a rousing lip sync to Jefferson Starship's Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. I can't hear that song anymore with thinking of Milo and Maggie.
The Verdict
Severely underrated. You can't go into The Skeleton Twins thinking, "Oh, what a funny cast." This movie shows you a more serious, and dare I say, better Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig. Director Craig Johnson brings out the best in overly positive Luke Wilson and gives you a different side of Ty Burrell. What happens when two damaged people need each other? They break each other down, then they pick each other up. That's family. I give The Skeleton Twins 2/2 twins. Give it a chance.
***
As a side note: Suicide is serious.
If you or someone you know thinks that suicide might be the answer, please talk to someone right away.
There's free help!
1-800-273-8255 (call toll free)
www.afsp.org
suicide.org
Save a life!
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