Skills Like This (2007) User Reviews

I'm Gonna Need a Ride

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 9 May 2009]

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.

not as good as its premise

[Buddy-51 · 5/10 · 29 June 2010]

Monty Miranda's "Skills Like This" has more things wrong with it than just its ungrammatical title. In fact, it's about as innocuous as an indie comedy can be without disappearing from the screen entirely.

Set in Denver, the story centers around four buddies with widely divergent personalities who, nevertheless, remain the best of friends; Dave (Gabriel Tigerman), a straight-arrow salesman who hates his job; Tommy (Brian D. Phelan), a wisecracking slacker with an inflated view of his bad-boy toughness; and Max (Spencer Berger), an unsuccessful playwright who finds he has an aptitude for petty thievery and begins to view it as his very own form of artistic expression.

The theme of going outside the law as a means of finding one's identity as an individual is a fairly amusing one at its core, but the movie makers don't really seem to have much of an idea of how to carve an interesting movie out of it. Perhaps, the script by Berger is just a bit too timid, a bit too reluctant to dive head-first into the realm of slashing satire or hard-hitting black comedy to register much of an impact, settling for feel-good, pseudo-Robin Hood pablum instead. That's a shame, seeing as how most of the actors reveal at least some degree of talent that the material gives them little opportunity to show off for the audience.

Nice Try (but better luck next time)

[druid333-2 · 5/10 · 26 April 2009]

Every now and again,there is an exception to the fact that independently produced films are better than mainstream Hollywood fare. 'Skills Like These' is one of those exceptions. This is one of those films that tries like the dickens to be quirky & left of centre, but somehow fails. Max is a failure as a playwright. His latest bomb (called Onion Dance)has managed to clear the theater of audience members in it's opening night,plus given a major heart attack in it's one & only major backer (Max's grandfather). Max decides that he would do better trying to rob the bank across the street from the Mexican restaurant they spend most of their time at (where do they get the money to eat there,day after day?). Max decides to go on a crime spree, despite the guilt he feels for stealing other people's stuff. A romantic subplot only manages to bog this mostly unfunny shaggy dog story only further (although the female lead,Kerry Knuppe is easy on the eyes). Spencer Berger (who wrote the leaden screenplay)plays Max,a failed playwright with an impressive Afro hair-do. His two slacker friends,Tommy & Dave,are something out of a bad sitcom (Jay and Silent Bob have way more depth than these two). This is one film that is occasionally amusing,but lacks focus. Not rated by the MPAA,this film contains strong language & some mild sexual situations that would pretty much land it an 'R'. Thankfully,there are far better independent films to choose from out there.

Could've Been an Eight...

[atomicis · 4/10 · 3 March 2021]

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. ;^)

congratulations

[karenqb · 9/10 · 14 March 2007]

A festival winner! (and should be)

I saw this film at the SXSW film festival in a packed house... I didn't have high expectations... honest, I was with a group of people who wanted to go because they liked the afro marketing posters and I wasn't in a mood to go against the grain.

Yippee... I so enjoyed the film. I thought it was unpredictable... raw... funny... engaging... I actually felt connected to the characters and these aren't the kinds of characters that I normally find engaging. It was a surprise at every turn. I found the humor appealing as did the high school kids who were behind me. This film is a rare treat with brilliant performances from the leading man to the waitress with only a few lines.

Great job and good luck with distribution!

Stealing Laughs!

[podkendall · 9/10 · 31 August 2007]

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.

"All Chicks Want to Bang Bank Robbers.."

[claire-michael-1 · 10/10 · 12 November 2007]

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.

Another notch for "Skills" belt

[the5678 · 10/10 · 23 May 2008]

Skills Like This won "Jury Prize" at the Jacksonville Film Festival this week. I had heard about "Skills Like This" through the film fest world, seeing it both in Denver, and again in Jacksonville. Skills Like This will be a cult classic, mark my words. I want to see this film over and over. I can't wait to share it with my friends. This film is so un-pretentious and original. It makes sense, and solves all the problems it proposes which is rare for low-budge film, it is indie film making at its best. The music, the characters, the bike! All I can say it, "I am going to need a ride" to this film again! SXSW Winner and all.

Skills Like That!

[ariscott · 10/10 · 12 May 2009]

When you go to see an independent film there is a hope that what you will see will be something new, different and entertaining. You hope to discover something. Skills Like This is that kind of film. This is a great movie, I loved all of the characters. The performances are right on and funny. The film moves at times from silly comedy to darker comedy. It does this at all the right times. This movie kept me engaged and pulled me in to the point where I was engaged but not aware of where it would take me next. It is rare bonus to see an indie comedy that makes me laugh and one that I won't soon forget.

4/4

Best movie I've seen this year

[LarryAustin888 · 10/10 · 24 November 2010]

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.