Skills Like This
Encyclopedia
Skills Like This is a 2009
comedy film
distributed by Shadow Distribution released theatrically on March 20, 2009. The DVD released on November 17, 2009 and the Premium Cable premiere on Starz and Starz On Demand 1.1. 2010. It was directed by Monty Miranda
, written by Spencer Berger, and stars Berger and Brian D. Phelan.
, who previously directed television commercials, short films and created a TV series
The movie was shot in Denver, Colorado. Principal photography was completed in 17 days.
In addition to highlighting Denver, Colorado's eclectic music scene, Skills Like This is an entirely
Colorado based production. Skills Like This is the first feature length film produced in Colorado, by Colorado
filmmakers to be picked up for North American theatrical distribution.
film festival.
The film won the "Best of Fest" distinction at the Edinburgh International Film Festival
The film won the "Jury Prize for Best USA Feature Film" at Jacksonville Film Festival
Skills Like This screened worldwide on the film festival circuit prior to its American theatrical release by Shadow Distribution in 2009. The film received positive reviews from publications ranging from The New York Times
and Variety
to Salon.com
. In her review for The New York Times, Jeanette Catsoulis wrote, "the offbeat chemistry of the cast, along with Monty Miranda's eye-catching direction...make all the difference... Drawing much of its energy from an eclectic and fully integrated soundtrack, "Skills Like This" gazes indulgently on 20-something aimlessness and the comfort of assigned roles. In Mr. Miranda's hands sloth can be more appealing than you might think." Variety
further stated that the main characters of Skills Like This showed "considerable intelligence and chemistry" in addition to calling the film "deftly directed" and from Salon
Andrew O'Heir reviewed "Skills Like This" as, "Cheerfully anarchic...indescribably genuine." The film screened in theatrical release for four months.
The film received positive reviews:
2009 in film
The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
distributed by Shadow Distribution released theatrically on March 20, 2009. The DVD released on November 17, 2009 and the Premium Cable premiere on Starz and Starz On Demand 1.1. 2010. It was directed by Monty Miranda
Monty Miranda
Monty Miranda is an American film director. His first feature film, Skills Like This, won the Best Narrative Feature Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival...
, written by Spencer Berger, and stars Berger and Brian D. Phelan.
Awards and Nominations
- SXSW Film Festival "Best narrative feature audience award"
- Edinburgh International Film FestivalEdinburgh International Film FestivalThe Edinburgh International Film Festival is an annual fortnight of cinema screenings and related events taking place each June. Established in 1947, it is the world's oldest continually running film festival...
"Best of the fest" - Warsaw International Film FestivalWarsaw International Film FestivalWarsaw International Film Festival , also known as the Warsaw FilmFest, is a film festival held every October in Warsaw, Poland. The festival has been held every year since 1985....
"Free spirit" - Special Jury Award Nomination - Jacksonville Film FestivalJacksonville Film FestivalThe Jacksonville Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 2002, the festival screens dozens of the hundreds of films submitted for its consideration...
"Jury prize award for BestUSA feature narrative"
Cast
- Spencer Berger as Max Solomon
- Brian D. Phelan as Tommy
- Gabriel Tigerman as Dave
- Kerry Knuppe as Lucy
Production
Spencer Berger both wrote and acts in the film. It was directed by first-time film director Monty MirandaMonty Miranda
Monty Miranda is an American film director. His first feature film, Skills Like This, won the Best Narrative Feature Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival...
, who previously directed television commercials, short films and created a TV series
The movie was shot in Denver, Colorado. Principal photography was completed in 17 days.
In addition to highlighting Denver, Colorado's eclectic music scene, Skills Like This is an entirely
Colorado based production. Skills Like This is the first feature length film produced in Colorado, by Colorado
filmmakers to be picked up for North American theatrical distribution.
Reception
The film won the award for Best Narrative Feature at the South by SouthwestSouth by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
film festival.
The film won the "Best of Fest" distinction at the Edinburgh International Film Festival
Edinburgh International Film Festival
The Edinburgh International Film Festival is an annual fortnight of cinema screenings and related events taking place each June. Established in 1947, it is the world's oldest continually running film festival...
The film won the "Jury Prize for Best USA Feature Film" at Jacksonville Film Festival
Jacksonville Film Festival
The Jacksonville Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 2002, the festival screens dozens of the hundreds of films submitted for its consideration...
Skills Like This screened worldwide on the film festival circuit prior to its American theatrical release by Shadow Distribution in 2009. The film received positive reviews from publications ranging from The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
and Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
to Salon.com
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
. In her review for The New York Times, Jeanette Catsoulis wrote, "the offbeat chemistry of the cast, along with Monty Miranda's eye-catching direction...make all the difference... Drawing much of its energy from an eclectic and fully integrated soundtrack, "Skills Like This" gazes indulgently on 20-something aimlessness and the comfort of assigned roles. In Mr. Miranda's hands sloth can be more appealing than you might think." Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
further stated that the main characters of Skills Like This showed "considerable intelligence and chemistry" in addition to calling the film "deftly directed" and from Salon
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
Andrew O'Heir reviewed "Skills Like This" as, "Cheerfully anarchic...indescribably genuine." The film screened in theatrical release for four months.
The film received positive reviews:
- New York Times Review http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/movies/20skil.html
- VarietyVariety (magazine)Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
Review http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939636.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 - SalonSalon.comSalon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
Review http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/beyond_the_multiplex/feature/2009/03/21/roundup