Skeleton Twins

Wigg and Hader are seriously good.

Outside of Hannah And Her Sisters (1986) and You Can Count On Me (2000), I can’t think of too many films that capture a realistic sibling relationship as honestly as The Skeleton Twins does.

I’m not sure if the credit goes to the script or the actors, but kudos to whoever paired Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader. Their bonding on SNL surely aided their effortless onscreen chemistry. Comedians like Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey have all pulled off dramas with some degree of believability, but Hader is 100% authentic as his complicated character, Milo. And Wigg, as his sister Maggie. is infectious onscreen.

The script, about siblings grappling with long-festering family issues, is familiar territory. And the ending is more from Hollywood than real life. But these two actors elevate this to a film worth a look.

Simply put: Wigg and Hader elevate this drama. Please note use of the word “drama.”

Award potential: Would love to see Hader enter the Golden Globe competition for this surprising work.

The ten buck review: Worth five bucks. Rent this at home to enjoy the performances, but skip this for your big Saturday night out

Boyhood

The best film of the summer – no kidding

Guardians of the Galaxy was the movie of the summer and The Fault In Our Stars was the nice surprise of the summer, but the best movie of the summer was one that took 12 summers to make.

Richard Linklater shot Boyhood over a dozen years to tell the story of a Texas kid named Mason (Ellar Coltrane) through multiple moments in his life. Unlike any movie I’ve seen, Mason (ages 6-18) grows up in front of the audience — as do his parents (Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke).

I became so interested in this family that I wished it kept going past the indulgent two hour and 45 minute running time.

Last summer, Linklater impressed many critics with Before Midnight — but not me. Everything I hated about that films' impressive but too-talky dialogue, casual pacing and its commentary of people growing in different paths, is exactly what works so well here. Bravo.

Simply put: One of the best movies of the year. Plan to slink into the chair for 3 hours.

Award potential: Despite its summer release date, it’s still on the short list for Best Director and Best Picture. Patricia Arquette is a serious contender for a nomination and perhaps a win in the Best Supporting Actress Category. Ethan Hawke’s spot will be harder to secure, but he’s fantastic in this film too.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks.