Skippers

I've been a skipper at heart since I was a little guy, and now that I am 40, it was fun to find a movie like this. The cinematography was brilliant and mesmerizing, and overall, the film had a wonderful rhythm to it. It almost felt like I had strayed into a dream, of sorts. I could tell that those who took part in the film's creation appreciate the subtle nuances of life, and the insights one can glean from taking notice, and being aware of, the "cracks in the sidewalk," so to speak, and how the seemingly trivial aspects of life are really what give our lives the depth of meaning and flavor profiles we tend to appreciate the most. In my mind, every Skipper is part Dreamer and part Seeker, and it was readily apparent that the main character, Carver, who mysteriously appears one day in a beautiful, picturesque American town, possesses these traits to a 'T.' Each character did an excellent job in their respective roles, and I can't wait to revisit this again down the road sometime. Skippers = True Blue Coolness. Like an icicle in the freezer cool. See you all down at the waterline. Cheers -

The first thing you'll notice about Aaron Wertheimer's "Skippers" is how beautifully shot it is. Almost entirely shot in (my hometown of) Bay City, Michigan in the Fall. The colors just pop off the screen and the shots of stones slowly skipping, zen-like, across the water are worthy of most big budget nature docs. The second thing you'll notice is that "Skippers" is goofily tender and not about much but about a lot at the same time. The performances are, maybe a little unpolished but feel genuine as do the characters. It's laugh out funny at times. I think it feels a little rushed at the end, possibly a prisoner to its brisk 70 minute run time but it never wears out its welcome and could have benefited from being a little longer. Forgive me for this but....don't skip it.

A quirky, endlessly endearing comedy that recalls early Wes Anderson, Skippers is indie filmmaking at its offbeat best - but with a twist. Punctuating the narrative are mesmerizing, Planet Earth-style shots of stones skidding across the water in defiance of gravity that elevate the picture to improbable artistic heights and are alone worth the price of admission. Winning performances by veteran comedian Kenny Zimlinghaus and the irresistibly charming Kate Villanova (their moments together onscreen are among the film's most memorable) further animate the absurdist yet soulful humor. Excited to see this director's future work.

Aaron Wertheimer does it again with his deadpan, absurdist, yet convincingly sincere follow up to Wedgerino. The actors clearly take the material seriously, yet are in on the joke. In under 2 hours we see believable growth from the characters while laughing during hysterical dialogue. The actors ranging from seasoned to rookie make me want to see more from them. Wertheimer has a killer part that he completely nails. Wertheimer's adorable daughter and extremely talented wife Joey make incredible cameos. I highly recommend this film!

Within the first 10 minutes of Skippers I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Skippers takes place in a small town with a lot of quirky characters, and by the end you're left with a lot of relatable people and a lot of heart. I agree with Reel Chicago, it's hard to decide what to take seriously and what to laugh at. The director, Aaron Wetheimer, really did a great job picking out the set and the location in Michigan. He made me want to go back and visit.