"Trainwreck" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'TRAINWRECK': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Filmmaker Judd Apatow's fifth feature film directorial effort, is the first movie he didn't also write. This comedy flick is written by it's star, stand-up comedian Amy Schumer (in her feature film debut). It tells the story of a career-driven woman, who's always been afraid of commitment, that finally meets a guy she has feelings for. The film also stars Bill Hader, Tilda Swinton, Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, Mike Birbiglia, John Cena, Ezra Miller and LeBron James. Schumer makes a very impressive 'movie star' debut and Apatow doesn't disappoint either.

Amy (Schumer) was taught, by her father (Quinn) at a very young age, that true monogamy isn't possible. As an adult, she's now a successful magazine writer; that's afraid of commitment. So she constantly uses men, she meets at bars, for sex. One day her boss (Swinton) assigns her a story, on a popular sports doctor named Aaron Conners (Hader). After getting to know the guy, she's amazed to find out that she actually has romantic feelings for him. Her way of life is put to the test.

I'm a huge Judd Apatow fan ('THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN' is one of my all-time favorite movies) and I've really enjoyed all of his films (even'THIS IS 40', which is definitely his weakest). They tend to be way too long (usually close to 2 hours, or more), and they also usually contain several repetitive actor 'improve scenes', that seem to never end, but they're always hilarious and heartfelt. Apatow is amazingly skilled at combining really emotional drama, with silly slapstick comedy. This film is no different, than any of his previous work, even though he didn't write it. It seems exactly like an Apatow flick, just with a female lead instead of a male; so it's really impressive that he found a female comedian/actress/writer, that seems to think just like he does! Schumer's script is brilliant, and she's also a very talented comedic actress as well. The supporting cast is awesome too; especially Swinton, who's unrecognizable yet again, and totally hot in it (Cena is a scene-stealer too). The movie is definitely a can't-miss, for fans of Apatow or Schumer, despite the usual Apatow movie flaws.

First Trailer and Teaser Poster for Judd Apatow's Upcoming Film "Trainwreck"

Universal Pictures recently released the first trailer for Judd Apatow upcoming film "Trainwreck". The upcoming film stars Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Colin Quinn, Brie Larson, John Cena, Tilda Swinton and LeBron James.

"Trainwreck" hits theaters on July 17th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: www.trainwreckmovie.com

Press Release:

No contemporary filmmaker has chronicled the messy human experience with the eye and ear of a comedic cultural anthropologist like Judd Apatow. Hits as varied as those he’s directed, like Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and those he’s produced, like Superbad and Bridesmaids, are all unified by their honest, unflinching, comic look at how complicated it is to grow up in the modern world.

Apatow has also built a history of helping break distinctive new comedy voices into the mainstream, from Seth Rogen to Lena Dunham among many others. Now, in his fifth feature film as a director, Apatow again brings a portrait of an unforgettable character, and a portrayal by a breakout new comedy star, together in Trainwreck, written by and starring Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer) as a woman who lives her life without apologies, even when maybe she should apologize.

Since she was a little girl, it’s been drilled into Amy’s (Schumer) head by her rascal of a dad (Colin Quinn) that monogamy isn’t realistic. Now a magazine writer, Amy lives by that credo—enjoying what she feels is an uninhibited life free from stifling, boring romantic commitment—but in actuality, she’s kind of in a rut. When she finds herself starting to fall for the subject of the new article she’s writing, a charming and successful sports doctor named Aaron Conners (Bill Hader), Amy starts to wonder if other grown-ups, including this guy who really seems to like her, might be on to something.

The comedy, from a script written by Schumer, co-stars Brie Larson, John Cena, Tilda Swinton and LeBron James. Apatow produces Trainwreck through his Apatow Productions alongside Barry Mendel (Bridesmaids, This Is 40).

"Trainwreck": Teaser Trailer

"The Skeleton Twins" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'THE SKELETON TWINS': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Indie comedy-drama flick about twins who reunite, after ten years of not seeing each other, when one unsuccessfully tries to commit suicide. The film stars Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig as the twins and costars Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell and Boyd Holbrook. It was directed by sophomore filmmaker Craig Johnson and written by Johnson and Mark Heyman (who also co-wrote 'BLACK SWAN'). It's a pretty dark and depressing drama, at times, but it's also really funny and it's filled with three good performances (Hader, Wiig and Wilson).

Milo (Hader) and Maggie (Wiig) are twins who haven't spoken much or seen each other in ten years. In a weird 'twin coincidence' they both plan to commit suicide on the same day; but Maggie is interrupted by an emergency phone call, about her brother's failed attempt. She brings him home to live with her and her husband, Lance (Wilson). Lance and Maggie inform Milo that they're trying to have a baby but Maggie is unsure if she wants a child. She's also having an affair, with her scuba instructor (Holbrook). At the same time Milo reunites with a former teacher (Burrell), that he used to have relations with.

It's great to see Hader and Wiig doing some pretty serious acting (especially Hader; who hasn't had much experience with it, at all). They're both more than up to the task. While the movie is primarily a serious drama, and a pretty believable character study, it's also hilarious. My favorite thing about the film is it's humor. While both Hader and Wiig's characters seem like real people they're also pretty unlikeable at times and I had a hard time really rooting for either of them. I did really enjoy Luke Wilson's character though (and he's great in his role). The script is clever and well played out and Johnson gives the material a beautiful director's touch. Despite my inability to completely relate to the main characters I still think it's a really well-made film.

Indie Comedy "The Skeleton Twins" Hits DVD and Blu-Ray

Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions recently released information for the upcoming DVD and Blu-Ray release of "The Skeleton Twins". The film stars Kristen Wiig (Bridsmaids), Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live), Luke Wilson (Old School) and Ty Burrell (TV’s “Modern Family”), is written by Craig Johnson (True Adolescents) & Mark Heyman (Black Swan) and is directed by Craig Johnson.

Special features on the DVD and Blu-Ray includes Gag Reel, Outtakes,  Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Craig Johnson, “To Whom It May Concern: Making The Skeleton Twins” featurette,  “Sweet Moves” featurette,  Audio Feature Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Craig Johnson, Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader,  Audio Feature Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Craig Johnson, Co-Writer Mark Heyman and Producer/Editor Jennifer Lee. "The Skeleton Twins" hits stores on December 16th.

Press Release:

TV’s “Saturday Night Live” costars Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader “are magic together” (Spin) in the critically acclaimed comedy The Skeleton Twins, arriving on Blu-ray™ (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand on December 16th. The movie will also be available on Digital HD starting December 2nd. The winner of Best Screenplay at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and described by Rolling Stone as “hilarious and heart-crushingly real,” the film also stars Luke Wilson (Old School) and Ty Burrell (TV’s “Modern Family”), is written by Craig Johnson (True Adolescents) & Mark Heyman (Black Swan) and is directed by Craig Johnson.

The Skeleton Twins follows Maggie (Wiig) and Milo (Hader), two estranged twins that are reunited after ten years of being apart. With an irresistible mix of humor and heart and a stellar supporting cast, the film follows their unforgettable journey to reconnect, as they realize that the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship.

The Skeleton Twins Blu-ray™ and DVD special features include comedic outtakes, a gag reel, two audio commentaries, a “making of” featurette, deleted scenes with optional commentary and a supercut of Bill and Kristen’s awesome dance moves. The Skeleton Twins Blu-ray™ and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $24.99 and $19.98, respectively.

BLU-RAY/DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*
• Gag Reel
• Outtakes
• Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Craig Johnson
• “To Whom It May Concern: Making The Skeleton Twins” featurette
• “Sweet Moves” featurette
• Audio Feature Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Craig Johnson, Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader
• Audio Feature Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Craig Johnson, Co-Writer Mark Heyman and Producer/Editor Jennifer Lee

Official Trailer for the Upcoming Drama "The Skeleton Twins"

Roadside Attractions recently released the official trailer for their upcoming release on "The Skeleton Twins". The upcoming film stars Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Ty Burrell and Luke Wilson. "The Skeleton Twins" hits theaters in limited release on September 12th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://skeletontwinsmovie.com/

Plot Synopsis:

After many years of estrangement, twins Maggie and Milo lead separate lives on opposite sides of the country. When both feel that they're at the end of their ropes, an unexpected reunion forces them to confront how their lives went so wrong. For Maggie, that means re-examining her marriage to sweet “nature frat boy” Lance and her own self-destructive tendencies, while Milo must face the pain of an early heartbreak he never quite got past. As the twins’ reunion reinvigorates them both, they realize the key to fixing their lives just may lie in accepting the past and mending their relationship with each other.

 "The Skeleton Twins": Official Trailer