Dogs Bark

Rather Be In Philadelphia - - What Dreams My Come (1998, USA) - - 9 October 2014

Recommended. This is the 500^th post on Dogs Bark! I don’t remember my original reaction to What Dreams May Come when it was in the theaters but it seemed like a good time to re-view it. I think my opinion has not changed . . . that it is a splashy, visually spectacular movie with some very good acting but theologically muddled and manipulative. Actually, the suicide of its lead, Robin Williams (Good Will Hunting), has resulted in many viewer to revisits the afterlife, as originally written by Twilight Zone mainstay Richard Matheson (Somewhere In Time). Williams had the peculiar knack of infusing strongly emotional work with wise humor (Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society) or ghastly sentiment (Patch Adams) or of being the straight man in a world gone mad (The World According To Garp). In What Dreams May Come all three masks are used, but mostly the last. He also advocated an alternate ending which would have greatly improved eternity.

Danse Macabre - - The Skeleton Twins (2014, USA) - - 27 September 2014

Recommended.  I’m very dubious about all of the supernatural language theory for twins. Having raised a pair well into their late 20-somethings, I think I speak with some authority. The communication between Milo and Maggie in The Skeleton Twins backs me up. Their connection seems as natural as any two kids raised in dire straits and close quarters. This is also the strength of the movie, the visceral bond that Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids) and Bill Hader (Adventureland) create; their chemistry is extraordinary. Their characters are similar to their past ventures but they go much darker with their lovable losers.  Although much of the movie is about suicide, the story never sheds much light on motivations. On top of this, the plot has enormous holes, with several false character turns and the ending is absurdly contrived.  The Skeleton Twins is not a great movie but these SNL twins are a delight.