Manson Family Vacation (2015)

Instant Favorite.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

'MANSON FAMILY VACATION': Four Stars (Out of Five)A comedy-drama flick; about two brothers, touring all of the Charles Manson murder sites together. The film stars Jay Duplas and Linas Phillips, as the brothers. Jay and Mark Duplas, also executive produced the low budget movie; which was funded (with $40,000) by a Kickstarter campaign. The movie was written and directed by (first time filmmaker) J. Davis; Davis and Jay Duplas previously co-wrote the 2011 documentary flick 'KEVIN' (which Duplas directed). The movie is interesting, funny and involving; it's a pretty well made little indie flick. Duplas plays Nick; a devoted family man, with a wife (Leonora Pitts) and a young son (Adam Chernick). Nick's adopted brother, Conrad (Phillips), recently quit his job, and he's traveling through town; so he decides to pay Nick a visit. While staying with Nick, and his family, Conrad asks Nick to tour all of the Charles Manson murder sites with him (which he's obsessively fascinated by). Despite the fact that Nick is repulsed by the idea, he reluctantly agrees. The movie is quirky, and awkward; two great things in any film (for me). It's funny, in places, but it's also a great character study. Duplas and Phillips both give good performances, and they're both able to really flesh out their characters. The concept, for the film, is bizarre; but oddly fascinating too. It's actually a really interesting way to get to know the two lead characters. The filmmakers did a remarkable job, for such a low-budgeted movie! I'm always impressed with anything either Duplas brother does, though.Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://youtu.be/CoUgbXLzKSQ

I felt compelled to inform interested watchers that the 5.8 IMDb score for this movie is way wrong. This is my first review and after watching this heartfelt movie, I decided that writer and director J. Davis does not deserve this movie to be poorly rated.My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the story, characters and acting. The dialogue felt real and kept us interested throughout. Linas Phillips was a joy to watch and Jay Duplass adds his touch of realism to it as he did in Transparent.Do yourself the favor of watching this film. I am sure I am not alone in how I rate this movie.

Meager-budgeted production feels as cheap as the premise: two brothers, estranged and at odds over numerous family incidents, reunite but are unable to find a common ground. Jay Duplass, as family man Nick, and Linas Phillips, as eternal screw-up Conrad, are like the two squabbling buddies from the Sonic TV commercials, only more dissimilar; they don't even talk in the same rhythm. The film's title (which was probably 'sensational' enough to interest investors) comes from Conrad's obsession with convict Charles Manson, his followers and their crimes of the late-'60s ("Look at his women!" Conrad says to his brother. "Hot!"). Written and directed by J. Davis, this rude, in-your-face movie takes no stand in present-day correctness (never mind factual correctness); it doesn't wish to shock, it doesn't hope to provoke a discussion, it just wants to be a slob-comedy skirting the edges of a provocative subject. Since it fails as both a character portrait and as a modern-day comedy about brothers, Davis and his cast simply look desperate. They're treading water in sensitive territory--and floundering. NO STARS from ****

I am not a fan of murders and still have no understanding of why people idolize murders however most of us still are intrigued with trying to figure out what creates killers.This film was humorous,interesting,and made viewers pause and see that although some people kill they all have talents or gifts. People with potential without love and nurturing can waste their lives away and sometimes take others with them. Great film ideas that I did not see coming great twists to story that I'm sure many more film enthusiasts will love to watch. Impressive film. Great work. This film will do great on big screen and on dvds. Very interesting topic and most importantly serves as a reminder of what both good and evil capabilities people have. It also showed a perspective on Manson family that although his acts were horrible he still is a human.