Short

Movies Viewed in 2011

Posted on by bernardovillela

This will be one of two running lists I will maintain. This list of all films seen in the year will assist in the assembly of a list of people and films to consider for my end of year awards.

Assorted Shorts and Features

1. Trevor
2. Juego de Niños
3. A Son’s Promise
4. Patrik, Age 1.5
5. Chasing 3000
6. Sin Destino
7. Thunderpants
8. Damned if You Don’t
9. Tom Brown’s School Days (1940)
10. Careful
11. Twilight of the Ice Nymphs
12. Time to Leave
13. Romulus, My Father
14. Following
15. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
16. Shiver
17. Army of Crime
18. Enter the Void
19. Alamar
20. Dogtooth
21. Hercules Against the Moon Men
22. Let Me In
23. Little Men (1935)
24. Boogeyman
25. Shutter
26. Mrs. Miniver
27. Blake of Scotland Yard (1937; theatrical cut)
28. Boys Town
29. Men of Boys Town
30. Modern Times
31. Witness for the Prosecution
32. The Champ
33. Manhattan Melodrama
34. Peck’s Bad Boy with the Circus
35. Peck’s Bad Boy
36. Frankenstein (1910; Edison)
37. Bout de Zan Steals an Elephant
38. La jetée
39. Is Anybody There?
40. Rabid Dogs
41. Kidnapped
42. Four Times That Night
43. 5 Dolls for an August Moon
44. Baron Blood
45. Bay of Blood
46. Roy Colt & Winchester Jack
47. House of Exorcism
48. Lisa and the Devil
49. The Girl Who Knew Too Much
50. Knives of the Avenger
51. Kill, Baby…Kill
52. Night of the Hunter
53. Black Sunday
54. Black Sabbath
55. Texas Chain Saw Massacre
56. Sounds Like
57. Right to Die
58. Valerie on the Stairs
59. The Washingtonians
103. My Boy Jack
104. Pooh’s Heffalump Movie
107. Boy of the Streets
108. Triumph of the Will
111. King of the Rocketmen
112. Etoiles: Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet
113. Friday the 13th: Part VII: The New Blood
114. Friday the 13th: Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan
115. Devil Fish
116. Attack of the Giant Leeches
117. B.T.K.
118. Pod People
119. The Giant Gila Monster
120. Piranha (1978)
121. Quicksilver Highway
122. Bambi
123. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
124. Jason Goes to Hell
125. Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe
126. Demented
127. Leave Her To Heaven
128. Oceans
129. Berlin: Symphony of a Great City
130. The Amazing Transparent Man
131. Basket Case
132. Blood Bath
133. Manhunt in Space
134. Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars
135. Dance of the Dead
136. Dark Floors
137. The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies
138. Demented
139. Shoot the Piano Player
143. 8 Femmes
144. The Redeemer: The Son of Satan
145. The Offspring
146. Red Zone Cuba
147. The Complete Metropolis (1927/2010)
148. What About Juvenile Delinquency
149. The Atomic Brain
150. Until the Light Takes Us
151. The Girl in Lovers’ Lane
152. Somers Town
153.Dumb & Dumber
155. Speech: Platform Position and Posture
156. Bloody Birthday
157. Posture Pals
158. Appreciating Our Parents
159. The Unearthly
160. Beginning of the End
161. The Girl in the Gold Boots
161. Tormented
162. The Indestructable Man
164. C.H.U.D.
165. Hamlet
169. Are You Ready for Marriage?
170. Charlie
171. Racket Girls
172. Sex & Breakfast
173. Milo
174. Tom and Lola
177. Martin
178. Dead Silence
179. The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos
180. The Truck Farmer
181. I Accuse My Parents
182. Johnnie at the Fair
183. The Rebel Set
184. The First Spaceship to Venus
185. Die Wilden Kerle 2
187. Mad Monster
189. Earth
190. Warrior of the Lost World
191. The Beatniks
192. Mickey
193. The Crawling Eye
194. Hard Rock Zombies
196. Gunslinger
197. Easy A
198. What To Do On A Date
199. Swamp Diamonds
200. Junior Rodeo Daredevils
201. The Killer Shrews
202. Secret Agent Super Dragon
203. Circus on Ice
204. Monster A Go-Go
205. Crash of Moons
207. Monsters
209. The Nickel Children
210. The Corpse Vanishes
211. Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead
212. Phantasm IV: Oblivion
213. Child’s Play 3
214. Hellbound: Hellraiser 2
215. Echo (Ekko)
216. Teacher’s Pet
217. Saving Silverman
219. The Naked Gun
221. It’s Alive
222. Ballad of a Soldier
223. Black Orpheus
226. Bed and Board
227. Porcile
228. Knife in the Water
229. Sans Soleil
230. The Invisible Man
231. The Neverending Story
232. The Brood
235. A Dennis the Menace Christmas
236. Charcoal People
237. Robot Monster
240. Tell Your Children
250. Harpoon: Whale Watching Massacre
251. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
252. Reservoir Dogs
253. Jackie Brown
254. Pulp Fiction
255. Funhouse
263. The Box Man
264. Roads to Koktebel
265. The Howling
268. Biutiful
276. On the Shoulders of Giants
277. The Fab Five
279. Bride Wars
282. The Fugitive Kind
283. The Flyboys (aka Sky Kids)
285. Estômago
286. Cheiro de Ralo
287. Date Night
288. The Ballad of Nessie
290. Birdemic: Shock and Terror
294. Puppet Master
295. The Boogeyman (1980)
296. Demonic Toys
297. Smoke (Dym)
301. Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth
302. Screamtime
303. Dolls
305. Troll 2
306. Dark Tower
307. Dolly Dearest
309. Hellraiser IV: Bloodline
311. Hellraiser V: Inferno
312. Hellraiser VI: Hellseeker
313. Logan
314. Hellraiser: Deader
315. Hellraiser: Hellworld
316. Tremors 2: Aftershocks
317. The Concert
320. The Baby’s Room
321. The Horde
322. From Within
323. Duck Soup
324. Flying Deuces
335. Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia
341. Touch of Evil
342. Frankenstein
343. Bride of Frankenstein
344. Son of Frankenstein
345. Ghost of Frankenstein
346. House of Frankenstein
348. The Lost Boys
349. Planet Terror
350. Death Proof
351. Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice
352. Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest
353. Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering
354. The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (2010; TV)
355. Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror
356. Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return
357. Children of the Corn: Revelation
358. Children of the Corn (2009)
359. Gamera
360. Gamera vs. Guiron
364. Creature from the Black Lagoon
365. Gamera vs. Zigra
366. Children of the Corn (1984)
367. Gamera vs. Baguron
368. Gamera vs. Gaos
374. The Thing (1982)
375. The Lion King (2011, 3D re-release)
376. The Monster Squad
377. In the Mouth of Madness
378. They Live
381. Escape From New York
385. Demons 6: De Profundis (aka The Black Cat)
388. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
390. Fantasia
391. Fantasia 2000
392. Dumbo
393. Nic and Tristan Go Mega Dega
395. Strike
396. Glumov’s Diary
397. The Cold Eyes of Fear
401. Ghoulies
402. To Let
403. Spider
404. Dorm
405. Session 9
406. Die Wilden Kerle 3: Die Attack Der Bestiegen Biester
407. Der Wilden Kerle 5: Hinter Dem Horizont
411. The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad
412. I Bury the Living
413. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die
414. Burnt Offerings
415. A Slit-Mouthed Woman a.k.a Carved
416. Trick ‘r Treat
417. Little Hercules
418. The Catman of Paris
419. Hellion: The Devil’s Playground a.k.a Cubbyhouse
420. Mad Monster Party
421. Forget Me Not
422. Videodrome
423. Return of the Living Dead
424. Audrey Rose
426. Wicked Little Things
427. The Chair
428. The Exorcist
434. Psycho
435. Final Destination
436. High Tension
437. Final Destination 2
440. Final Destination 3
441. The Final Destination
442. [REC]
443. Lake Mungo
445. Blood River
446. The Nameless
448. Boys’ Reformatory
449. [REC] 2
450. Pontypool
451. Face to Face
454. Taris
455. A Propos de Nice
456. Zéro de Conduite
457. L’Atalante
458. Pepito y La lámpara Maravillosa
459. Who Can Kill a Child?
462. The Wild Child
463. The White Ribbon
464. The Omen
465. The Fly (1986)
466. Jurassic Park
467.Berlin Alexanderplatz
468. Pit Pony (1997)
469. Burning Secret
470. Last Day of Summer
471. The Legend of Hell House
474. Out in the Silence
475. Carrie
476. Frankenhooker
477. Black Moon
478. Rare Exports
479. Rare Exports Inc.
480. Rare Exports Inc. – The Official Safety Instructions
483. Mallrats
488. Giorgio Moroder Presents Metropolis
492. Creepshow 2

Academy Award Nominated and Commended Shorts

60. Madagascar, A Journey Diary
61. Let’s Pollute
62. The Gruffalo
63. The Lost Thing
64. Day & Night
65. Urs
66. The Cow That Wanted to Be a Hamburger
67. The Confession
68. Wish 143
69. Na Wewe
70. The Crush
71. God of Love

Shorts of Jan Svankmajer

72. The Last Trick
73. Historia Naturae
74. Johann Sebastian Bach
75. Don Juan
76. The Garden
77. The Castle of Otranto
78. Darkness/Light/Darkness
80. Manly Games
81. The Ossuary

Internet Archive and Assorted Shorts

82. The Black Imp
83. Satan in Prison
84. Robinson Crusoe
85. A Trip to the Moon
86. The Kid
87. A Dog’s Life
95. Un Chien Andalou
96. Donald in Mathmagic Land
97. Six Men Getting Sick
98. The Alphabet
99. Lumière
100. The Amputee
105. The Grandmother
106. The Cowboy and the Frenchman
109. Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers
110. Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave
111. Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out
167. Displaced
270-273 Stille Nacht 1-4
288. The Ballad of Nessie
299. Anemic Cinema
447. Pardon Our Pups

Gray Area Films

88. The King’s Speech
89. True Grit
90. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 3D

Eligible Titles for BAM 2011

91. Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
92. The Green Hornet
93. Justin Bieber: Never Say Never 3D
94. The Rite
95. I Am Number Four
100. Unknown
101. Battle: Los Angeles
102. The Adjustment Bureau
140. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
141. Winter in Wartime
142. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
154. Insidious
159. Source Code
163. Hanna
166. Soul Surfer
168. The Wrong Ferrari
175. Hop
176. Scream 4
186. Win Win
188. African Cats
194. Prom
195. Fast Five
206. Thor
208. Meek’s Cutoff
218. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
220. Bridesmaids
224. Alabama Moon
225. That’s What I Am
233. The Hangover Part II
234. The First Beautiful Thing
238. X-Men: First Class
239. Cave of Forgotten Dreams
242. Super 8
241. The Human Resources Manager
243. Brotherhood
244. Even the Rain
245. I Saw the Devil
246. Black Death
247. Toast
248. In a Better World
249. The Tree of Life
256. Hobo with a Shotgun
257. Trollhunter
258. Green Lantern
259. The Art of Getting By
260. Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summmer
261. Midnight in Paris
262. The Other Woman
266. Kaboom
267. Bad Teacher
269. White Lion
270. Anneliese: The Exorcist Tapes
274. NEDs
275. The Way Back
278. Big Mama’s House: Like Father, Like Son
280. Olhos Azuis
281. As Melhores Coisas do Mundo
284. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
289. Winnie the Pooh
291. Rubber
292. Zookeeper
293. The Resident
298. The Ward
300. Heartbeats
304. Cowboys & Aliens
308. Captain America: The First Avenger
310. Crazy, Stupid, Love
318. The Suite Life Movie
319. Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure
325. 13 Assassins
326. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
327. Terri
328. The Inheritance
329. Stake Land
330. Glee: The 3D Concert Movie
331. Senna
332. Final Destination 5
333. Dream House
334. The Reef
336. Fright Flick
337. The Help
338. Fright Night
339. Conan the Barbarian
340. Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D
346. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
347. Our Idiot Brother
351. The Hole
352. Shark Night 3D
361. Creature
362. Dolphin Tale
363. The Tree
366. The Beaver
369. Super
370. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
371. Red State
372. Bereavement
373. Le Quattro Volte
379. Potiche
380. The Music Never Stopped
382. Housemaid
383. Exorcismus
384. The Colors of the Mountain
386. Drive
387. Contagion
389. Hesher
394. Abduction
398. 50/50
399. The Guard
400. Brighton Rock
408. Catching Hell
409. Renée
410. Real Steel
414. The Dotted Line
421. The Thing
425. Charismatic
429. Paranormal Activity 3
430. The Three Musketeers
431. Fireflies in the Garden
432. Martha Marcy May Marlene
433. Take Shelter
438. The Real Rocky
439. White Irish Drinkers
444. Atrocious
452. Puss in Boots
453. Unguarded
460. Turkey Bowl
461. Tower Heist
462. Anonymous
472. J. Edgar
473. 11-11-11
475. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1
476. Into the Abyss
481. Hugo
482. The Muppets
484. Melancholia
485. Attack the Block
486. Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension
487. Game Time: Tackling the Past
489. Bill Cunningham New York
490. Beginners
491. Turtle: The Incredible Journey
493. Deadtime Stories 2 In Progress
494. Limitless
495. Take Me Home Tonight
496. Life in a Day
497. Le Havre
498. Good Neighbors
499. A Borrowed Life
500. “Master Harold”…and the Boys
501. The Arbor
502. Poetry
503. Neverland
504. Deadtime Sories: Volume 2
505. Buck
506. Snowmen
507. The Chameleon
508. A Better Life
509. The Sitter
510. New Year’s Eve
511. The Skin I Live In
512. We Bought a Zoo
513. The Sleeping Beauty
514. Gnomeo & Juliet
515. Page One: Inside the New York Times
516. Adrift

In Recognition Of: The Closet (Video)

Posted on by bernardovillela

In recognition Of: National Coming Out Day

I haven’t done enough promoting of indie and short films on this site yet or at least not as much as I would’ve liked to this point. In an effort to rectify this and in recognition of National Coming Out Day I am posting a short film (a little over three minutes) below.

It’s not only one of the most beautifully edited and constructed shorts I’ve ever seen but one of the most effective and evocative statements against homophobia and a reflection of social change.

Without much further ado I present you The Closet.

61 Days of Halloween- Genesis

Posted on by bernardovillela

Most holidays worth their while encompass entire seasons, such as Christmas, for example. However, as you may have noticed there is a corporate push every year for us to think about the next holiday even sooner. While this has many negative side effects I figure I may as well embrace it.

Since Labor Day is really only good for college football and movie marathons cinematically it is as significant as Arbor Day, which means the next big day on the calendar is Halloween and we can start looking toward it starting now.

Daily I will be viewing films in the horror genre between now and then and sharing the wealth. Many, as is usually the case, will not be worth it so for every disappointment so I will try and suggest something worth while as well.

Genesis

Genesis (Waken Productions)

If the aforementioned Aftermath is not your cup of tea you needn’t worry because you can still stream the prodigious talent of Nacho Cerda by watching Genesis. Immediately you are shown a list of awards this film has one so you are clued in that this is a different sort of ride.

While managing to be agonizingly beautiful this film will forever redefine the lyric by Elton John “If I was a sculptor…but then again, no” as a weird symbiosis between sculptor and statue is formed.

This is a film that redefines the living statue but also excels in filmmaking prowess. The original score and cinematography work in perfect harmony to heighten the drama of the tale. Here again the effects are great as we see a metamorphosis slowly building.

Through creatively lit and cut together dream sequences the subject of the statue is given meaning as this tale isn’t whimsical as many which feature the motif and adds additional information to the transformation scenes. These scenes end with a wonderful POV shot.

Again Cerda puts his protagonist alone and in solitary work so he need not speak. Here again Cerda creates sort of a gruesome fascination in what is going on in the film, in this film especially I was reminded of my first viewing of Hellraiser. Yes, I did just liken Cerda to Clive Barker that is the height of effectiveness that these short films reach.

While there may be a shot or two extra at the end that could’ve been judiciously trimmed or lost this is still a brilliant piece of work and one that can be appreciated by a much wider audience than Aftermath.

9/10

61 Days of Halloween- Aftermath

Posted on by bernardovillela

Most holidays worth their while encompass entire seasons, such as Christmas, for example. However, as you may have noticed there is a corporate push every year for us to think about the next holiday even sooner. While this has many negative side effects I figure I may as well embrace it.

Since Labor Day is really only good for college football and movie marathons cinematically it is as significant as Arbor Day, which means the next big day on the calendar is Halloween and we can start looking toward it starting now.

Daily I will be viewing films in the horror genre between now and then and sharing the wealth. Many, as is usually the case, will not be worth it so for every disappointment so I will try and suggest something worth while as well.

Aftermath

Aftermath (Waken productions)

Both this film and the next one, Genesis, are a prime example of why streaming video is an absolute boon and why Netflix and the studios should reach as many agreements as necessary to free up material for streaming. If more is available more hidden gems are available to stream.

Such is the case with the short films of Nacho Cerda. Now I will rarely do this but it bares saying that due to the subject matter and the disturbingly realistic way in which it is depicted viewer discretion is advised and there is no circumstance in which anyone under 18 should be watching Aftermath. The weak of heart and stomach need not apply.

There is no dialogue in Aftermath, with the quick cuts and pans at the beginning of the film combined with the classical music score there is a lyrical terror that mounts in this film. What is most affecting in this film is that there is no escape, redemption or refuge offered.

So you know what we’re dealing with here the film tells the tale of a woman who has died in a car accident and the events that transpire in a morgue when one deranged mortician is left alone with her and proceeds to both mutilate and defile her.

Both the practical effects and sound effects in this film are great and get under your skin before you even realize where this film is taking you. This is the kind of film that works on you psychologically because the terror is real and relatable and all you can hope for the victim is some sort of divine intervention and it doesn’t come. It’s the kind of film that will burn itself in your mind and it is masterfully crafted.

There is a sort of perverse refraction of visual themes between the first scene and the last and a cruel little twist that punctuates and compounds the terror that has just unfolded.

10/10

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards

Posted on by bernardovillela

I decided that I would not write during what portion of the red carpet I did watch as attention must be paid. Overall, while in the end there was nothing that will likely go down as a historic Oscar look. It was one of the better looking overall displays I can remember.

I don’t know when this half-hour pre-show started (it wasn’t that long ago). I never really cared for it and it’s a little superfluous and just makes the show end later. Why does it still happen?

Begnini’s celebration is my least favorite acceptance moment. For the record.

You gotta love Steven Spielberg. Wiping the producer’s forehead and giving him water is classic.

Like the opening montage of best picture nominees. Why not the end shot from Inception?

Great opening with Anne Hathaway and James Franco. Great joke in the opening about James ‘appealing to a younger demographic.’ Glad to see the families get introduced.

Tom Hanks presents as Gone with the Windand Titanic get mentioned. Art Direction and Cinematography mentioned early in the show is a nice change. This was not a category I was looking for an upset in Alice in Wonderland takes Art Direction. Shocked.

First, applause of the night upon hearing Wally Pfister’s name called for Cinematography. Very well deserved award. Loved his speech in regards to Nolan.

Another pleasant surprise and the first standing ovation of the night as Kirk Douglas is introduced.

Douglas’s shtick may go down as one of the moments of this year. Also, I have to see Animal Kingdom. It has been decided.

I stand corrected Leo’s speech.

“I’m Banksy”
-Justin Timberlake

Awesomely amazing line.

I said it previously I would be rather happy if The Lost Thing got animated short. Congratulations.

Toy Story 3 wins Best Animated Feature. I knew that already.

Didn’t really like that Screenplay got the short shrift in terms of presentation. No excerpts or anything. Surprised but gladdened by the win for The King’s Speech. I also think that winners should realize there are 23 other winners who all deserve their time to do their thanks and shouldn’t risk taking some time from others.

I want to see In a Better World but am a little surprised it won. It’s the 3rd Danish winner and surprisingly the first since 1959.

Am I the only conspiracy theorist who thinks clips are based on one’s chances of winning? That was not the best scene for Mark Ruffalo at all.

Best part of Bale’s speech was his saying he’d dropped the F-bomb enough already. Oscar-winner or not he’s had plenty of other wonderful and worthy performances not the least of which is the one that launched his career many years ago, Empire of the Sun. All roads lad to Spielberg.

I’ll bet the theme from E.T. has been played at the Oscars every year since 1982. It always makes the closing medley.

OK, so does Trent Reznor and Atticus Finch winning mean that the trend away from composers towards current/former recording artists is going to stick?

First, winner I was extremely geeked about in a while. Sound mixing goes to Inception. And there goes another sweep in the sound categories. I wish I had stats for it but I bet it happens a lot. I have also enjoyed how everyone is thanking Chris Nolan first, almost as if they are trying to subtly point out his being snubbed for Best Director.

I really wish that more time would be spent on the technical awards maybe a special after the earlier presentation. Some really awesome technology gets kind of glossed over.

I need to look into the other Make-Up nominee that I hadn’t heard of, The Way Back. Looks sweet.

Leave it to President Obama to have the best choice as best Oscar-winning song. I’m a little tired of these categories that flex their nominations between three and five. Pick a size. Really, only four songs were nominated? Why? The process is intricate but music is where you can add to your appeal if you’re looking to boost ratings. I was floored when “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” won that scored high enough to be nominated and win but yet this year songs by Eddie Vedder, Alanis Morissette and Justin Bieber didn’t?

Kudos to Luke Matheny not only on the win but on plugging all the nominees who are iTunes. They were great.

The best, most entertaining part of the night was the musical montage.

Inside Job wins and now I never want to talk about Banksy again.

Billy Crystal comes on for a bit. Always glad to see him back.

Inception wins visual effects and stops Alice’s unthinkable streak.

Jude Law and Robert Downey, Jr. should do something together that’s not as “Holmesy” that was pretty funny stuff.

Listening to the other nominees actually got me rooting for Randy Newman for the first time in years. Some sleepy stuff in there.

Complete and utter failure this year in the “In Memoriam” montage. Firstly, with the lives singing people who were shown didn’t get their due applause like they did in previous years and first the SAG Award show excluded Corey Haim and now the Oscars did too. I assure you he is missed by many film fans and is exclusion is a joke.

Tom Hooper wins for The King’s Speech. Dare they split it?

Best story told by a winner tonight has to be Hooper’s tale about how his mom found out about the play and said “Tom, I just found your next film.”

They were at it again. Kevin Brownlow is a man who has more than earned his Life Achievement award. For all intents and purposes he pioneered preservation and restoration of films and brought many silent films back from the dead. Here is a link to Kevin Spacey’s speech about him at the Governor’s Ball.

I also found it a little humorous that they said Jean-Luc Godard was sorry he couldn’t be there.

This congratulatory intro to lead acting categories is also making it take a lot longer than it has to.

It looks like there’ll be no surprises in the acting categories.

Congratulations to Colin Firth for his win. It’s his first but it shouldn’t be. If you haven’t seen A Single Man you most definitely should. It’s good to know that some people do get their due.

Listing the previous winners and nominees in the Best Picture category is a great way to lead off the Best Picture montage.

The King’s Speech wins Best Picture and now I can rest comfortably.

The finale was a fanastic and needed addition to the show. It was either ending on a jubilant note or a down one based on where my rooting interest were. if they keep this up it’ll be a fantastic close every year. Great job, P.S. 22.

Mini-Review- The Academy Award Nominated Short Films, Live Action

Posted on by bernardovillela

This past weekend there was a screening of the live action short films that are nominated for an Academy Award. I have decided that since overall the category is so strong that I would include a still image from each. These are films that deserve to get their recognition beyond just the five minutes of the Oscar broadcast that they occupy. So these screenings arranged by Shorts International and the theatres that screen them are to be commended. They are a bit long but there has to be some way to include the documentary shorts in a broader way next year, here’s hoping.

As for the films like I said I was resoundingly impressed with the strength of the field but I most definitely have a favorite.

The Confession

Lewis Howlett in The Confession (National Film and Television School)

And here it is. It is so shockingly rare to see a short film that is so layered and plays on so many levels as this one does. There are moments of genuine comedy, horror and drama in this film. It is a beautifully shot and composed film that shows the tragic consequences of the combination of real guilt and “Catholic guilt.” It’s a film I’m not ashamed to say brought me to tears at the end which is a feat that’s unprecedented in my limited experience with shorts.

Wish 143

Oliver Arundale and Dolya Gavanski in Wish 143

What Wish 143 does well is to create a serio-comic tale. It is not a greatly nuanced tale but it works. How well it works is where most of the interpretation comes into play. As I watched it the thought occurred to to me that this is what Holden Caulfield would be like if he was a cancer patient. Specifically, I recall the scene where he hires a prostitute and all he really wants is company. That’s a bit of an oversimplification but gives you the gist of this tale as it is centered around a young man seeking to lose his virginity in the time he has left.

Na Wewe

Floris Kubwimana in Na Wewe (A PRIVATE VIEW)

This a simple tale that subtly demonstrates the stupidity of genocidal tendencies. It concerns a bus traveling through Burundi in 1994 at a time where the Hutus and Tutsis were at war. The passengers are all taken off and then questioned regarding their background. There are a few great twists and good jokes in the tale as well as moments of drama. Furthermore a pretty good original (to me anyway) song to end it and underscore the message of the film.

The Crush

Olga Wehrly and Oran Creagh in The Crush (2010)

This is a pretty funny, dramatically well-executed and honest portrayal of a boy’s crush on his teacher. It’s deceptively simple as it does have a few surprises in store. It can be easily be described as the most charming and charmingly told of the short film nominees and it also deals with a universally relatable concept, most of us have has a teacher who fits this mold and it’s not only a wish-fulfillment tale but also concludes rather logically.

God of Love

Tim Matheny and Christopher Hirsh in God of Love (2010)

The funniest of the nominees, this is the fantastical tale of a modern-day cupid. It’s told in such a way, however, that it reminds you both a little of Magical Realism but also of the Early-Career whimsy of Woody Allen such that it is also a very entertaining entry.

In conclusion, I would not be disappointed in any of these films being given the Oscar but I do think that The Confession is the most special film of the group.

Oscar Nominated Short Films, Animated

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The Lost Thing (Passion Films)

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to attend my first ever screening of Oscar Nominated short films. The live action shorts will screen next weekend for more information you can visit the official site.

Madagascar, a Journey Diary (2010): Bastien Dubois (France)

While this is a very interesting film in terms of technique narrative-wise its nothing much to write home about. In fact, it plays sort of like a documentary except without disseminating nearly enough information.

Let’s Pollute (2009): Geefwee Boedoe (USA)

This film is truly a hysterical one. It’s in the format of an educational video in which it instructs the audience how to pollute and further degrade the environment. Of course, while you’re laughing the effect is that of reverse psychology and you start thinking about how you can better conserve resources.

The Gruffalo (2009) (TV): Jakob Schuh, Max Lang (UK/Germany)

There are two standout reasons that garnered this film its nomination: the first is the voice cast. There are a lot of recognizable names attached such Helena Bonham Carter and Robbie Coltrane. However, what is even more impressive is the animation. it’s perhaps the most impressive 3D animation I’ve ever seen (it’s not projected as such I’m talking technique). Having said that the story is far to simplistic, repetitive and downright redundant to be as long as it is. It could’ve have used some tightening up.

The Lost Thing (2010): Shaun Tan, Andrew Ruhemann (Australia/UK)

This would be my second choice as winner. It is without question the most subtle of the candidate films. There is some creativity in technique as well as story-telling here, principally in storytelling it tells of odd creatures showing up and no one knows where they belong. There is definitely a non-blatant parallel to humanity drawn which is just great.

Day & Night (2010): Teddy Newton

I have linked above to a full review of this film I was prompted to view upon its release. This screening reiterated my belief that it should win. Not only is it a truly smart idea but it’s classical Disney which is what draws people to Pixar. This film plays like the old free flowing montages Disney was famous for such as those in Alice and Wonderland and Dumbo. While it’s not as subtle as the above film its message may have even more resonance and is not so on the head such that it detracts from the film.

Mini-Review- Day & Night

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Day and Night (Pixar)

This article is a repost.

As has become standard with Pixar releases they whet the audience’s appetite for Toy Story 3 with its rendition of what is in danger of becoming a lost art form: the animated short. Pixar, however, does more than its share to preserve this artform by not only producing these shorts but proliferating them on television and on DVD. 
 
The short that preceded Up, called Partly Cloudy was one of the best films of 2009 and Day & Night which precedes Toy Story 3 is even better. 
 
What you get in this tale is an even more ingenious tale than offered previously but with execution that is of surpassing genius. Day & Night are represented in the tale by specter-like beings with sky-scenes appearing through their seemingly transparent person. 
 
The fact that they are Day and Night is introduced wordlessly in a temporarily dislocating and fantastic pull out. In fact, the only words uttered in the film are picked up when they pass a radio station and highlights why these two, and thus we also, should get along. 
 
This short is so good its worth the price of admission and obviously earned itself its own review. Do yourself a favor and show up early to watch Toy Story 3 so you don’t miss it (or watch it on the DVD should you get it). 
 
10/10

Weird Wednesday #1- Jan Svankmajer

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Once again, I am aware of what day it actually is for this week anyway I will likely be late with these themes as I get my footing with them: as things progress I may stagger them.

Here we go.

Weird Wednesday

Weird Wednesday is one of the blankest canvases I am likely to give myself as a cinematic theme. After all the word weird despite its connotation merely means outside the norm and many things can fall into that category.

Yesterday, I chose to watch most of the films on the collection of Jan Svankmajer short films called The Ossuary and Other Tales.

I have been familiar with Svankmajer for quite some time but haven’t seen him in a long time. Milos Forman astutely asserts that “Disney + Buñuel= Svankmajer.” He is an artist that seamlessly goes from puppetry to stop-motion to conventional animation to live action and every way in between.

The Films

The Last Trick

This first tale, if it is the first one you watch in your version of the collection. Is likely to be your litmus test as to whether or not you like Svankmajer. There is a seamless and effortless surrealism to his narratives that provokes thought and seeks to make no explanation. While deceptively simple there are many conclusions that can be drawn from watching this dialogue-free short.

Historia Naturae

Despite how ponderous some of his films may be and how odd they are I’ve always felt a certain kinship with Svankmajer and this proves I’m not crazy. Below you will see both his film where skeletons and illustrations of animals are made to do different dances through the edit. And below that a project I did in an editing class in college which I made with no prior knowledge to Svankmajer’s film. There is a certain similarity. Mine is set to a samba which is a dance he does not include but his waltz is fabulous.

Johann Sebastian Bach

One of his pieces that cuts to the music. Very well done.

Don Juan

A shocking and horrific version of the tale told with puppets.

The Garden

A brilliant and fascinating surrealist live-action film about a man who has unusual gardening practices to say the least.

The Castle of Otranto

A wondrous mockumentary that splices live-action in with an animated story. The live action purports to report on the events that inspired Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto, the animation tells the story within the book in painstaking detail.

The Ossuary

A kaleiodoscopic tour of the Sedlec Ossuary in the Czech Republic.

I will finish these films today. These films are available to stream on Netflix to stream.