By:cathicksartist
Wild Dogs
By:cathicksartist
Oktapodi
By:LinusOo
TarBoy
By: Jameslee03
Concept
A Robin Hood of sorts, Tar Boy is about a person fighting against the corrupt and power hungry people.
The script was really well written and makes the movie very captivating.
Direction
The direction goes in perfect tandem to the story. As the storyline is fast-paced, the animation complements it, by being done in an all-action and sometimes very rogue way. Sometimes it is so fast-paced that its difficult to take it all in or understand the narration in the background. You need to be wide-awake to understand and appreciate it.
The animation being done in flash is not of a very high standard, but it’s done in an enchanting way and blows you away with its surreal surroundings and action.
Conclusion
Tar Boy is a breathless, all-action movie that will give you little time to think about the nonsensical storyline and will sweep you away with some compelling storytelling and awesome action sequences.
It doesn’t teach you any morals and it doesn’t try to be too clever. Its pure, unadulterated action and leaves making “sense of life” to other more serious productions.
For sheer entertainment value its awesome!
Score: 7.5/10
10 Minutes
By:amarpitar
Distraxion
By: sternio
Give Up Yer Aul Sins
By: monsterdistributes
I shot your ex-girlfriend
By:PatrickBoivin
Happy Meal
By:PatrickBoivin
My Name Is Lisa
By:Sheltonfilms
Connected
By: Trailer Brasil
Strangers
By: 1e42
Concept
Making films that have a meaning and are there to teach something to the audience is a good thing – but repetition does make things boring. While the short does carry good intentions in bridging the gap between nations, I just don’t feel that it captivated me that much.
Direction & Acting
You expect a short produced by Fox to have no faults regarding direction and camera work, and yeah it was pretty much spot on. The tension created (which basically lasts through out the movie) is done nicely and it does make you wonder (if you have never seen such a movie before) how our heroes will get out of their predicament.
No complaints about acting either – it wasn’t great, but it didn’t need to be either as the short didn’t demand very little emotions.
Conclusion
For quite a while, I was at a loss. Seriously. I didn’t know what was wrong with the short. There is clearly something wrong, but I didn’t know what! Direction and acting was okay – the story might be a bit predictable, but it at least had meaning and purpose.
Then it hit me! Nothing, and absolutely NOTHING stands out! It takes no risks at all, the story isn’t new and no character development leads to no outstanding acting.
Hence, Strangers is just going to slip under the radar. It won’t be remembered for anything. Everything has been pretty much done before.
Strangers – thou I know from head to toe!
Score: 5/10
Sign Language
Concept
I criticized a short for basing all of it on just one idea. This short too, revolved around one basic thought. But, the idea is original, likeable and best of all; it is not dragged on forcefully. It is about Ben, a static outdoor information technician (if you don’t know what that is, watch the short :)).
Direction & Acting
The camera work was great in the short. They played around with the focusing a bit and that actually made it all the better. Sometimes you have to take risks, and it certainly paid off. The direction was also steady and the last scenes were certainly one of the best-shot scenes I have ever witnessed in a short! Though I do feel that there should have been a change in background music at that time because of the change in mood of the movie. With that, the scene could have been even more memorable.
I can’t fault the actors for not doing much in the short because actually there wasn’t much acting margin in any of the roles. They were believable and that’s what counts the most.
Conclusion
Certainly a feel good short, Sign Language does not try to be too clever with the storyline and keeps it simple. Will you remember this movie for long? Not a chance! But, it does keep you entertained for the 3 minutes it’s on and for me that’s what matters.
Showing a guy actually enjoying his work and throws in a couple of deep and meaningful sentences, Sign Language might try to make us think, but the script isn’t powerful enough. It’s too simple. And it is this simplicity that I like.
Score: 7/10
Running
By: sheltonfilms
Running is about a dysfunctional family basically. Though, the concept is old there is a lot to like about Running.
Direction & Acting
If you have read my previous reviews (which I am sure you must have :)) you must know how important direction and acting is to the short. You can have a great idea executed poorly to make a lousy movie. But, if the direction and acting is nice you can get away with a lot.
That is the case with Running. Direction is quite good and though there are no major faults though the angles used, sometimes lacked imagination.
The acting however is pretty good. The girl is really talented for her age and her acting is remarkable. Though you sometimes do feel she is over-acting, but that’s so much better than being dull and expressionless.
Conclusion
All said and done Running is an okay short. I have nothing much to complain apart from a weak and done-to-death script, but its execution is pretty much spot on. The ending is pretty much left for the user to decipher. We are left to wonder what decision is she going to take (although signs are she will make the right one).
While you may very well be satisfied after watching it, the next day you would have completely forgotten about it! Even the name is so common; you are not going to remember it.
Running won’t occupy your thoughts for long, and that is its biggest downside.
Score: 6/10
Still Life
By: k0214315
The concept is really nice and original and does keep the viewer guessing till the last minute (and even after that if you are not paying attention).
Direction & Acting
While some of the parts of the short are great, especially the ghost town, I do feel that the movie could have been even more frightening if it had been shot at night. The soundtrack does complement the action and helps to create a feeling of uneasiness.
However, everything seems lost in the climax. The point where the whole story revolves around its head, the movie simply breaks down. It’s the climax where you need the director to be at his best, the music to be at its spookiest and the actors to be vigilant. None of these things happened. What could have been a great scene just falls flat and takes the whole movie with it.
The acting was not that good either it has to be said. Our protagonist’s lack of expressions was mind-boggling. He did not seem scared at what was happening around him not surprised. It was like everything was normal and usually his life is that crazy.
Conclusion
A psychological thriller, lacking in punch is Still Life. Like many other shorts its concept is nice and original, but its execution could have been a bit better. There is a reason horror movies are shot in the dark while this has not been.
Still Life is not a roller coaster ride from start to end, which it should have been. Somewhere in the middle everyone just stopped caring.
Score: 5.5/10
Offside
By: 1e42
Different idea yeah, but that’s just it – its just an idea. And you can’t build a whole movie, even a short around a single idea. There has to be some progress. And sad to say I did not find any in Offside.
Direction & Acting
I am not sure if the director was told that the movie had to be at least 5 minutes long or did he seriously think he had to drag it to 5 minutes! Because, my God did he drag it! Some scenes just went on and on without serving any purpose. When the guys were listening to the commentary, it could all have ended much sooner. But, no – the director used the same type of shots over and over again – to make the short as unbearable as possible!
Can’t fault the acting though as there wasn’t much acting to do. No words uttered at all. They were okay, really.
Conclusion
Ideas don’t make movies directors do (and actors of course, but this sounded better :)). The concept was good, but one idea does not make a movie. This movie could have been a whole lot shorter and it might have made it better. But, it just dragged on and on and even 5 minutes seemed a lifetime.
So much so that I don’t even want to review it. It was like a player who was not only miles offside, but could not hit the target either.
Score: 3/10
Nothing Special
By: HelenaBrooks
Every mom thinks her kid is special. Well, this one takes it to another level, when she says that he is Jesus!
The idea is a bit eccentric and different, but the script is really well written and makes it into a highly enjoyable short.
Direction
Apart from some quirks here and there, the film is shot very nicely. The editing is also quite smooth and the multiple-angled shots (that are missing in so many shorts) make it a pleasant viewing.
Acting
But, by far the best thing about this movie is the acting. I was surprised, astonished and even a bit shocked! It was so good. Billy’s mother, with her hilarious over-the-top yet believable antics stole the show for me. Billy’s acting was also pretty decent, with his shy, dumb and sometimes overly cautious approach to life.
It’s not often that you get to play roles in a short that have so much depth. And even rare is the fact that you have good actors playing them. But, Nothing Special provides two really great actors with the chance and they take it with arms wide open!
Conclusion
Nothing Special starts off rather timidly, but it roars into life with great acting and script. A comedy, a drama, I don’t care what you call it, but its certainly very engrossing.
It is light-hearted in its approach, but it also tells us that everyone is special in his own way and that mothers should really give their children a bit more breathing space!
You might not like the story, but you cannot fault them for not trying. Its different, and its full of life.
Nothing Special is something really really special!
Score: 8/10
Thrown Away
By: fcrabbath
Thrown Away does not bring anything new to the table concept wise. If you have seen Dawn, Dusk, Noon, Evening and What not of the Dead – it’s pretty much like that (and a lot more boring).
Direction & Acting
I am not sure if the director knew whether he was directing a comedy or a suspenseful thriller or something. He seemed lost. The start was promising, and there was a sense of forlornness created, which was pretty good. Then the actors started speaking and everything was lost!
The actors had no chemistry, sentences were spoken as if they were just, you know, acting! They failed to realize that they might get killed any instant and that food is scarce. Yet, they are happy to make burger jokes!
Moreover, the mutated people they showed seemed more like mental retards to me. They actually made the whole movie even funnier!
Editing was bad, there were some awkward scenes and the background music that was supposed to make an ambience of suspense could not do its magic either.
Conclusion
Lousy, uninteresting, boring – any of the words can be used to describe Thrown Away. It started fine then all of a sudden, it lost all its charm, its charisma like a middle-aged wife!
Short filmmakers should really take their audience more seriously or at least try to take their movies seriously. Thrown Away should really be thrown away!
Score: 3/10
The Alpha Male
By:fcrabbath
Have you ever wondered what would happen if there was only one female alive? Well, this short does exactly this. A very original, and may I call it an eccentric idea, resulting in a sort-of enjoyable short.
Direction
I have seen other shorts by the same guy and he certainly puts a lot of effort in his work and here again it shows. While not as good as his other work, here some mistakes were visible in direction and camera work. But, such mistakes remained relatively minor and did not make the screening unpleasant.
Acting
The guy playing geek in this movie was the best of the lot by a fair margin. His acting was original, and he did not try to over-act, which is usually the case in most of the comedies.
I do have some reservations about the other three who were rather a let down. The guys seemed completely disinterested and the single actress did not do justice to her role either.
Conclusion
While the concept was really nice, The Alpha Male falls flat because of poor acting. The script was really good, but apart from one actor the others seemed to be amateurs who had no interest in the short and were there because the director had put some spell on them.
Alpha Male was a short I wanted to like, but the acting was disappointing. You might remember it for the story, but hardly for anything else. Recommended for those times when you have nothing else to do.
Score: 6.5/10
The Drawn
By: fcrabbath
While not different from many other romantic comedies, Drawn does try to bring something new to the genre and it succeeds in pulling it off.
Direction
Nice story is accompanied by some excellent direction. In every scene you will get to see hints to the background of the movie and credit goes to its director (who has also written, shot and edited it) for managing it in such a remarkable way.
While I did feel certain scenes, like the one with the doctor were below par, but the rest of the movie makes up for it.
Acting
Only good actors can do comedy, and Thank God this short has loads of them! The main players, Scott, Rachel and Ben have great chemistry and their scenes are certainly the funniest in the movie. Scott (played by Art Wallace) was in my opinion the best of the lot and I hope to see him in more shorts. But, while there were so many good players, there was also the guy who played doctor. His acting was quite poor for a film of such a high standard.
Conclusion
A romantic story with comedy thrown in for good measure, Drawn is of a rare breed in short movies. It not only captivates viewers with its storyline but the performances make it a film worth watching.
As you guys know I have never been a fan of romantic movies, but this certainly was entertaining and there were some “awwww” moments too for the ladies :)
Short and sweet, Drawn is great for making you feel better and putting a smile on your face.
Score: 8/10
The Black Hole
By: nfb
It's your turn to choose. Internet votes will decide the best film, and the winner will be announced at Cannes on May 21. The prize: an HD MINI-DV camera and a mobile studio including laptop and editing suite.
Director: Diamond Dugs
Running Time: 2'34
Country: U.K.
Category: Comedy
A sleep deprived office worker finds a Black Hole whilst photocopying late one night Suddenly the possibilities seem endless. Will greed get the better of him?
Phil & Olly aka Diamond Dogs met in the last murky years of the 20th Century at one of Wimbledon School of Arts now legendary parties. They teamed up in 2003 and began shooting no budget promos whilst busting their balls as Art Directors to pay their bills. Phil & Olly continue their careers as editor & art director respectively to fund their directing projects in a world of ever shrinking budgets.
The boys are currently in production on music videos for Will and the People and The Enemy and in pre-production on a 30 second Miller Light commercial. They are also penned to shoot a 4 minute short for Future Shorts in conjunction with Samsung called Spontaneously Capture your life and in pre-production with The UK Film Council in association with Virgin Media Shorts on a short film project called The Archaeologist."
Strange, bizarre, peculiar – you won’t go wrong with any of these words while describing Black Hole. The idea is totally out-of-this-world yet the message is simple. God provides enough to satisfy our needs, but not our greed.
Direction
Director does not take any risks and I am fine with it. Though I do feel that the short could be a bit long to show how our protagonist gets erm associated with the hole, but apart from that its fine. No faults, no fun, work done.
Acting
When things start getting weird around you people generally tend to get surprised or scared. Well, they at lease show some emotion! The guy in this short shows none! Or maybe 0.5! This short features only one person so the producer could have at least gone for a better actor. For the most part of the movie he seemed drunk to me!
Conclusion
Black Hole is very different from other shorts I have seen. It pushes the boundaries of reality and literally breaks them apart, but it does this with a message in mind. Delightfully simple yet capturing our imagination is what Black Hole is all about.
It could have been so much better if the actor, could, you know, had tried to act! A great plot ruined!
Score: 6.5/10 (I would have given it an 8 if it had not been for YOU KNOW WHO)
INSiDE
By: Insideshort
©All rights reserved
See the high resolution version at:
www.insideshort.com"
REVIEW
The concept is not new and there have been many feature films about this, but the way it has been shot is brilliant. Though it does make a couple of factual mistakes, everything else was fine. Do remember people its just a short movie, a fiction and we can certainly give it a little bit of leeway.
Direction
Probably the best-directed short movie I have ever seen! Every shot was perfect and the camera work awesome! Its not often you see such nicely directed shorts as many amateurs are in the field too. But, surely a professional did this? Especially the last scene where the viewer will be just blown away by the twist.
Acting
Damn it! I can’t criticize this movie in any department! The acting is what brings the concept and direction together and if done nicely you can forget the plot holes completely. And in this short it was pretty great. There were quite a few actors from a little girl to an old man and everyone was up to his task. Not one actor disappointed.
Conclusion
This short needs your full concentration from start to end. Not because it’s very confusing, but because the hard work people have put in it, deserve this! One little thing I need to add here is that the soundtrack is pretty well put. It does create the required tension and suspense in the viewer and keeps him on the edge.
Lastly, I have rarely seen a short put together such nicely. Watch it and savor it.
Score: 9/10
The Window
By:DarkHeartProductions
- Finalist in the upcoming ROME INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
- Shortlisted for TROPFEST, the world's largest short film festival.
- Front Page Feature on www.youtube.com.au
"Julian feels compelled to travel to his local pub. On arrival he finds his friends and family there celebrating, and they have some important news." "
REVIEW
Concept
The concept is pretty great, however the twist comes too late in the film to save it.
Direction
Its nicely done and you don’t see any major faults in direction, editing or camera work. However, sometimes the camera closes up on the people a bit too much for my liking. However, the last scenes where the whole story comes together, the director is pretty much spot on.
Acting
My major beef with shorts are that generally acting is pretty poor. And this short suffers in the same way. Moviemakers should at least go to the trouble of having trials for the actors.
The main actor was very dull in his delivery and half the times he seemed to be in a rush to speak! The guy playing his dad however was brilliant. His speech, his expressions were some of the best I have seen in short movies. You might have seen him in other shorts too as he is a professional actor and it showed.
Conclusion
Sometimes it’s nice to have complex storylines just to keep the viewers on the edge and interested. But, with a muddling storyline comes great responsibility :) – you need to make sure that everything is tied up properly in the end and it does not leave the viewer confused or disenchanted in the end. The storyline as I have said was nice, but neither acting nor direction could match it.
Score: 5/10