The Rating Scale
| A+ |
4 Stars |
| A |
4 Stars |
| A- |
3.5 Stars |
| B+ |
3.5 Stars |
| B |
3 Stars |
| B- |
2.5-3 Stars |
| C+ |
2.5 Stars |
| C |
2 Stars |
| C- |
1.5-2 Stars |
| D+ |
1.5 Stars |
| D |
1 Star |
| D- |
1/2 Star |
| F |
0 Stars |
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Short Films: "L" Archive |
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"The Lady and the Reaper" Review
THE LADY AND THE REAPER
Written and Directed by: Javier Recio Gracia
Running Time: 8 Mins.
WEBSITE
Grade: B+
3.5 Stars
Antonio Banderas produced this 8-minute short film written and directed by Javier Recio Gracia about a bereaved elderly dame who one night receives a visit from the Grim Reaper himself. What follows is a darkly humorous battle between the Grim Reaper and a very human doctor determined to save the woman's life. The film's color palette arguably makes the film the most beautiful of this year's Oscar nominees, and Gracia reaches deep inside Chicano art in music, theme and color. At a mere 8 minutes, The Lady and the Reaper moves quickly and nicely blends morbidity and humor into a vibrant, CG-animated short.
"The Legacy" Review
THE LEGACY
Written and Directed by: Mike Doto
Starring: Louis Iacoviello, Paul Butcher, Jo McGinley
Running Time: 12 Mins.
WEBSITE
Grade: A-
3.5 Stars
What would you do if you found out your father was a superhero?
In writer/director Mike Doto's masterful "The Legacy," Charlie (Louis Iacoviello) is a retired actor whose near Hollywood break-through in the title role of the big-budget "Kryptoman" flick fell victim to squabbling between the director and the producer. A dejected Charlie retired to a small-town farm with his beautiful wife, Louise (Jo McGinley), and his son, Billy (Paul Butcher).
One day, it is announced that "Kryptoman" is back on track with the original cast and, not so coincidentally, 10-year-old Billy spies his father's photograph on the cover of a news magazine.
Could it be? Surely not?
Easily one of the year's top short films, "The Legacy" manages to be both a tribute to the magical, larger than life superhero films of the past while carving out a wondrous journey all its own. In 12 minutes, Doto manages to capture more of the heart and spirit of "Superman," of which it bears an almost too close resemblance, than Bryan Singer's buffed up 2006 full-length feature that very nearly killed the franchise. Actually, "The Legacy" bears more a resemblance to the "Lois & Clark" television series than any of the feature films, however, it should be said unequivocally that Doto beautifully transcends the superhero genre with a timeless story that weaves its way through lessons about fathers and sons, belief, trusting the magic in our lives and pure, childlike wonder.
Michael Rizzi's camera work paints the sort of picture one used to see every Sunday evening while watching the Disney Sunday Movie, films of simple joy and innocence and hope. The original score by Joey Newman is the perfect accompaniment for a story that manages to balance being both larger than life and celebrating of the little things we can do in life to make a difference.
The performances, as well, are top-notch across the board with delightful chemistry between Louis Iacoviello's Charlie and Paul Butcher as his bedazzled son, Charlie. Jo McGinley shines as the matriarch of this quite super trio.
Serving as absolute proof that a filmmaker need not have James Cameron's nine-figure production budget to create a film that enchants and delights, Mike Doto's "The Legacy" is 12-minutes of cinematic bliss you will find yourself wanting to watch again and again.
"Letting Go" Review
Letting Go
Writer/Director: Dan Masucci
Running Time: 4 Mins.
Starring: Nick Masucci, Thomas Adams
Website
Grade: B
3.0 Stars
"Letting Go" is a tender, simple story about a father's difficulty letting go as his young son becomes increasingly independent by letting go of his security blanket. Sweetly told with heartfelt performances, "Letting Go" is a jewel of a film.
"Life for a Child" Review
LIFE FOR A CHILD
Writer/Director: Edward Lachman
Starring: Families of Nepal
Running Time: 29:00
Grade: B-
2.5 Stars
"Life for a Child," conceived and directed by Edward Lachman, the subject matter of Diabetes as an international health crisis takes front and center in this unique story of the people of Nepal and their struggle to deal with the crisis when healthcare in the country is often expensive, beyond the means of citizens and can involve hours of walking merely to reach a clinic.
Think about it.
For those who are diabetic, can you imagine having a blood sugar issue and THEN having to set out on a 4-8 hour walk across mountainous terrain to reach the medical center where you can be tested?
As an adult living with spina bifida myself, it is stories like these that trouble me the most and yet inspire me in the sense of the families who care for one another even when it means companioning a loved one for hours at a time or moving to the city and inevitable poverty just to have access to better healthcare.
Directed by Academy Award-nominee Edward Lachman, "Life for a Child" largely centers around the stories of a few children and how their families cope with this new diagnosis.
In fact, I found myself feeling very "American" during this film and, time and again, thinking to myself "Why does this story even deserve a documentary?"
Diabetes?
Really?
It's not that bad. Is it?
Oh, wait. HERE in America, it's not that bad.
What we take for granted in this country- access to healthcare, ease and convenience of medicines, quick check-ups and, yes, even affordable healthcare are not even considered luxuries in the nation of Nepal because for many they simply do not exist.
Where "Life for a Child" lagged was in how it presented the information. While "The Road to Fondwa" captured the vibrance and the spirit of the people of Haiti, often "Life for a Child" felt like a heavy weight upon the chest as if life for a child is perpetually hopeless. Having friends who have served in Nepal and brought back photos and videos of these amazing people, I'm aware of so much vibrance and humanity that is simply not captured in "Life for a Child."
It is only in the film's closing moments, as we begin to end our time with these children that we begin to glimpse the hopeful and innocent spirits of these children who will grow up with this illness and their determination to not allow it to define their future.
The other issue I have with "Life for a Child" also troubles me with the next film I will review, and that is that pharmaceutical drug maker Eli Lilly serves as a film sponsor and it's impossible to not, at least minimally, wonder if this isn't an artistic opportunity to shine a light on Lilly's good works related to the availability of drugs in poverty-stricken countries.
Despite this slight reservation, "Life for a Child" is an informative and entertaining film that, perhaps viewed solely on its own would have felt less heavy and more hopeful.
"Lifestyle Art Project: Thailand" Review
Lifestyle Art Project- Thailand
Writer/Director: Steven P. Perkins
Running Time: 30 Mins.
Starring: Steven P. Perkins
Grade: C
2.0 Stars
An intriguing idea, "Lifestyle Art Project" is worth catching primarily for the intriguing art works of director and star Steven P. Perkins. The camera of James Menges follows Perkins as he journeys through everyday Thailand on his first trip to the country in an effort to inspire his creative process. The "project" has as its primary goal to transform tourism into transcendence. Unfortunately, with the exception of Albert Maysles' "The Gate," few directors have succeeded in capturing the inspiration and magic beyond the creative process. Doing so in 22-minutes is even less likely. While the film is beautiful to behold, it offers little in the way of insights into Perkins' creative process and, as a result, ends up never really accomplishing its stated goal of transcending the travelogue feeling that accompanies the film.
"Little Gorilla" Review
"Little Gorilla"
Written and Directed by: Harry Kellerman
Starring: Daniel Parks, Katie Parks, Nicky Parks, Eva Saks
Running Time: 12 Mins.
Grade: B-
2.5 Stars
Easily the Heartland film that had the "Aw shucks" factor going for it, "Little Gorilla" is the story of one little boy's attempt to overcome his fear of the massive monkey bars on a local playground. The family cast includes Daniel, Katie and Nicky Parks, and their chemistry helps make "Little Gorilla" an adorable, if slight, short film. The sound mix during the film's Heartland screening sounded a bit off-balance, a distraction noted by others in the audience. Written and directed by Harry Kellerman, "Little Gorilla" reveals a filmmaker with promise and a unique ability to tap into the human spirit.
"Little Wings" Review
Little Wings
Writer/Director: Morgan Rhodes
Running Time: 14:30
Starring: Joseph Castanon, Ron Canada, Kelly Ann Ford, Robert Gantzos
Grade: A-
3.5 Stars
"Little Wings" is a deeply moving short film that explores the trauma of child abuse through the eyes of 10-year-old Thomas (Joseph Castanon). Thomas is growing up in a seemingly idyllic country home with a loving mother (Kelly Ann Ford, "Beyond the Ring") but a horribly abusive father (Robert Gantzos, "Soldier of God").
When his mother shares with Thomas the Legend of the Butterfly, which states if you whisper a wish to a butterfly the butterfly will then fly off to the heavens to grant the wish, Thomas escapes more and more into the dream world of butterflies as his only escape. When a kindly man (Ron Canada, "Boston Legal") shows up at the farmhouse unexpectedly, Thomas finds hope and the path to joy.
Virtually every aspect of Rhodes' film works beautifully, from the starkly realistic to the magical world of the butterflies. "Little Wings" opened during the 2007 Cannes Film Festival as part of the festival's "Short Film Corner," indicative of the film's power and beauty.
The ensemble cast is stellar, most notably the young yet veteran television actor Joseph Castanon. Castanon's vulnerability onscreen is astounding as he slowly moves from seriously wounded child into the land of joy. Ron Canada, an actor with numerous television and film credits, evokes the spirit of James Earl Jones as the kindly spirit who guides Thomas to a safer space despite his worries about his mother.
Kelly Ann Ford is heartbreaking as the equally trapped wife/mother just trying to love her little boy, while Robert Gantzos does a nice job as the abusive father without ever crossing the line into caricature.
Rhodes' script is a perfect blend of intelligence, innocence and raw emotion, while Seamus Tierney's cinematography clearly keeps the focus on young Thomas through the film's sorrows and joys. The film is capped by the inspired score of Benedikt Brydern.
Fans of short film will adore this wonderful film from Morgan Rhodes, a film that tackles a challenging subject with intelligence, grace and humanity through the eyes of a child.
"Loom" Review
Loom
Writer/Director: Scott Kravitz
Running Time: 5 Mins.
Grade: B+
3.5 Stars
Of the jury, I seemed to be the only one who really embraced "Loom," an intriguing piece of animation from Scott Kravitz with an unpredictable script and compelling graphic style. In the film, a street musician risks his life for a child only to meet his fate at the hands of an older woman who is far more than she seems. From the film's opening moments, I found myself drawn into this older woman's actions and the lines upon her face. With an ending I couldn't have possibly predicted, "Loom" was one of Lake County's most pleasant surprises.
"Logorama" Review
LOGORAMA
Written and Directed by: Francois Alaux, Herve de Crecy, Ludovic Houplain
Vocal Work by: Bob Stephenson, Sherman Augustus, Aja Evans, Joel Michaely, Matt Winston, Andrew Kevin Walker, David Fincher
Running Time: 16 Mins.
Grade: A
4.0 Stars
Easily the best of the 2010 Best Animated Short Film nominees, Logorama may still lose the golden statuette to far better known nominee Nick Park and his Oscar nominated Wallace & Gromit short film, A Matter of Loaf and Death.
While there's nothing particularly wrong with Park's Wallace & Gromit short, the simple truth is it's the same ole' Wallace & Gromit we get time after time after time. Is that a bad thing? Not at all. It works, yet this marvelously inventive and beautifully constructed animated short film is undoubtedly the class of the bunch amongst the 2010 nominees with its bittersweet satire of the commercial world in which we live.
Logorama's story is cohesively incohesive if that makes any sense. It shouldn't actually make sense and that's really the point of Logorama, which perfectly blends virtually every corporate logo imaginable into virtually every aspect of life and a film that intertwines cop dramas, family dramas, a 2012 style end of the world scenario and just about everything else in between.
What else is in between?
In the film, police chase an armed criminal through a version of Los Angeles comprised almost exclusively of logos. In essence, it is a world where every aspect of our life is branded and nothing is what it seems. The logos are placed randomly at times, other times with hilarious precision. The film's vocal work is solid across the board including a brief vocal cameo by acclaimed director David Fincher.
While it's hard not to expect Nick Park's A Matter of Loaf and Death to take home the Oscar award in 2010, rest assured that Logorama is the best animated short from the past year.
"The Lost Journal of Vice Marqeaux" Review
"The Lost Journal of Vice Marceaux"
Written and Directed by: J.R. Burningham
Starring: Darin Singleton, P.J. Marshall
Running Time: 12 Mins.
Grade: B-
2.5 Stars
"The Lost Journal of Vice Marceaux" is, without a doubt, this week's most ambitious short film. Clocking in at 15 minutes, the film is a remarkably intelligent film written and directed by J.R. Burningham. Inspired by a true story, "The Lost Journal of Vice Marceaux" is a period piece set in the late 1800's about a physician whose faith is destroyed when he loses his entire family during a small pox epidemic. As the epidemic continues, the physician eventually makes a startling discovery that may, in fact, prove scientifically the existence of God.
Great effort is made to give "The Lost Journal of Vice Marceaux" a strong period feel from production design to costuming to dialogue. Yet, I couldn't erase the feeling that the entire production felt very theatrical in presentation and I often felt as if I were observing a stage play rather than a short film.
Darin Singleton is strong enough as the physician in question, however, P.J. Marshall felt a bit less convincing with the period dialogue.
One must admire Burningham's ambitious filmmaking, particularly his attention to detail and design.
"Love: The Movie" Review
Love: The Movie
Writer/Director: Adam Bertocci
Running Time: 9 Mins.
Starring: Robert Berliner, Rachel Chadderdon
Website
Grade: C
2.0 Stars
"Love: The Movie" has been on the film festival circuit for awhile now. More of an audience pleaser than a critical darling, Adam Bertocci's short runs with the tag line "You've always loved movies. This one loves you back." How can you not love a film with such spirit? Winner of "Best Student Short" at the 2005 Fargo Film Festival, "Love: The Movie" gives us a promising director with one of his early works.
"Love Through the Eyes of Anastasia" Review
"Love Through the Eyes of Anastasia"
Written and Directed by: Jessica Janzen Nickel
Starring: Anna Bullard
Running Time: 15 Mins.
Grade: B
3.0 Stars
Thanks largely to a natural, appealing performance from lead Anna Bullard, "Love Through the Eyes of Anastasia" is a captivating 15-minute short from writer/director Jessica Janzen Nickel.
The film centers on young teen Anastasia, whose overactive imagination has never lead to trouble...until now. A chance meeting with the guy next door leads to an unexpected warning from Medea (No, not Tyler Perry!) herself about the dangers of getting involved with men. How Anastasia responds is what makes "Love Through the Eyes of Anastasia" such a wonderful view.
Bullard wonderfully captures the spirited young girl with an overactive imagination in both her innocence and worldly ways.
While the film falters a bit once Anastasia has made her choice, it remains a solid effort and easily worth a view.
"Lunch Break" Review
LUNCH BREAK
Written and Directed by: John W. McKelvey
Starring: Tiffany Anne Carrin, Elise Falanga, John W. McKelvey, Kelly Terrell, Angela T. Ryan and Jane Hardy
Running Time: 28 Mins.
WEBSITE
Grade: B+
3.5 Stars
An intriguing and involving 28-minute short from writer/director John W. McKelvey, Lunch Break is filmed documentary style in an actual working supermarket in Central New Jersey. Filmed almost guerilla style, a bit of a requirement given that the film crew was present without, um, permission, Lunch Break is comprised of several long, unbroken takes up to 4 1/2 minutes in length featuring monologues that are altogether more appealing because the employee in question, played by Tiffany Anne Carrin, is acting under the real life threat of being "caught" at any moment.
Lunch Break works beautifully largely on the strength of Tiffany Anne Carrin's relaxed, natural performance as the working mother struggling to balance work, school and parenting. Carrin's performance brings to mind that of Steve Gelder in the short film Cabbie from Donlee Brussel. Carrin does marvelously with McKelvey's clever, inventive script and is aided tremendously by Elise Falanga's seemingly improvisational camera work that keeps moving right alongside her subject. The film also features a complementary score from Hawaiian-based lyricist Neila that companions the film quite nicely.
Proving to have a long life on the film festival circuit, Lunch Break debuted in 2005 and has played in film festivals nationwide since that time.
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