THE OSCAR-NOMINATED LIVE ACTION SHORT FILMS 2010
Thanks to Shorts International, you can see these five films up for Sunday’s prize at the IFC Center here in NYC. My brief thoughts on the films (I’m listing them from least to best faves):
This Indian film follows young Kavi, an Indian boy forced to work for a brick-maker in order to pay back his father’s debt. It’s an okay movie, but its execution doesn’t fit the implied seriousness of the modern-day slavery theme.
The story of a family, victims of the Chernobyl disaster, dealing with their young daughter’s radiation sickness. Again, a serious topic, but the film’s a little too slow. (Just the opening shot, of a broken down ferris wheel, and I instantly knew we were in Chernobyl, thanks to: Call of Duty Modern Warfare. I had to chuckle at myself.)
This Aussie film goes somewhere quite surprising. Unfortunately, it takes too long getting to that reveal, mistaking sparseness for suspense. And for me, the movie started upon that reveal, but then ended it before it really began. Those few minutes at the end, though, were pretty good.
So much fun in its over-dramatic moments and increasingly violent irreverence. A couple has just moved into a new apartment, but the drama of the previous tenant isn’t through playing itself out. Shot wonderfully, and great performances, including David Rakoff (This American Life listeners will recognize his voice from the first syllable), Vincent D’Onofrio, and a hilarious Kevin Corrigan.
This Swedish film is by far my favorite of the group. A man, living with his parents, strives at being a magician. It’s delightfully odd and eccentric (kinda what Napoleon Dynamite wishes it were when it isn’t being so damned pretentious): solid script, great acting, and hilarious moments. The final frame’s gag had me laughing through the entire end credits.
