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The Killing Joke - action-packed, suspense filled short film

Mona — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Blow your socks off with the suspense fiction The Killing Joke. Directed by Sebastian Lopez, this 15-minute film centers around a mysterious woman who discovers a red balloon in an almost-deserted street, and by a twist of fate finds herself facing her biggest fear. It stars Gustavo Marzo and Clarissa Staracci.

The movie pays homage to the seventies horror era by using classic elements of suspense. I liked how the transitions of sequences are flawless; you could really see that the team behind this worked extra hard. Every detail was not missed, from the empty bullets, the pulling trigger to the grand ending.

One standout feature of this short is its Hollywood quality despite of the micro budget production and the use of only two cameras. The color grading and cinematography is really well-done; most of the scenes would qualify for a mainstream movie.

The Killing Joke delves on the subject of fear and how it’s surrounding us. It tells us that fear is what we imagine and it’s up to us how to cope up with it.

Along with Lopez, this superb film was made possible by Sabrina Motto (editor) and Colin Devlin (original soundtrack) under Little People Productions.

Turn the lights off, press play and get ready for a heart-pumping ride.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - a poignant short that's worth every second

Mona — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:08 +0000

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Perfectly blending heart and humor, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore offers a one-of-a-kind heartwarming experience.

This animated short was crafted by the talented hands of illustrator William Joyce and co-director Brandon Oldenburg under Moonboot Studios. It has already scored prestigious awards such as the Best Animated Short (Cinequest Film Fest), Audience Favorite Award (Palm Springs International Shortfest), Best Show (SIGGRAPH) and a nomination for Outstanding Film Achievements of 2011 in the 84th Academy Awards.

As described by the makers, the short is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor. It takes inspiration from the Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz and a love for books.

Morris Lessmore takes the style of a vintage silent film while incorporating top-notch animation. The creators used miniatures, computer and 2D animation along with M-G-M technicolor musical breathing pops of life to the short.

Technicality aside, the story in itself is strong. I personally liked how it has some current events and cultural references making it more accessible to the audience. It tells us that there is always hope after all the bad things that may happen. That it's up to us to start writing a new chapter of our lives.

All in All, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a triumphant masterstroke for the creators. It's emotionally satisfying that's ideal for the whole family to enjoy.

This masterpiece is also available on iTunes.

E-lectricity by Miklas Manneke

Natalie — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:00:18 +0000

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E-lectricity directed by Miklas Manneke is a quirky short film taking place in a Monahanong, a small township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa.

It is there where a shortage of paraffin is threatening the town with a complete darkness; if no one will come up with a great new invention that will brighten up any night, that is.
The film is filled with bright colors that take over the village, more than just lovely narration, and great camera work.

Seeing his town slowly falling into darkness a young inventor, Walter Hlase, sets on a mission to create a new renewable energy source that would not only make everyone 'see' again, but also to finally gain the respect and friendship of the townsfolk. Soon our introverted, shy friend shuts the door to his lab beginning his long journey to the invention that will surely change his life. He works tirelessly day and night, but every time there is a sign of a victory there is also a sign of a failure just seconds after the presentation. Will Hlase come up with a solution on his own?

E-lectricity is filled with more than just colorful set of characters, all of whom will certainly make you smile. At times it even seems as if the entire village helped with a shooting the movie.

Being a graduation film, E-lectricity will surely win you over with its overall presentation; from camerawork, to acting, set, and music flawlessly setting up the mood of this lovely creation. This well thought out, 'feel good' storyline does not come without some valuable life lessons, so go ahead and check it out. Download available through Vimeo.

Related Links:
E-lectricity on Vimeo

To Shoot an Elephant - an award-winning documentary about life on the Gaza Strip

Mona — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:21 +0000

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To Shoot an Elephant is a licensed documentary directed by Alberto Arce and Mohammad Rujailah about life on the Gaza Strip. This hard-hitting film has already gained international acknowledgement and awards such as the “Most Innovative Filmmaker” at Florence’s Festival dei Popoli.

Despite the Israeli ban on foreign correspondents and humanitarian aid workers to cover and witness operation "Cast Lead" on the ground, there was a small group of international volunteers that managed to remain present in Gaza when the bombing started on December, 27th 2009. To Shoot an Elephant is therefore a collection of stories gathered by the only foreigners who decided and managed to stay embedded inside Gaza strip ambulances, with Palestinian civilians.

Backtrack on the last four decades; Gaza Strip’s situation has not been a pleasant ride; from being under the Israeli occupation until January 2006, when the Israelis imposed a total siege on its 1.5 million inhabitants. This was the country’s attempt to strangle the strip’s economy and to undermine the Hamas’ (ruling political party) government. Then on December 20, 2008, the six month truce between the Israeli and Hamas ended leaving Gaza Strip as a battle ground for an uprising war.

The documentary shows more than just moving stories from different sectors of society. It opens up with a long queue of Palestinians waiting for food, followed by an image of a United Nations relief warehouse that had stopped giving goods. These contrasting images are very powerful, as the inactivity of the warehouse and the long line of hungry people presents us with the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis.

The scenes are heart-breaking. Whether it’s the once flourishing olive plantation turned into a barren buffer zone or a playground dripping in civilian blood due to sporadic mortar hits.

I'm not trying to victimize myself; I think it's about being fair and being just in this world. It's giving the chance to live the way they want to and to elect and select the people who they want to represent them. -Mohammad Rajuilah

This is one of the most striking statements in the film because it came from the point of view of a normal citizen. This showed how the war affected civilians trapped in between two conflicting factions.

I admire how the film let the images speak for themselves. It doesn’t talk a lot or force opinions. It shared an impartial and honest look on the life of Palestinians during the attacks of Israelis.
Overall, To Shoot an Elephant focuses on the Palestinian’s struggle to live a normal life. The stories presented are extremely moving, you can really feel the tough conditions and the unbearable fear in the air.

Hands down to the people who have risked their life in making this excellent film, you showed the world that being a journalist is not just a profession; it’s the urge to tell the truth.

The documentary is available as a free torrent download.

Swing of Change - 3D animated masterpiece with a message

Mona — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:00:43 +0000

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In need of a good animated treat? Swing of Change is exactly what you need then, something that won’t disappear on you even after the credits end.

This 3D animated short was originally a graduation project for ESMA (école supérieure des metiers artistique, in Montpellier, France) by Harmony Bouchard, Andy Le Cocq, Joakim Riedinger and Raphael Cenzi, but has since then turned into a masterpiece already seen by thousands.

Set in New York during the 1930s, Swing of Change revolves around a racist barber who discovers quite an unusual trumpet. And it is this magical instrument that eventually leads the man to an unexpected change of heart and opening his business door to all, no matter of race. The film tells us that sometimes we have to open our mind and accept change for the better.

I admire how the creators attended to the story line. You would definitely see that it’s well-thought of. The characters are heartwarming and they progress along with the story.

The visuals are simply stunning and more than just a treat to the eye. It could be said that the execution is surgically precise and will, at some point, make you wonder if this is a mainstream animation. From the shaved hair to the ticking clock to the characters, the creators have surpassed quality and beauty with flying colors.

Swing of Change brims with imagination. It’s an exquisite work of animated art that perfectly mixes a compelling story with satisfying visuals.

The Employment (El Empleo) - brilliant short animation by Santiago Grasso

Mona — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:00:16 +0000

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The Employment (El Empleo) goes to a deeper level when it comes to the meaning of the human workforce.

Directed by Santiago Grasso and written by Patricio Plaza, this brilliant five-minute animation produced by Opusbou Animations had already garnered 100 international awards and participated in 190 film festivals.

It tells the story of a nameless working man performing his usual journey to work set in a bizarre world where human beings are used as inanimate objects. This simple yet strong representation convey the tedious nature of each job and how we utilize man power in the modern era.

The film thoroughly explores the subject of human workforce connecting it to day-to-day reality. The filmmakers successfully executed structured images to present a unifying idea relatable to the audience.

Overall, it's a candy treat for the film buffs--great idea and brilliant execution rolled into one. It will delight the eye and engage the mind showcasing clever images blended with social consciousness.

The short film is a refreshing take on animation compared to its main-stream counterparts. It's simple, tight and profound. It clearly showed the involvement of a bigger workforce behind the machines that makes our life easier.

The Employment is indeed a distinctive fresh addition to the genre, proving that it only takes a clever mind to convey a complex message. So sit back, press play and indulge in this highly-recommended animation.

Momentos by Nuno Rocha

Natalie — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:00:34 +0000

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Directed by Nuno Rocha, Momentos, is a stunning short film with an aim; to remind you that life is good, that family and friends will "find" you even in the toughest of times.

The short has already won a handful of awards; starting from Cinematic Achievement Award at the International Short Film Festival in Greece, to Audience Award at a Film Festival in France. With wonderfully acted scenes, characterization, perfect camera work, and a powerful message, Momentos will surely take you on one unforgettable ride.

The short starts off with a white van stopping in front of the store. The men exit and carefully place three large TVs right in its display taking down the curtains that would otherwise hide the screens from the public view. The van than swiftly drives off waking up the homeless man resting in front of the store's display.
And this is where the real story begins.

The flatscreen TVs are soon turned on and the homeless man sits up, still a little bewildered, watching the movie that took over the pixels. But than after a while something changes. Someone on the outside gives a signal and a new film is soon displayed on the screens. This time, however, its not a latest comedy or drama, it is a video shot by a family of the homeless man from years past. The main character in the story can not stop watching as his little daughter and wife smile to the camera. It was a long time ago, but all the memories are slowly coming back.
And then all of the sudden the white van is back... and so is the man's family.

Momentos is one of those warm movies that will make you think, reminisce, and appreciate what you've got. It's done with a spot on direction that leave you, the viewer, wandering what happened to the family, what broke them off? What will happen now, that they seen each other after the years?

Sad Little Men - A short film about jealousy and chance circumstance

Valerie — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:00:25 +0000

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Created as a thesis film; Sad Little Men is a dramatic story about jealousy and how chance circumstances can create a complicated web of events.

The film is a short one, with less than 20 minutes running time and stars Jason Ralph & Will Whatley. Behind the scenes is Samuel Aaron Bennett doing majority of the work from directing, writing, scoring, shooting and editing.

With only $1500 from Kickstarter donations, production was started and a 3-4 day shoot was planned in NYC to create this raw yet compelling short film.

The movie starts with a car scene. Two men are seen arguing while the other one brandishes his gun in the air. The argument escalates and one of them ends up getting shot. Thus, begins the film and the complex fate of the characters in Sad Little Men.

There's no real protagonist in the film. Both men seem to be following their own fate, one is haunted by jealousy and resorts to murder, while the other tries to get on with his life and happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If there's one thing to praise the film after watching it, it's probably the tight editing. The clever sequences helped quicken the pace without sacrificing content. It might seem rushed for some but for the amount of time and budget afforded the crew, the film looks quite polished. The storyline and plot are intriguing too and I love how the viewer is left to decipher what's in between.

Technically, the film is superb. It comes with great cinematography and scoring, which is expected from someone who has majored in the subject. The only thing I wasn't really keen on was the script, certain lines seemed a little too trite and obvious. Although this isn't a major issue, it does rob the viewers a little bit of enjoyment from watching the film. In spite of this, you get a really well-put together story that should be worth checking out.

Samuel Aaron Bennett is an English born film maker and composer that's currently based in New York. Bennett is a graduate of Classical Composition from Purchase College. As a composer, he has written quite a few chamber pieces including two orchestral pieces and film scores. This short film is his first foray into proper film making. Currently, he is preparing to work on a new short film which he plans to start shooting in Spring.

Scrooge (1935) - a classic film based on "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens

Frostech — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:43 +0000

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Based on the famous novel by Charles Dickens, Scrooge is one old time classic you should not be missing this Holiday season.

It's main character, Ebenezer Scrooge is a proverbial Victorian miser going about his business, all while excelling at exploiting his clients and employees. He has a deep dislike towards the Christmas season and does not care about the happiness of the rich and poor, old and young, he detests the celebrations and the decorations, until a certain unplanned visit, that is.

The story takes a turn in the film when Scrooge is visited by 3 ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future showing him varied scenarios of his own life. By taking him on this out of the ordinary journey, the ghosts place a big emphasis on his misdeeds and what a change in his behavior could bring into the lives of people closest to him. Like the novel, the film follows the same path, and leads the audience through an emotional journey through self-discovery.

The sudden change of attitude in Scrooge is shocking to his neighbors with many simply thinking he has lost his mind, especially when he starts to value his employee Bob Cratchit (a person who genuinely loves him) and bonds with his nephew Fred over Christmas supper. This movie is a must watch for the whole family to help us remember and appreciate what the true meaning of Christmas is.

This work is free of known copyright restrictions.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians - film straight for the Holidays

Frostech — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:00:21 +0000

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Yes, its bad; we know. In fact Santa Claus Conquers the Martians was hailed as one of 100 worst movies of all time on IMDb and described by many as the worst of all the Christmas movie flops to date. Yet, its there. And for the past 47 years it made thousands cry... with laughter. So why not share some of that unconventional cheer this holiday season.
Are you ready than? Get your family, some popcorn, and open your heart for the poorly written and silly children's movie which according to one movie critic is "like a car accident unfolding before your eyes, it's impossible to look away even if only to see how bad it can get."

Written by Paul L Jacobson and directed by Nicholas Webster in 1964, this science fiction Holiday flick was made on a shoe string budget and received mix response, some very extreme. Yet, putting aside the somewhat poorly written script, the storyline is very sweet and could just be the thing your family needs this holiday season.
Basically, its Christmas time even on Mars. And just like anywhere else the children are all glued up to the family TV sets watching the countless reports about Santa. There is only one problem; the leaders of this famous Red Planet are not that sure what to do with their kids awaiting the visit of the "gift-bearing earthling". They know, however, that something needs to be done, and so two of the martians, Voldar and Dropo, are sent to earth on a mission to kidnap the one and only Santa Claus.
Search for Santa is not an easy task thou and so the martians kidnap two local kids, Betty and Billy, so that they lead them to the residence of this lovely and chubby old man; a point in the story where the action really takes off.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians might not have the best script, the best of editing, or... well the list goes on, but sometimes all you need is one silly movie to truly bright up your day. Give it a try! You just might be surprised.

Related Links:
SCCTM on Rotten Tomatoes
SCCTM on Facebook