I had to take a short break from bringing you shorts due to simply too much work needing to be done. So, this week, I figured I’d bring you short films I’ve reviewed before that have become available to watch online.
Freya (2020)
Set in the near future, Freya follows the life of Jade as she navigates having technology ever present and sometimes making decisions for her. This film balances science fiction, technology and its affects, living in a world where everything is overshared through different moods, emotions, and reactions. The film has plenty of humor which help ease the viewer into discourse about important subjects that should be talked about more as we get closer and closer to the future depicted here. Written and starring Rhona Rees and directed by Camille Hollett-French, this short film packs a punch. The subject(s) at hand here are taken on face on and given the treatment most would not dare to. Hollett-French shows that she has a mastery for bringing forth hard subjects and making them more palatable. Rees shows talent and a willingness to make the film what it is.
Watch Freya here!
Ding Dong (2017)
A woman is woken up from her needed sleep by the doorbell. When she gets to the door, nobody is there. She heads back to bed, when the doorbell rings again, same results. Is someone playing Ding Dong Ditch? Or is something else going on? The film builds some good tension in terms of making you wonder what is going on and one odd glimpse in the background of a sequence makes it clear there is something afoot. That ended is both chilling and funny, making this a successful short film. Written and directed by Troy, this one stars Yvonne Szumski and Spencer M. Rohan. Szumski carries the film here and she does great work of showing annoyance and frustration. This is a short short, so it’s one of those film where the cast gets only a few minutes to make an impression and she does great. The cinematography by Brian Levin, the editing by Dan McGuire, and the special effects by Rebekah Lieto must also be noted as they are excellent.
Watch Ding Dong here!
Ceramic Tango (2013)
Alone in his bathroom, Riley contemplates his past, his mistakes, his future. A demon comes calling… Written by Charles Hall and directed by Patricia Chica, this one is all about emotions, the push and pull of regret and wanting to keep going. The character of Riley is played by Holy Scar and the demon by Richard Cardinal, two best friends in life who had no previous acting experience and who do quite well bringing forth the material and the emotions, making it very much worth seeking out this short.
Watch Ceramic Tango here!
Japanese Legends: Slit (Japan) (2016)
The first in a series by writer/director Pablo Absento, Slit is set in current day Japan and follows a Japanese Legend played by Absento herself. She crafts an interesting story and take on a classic. Viewers do nto need to have a great knowledge of the legend, however this short is enjoyable for both fans and non-fans of classic Japanese horror tales. Absento’s writing, directing, and acting as the lead work quite well here and makes the viewer want to see more. The film takes its time to develop before giving its payoff and looks beautiful while doing so with well thought out shots and great locations. The theme song by Eric Elick is atmospheric and fitting for this developing series. Slit is a great start to the Japanese Legends series.
Watch Slit here!
The Brentwood Strangler (USA)
Maggie is preparing for a date with a man she met only. Meanwhile, the Brentwood Strangler is on the loose killing women in the area. The strangler finds his way to being her date and they hit it off after a rocky start. This holiday horror film by John Fitzpatrick, who wrote and directed, is a well-crafted and funny take on dating in the 21st century and serial killers. The pairing may seem odd but it works. This is due in big part to the two leads Jorddan Ladd and Adam J. Yeend who go all out with their performances. Ladd’s mildly crazy single lady works perfectly against Yeend’s serial killer attempting to fit in. Their chemistry shows through their interactions and brings the film home. The Brentwood Strangler is funny and fun while it entertains. The dating life they show is pretty much on point for characters that are a bit crazy.