Funsize Epics Vol. 2 Shorts Block
What is essentially another proof of concept short film, Kyle Perritt’s “Robbie Ain’t Right No More” is a mix of “Death Dream” and “Astronaut’s Wife.” It’s basically a horror movie but deep down it’s ripe with potential to deliver on themes about PTSD, the effects of serving in the military, and the way coming home from the war can change people. It can make them almost unrecognizable in many ways, allowing for an unusual situation.
Funsize Epics Vol. 2 Shorts Block
Director/Writers Dakota Millett, and Michael Fischer’s horror comedy is a short begging to be made in to a feature film. It’s probably not a coincidence that “Up on the Housetop” feels a lot like a proof of concept short rather than actual short film. I honestly don’t begrudge them for that, because both creators have their fingers on the pulse of what they’re trying to accomplish and what they do accomplish in this short format.
Brianne Berkson & Miguel Gluckster’s short documentary and biography is a charming little look at the life of Robin Cohen. Cohen spent most of her living with a sense of awareness, and once she gains MS and battles losing function of her legs, she learns how to really live her life. There’s not a ton of argument for Robin Cohen should have been spotlighted for a documentary, even a short one.
Director Nathan Tape identifies as a Juggalo and has an obvious passion for the community that are identified as the Juggalos. The popular legion of fans that are easily one of the most misunderstood subcultures are given their due in Tape’s absolute bizarre love letter. “Off Ramp” is everything that Tape seems to love all tucked in to ninety minutes. There’s a fun road trip, and our heroes are two passionate juggalos that live their lives by the doctrines of their community but are never militant about re-enforcing their beliefs on others. I’ve also never seen so much Faygo in my life.
Michael Friberg’s “You Are Here” doesn’t feel so much like a movie as it does a three part sketch or some kind of extended commercial. Friberg insists in staging a movie that has no huge stakes or interesting character depth. For that I have to respect it, but I also didn’t care much for it.
Now Available from Warner Home Entertainment
In 1996 the cable channel Cartoon Network had solidified itself as a competitor with fellow kids channels like Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. After spending many years playing reruns from their massive Hanna Barbera back catalog, the channel began to dabble in airing their own original series. They recruited a slew of brilliant creators to offer up their own unique animated series, and among them was “Dexter’s Laboratory.” Created and animated by Genndy Tartakovsky, “Dexter’s Laboratory” was an entertaining and often hysterical animated show that dove head first in to the over the top realm with an extraordinary premise packed to the brim with comedic potential.
So Long and Thanks for All the Dangerous Visions Shorts Block
I wish we could have gotten a longer format version of “Consumer,” as Matthew Fisher’s horror tale is ripe for feature film potential. “Consumer” watches like a segment from “Creepshow” even packing in a wonderful synthesized score by Bethany Farnsworth, respectively. I loved the low tech, mid-eighties revenge tale that director Fisher creates, as it’s old fashioned enough, but never feels dated, or dull.
It works well within its short run time and offers some scary ambiguity in the end.