In 2020, when the pandemic hit America and the government was demanding strict social distancing laws, the sudden need for the American Drive-In signaled an incredible renaissance. What was once considered an antiquated facet of movie going suddenly began thriving once again. Everyone in desperate need of the experience of movie going took their vehicles to the lots again, and it indicated that no matter what happened, you couldn’t kill the movies. Then the pandemic loosened its grip on the country.
Category Archives: A+ Indie
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse (2022)
“Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s refusing to give up.”
Based on a best selling book by British author and illustrator Charles Mackesy, who co-wrote and co-directed the film version, “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse” is a beautiful short worthy of a young audience. It was released around the holidays in 2022, and while it does compliment the Christmas aesthetic, it works wonderfully as a genuine fable about empathy and innocence.
An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It (2022)
Director Lachlan Pendragon’s “An Ostrich…” is probably one of the more inventive shorts about creating, the idea of a higher being, and what happens when our creations take on a life of their own. “An Ostrich…” utilizes interesting filmmaking mediums and a collaboration of two art forms to unfold a very self aware and entertaining meta-satire.
My Eyes Are Up Here (2022)
Director Nathan Morris’ “My Eyes Are Up Here” is the kind of romantic comedy film that you don’t see often in the mainstream. It’s a short that I really wanted more of, because his short, clocking in at fourteen minutes, feels like the prologue to a very funny, and quite sweet tale of two people who find destiny after a drunken night in bed. “My Eyes Are Up Here” is a very sweet and entertaining slice of life that works toward subverting and breaking a lot of preconceived notions about the disabled.
Miles Behind: A Spider-Man Fan Film (2022)
Director and Writer Tito Guillen’s short fan film for Miles Morales has a lot of feature film potential. It’s sad that it took so long for Miles Morales to garner his own animated film, but when it comes to feature films I think he could be an icon. That’s proven in “Miles Behind,” Tito Guillen’s tribute to Spider-Man that touches upon very socially relevant topics.
Just Right (2023) [Slamdance 2023]
UNSTOPPABLE SHORTS BLOCK 1
Director Camille Wormser has a lot to say about mental illness, and uses that as a platform to stage what is such a funny, and unique comedy short. “Just Right” feels like one of those short films that could be transplanted in to a feature film, but for now, it works as a short form comedy about coping with mental illness and working with OCD as an element of life that stifles personal connection.
The Bolero (1973)
The winner of the 1973 Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Live Action), Bill Fertik’s film essay offers a consideration of Maurice Ravel’s masterwork via a performance of the piece by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.