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.
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.
Watch These Films (WTF) Shorts Block
There are a growing number of short films surrounding the concept of social media and Ashley Thomas runs wild with the concept. “Like Me” doesn’t have a narrative or much of a whole structure behind it, but it at least makes up for it with a punch of a final scene emphasized with some excellent make up.
Watch These Films (WTF) Shorts Block
Director and Writer Ronald Short’s horror comedy is a great little Halloween treat just a few months before the festivities begin, and I loved the spirit behind it. Short’s horror comedy leans more heavily in to comedy as a small Frankenstein monster Halloween decoration causes chaos in the house of a normal married couple one night.