Oscar Nominated Short Films

So in my last Oscar post I wrote that I would be seeing all the nominated shorts for this years race at an event hosted in Detroit. The event was held at Detroit Institute of Arts and it was in a lovely theater.  To my pleasant surprise the crowd was filled with an array of people from the very old to the young. It was great to see the entire house packed with excited faces and wonderful feelings that these events are still organized and enjoyed. It was also great to see that the shorts were films from all over the world including the USA, Sweden, France, Spain, Russia and India. So here is my take on what we saw.

Animated Shorts:

French Roast by Fabrice Joubert - This was a cute little film set in a cafe in France and follows a man who accidentally leaves his wallet leaving him penniless to pay for his coffee. The film was CGI animation. Most characters had very exaggerated features, which I love. It was lovely. You can watch it here.

Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty by Nicky Phelan, Darragh O'Connell - This was hilarious and had everyone laughing from the 60+ man sitting beside me to my 13 year-old stepsister. The story is very nicely constructed and presents a retelling of the famed Sleeping Beauty by a bitter elderly lady to her grandson. The film was mix of CGI and hand drawn animation. It was just a pleasure to watch and is my second favorite of the bunch. You can watch it here.

The Lady and the Reaper by Javier Recio Garcia - This was cute and had a great rhythm to it. The film parades a frenzy between an old women being taken by the Reaper and being saved continuously by a playboy doctor with a team of pin-up nurses. The battle is stellar in CGI.  You can watch it here.

Logorama by Nicolas Schmerkin - This was my favorite. WOW when it says Logorama it means it. I wouldn 't be  able to count all the logo's used in this short. I was also surprised to found out the this short film hails from France. The film has everything from Ronald McDonald shooting up the cops in the streets of LA, to the Pringles man hitting on a diner waitress. You have to see it to believe it. Watch it here. (It's not the best quality but at least you can watch it)

Wallace and Gromit in 'A Matter of Load and Death' by Nick Park - This was good to be expected as that which is Wallace and Gromit magic. But this time teaming up(somewhat) to beat a baker murderess on the loose.


Live Action Shorts:

The Door by Junaita Wilson, James Flynn - This film while depressing was shot wonderfully and tells the tale of a family in the aftermath of Chernobyl. Not my favorite of the bunch but very touching. Trailer here.

Instead of Abracadabra by  Patrick Eklund, Mathias Fjallstrom - This was a hilarious Swedish film and for me one of the best of the bunch. It follows the misadventures of a 25 year-old, still living at home with dreams of being a celebrated magician. He has a dark sense of humor but an endearing quality shared by all in the film. The entire crowd was having a hoot with this one and I believe it is one of the top contenders to win for this category. I'm trying to find a full length version for you all to watch but for now you can watch the trailer here to get an idea of how great it is. Ps. the soundtrack is marvelous!

Kavi by Gregg Helvey - A submission by a MFA student at USC, this film shows some of the tragedy that is still occurring today with slavery in India. The film is quite sad, and follows a little boy in present day India working in a labor camp.  What continues to amaze me and is demonstrated wonderfully here is the strength in child actors. This little boy (see pic) is amazing. Trailer here.

Miracle Fish by Luke Doolan, Drew Bailey- An Australian submission and with a surprise appearance(for me) by Tara Morice who played Fran in Strictly Ballroom. This follows a introverted little boy on the day of his eighth birthday. To retreat bullies he takes a nap in the nurses ward at school and wakes up to a completed empty building. What happens next you can watch here.(Got to the end of the article to play video) It's quite good and one of my favorites.

The New Tenants by Joachim Back, Tivi Magnusson - My absolute favorite of the bunch. I'm trying my hardest to get a full video of it so you can experience the genius. So wonderful and the entire crowd was roaring with laughter. Follows new tenants in a building, as we discover,  inhabited with an array of characters from scorned lovers to drug dealers. The film features appearances by Vincent D'Onofrio and Kevin Corrigan. Trailer here. Website here.

And that's all folks...See who the winners will be March 7th!

Happy Moviegoing!