Hello ladies and gentlemen, your pal Muldoon here with this week's edition of SATURDAY SHORTS - a theater of kickbutt short films nestled in the heart of Ain't It Cool where every week we screen interesting shorts created and submitted by you, the film loving readers of AICN. Last week was a toss up of genres from all over the place, but this week we're getting our funny on with a slew of comedy flicks. What you'll find are funnies ranging from dark/black humor to possibly a fart joke or two (perhaps even in the same short). And while I'm a fan of every short I get to screen here, feel free to shoot out your thoughts in the Talkbacks below. I don't expect you to 100% agree with all my choices all of the time, but I'm sure the filmmakers lurking around might just be curious as far as some feedback, good or bad (just don't be an asshole.) So that's enough jibber jabber from me, let's get this funny fest underway. Prep your laugh muscles and get ready to bust a gut.
Go grab yourself some popcorn, lock your kids in a closet, kill the lights, relax and check out this little weekly film fest we've got ourselves here:
THE END
TRT: 9:46
Because nothing is as funny as suicide (horribly just kidding...), let's start this off with a bang. That's exactly what director Cam McHarg delivers with his off beat dark comedy.
the end from Cam McHarg on Vimeo.
*STAR
TRT: 7:17
Ever get a tattoo and then immediately die? Obviously not, but hey Even Pease made a fun little short that pretty much takes it from there and quite humorously. Pease and Co. put this short together as part of the Greensboro 48 Hour Film Project. Chuck panics when a train-wreck of a pop star dies in his tattoo parlor.
*star - 48 Hour Film Project, Greensboro 2012 - That's a Big Twinkie from Evan Pease on Vimeo.
THE DUEL AT BLOOD CREEK
TRT: 14:20
Up next is Leo Burton's period comedy about a fashionable duelling ground which gets a bit overcrowded at dawn. It's incredibly well acted and full of funny characters that feel multidemsional. Damn good job!
The Duel at Blood Creek - Short Film from Leo Burton on Vimeo.
SPACE CAPTAIN DAN
TRT: 10:15
I don't know what the hell is going on with this next short, but I like it. Seriously - it's all over the place, but fun. Rob Kerkovich takes the cake this week with "WTF-ness."
"A little background: every year a buddy of mine hosts something called "Smokescreen" in which all of our filmmaker friends come over with a short that's 10 minutes or less, with the express purpose of showing it to a room full of people who are baked out of their minds. You'd be amazed at what people turn out when they know their audience will be stoned immaculate. Anyway, this was my entry this year, and it was fueled mostly by my burning desire to make a movie starring my pets."
Here's a tiny summary:
Space Captain Dan from Rob Kerkovich on Vimeo.
Oldtimers from Daryl Della on Vimeo.
And that's all folks, I'll see you all next weekend with another batch of fun shorts. But hey, before I get gone - congrats to the ever tenacious Mr. Kenneth Barker on completing his film ON THE SHOULDER OF GIANTS. Ken's been toiling away at the film for a good while and has kept me up to speed on it at various stages. I haven't seen it yet, so can't comment too much on it or even give an opinion, but as everyone here knows - completeling a film, short or long, is a beast and deserves at least a thumbs up.
I know movie blog sites are primarily driven on reviews, but quite honestly it's all too common to see reviewers almost trying to top the competition with who can talk the most smack about a movie or be the snarkiest of snarks. I know it "ain't" easy making videos/films/things in general, but if you have an idea for a short or a feature that you're sitting on - go out and make it (then send it in!). At any rate, I hope you enjoyed some or all of the shorts this week and I'll do my damndest to bring you lot a cool crop of great films next week.
If you're in the mood for more SATURDAY SHORTS, click any of the links below and have a ball:
If you have a short and think it belongs here or are on the fence about whether to send it in, please do send it in - I'd love to see what you've put together. I've already seen hundreds of fresh new filmmakers' shorts and like any good addict, I need more!
Shoot me an email at "Mike@aintitcool.com"
In the subject line include:
“SHORTS” + “Your film’s name” + “The film’s genre”
Then, in the body of the email, please include a synopsis of the film and any contact information you might think I need or would want published.
Please don’t feel the need to submit multiple times. I swear to each of you I truly check every email I get, and sending the same short a few times just makes it a bit messier.
Remember, the filmmakers might still be in the audience, so feel free to share your thoughts in Talkbacks below. (JUST DON'T BE AN ASSHOLE). I picked them, so you know I think highly of all of these, but how about you fine folks? How'd you like 'em?
- Mike McCutchen
"Muldoon"
Mike@aintitcool.com