Hello ladies and gentlemen, Muldoon here with this week's healthy serving of quality shorts. The theme - horror! Some have monsters, pissed off animals, and some are creepy atmospheric spooky spirit films, but they all caught my fancy and I hope you dig 'em as well. As always, I like each and every one of the shorts (that's why they're here), but don't necessarily expect you to (everyone's got an opinion) - I think that's kind of the cool thing about our little screening room here nestled in AICN-land. My goal is and always has been to help show you something you might not have seen otherwise and judging from the TalkBacks - sometimes it's a bust, while others are pretty solid. I'm still blown away at the level of talent out there from folks like you, fellow AICN readers, so if you are sitting on a short or have pals with shorts, shoot them my way. For now, let's crack open the Halloween spirit with some shorts that'll rock your world.
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:
POST HUMAN (Trailer)
TRT: 0:45
So here's a rarity, quite possibly a first even - I caught the animated short POST HUMAN during Fantastic Fest last week and it pretty much knocked me on my ass. Director Cole Drumb and his producing partner Jen Luk with Colliculi Productions have built a damn fine short that will leave you wanting more. It really is that awesome. The film's currenlty touring festivals, so I'll be baning on their doors to screen the full thing here as soon as it's ready to rock the net! Until then, give this trailer a shot. It plays next at Sitges in the Animated Shorts block, so if you happen to be hitting up Sitges this year - seek this out!
THE NIGHT CALLER
TRT: 7:08
For the first actual short of the week, let's check out co-directing team Donna Thorland and Peter Podgursky's creepy tale involving a phone (of terror!!). I dug this one, because of it's simplicity and clean execution. It's more of a Twilight Zone style short than say FEAST, so keep that in mind.
The Night Caller from Peter and Donna on Vimeo.
BLOOD ON THE PLAIN
TRT: 12:20
Feel like checking out a splatter fest? Bam! Mac Eldridge has the film for you. He and his production team are looking to turn it into a feature, so hello to all the big money folks out there - if you see something you like... If anything, it's a fun short that's worth checking out.
"Part western. Part horror. Blood on the Plain is a self-aware pulp exploration of a town in the wake of tragedy. Following a savage massacre at the Wadsworth High School Homecoming Dance, the townspeople take up arms and—under the guidance of four seasoned trackers—set out in search of justice. It’s the marriage of fear and anger which fuels these efforts and ultimately signals their failure. Those who remain will be forced to square off with the assailants; a breed of man never before seen and born of a previous generation’s offense."
FIRST ASSIGNMENT
TRT: 10:20
Ghosts! This next film was shot and cut in 48 hours by Reese Eveneshen for a film competition. It's full of creepy atmospheric nuances that might just give you the willies. "An experienced ghost hunter and his young graduate deal with a malevolent entity that occupies an apartment parking garage."
THE BIRDS OF ANGER
TRT: 7:02
This next one is an oddity, a legit version of the best-selling game, Rovio's "Angry Birds", told in the style of Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic "The Birds". While it definitely puts me in a very BIRDEMIC mood, it's a tightly wrapped quality short from Gregg Bishop and Joe Lynch.
THE EVIL, WHAT CAME AT MIDNIGHT
TRT: 3:40
This next one is great to end on. It's got a true "WTF?" vibe working for it and it doesn't take itself too seriously. Mathew Alvarado presents us with a new kind of baddy... you'll see what I mean.
And that's all for now ladies and gents. I'll see you next time with either an onslaught of drama or comedy. Thanks for reading/watching and if you feel like checking out more SATURDAY SHORTS, click any of the links below:
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
