Hello ladies and gentlemen, Muldoon here with this week's selection of interesting short films from all across the internet. Each film below was submitted by the film's creators, the individuals who rolled up their sleeves and made something - not for a paycheck, but becuase they just had to. I love that. I love seeing the passion in each email with "SATURDAY SHORTS" in the subject line. Hell, I even laugh when I get the occasional "SUNDAY SHORTS" submission. So the films below aren't paid for by Nike or Doritos or are heavily backed by a studio to act as marketing for their latest 200 million dollar flick, they're film's from the heart. "Muldoon, enough with the sappy stuff!" Also, fun reminder - today is Free Comic Book Day at pretty much every comic book shop you can think of. So while we're on the topic of passion, get your butt down to your local comic book shop, even if you go weekly or have never been before. Today's a celebration of the comic book medium and you're absolutely sure to be met with smiles and excited comic book lovers who just might direct you to your new favorite series (who knows?). Then of course tomorrow is Mother's Day, so if you're not planning on visiting with your momma, quick - go buy her flowers to be delivered (or just plan on calling her!). So many exciting things going down this weekend and if you're here - then you're looking to see cool short films and add that to your list of fun things to do this Sat/Sun. So to taper off my jibber jabber, let's jump right on in to this week's SATURDAY SHORTS. (It's a fun one.)
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:
SWINGERS
TRT: 7:34
First up is a bizarre comedy from Dane McCusker, a perfectly awkward situation displayed in just seven and a half minutes. "When they are invited by their neighbors to swing, a reluctant Aidan and his extroverted wife attend the soiree, but as the innuendo heats up, Aidan begins to realize that a disastrous miscommunication is afoot." If you like what you see, then check out Dane's Vimeo Page and Youtube Page for more!
DOWNSTAIRS
TRT: 17:31
Let's get a little darker with our next film, directed by Lee Boxleitner. "A foolhardy security guard has the night from Hell, when his curiosity sends him investigating what goes on... Downstairs..." There's a bit of cheese, though I was shocked at how heavy the film felt. I particularly was/am impressed by the film's lead and hope to see him pop up in more projects! I know Lee's got another cool short just about to hit the net, and I hope to be able to screen it here when it's ready. In the mean time, Lee's Youtube Page has quite a few interesting shorts/videos to check out.
THE ROUTINE
TRT: 9:34
"It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge." Our next short is on par with some of my favorite TWILIGHT ZONE episodes and I'm certain that comparison is brought up daily to director Tara Price. Price has managed to create something that will stick with you the rest of the day, a reminder to possibly get off of Facebook and go outside to meet up with friends - if you can. "Capturing the unsettling essence of a Twilight Zone episode and the sci-fi tone of a Ray Bradbury story, this reflective short film casts a bleak look at how technology can backfire at bringing us closer together, unintentionally creating more isolation and loneliness than ever before, sometimes leading to harrowing and tragic results." Check out more of Price's work on her Vimeo Page.
THE ROUTINE from Tara Price on Vimeo.
FORGET ME NOT
TRT: 9:30
Whew... We're in need of some comedy after these past few films, and thankfully there's Director Michael Beddoes to the rescue! "Keeping a relationship is difficult. Especially when one of you doesn't remember having it." I'll admit, when I read that synopsis I felt "Oh, like 50 FIRST DATES..." and I was wrong. In fact, I'm screwing up by reminding you that film exists. This short is a lovely mystery told in a very simple and clean way, with a style that leans more on the actors than flashy camera tricks. I enjoyed every second of Michael's film. Be sure to click over to his website if you're curious what else the man has up his sleeve!
Forget Me Not from Michael Beddoes on Vimeo.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
TRT: 1:36
In the spirit of the holiday, here's Jon Kovel's creepy short. (I just had to share.) With the oldschool transitions and the peppy feel... it's just too perfect.
INSIDE THE EXTRA'S STUDIO WITH BARRY BOSTWICK
TRT: 3:40
We have a fun video to wrap us out this week, and yes I see it was more of a video than a short, but find it funny nonetheless. Anything Barry Bostwick does, I'll be there smiling and supporting. The man's a legend in my eyes and what he's doing here is just awkward awesomeness. The films comes to us from Mildly Fearsome Films and is the first part of the second season of this show, which is available at 1620 Media. If you like what you see, just know "there's more and it's free!"
Bam! That's if for this week, ladies and gents. Remember to call your mom (if you can), hit up your local Comic Book store, and just have a great rest of your weekend. I hope to see you all next week with a handful of more shorts! Until then, feel free to click on any past articles if you're in the mood for more films.
SATURDAY SHORTS 2012
SATURDAY SHORTS 2013
SATURDAY SHORTS 2014
SATURDAY SHORTS 2015
Hank & Honey: A Holiday Horror; Black Christmas; Grammy; Pick Ups (1/2/16)
Lilitu; Auld Lang Syne; Chronoshred; Ash Vs. Lobo Vs. The DC Undead (1/9/16)
Believe; The Dragon's Blade; Native Immigration; The Problem With Friends (1/23/16)
Harbinger; Hyperthermia; The Chickening; Head (1/30/16)
Erebus; Boldly Gone; Cupcakes; City In Crisis; Vandalaze "Great Big Things" (2/6/16)
Blurry; American Virgin; Azarkant; The Homing Bird; Sex, Lies, And Terminators (2/13/16)
Connected; Terry And Brenda; Fuck Buddies; Audrey; BigHead Walking Dead Parody (2/20/16)
Absence; The Adept; MAT ZO - "Sinful;" Dreamco; Hoot (3/12/16)
Pop Music; Tumble Dry Low; Rooms; Promise; Darth Maul: Apprentice (3/19/16)
Status Update; Kafka's Little Fable; Ghoster; I Got Your Nose; Creature Feature (4/2/16)
Steve; The Good Survivor; Field of Screams; Mirrored; Jack Edwards - "Falling In Love" (4/16/16)
Rest Stop; The Technician; Romp; Who's There?; If Joke & Harley Quinn Were A Normal Couple (4/23/16)
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. The more info you send my way, the more info there is to put with your short.
Please don’t feel the need to submit multiple times.
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?
BY THE WAY: If you've had a short featured here, that means that I personally am a fan of your work, so feel free to shoot me any kind of news on new projects/films/whatever. I can't say I'll be able to help or in what capacity, but I'm interested in your work and am always down to see more! (Keep making cool stuff, everyone!)
- Mike McCutchen
"Muldoon"
Mike@aintitcool.com
