*If you're not going out this evening, I implore you to hold off and check these out at night time, full screen and with the volume up. This is a CREEPSHOW-style edition of SATURDAY SHORTS where the films are a little longer. This isn't a "saturday morning cartoon" vibe today.*
Hello ladies and gentlemen, your pal Muldoon here with this week's horrifying selection of short films created and submitted by fellow AICN readers. If you're no stranger to these parts, SATURDAY SHORTS that is, then you know I'm a horror/scifi hound. I love 'em, dig 'em, and can't get enough of 'em. I'm not exactly sure why I'm so attracted to horror flicks or why anyone is for that matter, maybe the adrenaline rush? The taboo of watching something you're hard wired not to seek out in real life go down all in the comfort of an air conditioned movie theater/living room? Everyone's got drama in their lives, all of us do, just different levels of it, but how many of us have out run a giant monster or gone toe to toe with a chainsaw wielding lunatic? (I sincerely hope no one... though I could be mistaken) Point is, there's something about the genres that has me and many, many other folks flocking to it like moths to a blood red flickering light. Sure, there's plenty of terrible horror/science fiction flicks out there and even they have their own niche (SyFy, I'm looking your way, love you, but there's only so many things you can cross with a shark). Have no fear, today we've got some kickass scares built by some impressive filmmakers, young and old, decent budget to no budget, and they all have one giant thing in common, they're a good time and worth you giving them a shot. So are you with me? You down to dive into the freaky terror of these four flicks? 3...2...1..
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:
DON'T MOVE
TRT: 13:56
"Holy shit!" To kick things off right, we have a damn awesome film from the gang at Bloody Cuts. From director Anthony Melton, we have a unique as hell and scarier than you could expect bit of fun. I dug this film so much, I can't even think of a good cliche thing to say, like "scariest film of the year" or anything like that. What I can say, is I'm impressed as tar and want to see way more from the Bloody Cuts folks. If you want a good horror film that's short and sweet, this is it. Fullscreen it and pump the volume up. *Not for the faint of heart*
EXPERIMENTAL
TRT:14:26
Here's a special treat from director Zack Ward, a reminder that signing up to be a lab rat might not be the best idea, even if it does seem like quick cash. (Rodriguez, damn you and your lab rat story. Your praise of doing a medical study to fund a movie is the reason I now glow in the dark...) I dig the violent way Ward thrashes the camera around when the shit's hitting the fan. This is quality stuff that is creepy as hell. Hats off to the lead who no doubt had to scream bloody murder take after take after take - he sells it.
BLACKOUT
TRT: 28:49
James Bushe kills the lights in this fun flick. "The nation has been struck by a mysterious electrical blackout, throwing the country into chaos. Criminals everywhere are using the lack of alarms CCTV to loot and rob all over the city. One group of opportunistic robbers move forward a planned job and break into an antiques warehouse, taking the security guard hostage along the way. As the job nears completion they realise that something else is also making use of the blackout, something evil. Alliances must be formed if they are to escape what ever is hunting them from the darkness. To survive the night, they must stay in the light." It's just solid fun.
BLACKOUT short film from james bushe on Vimeo.
BIRTHDAY BOYS
TRT: 10:25
Rafael De Leon Jr. is going to wrap us up this week with his film, another reminder not to try to bring loved ones back to life... it never ends well. "On her deceased boyfriend's birthday, a girl in a desperate situation turns to a close friend for help, unaware of the grave and deadly consequences lying ahead." This thing unapologetically goes from dark to darker.
Birthday Boys (short film) from Rafael De Leon Jr. on Vimeo.
Bam! That's it for this week - I'll see you guys and gals next week with some SCIENCE FICTiON fun, but hey in the mean time peruse the SATURDAY SHORTS library:
Supernatural Goodness (6/30/12)
SciFi Explosions With Aliens (7/14/12)
Dark Comedy Extravaganza (9/8/12)
Goofy Comedy Laughsplosion (10/6/12)
Genre Basket of Awesome (12/1/12)
Horror-ish Creepfest (12/22/12)
Assorted Bits of Genre (2/16/13)
Laughter in Film Form (3/9/13)
The Sphere; Montauk; Meth; Anamnesis (3/30/13)
Stan Lee Parkour; Mediating Kidnapper; Red; Bullet Head; Shadow (4/6/13)
Carrot & Stick; Queen of Hearts; Paintwork; Trophy Wife; BFC: Big F*ckin Chicken (4/13/13)
Victorian Undead; The Glitch; Saw Misgivings; Dave Vs. Death (4/20/13)
Gratitude; Boo!; Game of Dim(Wits); How I Met Your Father (4/27/13)
Allure; Titans of Newark; The Knightswoon; The Magic Box (5/4/13)
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?
- Mike McCutchen
"Muldoon"
Mike@aintitcool.com
