2/11/2018 - 2018 Oscar Live Action Shorts

My Pick: Silent Child

Oscar Probable: Dekalb Elementary

Dekalb Elementary (2017) - 6+/10 - Powerful is a word easily applicable to all of the live action shorts. The so often pack a punch, and Dekalb is no exception. It accomplishes much with little, letting our apprehension and the tense scene of what is to come lead us from light to dark and back to light. I think it fails to move beyond to the next level because it is just a little too stiffled and succint, without too much flare.

 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5926890/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Silent Child (2017) - 7/10 - Heart breakingly touching, pointing at another ongoing societal sadness (which most of these do). The acting, the cinematography, and the audience devotion to the story are brilliant. It looks so wonderful, with those terrific shots and amazingly framed bits. I almost felt that the film-makers had too many of those “money” shots, highlighting the artistry but divorcing from the emotional resonance of this sad & beautiful story. That said, it was a small quibble, because I adored this one.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6186970/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

My Nephew Emmit (2017) - 7/10 - Tremendous pace and patience in such a small amount of time. The tension builds and leads us down the path of darkness that we hope is not to come, all composed with magnificent pallete and visceral apprehension. Again, I felt “Emmit” pushed too hard for supreme artistry, sacrificing its levelling up. It focused too much on diagesis, which ended up making the scenes in darkness (most of the film) hard to make out, and the lack of expositions kept the audience wondering. Still, a great and “should be watched” film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6598290/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The Eleven O’Clock (2016/2017) - 6/10 - A solid little farcical romp, bringing some lightheartedness to the proceedings. Funny and smartly laid out, but light in a race of heavy societal shakers and drainers. Good time thoiugh.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6023474/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_10

Watu Wote:All Of Us (2017) - 6+/7-/10 - I was expecting some intense and unending suffering early on, but it did not gut my soul, thankfully. This was a wise social snapshot highlighting the pain of the Muslim/Christian conflict, but also the righteous humanitarian middle-ground that could save us all. It is a film full of heart and hope. The work is well done, but never transcendant. Another good film that doesn’t quite rise to outstanding.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6333422/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1