acmelita Reviews

Radio Umanak (2000)

a fascinating flight of fancy

[15 January 2008]

Zipping across the radio dial the main character imagines all the scenes depicted from the global radio broadcasts. In the space between wakefulness and dreaming she conjures many a humorous scene from singers to a western to the "Hap-Hap-Happy Time" advertisement, just to name a few. There are also some serious scenes such as a snippet from the Hindenburg broadcast and even a touch of mystery with the opening of the radio serial "The Shadow".

I believe this can be "dialed up" over at www.Filmporium.con The $5 DVD includes the haunting "When the Day Breaks" and the endearing documentary short "When Life Departs".

Når livet går sin vej (1997)

an affecting, refreshing, thought provoking short

[10/10 · 15 January 2008]

I've never seen a more touching animated documentary. Correction: I've never seen a more touching documentary, this one just happens to be animated.

I generally keep a fair poker face even during the most sentimental of stories but I defy anyone to not react with compassion to these children speaking about what what happens in the afterlife. Their forth-right honesty and openness is utterly disarming. The boy talking about his baby brother, how he prays to hold him just once more, well, it's very moving. However, please don't mistake me, this is not morose and it is not treacle. It reminds you of when it was easier to be certain of things that cannot be proved. It's up-lifting. How can you not smile at a line like "When you die you get special feet so you can walk on the clouds. Then you can walk around up there on this big cloud. And you can play football like I do..." Because, you know, it's important to be able to play soccer, even if you happen to be dead at the time.

The Academy Award nomination was well deserved. I recommend checking this one out. The have it over at www.Filmporium.com The $5 DVD also includes the haunting "When the Day Breaks" and the globe-trotting "Radio Umanak."

Shipwrecked (2005)

Comical pirate tale

[10/10 · 14 January 2008]

I think Animation World Network said it best when they said "so effective is it as a laughter calibration tool that if you're between the ages of two and dead, you will see mirth in it." This very fun traditionally-animated short has only two main characters but the pirate and the castaway fill each fast-paced scene with enough energy for a cast of thousands.

It opens with the morose castaway and plumes of water shooting up in the distance, a wonderful foreshadowing of the pirate character. The castaway just wants to be rescued and the pirate only wants MONEY! When they finally get together, the end result is both hilarious and unexpected.

I believe this short is available over at www.Filmporium.com The $5 DVD comes with the entertaining, historical (and Academy Award nominated) "My Grandmother Ironed the King's Shirt and informative "Black Soul".

Black Soul (2001)

a beautiful history lesson about an ugly part of history

[10/10 · 14 January 2008]

You won't believe how much history that is covered in just eight minutes. But it never once feels rushed or forced.

Some of the aspects of history this film covers, within the African-American experience, are the agricultural influence, the slave experience, including Marie-Joseph Angélique's story, and the industrial revolution.

The beautiful oil paint on glass is technique is complemented with a rich, well timed soundtrack. Its evocative soundtrack is a mix of the Boütz dancers' irresistible rhythms, Lilison T. S. Cordeiro's mellow African music, the magnificent voice of Ranee Lee backed up by a gospel choir, and instrumentals composed by the great Montreal jazz pianist Oliver Jones.

You can catch this beautiful film at www.Filmporium.com where they are offering the $5 DVD with this short, the historical (and Academy Award nominated) "My Grandmother Ironed the King's Shirt and the hilarious "Shipwrecked".

Flux (2002)

Lively award winning short with a poignant touch that sneaks up on you

[10/10 · 14 January 2008]

The animation in this fast-paced short is deceptively sparse, which is not to say that it is simple or uninvolved. It's just that Chris Hinton only puts the key information up on the screen and plays fast (very fast) and loose with the normal placement and size conventions. This, paradoxically, actually brings another layer of involvement to the viewer. It also makes the characters' emotions come across clearer and easier.

There are many amazing things about this film which tells the tale of one generation passing into the next. To begin with, it had been many years since he had last created a film (8 years since the distribution of his last one). Then, to keep it as fresh as possible for himself, he did not storyboard (!) but instead just created a list of events from which to work off. He also eschewed working with a computer on this piece and instead did each frame himself, by hand, sometimes actually painting the ink with his finger.

I highly recommend catching this kinetic, enjoyable, family film. It's available over at www.Filmporium.com for five dollars together with the moving animated documentary "Ryan" and the farcical "Eat" by Bill Plympton.

The Sweetest Thing (2002)

one of the worse films ever

[1/10 · 14 January 2008]

this is the only film that my husband and I actually stopped watching half-way through and thought about asking for a refund

and we watched The Thirteenth Warrior all the way through so that should give you some indication of our "bad movie threshold"

so bad

I get the gross out comedy genre but this just went beyond the pale. Gross out for gross out sake is just revolting to me.

Songs about blow j*bs and @n@l sex don't require talent to write and don't entertain me when they are performed, poorly I might add.

Perhaps I've just matured past this mindless drivel.

Eat (2001)

Dig in!

[14 January 2008]

Another gem from Bill Plympton. His legions of regular fans won't be disappointed and perhaps it will even recruit some new ones, since the end is very reminiscent of Monty Python's "Just one thin mint?" sketch.

This humorous short reminds me of when I served time behind a menu and a tray. You get kind of numb to all sorts of gross eating habits of people, otherwise you wouldn't survive your shift let alone the week till your next paycheck. This film brings it all back: the weird-o single diner; the annoying couple, complete with the man ordering for the girl; the family that brought the obnoxious, messy brats along. The benefit of this film is that I don't have to serve these people, but can just commiserate with the poor waitress who does. Of course, what do you want from a restaurant whose name translates to "House of Eats"?

I think you can pick this up over at www.Filmporium.com They include the Academy-Award winning "Ryan" and Chris Hinton's frenetic short "Flux" in the five dollar DVD.

Fallen (I) (2004)

beautiful, absurdist film that stays with you

[11 January 2008]

This lyrical work is based on the short story "Faelle" by Daniil Charms. Daniil Charms was a Russian writer who was an important member of the avant-garde group Oberiu (Association of Real Art). His absurd, but entertaining, works were ultimately suppressed by Lenin's government. But the works still exist and the director Peter Kaboth as taken one of Charms short stories and made it into this amusing, unreal film.

Nearly completely divorced from the standard constraints of logic, the main action in this film is the pair of people falling gently from the sky. We never see their final impact, or even how they come to be falling in the first place, but we are privy to the reactions, or lack there of, from all the by-standers below.

I believe this beautifully illuminated animated short is available over at www.Filmporium.com Included on the $5 DVD is the poignant "Hasta Los Huesos" and the darkly depressing "Crime and Punishment"

Aunt Luisa (2002)

Will remind you of your favorite batty relative.

[10/10 · 11 January 2008]

An early gem from Blur Studios, the geniuses behind "Gopher Broke", "A Gentleman's Duel" and "In the Rough" to name but a few.

The whiskey induced haze of the titular character causes her to believe that Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadian Orchestra are in her house. Playing "The Third Man" theme. Over and over and over again. (Perhaps "You're Driving Me Crazy" or "Scatter-Brain"would have been a more apt choice.) But she simply can not find them. Sometimes she leaves them traps baited with milk and cookies.

The cute little Aunt Luisa will remind you of your favorite odd-ball relative. Bonus points if you can tell just how many stuffed poodles she owns. They have it over at www.Filmporium.com The $5 DVD also includes the family-trip humorous tale "Get in the Car" and the soulful, inspiring "The Toll Collector".

Falling in Love Again (2003)

Romance is in the air (literally)

[11 January 2008]

What a beautiful depiction of how it feels when you first fall in love!

Giddy, weightless, head over heels and over the moon for the person and it all hits you like a ton of bricks. Who can't relate? Perhaps, Spock or some cyborg but if you wanted to teach them about the elation that is felt during that first blush of love, this would be the ideal teaching aide. Generally, you wouldn't think a car crash would lead to love but that is part of the magic of movies.

Another interesting aspect of this short is that it is is one of the first films made using SANDDE (Stereo Animation Drawing Device). It enables artists to draw and animate in space, freehand. You can grab a copy of this film over at www.Filmporium.com The $5 DVD also includes the hilarious "Strange Invaders," by the same guy who did "The Cat Came Back," and the poignant "Run of the Mill".

Run of the Mill (1999)

thought provoking and accessible

[10/10 · 11 January 2008]

Most "drug tales" come off as pedantic or condescending, with obvious warning signs and useless character clichés. That is not the case in this moving film from Danish director Børge Ring.

The main character doesn't come from a "broken home" or the "wrong side of the tracks". He's just a kid who starts experimenting with drugs. Then the experimenting turns to habit and the habit turns to addiction. His parents do all they can to help him, they are completely involved in his life but, alas, to no avail. One of reasons this film is so effective is because it doesn't preach, blame or villainize.

It's a great way to start the conversation about drugs and addiction. If you'd like to see it, I think they're offering it over at www.Filmporium.com the $5 DVD also includes the hilarious, other-wordly "Strange Invaders" and "Falling In Love Again" which features animation set to Marlene Dietrich's version of the titular song.

Nibbles (2003)

Rip snorting fun

[10/10 · 10 January 2008]

I know this is based on the animator's own true story but it feels like he had a window into all of my family fishing trips as well. Waking up before dawn (ugh), the road food (greasy, yum), the over-eating, the mosquitoes, the competition to see who could catch the biggest fish. It's all so familiar but Hinton displays in a new, unique way that condenses the whole day into one fast, frenetic joy ride.

If you can, I recommend "catching" this animated short. I believe they have it available over at www.Filmporium.com for $5 on a DVD with another Academy Award nominee "Badgered" and the compelling "Swamp." It's definably worth a nibble.

La révolution des crabes (2004)

an adorable film that will move you... sideways

[10/10 · 10 January 2008]

This is an inspiring film. It speaks to the plight of not just little depressed crabs but of anyone who feels trapped or stuck in one direction.

So charming. I dare you not to root for the crab with the big idea of how to turn sideways, instead of remaining doomed to only walk in one line their entire life. He is inspired to make a change when he almost gets flattened "after a catastrophe that only you humans can cause."

This short will put a smile on your face, guaranteed. I think you can pick up a copy at www.Filmporium.com The DVD ($5) comes with two other animated shorts, the hilarious "A Gentleman's Duel" and the introspective "Life in Transition".

Fast Film (2003)

fast and fun

[10/10 · 10 January 2008]

300 different feature films.

65,000 photocopies.

14 minutes of jaw dropping, fun animation.

This is one of those films that simply must be seen to be believed. I believe the director, Virgil Widrich, is once again, taking an animation style into a whole new direction. This man has innovation coming out of his pores. To recast these iconic film actors as into collective hero, damsel in distress and villain takes a unique perspective and skill set.

Fittingly, this compilation (of a sort) is available on a compilation of shorts over at www.Filmporium.com. The $5 DVD also comes with the bizarre bed-time story "Hilary" and the noir "Le Foto Dello Scandalo".

Le foto dello scandalo (2001)

A warning to TMZ and all the other paparazzi!

[10/10 · 10 January 2008]

The main character in this noir style short, a newspaper photographer, is based on the famous New York photographer Weegee, and one of the shots is a dead give away, recreating one of his self-portraits but featuring this animated character.

Noir is one of my favorite genres, in both literature and film, and it's great to see this new addition to the canon. The wordless depiction of a photographer, his inflammatory, scandalous photo and the aftermath there of is a compelling take on the genre. Although the story is set in 1940s New York, it resonates today with the transition of paparazzi morphing into the "stalkarazzi".

I recommend giving this one a look see. They offer it over at www.Filmporium.com The five dollar DVD also includes the entertainingly obscure "Hilary" and the frenetic "Fast Film".

Cameras Take Five (2003)

A beautiful visual and audio jazz riff

[10/10 · 10 January 2008]

I can't begin to the fathom the patience and craft it would take to the make thousands of pictures---by hand mind you---necessary to create this type of animation, with each being the size of a 35mm film frame. The director, Steven Woloshen's process of engraving and painting each image is impressive enough. But then I found out that, for this particular short, he did it all without storyboards or a script. Completely free form. Unbelievable.

He has set this free form, interpretive animation to an entrancing piece of music, The Dave Brubeck Quartet's "Take Five". In an act of great artistic generosity, Mr. Brubeck allowed Mr. Woloshen to use the music for free, sight unseen.

I'm not usually a fan of abstract visuals but I make an exception for this piece and recommend checking it out. They have it available over at www.Filmporium.com and the $5 DVD comes with the amusing "Jolly Roger" and the humorous tryst "Morir De Amor".

Morir de amor (II) (2005)

A delightful flight of fancy

[10/10 · 10 January 2008]

In watching this I learned one, unintended, lesson: feed your parrots on time! Or suffer the consequences of learning long buried secrets. You see, in the beginning, the Lenny-and-Squiggy-esquire comedic parrot duo are imitating the cuckoo clock. When the hour chimes, they look expectantly at the box of parrot feed in their napping owner's lap. He remains sleeping and they begin reminiscing, via audio cues. The parrots reactions, even while reliving the story, are priceless.

The story progresses, indiscretions are revealed. At one point, we are literally shown "the birds and the bees." The choices of when and where to use color and when to stick with black and white artfully help in the telling of this romantic, albeit adulterous, tale.

If you want to catch this short they are offering t over at www.Filmporium.com The $5 DVD also includes the pirate tale "Jolly Roger" and the jazzy "Cameras Take Five".

Ski Jumping Pairs (2003)

Gold medal level entertainment

[10/10 · 10 January 2008]

A rare find: a sports parody without Will Farrell

This is the hilarious prequel to the full length "Ski Jumping Pairs: Road to Torino". And although it is a parody, it is obviously done with a lot of love for the Winter Olympics and competitive sports in general. (I would not have been able to demonstrate such restraint as I happen to think certain sports need to not take themselves so seriously. Ribbon gymnastic dancers, anyone?)

The wacky positions that the teams take are incredible. Just thinking of their names make me smile: Imperial Eagle, Flying Church, Titanic, just to name a few. The "Koala" formation is almost a bit risqué, but you'll be laughing at all of them, too.

You can catch this DVD over at www.Filmporium.com The five dollar DVD is paired up with the sharply witty "Astronauts" and the brilliant "Das Rad".

Rocks (2001)

I lichen it. It rocks.

[10/10 · 10 January 2008]

Perception is all about your perspective. This short allows you to see the world and the passage of time through the perspective of rocks, which might sound dry but is actually quiet amusing.

This film is a combination of stopmotion animation (one of my favorite styles) and digital animation. They blend the two seamlessly, not an easy feat.

This is one of those rare films that reward repeat viewings. Your eye catches different details each time and you start to appreciate the pain-staking attention to detail that the team of animators put into this work. You can pick it up over at www.Filmporium.com. The five dollar disk also includes the wickedly funny "Astronauts" and the Olympic event parody "Ski Jumping Pairs."

The Fan and the Flower (2005)

an unlikely romance

[10/10 · 10 January 2008]

This is departure from Bill Plympton's usual work, which is not to say that his cadre of fans won't find it equally enjoyable.

It is a charming little film depicting the unlikely romance between a ceiling fan and a potted flower. I know how odd that sounds but this engaging film makes it work. The cute little old lady shown only in silhouette reminds me of my own grandmother. And the sacrifice and twist at the end make for an enjoyable pay-off.

You can get it over at www.Filmporium.com. The $5 DVD also includes the frustrated rodent tale "Gopher Broke" and the appealing short "The Hill Farm".

The Hill Farm (1992)

A lovely examination of how different groups deal with the same space

[9 January 2008]

The story takes place over three days and focuses on how three groups of people (farmers, campers and hunters) use the same countryside in different ways.

The first day introduces the farmer characters (Howick , Hazel and the farm hand, Hugh) and shows a typical day at the farm. The animals have to be fed continuously, watered, milked and protected. A huge, sleepy bear makes a half hearted attempt to catch one of the sheep, but is shooed away. At the end of this first day, a problem has emerged – the farm pump isn't working; there isn't any water in the well.

The second day introduces the camper characters, who park their car on a nearby hill, pitch their tent, and start photographing the farm and the farmers.

The third day introduces the hunter characters, who will hunt anything that moves, even individual bees. During this final day, a storm builds up and the campers and hunters manage to goad the huge bear into chasing them back towards the farm. The storm breaks and all the characters come together, seeking shelter in the farmhouse. At the end of the storm the groups split up again, probably none the wiser from their experience, the farmers well has been filled with water and everything returns to normal.

Three years in the making, this film gently pulls the viewer into its world, even though there is no dialogue and it relies purely on music and sound effects to complement the cel animation. It is currently available at www.Filmpporium.com. The $5 DVD also includes the exercise in frustration (for a rodent) short "Gopher Broke" and Bill Plympton's unlikely romance "The Fan and the Flower".

The Mountain Head (2002)

"Mom! His head is weird."

[9 January 2008]

This amusing tale is based on a traditional Rakugo story in which an amusingly plump man with a waste-not-want-not mentality eats some found cherries and then finishes up his snack with the cherry pips, unleashing curious side effects.

I particularly like that he's such a pack rat that he even saves the little cherry saplings that he has to repeatedly clip from the top of his head.

Another favorite bit is when he shows that cherry blossoms are in bloom, salary men are in bloom and office girls are in bloom. Saku!

You can grow your own DVD collection for five bucks by picking it up at www.Filmporium.com. The DVD includes "The Big Snit", a brilliant short that puts one couple's petty squabbles into a much larger context and "The Man Without A Shadow", about a man who makes a deal with a "magician".

The Cat Came Back (1988)

And it's back again!

[10/10 · 9 January 2008]

This humorous short is based on a children's folk song that I recently learned dates back to 1893. The original song was written by Harry S. Miller under the dated and clumsy title "The Cat Came Back: A Comic Negro Absurdity." Cordell Barker alters the lyrics just slightly but the intent is wholly intact. That darn cat just won't leave!

There are many little pockets of funny in this over-all comedic short but one of my favorite is when Mr. Johnson tries to entertain the Evil Kitty with his old baby rattle and then looks lovingly at his baby picture. The year cited on the picture frame is 1903!

This is a modern classic and it has just been released at www.Filmporium.com on a compilation DVD ($5) with the droll "Village of Idiots" and the slapstick, hilarious "In the Rough". That's a lot of funny for the money.

The Monk and the Fish (1994)

The sound of one man fishing...

[10/10 · 9 January 2008]

Another beautiful journey brought to you by Academy Award winner, Michael Dudok de Wit. The chase, the frustration, the contemplation, the resignation all build to create this humorous tale.

It works on the simplistic level to amuse as you watch a monk try and try to catch a fish, reminiscent of Wily E. Coyote and his pursuit of the Road Runner (although in a completely different, much more mature artist style). But, c'mon, it's a monk, a man of the cloth, chasing a fish, a religious symbol of faith. The rhythm and pacing closely mirrors the traditional struggle of the questions of faith.

You can catch this DVD for five clams at www.Filmporium.com and net the other two shorts on the disc, "A Hunting Lesson" and "2D or Not 2D".

Bob's Birthday (1993)

Another glimpse into the secret lives of dentists!

[10/10 · 9 January 2008]

Next time I'm scheduled for a teeth cleaning (or worse) I'll pop this DVD in to give me something to think about while he starts drilling! Picturing my dentist doing "Bob's Elephant Routine" will be a distraction almost as good as novocain.

The surprise party Margaret plans for Bob goes wrong in a way that makes my party faux pas pale by comparison. But I really can relate to Bob's birthday anxieties, although, luckily I haven't reached the big four-oh, yet.

I'm glad this got expanded into a series but you really should see the short that started it all. For your own copy, go to www.Filmporium.com. For five dollars you can pick up this DVD, which also includes "Aria", a short, stop-motion puppet interpretation of "Madame Butterfly" and the risqué, fun "Girl's Night Out".