Shorts
Posted on Sep 8th, 2008 by Allison (Music / Entertainment, Reviews/Recommendations)

In the early 80s, Kristin and I were watching HBO and happened upon one of the most memorable films of our lives.  It was a brief, animated short film which had won the 1982 Student Academy Award. 

UrsulaIt was called “Guess Who’s For Dinner” and in it, a spinach monster attacks a child during dinner.  It was hysterical and after 25 years is still a clear image in my head. Kristin and I have both spent hours over the years, searching for this in any form… if you stumble upon it, let us know!   The talented animator, Kathy Zielinski has gone on to career with Disney and animated the memorable character Ursula (the witch) in the Little Mermaid, in addition to others.

And then, of course, there were the midnight short film festivals at the Villa theatre where I saw some memorable, and not so memorable animated shorts. Who could forget…

Bambi vs. Godzilla?

I’ve been a fan of short films ever since. So I was delighted to find I can get the academy award nominated shorts for 2004 – 2007.   I got 2006 first (because that’s the one I noticed first) and watched them last night.   What a delightful evening.   Some were better than others, of course – but I enjoyed all of them but one.

I think my favorite live action short was  “éramos pocos” (spain).   Mom has left her slob of a husband and grown son, who are helpless without her. They liberate Gran from a nursing home to cook and clean for them.  Fun, with a twist.

West Bank Story is a love story and rivalry between Israelis and Palestinians and their fast food joints.  Made by students at USC, it actually was a musical – and won the Oscar.  It was fun.

My favorite animated short was The Danish Poet” (Canada-Norway) – which did win the Academy Award.  Simple line drawings and a sweet story. You can actually see this one on YouTube.

I’m looking forward to the other years’ collections!   Do you like short films?  Have you seen any that were memorable or that you’d recommend? 

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Comments

Kathleen on September 8th, 2008 at 6:04 pm

My favorite was a little short called Chief Silly Savage. I don’t know when it was made but I know that we watched it in the 1980’s. The part I remember the best was the very effeminite Native American Chief who sat crossed leg on a rock swingin his lesg as he applied his war paint. The war paint was paint by number and his face was covered in numbers. It culd have been a Canadian film since it featured Royal Canadian moun ties.


Michelle on September 9th, 2008 at 7:59 am

Are the cute Pixar shorts that screen before the main movie starts considered shorts? At any rate I love those.


Ashley Rae on September 9th, 2008 at 9:50 am

Haha- those are very silly. I’m with Michelle- I love all of the cute Pixar short films. One of my favorites is the snowman in the snowglobe.


Chris on September 9th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

The Pixar shorts are great. I love the bouncy sheep one, I think it was before the Incredibles, not sure. I saw ‘Bambi vs. Godzilla’ a million years ago and though it was brilliant, lol.


Allison on September 9th, 2008 at 1:53 pm

I love the pixar shorts too. Though I really hated the Roger Rabbit. He drove me nuts.

These birds were funny…

Here’s Kristin’s Snowglobe guy…


Michelle on September 9th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Thanks for posting these! I had never seen the snow globe one.


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