Yes, this is a music video, but  in many cases Music Videos are very much short films. They can sometimes be extremely enlightening, and often convey strong messages or story telling.  I have always been a fan of good story telling in Music Videos, and even though, Youtube, and the internet as a whole is a wonderful place that allows instant access to any video at any time, I miss the days of MTV(or in my Canadian case Much Music) and getting to actually sit and watch blocks of good music, and some amazing videos. Nowadays any video aired on these now trashy channels are just naked dancers grinding against things while groups of random people in chains and fur coats talk over each other. Anyway, to get back on topic…

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Ro-Revus was a character on South Carolina Public Television’s The June Bugg Show. In today’s Sunday Shorts pick, he talks about not using the out of doors as a bathroom and why the 5 second rule doesn’t make sense. Oh. He also talks about worms. It may seem funny or strange now, but back then it would’ve been an important health PSA for rural areas. One of my favorite orphaned works, a large bulk of which are made up of similar educational titles, I wanted to share it with you, our readers. Just remember to use your privy or bathroom.

We’ve been going through a bit of a break (sort of) as of late, trying to figure some inner workings and schedules and just getting our own shit together, but when I saw it was Sunday I knew I had to bring everyone a great short documentary I saw recently. It will also be featured on The Criterion Cast as well, because they are trying to put out the full 90 minute cut of the documentary, but the reason it’s on this feature is because filmmakers Trent Babbington and Walker Warren have put up a 33 minute version as a means to sell this film to the public. I’m not sure if I should let you know what it’s about, but if you look up Iron Mic: Eli Porter Vs. Envy on Youtube, you’ll find out where the basis of this subject matter came from. Enjoy!

People’s Champion: Behind the Battle from Trent Babbington on Vimeo.

So the site has been in a bit of vacation mode (hey we need breaks too!) but we’re coming back strong with a new week of content and some new writers starting soon! To start things off right its a brand spanking new Sunday Shorts. This one is a short film called The Black Hole, a 2008 short film by Diamond Dogs from Photoplay Films. Yet another Australian short (I think there is a trend here…) that follows the mishaps and adventures of a bored office worker who discovers a black hole. Its short, well shot and funny. I enjoy short films that are simple setups and stick to the narrative without worrying about length. This one is just right and I hope you all enjoy! As always feel free to let us know about shorts! Especially if you are a director and want to showcase your stuff.

Short Film ‘The Black Hole’ from PHOTOPLAY FILMS on Vimeo.

If you know me very well, you know I like films that deliver on the ultra-violence. Do they always have to have some sort of meaning? Of course not. I’m a child of the 80′s which means I was growing up during the boom of VHS and direct to video was huge in my household. We used to rent movies all the time and I would sneak viewings of horror films on my small black and white television when I was supposed to be asleep. This leads us to the type of film fan I am today. I love filmmakers such as Bergman, Kurosawa, Fellini but also hold Mattei, Cohen and Argento in the same regard when talking about cinema that shaped me today.

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Nash Edgerton’s Spider (2006) is a brilliant and mean little short film about the hazards of playing practical jokes. Edgerton is an Australian stunt man and director who has several short films in his resume along with the recent feature thriller The Square (2008). Spider is a fun little short that cannot be written too much about for fear of spoiling the fun of watching. So here it is embedded after the break. As always feel free to comment and if you are a filmmaker who has a short film we may like contact us. Continue Reading…

Sunday Shorts is a new feature where we scour the intertubes to bring you the best of the amazing short films the world has to offer. My first pick is from the talented Ben Briand. Apricot (2010) features the digital aesthetic that I love. Great focal lengths, beautiful lighting, amazing bokeh, and setting makes this wonderful script even better. The actors are wonderful, and the flashbacks remind me of my own summers as a kid playing in the woods. The film one the Community Choice Award and Best Narrative at the Vimeo Film Festival and was also selected for the 32nd Moscow International Film Festival. It was the Best Film runner up in the Australian Film Festival and The St. Kilda film Festival chose it for their opening night.

Briand has also directed other shorts and has worked on commercials, music videos and video installations. His short films form a trilogy of sorts around the topics of memory and identity. I for one look forward to seeing what he does next. Watch the video after the break. Continue Reading…