SPOTLIGHT SHORT FILM
"ZOMBIE PROM"
Four Stars
A
In all my years of being a film critic it has never happened. I've
completed thousands of film ratings and over 1,000 film reviews in my
life including films of all genres and short films. It hasn't happened
once...What am I talking about? The ever elusive four-star rating, a
rating of which I've given approximately less than 1% of all full-length
films but NEVER a short film.
Until now.
"Zombie Prom" is, without a doubt, the best short film I've ever seen.
Based upon the off-Broadway play of the same name, "Zombie Prom" is part
1950's comic book, part horror, part love story, part musical, part
Troma flick, part comedy and, well, completely brilliant. it's the
funniest, most entertaining and most imaginative short film I've ever
viewed and, hands down, the best acted short I've witnessed including,
believe it or not, a marvelous performance from RuPaul as Miss Strict,
the Principal of Enrico Fermi High School.
The story of a seemingly ill-fated high school couple, Toffee (Candice
Nicole) and Jonny (Darren Robertson), "Zombie Prom" is beautifully
brought to life by screenwriter/director Vince Marcello. While the
musical film "Dreamgirls" picked up all the cinematic awards for 2006,
"Zombie Prom" was truly the year's musical highlight.
For more information on "Zombie Prom," visit the film's website at
http://www.zombiepromthemovie.com/
SHORT REVIEWS
"BUSINESS JOHNSON"
Three Stars
B
Whereas "Zombie Prom" went for high spectacle and razzle dazzle,
"Business Johnson," a 7-minute short film co-directed by Talia Raine and
Casper Frank, takes a simpler, more straightforward approach. Six urban
comic legends, including Rodney Perry, Larry B. Scott and Reggie De
Morton along with three others, are six men hangin' on a porch tellin'
lies. "Business Johnson" is funny, raw and uncensored. In fact, it may
be the only 7-minute R-rated film I've ever seen (while the film is raw,
the "R" is unwarranted, however). In a style that looks deceptively like
freestyle riffing, these comic legends are a beautiful sight to behold
in this simple yet uniquely wonderful film from Raine and Frank. Word
has it that audience response to these characters has led to plans for
an expanded project featuring their return!
"BINTA & THE GREAT IDEA"
Three and a Half Stars
A-
This 2006 Oscar nominee is a 30-minute short starring Zeynabou Diallo as
a young Senegalese girl who shares, quite simply, life in her village
and her father's grand idea to improve the world. Sponsored by UNICEF,
"Binta and the Great Idea" is a story about hope in seemingly impossible
circumstances. Written and directed by Javier Fesser, "Binta and the
Great Idea" got my vote for the 2006 Oscar (Okay. Okay. I didn't
actually have a vote!)
"WEST BANK STORY"
Three and a Half Stars
B+
"West Bank Story" captured the 2006 Oscar for Best Live Action Short
Film. The story of two competing falafel stands on the West Bank, "West
Bank Story" is a light, delightful and, yes, musical short film sure to
lift your spirits. Co-written and directed by Ari Sandel, "West Bank
Story" is beautifully photographed, well paced and, given our current
political climate, a remarkably timely piece of filmmaking.
"ERAMOS POCOS"
Two and a Half Stars
B-
This 2006 Oscar nominee is a funny, if somewhat slight 16-minute short
from Spain about a man who moves in his mother-in-law to care for him
and his son when his wife leaves him. "Eramos Pocos" captured six film
festival awards before its Oscar nomination. While the film feels a bit
hollow to me, there's no denying its gentle humor and simple humanity
have played well to audiences nationwide.
"GLACIER BAY"
Three Stars
B
Artie (James Noble, best known as the Governor from the "Benson"
television series) and Connie (newcomer Dorothy Bryce) are an elderly
"couple" attending a party following their grand-nephew's confirmation
in "Glacier Bay," a bittersweet look at a couple dealing with the
husband's ever-worsening Alzheimer's Disease. At times quite funny,
"Glacier Bay" is just as often a powerful, tender and difficult film. As
the elderly man losing his grip on reality, Noble offers a remarkable
performance of tenderness, sweetness and, at times, downright hilarity.
While Bryce's performance isn't up to part with that of Noble's, her
interactions with Artie make "Glacier Bay" a valuable film to watch.
Written by Frederick J. Stoppel and directed by Douglas Moser, "Glacier
Bay" is a spirited film with an important message about a subject that
touches thousands of lives every year.
Are you interested in having your short film reviewed by
IndependentCritics? Submit your short films to:
Richard Propes
IndependentCritics.com
5115 Devon Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46226
USA
Please include any additional press materials (by mail
or e-mail), including a hi-res photo that may be included with the
review. For more information, please contact me! |
