short film review

Short Film Review: THE SLATE. Directed by Katherine Connor Duff

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A struggling actress attempts to film a self tape.

https://www.katherineconnorduff.com/

Review by Victoria Angelique:

The unique short film, THE SLATE, is nothing that would be expected from the title. The setup is a woman, Molly Harris, in front of a camera as she’s about to record an audition for a potential role. The expectation is a film about how stressful it is to take the right take for the audition, the twist is that this film isn’t about the audition at all but the toxic relationship between Molly and Lucas as a fight begins to unfold. 

The film, directed by Katherine Connor Duff, uses one long shot as Molly walks in and out of frame. Lucas is never seen, though he is definitely heard as the film continues throughout a stressful ride through the eyes of Molly. The subtext of the dialogue is what drives the story. This is not a happy couple. It begins with Molly turning off Lucas’s video game, causing her significant other to throw a temper tantrum as he is determined to bring her down and make her feel insecure in her acting. It’s also clear that the behavior was inherited from Lucas’s mother as he constantly brings her up and Molly quips she’s always having a “last birthday”. 

This narrative short is an artful depiction of what emotional abuse sounds like behind closed doors, with a subtle notion that the behavior is inherited from a parent. Lucas is the stereotypical momma’s boy, using an isolated event and the threat of going to his mother in order to keep Molly in line. He belittles her to the point of tears and then orders her to apologize for simply wanting his support. Never seeing Lucas almost makes it seem like his words are directed at anyone that has ever been the victim of a narcissist. His abuse is so prevalent that it takes Molly a few seconds to even remember her name in order to slate her audition. 

The lack of the score makes THE SLATE  even more triggering as every word that Lucas utters feels like a personal stab. It’s clear he’s always been this way and Molly walks on glass around him, especially since something as simple as turning off a video game caused the emotional abuse to be inflicted. It makes the film almost a PSA for verbal abuse as the audience feels helpless to get Molly out of her venomous relationship, while also not wanting to cross Lucas.

Short Film Review: EPICYCLE, 7min. Animation/Experimental

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Synopsis:

A surreal experimental animated allegory of the cyclical rise, fall and evolution of social order.

Review by Parker Jesse Chase:

Epicycle, an experimental animated short film, takes audiences on a surreal journey through the cyclical nature of social order, using a mesmerizing blend of animation and allegory. This unique creation is an exploration of the rise, fall, and evolution of societal structures.


The film opens with gears in motion, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of ticking of a clock, creating a sensation of time itself slowing down. The close-up of interconnected gears gradually pulls back to reveal an entity on a hoverboard, adorned with a face reminiscent of a plague mask. This character traverses in what appears to be a museum or gallery, emphasizing the cyclical nature of human existence. The gears continue to persist as the film transitions to pawns on a chessboard, symbolizing an almost robotic cycle of life. The entities within the animation seem to be going through the motions, akin to the routine viewing of art in a gallery.

The ticking gears merge with the same tempo of a heartbeat, immersing the viewer to a reflective state of mind.


The film’s color palette adds onto the surreal and bilateral element, enhancing the overall immersive experience. The gears, noise, and surroundings create an allegorical ambiance, mirroring the way one can become absorbed in a museum. A quick zoom behind the eye offers a glimpse into the soul, shifting the gallery’s perspective and connecting the audience with the essence of human nature.


Epicycle is a visually captivating and thought-provoking journey through the cycles of social order. Its experimental nature, combined with allegorical storytelling and vibrant animation, makes it a unique and engaging viewing experience. The film successfully prompts reflection on the interconnectedness of humanity and the art that reflects our shared experiences.

Film directed by Deb Ethier

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Short Film Review: THE OATH: A BATMAN FAN FILM. Directed by Johnny K.

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Synopsis:

Sergeant Frank Kelly is one of the last good cops in Gotham, and his life is about to change forever. This fan film takes a trip back to the mean streets of Gotham when “the Bat” was just a rumor chased by reporter Alexander Knox, and the city was powerless against crime bosses like Carl Grissom.

Review by Parker Jesse Chase:

“The Oath: A Batman Fan Film” takes us on a journey back to the gritty streets of Gotham City when the Batman was still a whispered rumor. Written and directed by Johnny K., this short film centers around Sergeant Frank Kelly (Jerry Morgan), a dedicated police officer in a city overrun by crime and corruption.

The film begins with a moody orchestral score, setting the tone for a classic superhero story arc. The title sequence artfully transitions from comic book inspiration to visual reality, immersing viewers into the world of Gotham through a scenic painting executed by Joe Granski. The attention to detail in the location and production design shines through, particularly in the exterior shots of Sgt. Kelly’s surroundings and the play of shadows against brick walls, capturing the essence of a grim and atmospheric Gotham City.

Rather than relying on action-packed scenes, the film uses dialogue-driven moments to convey the struggles faced by Sgt. Kelly and his partner. The writing effectively presents the systemic issues and moral dilemmas plaguing the city’s law enforcement. These issues come to a head when Kelly is faced with a choice that challenges his principles—a choice many officers before him have made. The film portrays the inner conflict well, exploring the temptation to compromise for personal gain in a broken system.

Central to the story is the arrival of Batman (Guillermo Mejía), a symbol of justice and vigilantism. The film’s strength lies in its ability to incorporate Batman into a narrative that primarily focuses on the perspective of an everyday officer. The costume design adds a unique touch by giving the police uniforms a superhero spin, while maintaining the noir aesthetics Gotham City is known for.

The film doesn’t shy away from tackling deeper themes, such as the struggle between doing what’s right and succumbing to the darkness. Sgt. Kelly’s journey serves as a microcosm of the larger battle for the soul of Gotham. The fight sequences, choreographed by Stunt Coordinator Jason White, are well-executed and enhance the film’s visual appeal in the editing process.

However, “The Oath” doesn’t offer much in terms of groundbreaking storytelling. The narrative arc feels familiar, echoing themes Batman fans have encountered before. The film’s strength lies in its attempt to humanize the world of Gotham by showcasing the perspective of an ordinary officer.

The performances are solid, with Jerry Morgan capturing the internal conflict of Sgt. Kelly effectively. Guillermo Mejía’s portrayal of Batman exudes the iconic presence expected of the Dark Knight. The film benefits from its commitment to visual authenticity with Gotham City contributing to the film’s noir-inspired atmosphere.

Ultimately, “The Oath: A Batman Fan Film” is a love letter to Batman’s world. While it doesn’t break new ground, it successfully combines familiar elements from the Gotham universe with a fresh perspective on the city’s struggles. It’s a reminder even in the darkest of times, there are those who are willing to remind you to stand up for justice and do the right thing.

Directed by Johnny K.

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Short Film Review: RUMI’S RUMBA. 19min.,

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Synopsis:

Professor Johnson, a college poetry professor, lectures his students on a poem by Rumi. When class finishes, one of the students, Olivia, approaches the professor with a question about the poem. This leads into a romantic fantasy musical sequence. Conflict arises soon after when Dean Cox and his secretary, Miss Flannigan, accuse Professor Johnson of exploiting Olivia.

Written & Directed by George Kostopoulos

George Kostopoulous has created a dark comedy centering around the taboo of a teacher sexually involved with his student and having to defend his actions to the school’s principal. But is it really that simple? No, no it isn’t.

As the film opens, the first thing that captures your attention is some fantastic cinematography thanks to Nicola Raggi. The slow pans and seamless transitions from shot to shot was expertly crafted. This really helped highlight a wonderful performance by Greg Amici, who was portraying ‘Professor Johnson’. The actors definitely had a rapport with one another and it showed in how believable they were.

One of the most comedic moments was Miss Flannigan’s facial expressions as she stood listening in at the Professor’s door. Quite possibly my favorite scene was the one choreographed by Joe Medeiros. The other students as dancers doing pirouettes and jete’s around the two lead characters as they were dancing was a joy to watch. The music seemed a bit more of a Tango than a Rumba to me, but “Rumi’s Tango” doesn’t give you that fun alliteration.


All in all, this definitely had the feel of: things aren’t always what they seem. George Kostopoulous put together a unique and comedic film about reversing roles and having a student entrap their teacher.

Review by Andie Karvelis

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Short Film Review: LIGHT, 5min., Sci-Fi/Experimental

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“LIGHT” is an amazing film.

First, we need to talk about HOW this film was made.

Directed by Karla Santa Anna, with the help of Midjourney (https://get.mid-journey.org/), an AI-powered program that uses state-of-the-art technology to generate images. In laymen’s terms — This is an A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) movie. And trust me, this is only the beginning. You’ll be seeing many more of these types of films in the future.

Karla Santa Anna chats about this process on the WILDsound podcast, and it’s fascinating. All you need to do is watch the film and see the amazing images that were captured with this program that fit the story and overall themes. It must be noted that Karla simply didn’t tell the A.I. to make this film, then lay back in her computer chair for a siesta. There is creative work involved. A lot of it is Karla’s specific communication with the program and then her figuring out what images created worked, didn’t work, and needed tinkering. With anything that succeeds in life there needs to be a plan in effect.

Plus, there is a terrific sound design that gives this film that extra touch of brilliance. Again, Karla uses 2023 materials and takes advantage of Moby’s music track program (https://mobygratis.com/) where he allows his music to be sampled for free to Independent, non-profit, and student filmmakers for their short films or videos. Moby’s music with a beautifully written voice over performed by Marlene Gordon takes “LIGHT” to the next level of short films.

So WHY was this film made?

In Karla Santa Anna’s words – “The world is upside down.”

And her summarization is that we all need to find the “LIGHT” in our hearts. To do the right things for the betterment of this world. Of course, that idea could sound a bit fluffy or idealistic to many. But watch this film and you will understand the message and reasoning.

“LIGHT” is a film that should be watched by everyone. Because spiritually it’s a message for the future. And creatively it’s a film of the future.

By Eli Manning

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