Friday, July 29, 2011

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Ten For Grandpa (live-action)
















And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

This week we have for you an amazingly polished piece, a short with Hollywood big picture production values about Cold War conspiracies, mythology and genealogy. Here is a 7-minute dramatic mystery short called, Ten for Grandpa from filmmaker, Doug Karr. This short utilizes wonderfully the breaking of the fourth wall to tell a mystery tale with amazing visual ques and seamless narrative transitions.

Starring David Alpay, this is the story of a grandson who wants to ask his deceased grandfather ten questions as he tries to figure out who the man was. Here is the true life story of one man, two superpowers, three ex-wives and four autopsies. I love the fact that this short uses a man's quest through genealogy as he unlocks the possible super-heroics of his grandfather. The voiceover from Alpay throughout the short, as he weaves in and out of scenes, is phenomenally well done. I'm still stunned by how unbelievably polished this short looks.

Check this out if you're in the mood to see some high quality short film making with a dash of mystery sleuthing. It's somber, it's deep and yet still quite funny and engaging. This is one of the better shorts I've seen in some time. Enjoy this weeks dose of short form goodness in, Ten for Grandpa.


Ten for Grandpa from Pie Face Pictures on Vimeo.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Rolling Bomber (live-action)
















And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

This week we have for you a wonderful piece for anyone who grew up watching or even has a passing knowledge of the Powers Ranger TV show or other Super Sentei shows (i.e. hero's in costumes battling rubber suited villains). Here is a 7-minute action comedy short called, Rolling Bomber from filmmaker, Tetsuya Nakashima. The cliched hero's journey is one where the hero grows up as an outcast and must cast off his inhibitions and insecurities in order to save the world and become the hero he always knew he could be. Thankfully this one's a spoof and throws those conventions on their heads.

Starring J-Pop superstar Katori Shingo, this is the story of a young man who gets attacked by a group of super powered hero's who believe he's destined to destroy the world. Each and every day they attack him trying to defeat him as he cries that it's all a misunderstanding. However, as the young man continues to question who he really is, what he's meant to be, maybe these superhero cliche speaking jerks aren't so far from the truth.

Check this out if you're in the mood to laugh your head off. It's a truly funny play on conventions and will have any fan of the Power Rangers heaving in fits of cheesy laughter. This is the kind of crazy stuff that could only come out of Japan. Enjoy this weeks dose of short form goodness in, Rolling Bomber.


Monday, July 18, 2011

Episode 70: Transformers Dark of the Moon and Horrible Bosses

Hello there and welcome to the 70th episode of the Cinema Cafe Podcast, the bi-weekly, twice monthly film podcast by the fans, for the fans. Join us each week as we review new movies releases, look at some dvd's, talk some film news and share our general love for all things cinema. The main goal is to have some fun and hopefully provide the listener with some helpful insight. We are back and the podcasting world is alight once again.

We are finally back with recharged batteries and are ready once again to bring our loyal listeners some brand new bi-weekly contact. Thanks for your patience and it feels so good to be back!!

This week we take a look at 2 movies that have been recently released and also of a few that are currently on dvd. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* Transformers Dark of the Moon
* Horrible Bosses
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 7.15.11 and 7.22.11

Also, film news and more, only on the Cinema Cafe Podcast. We hope you enjoy and happy movie watching.

Thanks as always to all our loyal listeners for sharing the ride with us as we've once again started producing the show. It's all due to your support that we have kept things going and we hope you continue to share the ride with us in the coming months.

We're also on Itunes so head over there and subscribe to the Cinema Cafe Podcast and don't forget to post a review! Thanks!!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Invention of Love (animated)
















And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

This week we have for you a beautiful yet heartbreaking love story told in a world of nuts and bolts with wonderful animated shadowplay images dancing on the screen. Here is the 9-minute animated short Invention of Love from filmmaker, Andrey Shushkov. Like the best short films, this one has a simple premise with a simple narrative that belies its deeper meanings. It's all at once breathtakingly nostalgic as we watch a Steampunk world of turn of the century mechanical engineering, and painstakingly tragic.

This is the story of two young souls who fall in love in the backdrop of floating cities and countrysides, in a world of beautiful machinery and black soot covered flowers. They get married and realize that the worlds they know, the worlds they love, are just too different. But beyond the narrative, just watch the story, the world that Andrey Shushkov has created, a vision told in moving picturebox. The melodic classical music is also a great compliment to the story adding nuances and heart to the scenes.

Check this out if you're in the mood to watch both beauty and tragedy unfold right before your eyes. This is the kind of animation that could only happen in the short form and we're all the more lucky to be able to check it out for free. Enjoy this weeks dose of short form goodness in, Invention of Love.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Crazy Hands (live-action)
















And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

This week we have for you a whimsical and slightly off-kilter short reminiscent of the Chaplin and Keaton silent comedies. Here is the 7-minute comedic short Crazy Hands from British filmmaker, Charlie Graley. Like the best silent films, this one takes a simple premise, a man wakes up and finds he no longer has control over his hands, and explores how that simple fact affects his and everyone around him daily lives.

As I mentioned this is reminiscent of the Chaplin and Keaton silent films, but that's not entirely true. There is no dialogue bu things aren't entirely silent. Our main character with the crazy hands lives in a world where grunts and facial expressions get people through their days. What I love so much about this short is how it showcases the fact that one simple thing can throw off the normalcy of our daily lives and how without the semblance of normalcy can drive anyone insane. There's a lot of heart here and if the finale doesn't put a smile on your face I don't know what will.

Check this out if you need some old-fashioned comedy, if the daily crush of the cubicle gets to you, watch this to realize things could be much worse. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness in, Crazy Hands.


Crazy Hands from Charlie Graley on Vimeo.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Episode 69: Green Lantern and Bad Teacher

Hello there and welcome to the 69th episode of the Cinema Cafe Podcast, the bi-weekly, twice monthly film podcast by the fans, for the fans. Join us each week as we review new movies releases, look at some dvd's, talk some film news and share our general love for all things cinema. The main goal is to have some fun and hopefully provide the listener with some helpful insight. We are back and the podcasting world is alight once again.

We are finally back with recharged batteries and are ready once again to bring our loyal listeners some brand new bi-weekly contact. Thanks for your patience and it feels so good to be back!!

This week we take a look at 2 movies that have been recently released and also of a few that are currently on dvd. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* Green Lantern
* Bad Teacher
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 7.01.11 and 7.08.11

Also, film news and more, only on the Cinema Cafe Podcast. We hope you enjoy and happy movie watching.

Thanks as always to all our loyal listeners for sharing the ride with us as we've once again started producing the show. It's all due to your support that we have kept things going and we hope you continue to share the ride with us in the coming months.

We're also on Itunes so head over there and subscribe to the Cinema Cafe Podcast and don't forget to post a review! Thanks!!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Interpretation (live-action)
















And we are back after a slight hiatus with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

This week we have for you a truly gripping fable on the understanding and interpretations of life's messages. Here is a 9-minute crime short Interpretation from stuntman extraordinaire now turned director, Lin Oeding. Like the best action film, this is a story about the choices we make and how our understanding of history and literature can shape our work views.

Set in any urban city, with a couple that could be you out on stroll after a fun date. a group of thugs who quote from Sun-Tzu’s The Art of War, corner the unsuspecting couple and try to mug them. However it's the thugs and their lack of understanding of The Art of War that may lead them to ultimately be the victims. The action is intense and compact and the editing of the action is wonderfully done. This is one taut crime short, one that had me on the edge of my seat holding my breath, exhaling only when the credits finished rolling.

Check this out if you need an adrenaline rush in your day or if you like to start your day with some good old fashioned action. There's some good levity, some good comedic moments from the actors that give the viewer a slight breather but when the story picks up, wow, it's truly riveting. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness in, Interpretation.