Fantastic Short Film Friday - The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (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.

The Oscar's have just been announced with a lot of fanfare, and while many critics are ooohing and aaawing at the "major" categories, I like to do what I do every year, check out the short film nominations. Now this can prove a daunting task at times since many of the shorts are not easily available (which always makes me wonder how many of the voters have actually seen all the shorts). But I soldier on to bring myself and yourself the looks at what Oscar deems worthy of their special recognition. The first of the bunch I'll be taking a look at is a 14-minute animated short called, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore from filmmakers, William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg. This is a stunning work of art, one that leads me to much sadness on why more people aren't made aware of such incredible filmmaking.

Here's the synopsis from the Itunes store:

Inspired, in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a hybrid style of animation that harkens back to silent films and MGM Technicolor musicals. Morris Lessmore is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time.

Now I can't embed it since you can only watch the full short by downloading it on Itunes, but its a free download! Check out the films website here and then go to Itunes. With just a click you'll be able to see it in all its HD glory. The above description from Itunes is right on point. This feels like the child of Keaton and Oz, of black and white film technology and wonderful technicolor, of the feeling of warmth books can bring to any soul.

Check this out if you love to be filled with the awe of wonder of childhood memories. Check this out if you're a lover of books and the written word. Check this out if you love classic films. Heck, just check this out period. Enjoy this weeks dose of short form goodness in, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.

Episode 82: MI Ghost Protocol, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Adventures of Tintin

Hello there and welcome to the 82nd 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 content. Thanks for your patience and it feels so good to be back!!

This week we take a look at 3 main movie that has been recently released and also of a few that are currently on dvd or in theaters. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
* The Girl with the dragon Tattoo
* The Adventures of Tintin
* Top 10: Favorite Movies of 2011
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 1.20.12 and 1.27.12

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!!

Fantastic Short Film Friday - The Arctic Circle (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.

It's animation time again and this one is a wonderfully snowy dark tale of simple greed and its consequences. Here is a 3-minute stop motion animated short called, The Arctic Circle from filmmaker, Kevin Parry. The animation style reminds me a lot of the classic Frosty the Snowman film, but with more of a silent film aesthetic to it (I mean it even contains title cards!).

Basically an Arctic inhabitant is fascinated by the sudden appearance of a mysterious box with the power to provide more fruit then he already has. As he keeps pursuing the box, pursuing more for himself, let's just say, this is a cautionary tale on the trouble with excess and basic ideas on capitalism.

This short is right out of the mind of Tim Burton with the both the philosophy and feel of the artist. To think this was made as a graduation art project is even more astounding. I'm always impressed with animated shorts that lean more towards the dark side. This short and its characters would feel right at home in a Twilight Zone episode. It's just creepy, eerie and wonderfully executed.

Check this out if you want to see some wonderful stop motion animation, the type of animation that's sadly becoming more and more a dying art. Check this out if you enjoy thoughtful works that anyone who has ever lived wanted more then they already have can relate to. Enjoy this weeks dose of short form goodness in, The Arctic Circle.


The Arctic Circle from Kevin Parry on Vimeo.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Our Deal (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 modern update on the classic musical West Side Story, but fret not for those that don't like singing in their shorts, this is all body language and acting, a musical modernization without song. Here is a 13-minute short called, Our Deal from filmmaker, Drew Barrymore (yes that Drew Barrymore). The cinematic short form is getting more and more popular these days, and no where is that more evident then with this short, a film directed by a big name Hollywood actress and starring a cast of up and coming stars, from Chloe Moretz to Donald Glover.

The plot centers on a star-crossed love affair by members of rival gangs. Moretz is part of the Night Creeper’s and Tyler Posey is part of The Daytrotters. The two gangs share a turf, but have it at different times, Night/day. But from what we know from films like The Warriors and West Side Story, gangs can't coexist even if they are filled with good looking members, so they’re going to rumble, and dance, and dance some more. Sadly though this isn't a turf/class warfare battle of the wits like You Got Served was.

Produced by MTV, this short is a new idea from the no longer music video television channel- a new idea they like call, "supervideo." These supervideos are low-budget, narrative music videos designed to be platform “agnostic”, pairing big film talent with indie-superstar artist. Basically if you like the old Michael Jackson love form music videos, you'll like these shorts. Barrymore shows an adept eye at directing action and beautiful urban scenery, and Moretz gets to star in a more "mature" role then we've seen her before, displaying teenaged angst and love through her body language and facial expressions since there's no dialogue in the short. Just fantastic.

Check this out if you love stories like Romeo and Juliet. Check this out if you always wanted to watch a musical type performance but were turned off by the music. Again, this is a short with film/television actors! Just crazy. Enjoy this weeks dose of short form goodness in, Our Deal.

MTV Supervideo - Music - Best Coast - Best Coast - Music - More Music Videos

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Gene Shalit Supercut (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.

It's 2012, it's the first Fantastic Short Film Friday of the new year and what better way to start the new year then of a collection of awful, yet brilliant puns. This one is going to be short and sweet. Here is a 2-minute collection of puns used by film critic Gene Shalit in his reviews called, Gene Shalit Supercut. This is bad, but like many a bad movie, its goes from bad to good to bad and then to brilliant. I'm not going to say this is gold, but I will say I see why I'll never be a serious film critic. I can't come up with such great puns! And yes I know this isn't a "short film" but its short and its genius so I hope you'll forgive me.

Check this out if you watch a lot of movies and want to laugh. Check this out if you like Gallagher type puns, or hell even if you don't this is still gold! Enjoy this weeks dose of short form goodness in, Gene Shalit Supercut.