Movie Review – 2006 Academy Award Nominated Short Films

Great collection of short films available on a single DVD from Netflix –

“West Bank Story” – A very funny takeoff of the classic musical “West Side Story” but here a nice Israeli boy falls in love with a nice Palenstinian girl.  He’s a member of the Israeli army and his family runs the “Kosher King” restaurant right next door to her families “Hummus Hut” restaurant.  A LOT of fun.  Won the Oscar for Live Action Short.

“The Saviour” – The story of a door to door evangelist who has fallen in love with a woman in the neighborhood where his team is working.  He insists on meeting her without his partner which draws the suspicion of the rest of his group and his pastor.  Malcolm has to face the conflict between what his heart and his faith desire.  What he discovers is not what anyone expects.

“Helmer and Son” – (Danish, with subtitles) An elderly man locks himself in the closet at his retirement home and refuses to come out.  His son and daughter try everything to get him to come out.  When he does he brings several surprises with him.  A poignant look at family with a unique point of view.

“Binta and the Great Idea” (in French with subtitles) – Binta is a small girl from a village in Senegal.  She helps her father to bring an idea to help make the world a better place to the attention of the government. Slowly the big idea makes its way along.  Made in partnership with UNICEF the story is told in a fashion that is very different from Hollywood style.  The story unfolds both directly and through a play enacted by the children of Binta’s village. in the end the big idea is something of a surprise but one that is still a very good idea.  The soundtrack for this one is wonderful as well.

“One Too Many” (Spanish with subtitles) –  When Joaquin’s wife leaves him with his son he asks his mother-in-law to come live with them.  It doesn’t turn out the way he expected.  A quietly funny little movie.

The following are animated films –

“The Danish Poet” – A look at the circumstances that bring people together to be parents and how that affects who we become.  A young poet goes in search of inspiration and finds love.  A film made with Canadian and Norwegian backing, it is narrated by Liv Ullman and won the Oscar for short animation.

“Maestro” –  A clever piece of CGI animation with a rather obvious punchline.

the following are bonus shorts, but not Oscar nominated –

“The Wraith of Cobbleskill” – A stop motion, claymation style film about a young man who has to take care of his mother.  Felix is asked to watch thelocal grocery store and the owener’s dog when the owner goes on vacation.

“The Passenger” –  A young man reading a scary novel discovers that his tunes had a side effect  he never anticipated but puts to good use.

“A Gentleman’s Duel” – Two gnetlemen are so caught up in the competition over a lady’s hand that they lose track of the lady herself.  An ever so slightly racy piece of fun with just the tiniest touch of steampunk.

“Guide Dog” – The story of the world’s worst guide dog.

“One Rat Short” – A rat from the streets falls into a laboratory filled with white rats.  Does he find love?  And what’s with the cheese curl bag?  A strange little movie.

A live action extra –

“Surviving the Rush” – A small Detroit movie theater gets the movie movie in years and can barely survives the experience.  Lots of bad language and only a so-so execution.

There’s some real quality here, and overall the quality is quite good.  A couple of weaker efforts don’t take too much away from th experiene.

Rating – **** Recommended