Saturday, February 23, 2008

Jason watches all the Oscar Nominated Live-Action Shorts

Here we go:

"Om Natten (At Night)"--A Danish film about chicks with cancer. It went on forever. I don't know the cutoff for "short" films, but this clocked in at just under 40 minutes, and by the end I couldn't wait for them to die. This is just the sort of thing the Academy is likely to pick.

"Il Supplente (The Substitute)"--My choice for the Oscar. A crazy substitute teacher really shakes up the class. Just my sense of humor, and a nice message about keeping a child-like sense of fun.

"Tanghi Argentini"--A nerdy guy strikes up an internet romance around tango. Problem is, he can't really dance, so he gets his lonely co-worker to teach him. A very good movie.

"Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets)"--Two not-too-bright pickpockets happen upon some great luck in the form of a little mute orphan who's truly gifted at thievery. Wacky hijinx ensue.

"The Tonto Woman"--This is my second choice for the Oscar. Based on a story by Elmore Leonard, it's about a cattle-rustling drifter, a rich rancher, and the rancher's wife. She was kidnapped by Indians, and rescued only after being tattooed in her face. The rancher keeps her hidden in a house out in the prairie. But the rustler finds her beautiful, cleans up, and tries to woo her. A showdown ensues. Very nicely done.

No comments: