Photo Courtesy of Jack Walterman
Collette:
Synopsis: A couple hires a medium to contact their son’s imaginary friend.
General Thoughts: Colette is undeniably atmospheric with some exceptional practical effects and its use of lighting is top tier. The acting is strong. Even the direction from Jack Walterman feels strong where the execution levels up the film beyond what could have been another forgettable ghost movie. The downside is that Collette feels like a proof of concept rather than a complete story. Walterman leaves a lot on the table here. For better or worse, I wasn’t done with this world as the credits rolled. It showcases the signs of great direction but also something that could have been extended a bit more. Here’s to the future hope of a feature length.
Rorschach Rating: 4 / 5
Photo Courtesy of Bears Rebecca Fonte
How Far Does the Dark Go?
Synopsis: An addicted nurse begins a relationship with a vampire, resulting in deadly consequences.
General Thoughts: How Far Does the Dark Go doesn’t quite feel like it earns the need to be a feature. It’s a rare case that a film would have been stronger as a short film rather than an actual feature. In some ways, this reminds me of the two acts of last year’s Trap, where the music seemed to play a larger role than the actual narrative. There are numerous montages of overdubbed music by various pop artists, selected by Kendel Lester & Heather Evans. Dark certainly is a sleek and sexy thriller. There isn’t any substance to this vampire flick though. It’s grounded largely by its visuals, incredibly addictive soundtrack, and the stellar chemistry between its leads in Anna Hindman & Chloe Carroll.
Additionally, the tone is somewhat all over the place. While some of this narrative feels familiar, specifically the relationship between Hindman and Carroll, it gives the audience some elements that just feel out of place. There is an entire subplot about vampire hunters that feels comical for some reason, while the rest of the film seems to take this serious and sensual tone. It also feels jarring to have these elements in here - not to mention they are underdeveloped and unapologetically campy. Dark thrives on a technical level that I deeply wish would have been the same for the story. Even in spite of these elements, How Far Does the Dark Go is an enjoyable vampire film that rivals Interview with the Vampire - thanks to its stunning cinematography, chemistry and score.
Rorschach Rating: 3 / 5
Photo Courtesy of Steven George
Demon Twink:
Synopsis: A man makes a deal with a demon in exchange for eternal youth.
General Thoughts: The color palette of Demon Twink is hauntingly beautiful. This is a film that draws you in right from its opening frames. The character design of the demon is equally as striking. Actor Ben Cohen is the clear standout here within these 25 minutes. Cohen delivers a scene stealing performance. While Demon may be on the longer side, it can be daring when it wants to be. Sure, it is formulaic in certain portions with the ole “I sold my soul to the devil” trope, but it thrives on its technical achievements. It doesn’t always warrant its near 30 minute runtime, resulting in some aforementioned predictability and some uneven pacing.
Rorschach Rating: 3.5 / 5
Photo Courtesy of Anna Vecellio
Cold Feet::
Synopsis: A film about the monsters we hide in relationships.
General Thoughts: Subtle in its delivery, Cold Feet is a spectacular metaphor of a short film that rivals the brutal honesty and vulnerability of films like US & The Babadook. Writer-director Anna Vecellio is fearless in her delivery of a couple and the fears that accompany those early days. This is a beautiful creature feature thrill ride. The lighting offers this short film a feeling that is equal parts dread and tension. The character design, or what briefly we see, is chilling. Vecellio chooses to rely more on what the audience can feel rather than what we can see. Which is a refreshing approach to say the least.
Rorschach Rating: 5 / 5
Photo Courtesy of David Cornue
Let It Kill You::
Synopsis: The army faces off against an otherworldly force.
General Thoughts: It’s very hard to discuss this movie without actually spoiling it. Let It Kill You is a film that has a solid set up and execution. The practical effects are top tier. The acting is fine; nothing that really stands out here. In a lot of ways this feels like a proof of concept for something that could one day become a feature film. It’s a well paced short film that makes great use of its pacing and works way better than I think it should.
Rorschach Rating: 3.5 / 5
Photo Courtesy of Nikolaus Aldrich
The Visitor
Synopsis: A man attempts to find purpose but is startled with a surprise in the process.
General Thoughts: The Visitor hits on a lot of familiar tropes: being isolated in the woods, hearing things, and of course, things that go bump in the night, are only the tip of the iceberg. There is nothing inherently wrong with the film. On the contrary, it has great sound design, decent acting, and it thrives on its simplicity. These are just all things we’ve seen before and it offers nothing new to either the sci-fi or horror genre.
Rorschach Rating: 3 / 5
Photo Courtesy of Aaron Immediato
The Last Story on Earth:
Synopsis: An alien invasion interrupts a drag queen’s story time.
General Thoughts: This was a really fun one. The Last Story on Earth could be one of the biggest punk rock, middle finger films of this year. It’s simple, charming, and a marvelous spin on the sci-fi genre, while also maintaining a very real commentary on the ever controversial practice of drag. Last Story is a pure choice from start to finish.
Rorschach Rating: 4.5 / 5
Photo Courtesy of Nate Burrows
Dysphoria
Synopsis: An exploration of gender dysphoria through the lens of psychological horror.
General Thoughts: Clocking in at just a little over two minutes, Dysphoria is hauntingly beautiful with striking visuals. It’s a strong short film with vulnerable themes. However, for a run time this short, it’s hard for me to remain any other way but neutral.
Rorschach Rating: 3 / 5
Photo Courtesy of Zack Ogle & Aaron Pagniano
It Needs Eyes
Synopsis: A young girl uses violent content online to escape recent trauma
General Thoughts: It Needs Eyes is a smart blend between this coming of age story mixed with stunning visuals. The performance from Raquel Lebish is nothing short of incredible. Lebish commands the screen in both a possessive sense and in a vulnerable one. My biggest critique of the film is how it develops. Some of the elements that we are introduced to feel a little underdeveloped or brought to the audience a bit too late. Even in the face of such issues we still can’t help but be riveted by the commentary that writer-directors, Zack Ogle and Aaron Pagniano, bring to us about the dangers of social media.
Rorschach Rating: 3.5/5
Photo Courtesy of Sara Werner
“Girlfriend Girlfriend”
Synopsis: A co-worker asks a bold question in this experimental short film.
General Thoughts: Initially I wasn’t sure how to take “Girlfriend Girlfriend”. It’s a movie that I really had to sit with. It’s an experimental satire that will be divisive but it is undeniably smart and clever, even if it does embrace a bit of cringe humor along the way. Writer-director Sara Werner packs so much into these five minutes. Regardless of how you feel on this short film, it’s undeniably impressive. The imagery is the driving force of this short. The way in which Werner lays it all out feels equally vulnerable and like a big middle finger to anyone caught in the same situation as the characters. It’s bold, fearless, and a visual feast.
Rorschach Rating: 4 / 5
Photo Courtesy of Ariel McCleese
Lady Parts
Synopsis: A coming of age story about a young girl becoming comfortable in her sexuality.
General Thoughts: Take a hint of body horror and mix it with the traditional coming of age story and you have yourself Lady Parts. The color palette here is hauntingly beautiful in a way that almost feels visceral. The magenta blending with the blues and a touch of slime made this a very unique viewing experience. The score hits hard with a sense of wonder that is almost rare to find in genre films nowadays. The acting is exceptional and there is just a flat out beautiful quality to this film in nearly every sense of the word.
Rorschach Rating: 4 / 5
Photo Courtesy of Lila Woodbridge
Interference
Synopsis: A young man struggles with fear in the face of the AIDS crisis of the 80s.
General Thoughts: This short film masterfully weaves tension throughout its 25 minutes with ease. Interference is one of those short films that draws you to the edge of your seat and refuses to push you back until its heartbreaking ending. Thematically this movie reminds me of I Saw the TV Glow from last year. The way the use of its media to showcase the inter anxiety of our protagonist is nothing short of outstanding. These 25 minutes are gripping and thought provoking.
Rorschach Rating: 4 / 5
Photo Courtesy of C.J. Arellano
In the Valley: A Cosmic Queer Abduction
Synopsis: A one night stand takes a deadly twist.
General Thoughts: In the Valley is intoxicating with its visuals but even more engrossing with its atmospheric storytelling. For the most part, this short film is mostly silent. The narrative relies heavily on its visual presence which makes this movie not only satisfying to watch but also riveting to understand how the narrative unfolds next. In the Valley feels like a distant relative of Mandy or even Color Out of Space. There is undeniable Lovecraftian influence here.
Rorschach Rating: 4.5 / 5
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Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. We do not own nor claim any rights.
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