Academy Nominated Short Films are the new awesome

The 78th Academy Awards are upon us this weekend! I hope you are all prepared to talk about your favorite films of the year and make fun of celebrity’s choice of evening wear.

You know the part of the Oscars when the short movies and short animated films are being judged, and you have no idea what they are talking about, because who ever sees the Shorts? Well, a group of friends and I went did just that tonight so that we could actually have an educated opinion. I am going to do you the favor and give you the low down on the films so that you have a cheat sheet to refer to and look smart when that portion of the awards comes.


Our Time is Up
USA
A therapist (Kevin Pollak) who learns he has only six weeks to live begins treating his patients with a dose of brutal honesty. This short was pretty standard American fare – funny and concise, with an obvious moral ending while still snarkily reminding you even your therapist probably thinks that you are ridiculous. Bonus - Hurley from Lost (Jorge Garcia) was the gardener.


The Last Farm
Norway or some place
An elderly man keeps a secret from the outside world as he reacts to the possibility that he will no longer be able to remain on his isolated farm. This short reminds you that it is better to bury yourself alive than go to an old folks home.


Ausreisser (The Runaway)
Germany
When the six-year-old son he never knew he had shows up on his doorstep one morning, a novice father tries to find the boy's absent mother. I am still not totally sure what even happens in the end - it was supposed to be mind bending and artisic, I think. Cameron said it was probably a good that Germany lost WW2, or all the movies being made today would be just like this one.


Cashback
UK
A London art student with a vivid imagination explains the fine points of getting through the night shift at a dull job. How do you think he does it? By imagining all the 19 year old girls shopping there naked (in an artistic way. *ahem*)


Six Shooter
UK
As he travels home by train after his wife's death, a grief-stricken man finds an already terrible day taking some bizarre turns for the worse…if you call seeing several other people die over the course of the day “a turn for the worse.” This one was probably my favorite of the lot. Watch it just to see the cow explode and hear what comes out of Rúaidhrí Conroy’s mouth.