Academy Award Nominees for Best Live Action Short Focus on Immigration, Poverty, and the Music of Old and Young Souls
Like animated short films, live action shorts need to pack an immediate emotional punch. As a result, short films often tap into themes already loaded with drama, such as bigotry, bullying, and of course, death. The 2014 Academy Awards Live Action Short winner, “Helium,” about a young boy with a terminal illness and the hospital janitor who befriends him, preps your soul for a big, cathartic sobfest, while Tribeca Film Festival favorite “Listen” bubbles with tension as a woman in a burqa attempts to report her husband’s abuse.
Time Twisted Tales & “Pear Cider” Highlight Oscar Nominated Shorts (Animation)
What the best short films lack in running time, they make up for in emotional impact and – especially in the animation category – stunning artistry. Take “The Present,” a four-minute, boy-and-his-dog vignette with a gut-punch of a finale (no, the dog doesn’t die!), or “The Missing Scarf,” a trippy, existential fable that clocks in at under seven minutes. This year’s Academy Award nominees for Best Animated Short Film push the boundaries even further, featuring a first-ever nomination for a Virtual Reality film (“Pearl”), and Pixar at both its lightest (“Piper”) and darkest (“Borrowed Time”).
Blu-Ray Pick: Rachel Weisz Must Prove the Truth of the Holocaust in ‘Denial’
The truth is a touchy topic nowadays, which is why Denial – now available on Blu-ray and DVD via Bleecker Street and Entertainment One – packs such a strong punch. Directed by Mick Jackson, Denial describes the 1996 libel suit brought by Holocaust denier David Irving (Timothy Spall) against American Holocaust studies professor Deborah Lipstadt (Rachel Weisz), and is based on Lipstadt’s own account of the trial.
Jaimie Alexander Takes A Passionate “Stance” With Wing Chun
It’ll be hard to find another actor (maybe Sullivan Stapleton?) who take on the physical challenges that Jaimie Alexander faces in Blindspot. In our interview with Alexander, she talked about how season two has gone “really smooth.” And if you’re into learning more about Kung Fu, check out our video below as Alexander talks about her passion for Wing Chun.
VIDEO: Vanessa Hudgens Talks ‘Powerless’ And Taking Chances
With dramatic work such as Spring Breakers, The Frozen Ground, Gimme Shelter (a personal fav of mine), and a Broadway stint with Gigi, Vanessa Hudgens loves to creatively shake things up. Her latest venture is headlining the NBC comedy Powerless, and in the video below I asked Hudgens about her acting journey.
Ruby Rose Praises Keanu Reeves’ Work Ethic On ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’
Although John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is a one man wrecking crew, he may have met his match with Ares (Ruby Rose), his top adversary in John Wick: Chapter 2. To hear Rose talk about working on the film and collaborating with Keanu Reeves, check out the audio below!!
Flipping the Script on: Tarsem’s ‘The Fall’
Welcome to “Flipping the Script,” a monthly column where I will reconsider recent films that have been panned, frowned upon, or simply under appreciated. I believe that movies should speak to us on a deep, personal level, and this column will consist of films that have done that for me despite widespread derision or apathy. Join me on my noble quest for cinematic redemption!
Jason Ralph, Olivia Taylor Dudley, & Stella Maeve On The Magicians’ Enriching Journey