by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Welcome to the Buried Treasure of the Streaming World! This series takes a month’s worth of content at a time and sifts out the buried treasure that exists on all forms of streaming. These films most likely fly under the radar, but now it is time to shine that spotlight on them and give them the attention they truly deserve. Time to dive in, shall we?
My Year of Dicks (9/10) — Hulu
The short film categories at the Oscars are always an interesting assortment of narratives and visual storytelling. Many of the animated films utilize that medium to convey stories that would be a little harder to watch in live action. But it is My Years of Dicks that uses the animation to tell a story that feels quite relatable: that conquest to lose your virginity. We have seen it in countless teen comedies and dramas over the years, but here it feels more intimate and personal. This is for no joke; it is there to entertain and connect in meaningful ways. There are some awkward experiences on this path, but it is always engaging and entertaining every step of the way.
Jackals & Fireflies (7/10) — YouTube
Wait… Charlie Kaufman is back with a short film? Wait… he filmed it completely on a cell phone? Wait… it is really poetry in motion featuring a talented young creator? All of these things are true, as Kaufman has returned to provide a visually engaging and thematically dense gaze into the soul of humanity. Poet Eva H.D. offers up insightful ideas and themes that register deeply. We get to see a new side to New York City, which is a more refreshing take than the narrative that is permeating society today. Kaufman and Eva H.D. are quite the pair. I will be waiting patiently to see what these two do next.
Dress Code (7/10) — YouTube
Who says you need a big budget and big actors to sell a crime drama (or any film for that matter)? Dress Code is a deeply personal story that uses the Mafia backdrop perfectly to build drama, inject traditional conflicts, and plenty more. We have a protagonist who has lost his way and the dreams he once had. We experience his life, which is a lie. Deep down, he just wants to present how he really is. Tradition and pressures weigh heavy, allowing for strong dramatic moments. There is plenty of drama and suspense — this tragic story might just take some twists along the way and leave you contemplating the consequences.
Ice Merchants(9/10) — YouTube
What can be more touching than a parent and child grieving the loss of the other parent? Ice Merchants takes a beautifully animated and fantastical approach to showing that process. There are few animated stories as beautifully animated in recent memory as this short. The visuals of this precarious home latched to the side of an icy mountain is awe-inspiring. It is even more impressive to watch this father-son duo dive from the top, time and time again. The final moments are heartbreaking and moving, wrapping up a beautifully rendered and sensitively told tale of grief and love.
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