by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Welcome to The Short List! Each month, I treat you to a collection of short films. Hopefully this list will inspire you to check out some of these gems…
LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest (Disney+)
Are you ready for a wondrous journey back into the world of your favorite Disney princesses? Even better… what if they were made from LEGOs? Disney+ has the right tale for you, as five of our favorite princesses, Ariel, Rapunzel, Snow White, Moana, and Tiana, team up to save King Triton from the dastardly Gaston. It is the mega crossover event we all dreamed of as kids, and it certainly delivers on some of that promise. The Castle Quest is a fun little mystery that captures the energy and spirit of these characters (with mostly the original vocal performers as well). This is a delightful romp full of Disney magic and glee.
Soft Animals (YouTube)
How awkward is it to run into an ex? Well… it cannot possibly be more awkward and intrusive than the happenings of Soft Animals. Renee Zhan uses literal broad strokes to capture the fluidity of our personalities and the influences of others on it in this animated short. It depicts the challenge of seeing the truly defined individual while in a relationship. We see how we morph when connected to someone else as well. The beautiful pastels and sketches of this short (along with some uncomfortably accurate sound design) create a surprisingly poignant and recognizable dance that is worth experiencing.
Flounder (YouTube)
Who doesn’t love to do obnoxious strength building and team building activities? Yeah… most probably don’t. If you have ever been on a sports team, you know you have had to complete such a ridiculous bit of practice. But Flounder takes the audience and its characters into a hated charged and dangerous world of hyper masculinity in the guise of sports practice. The duo of Sam and David Cutler-Kreutz certainly must have experienced such things before. There are few sports films that will show the dangers of extreme training like this, with its moments of hysterics and fear. This thrilling experience certainly will turn the gaze back on us on society.
Stay (YouTube)
How far can you take a simple string toy to make a film out of it? One of the most exciting aspects of film is that it is so versatile, and has so much potential in it. Stay is a small yet affecting visual experience that leverages color, sound effects, music, and abstract visuals to capture the isolation of our human experience. We can sit at a table with others, yet feel so alone and distant. This isolation can put so much pressure to the point of breakage. Words are not needed to capture craft and dynamic storytelling that Stay does. There are emotional and relatable themes about family. Is your parent there at the moment with you? Or are they a call away from disappearing? This film captures that anxiety in such a beautiful and poignant way.
Meow or Never (YouTube)
Did you expect a musical short with a singing cat and dog made out of felt? Me neither… but it is a blast! Meow or Never is a truly strange fantasy creation with a tribe of singing marshmallows, catnip cannabis, and a wondrous world for this adventurous cat to explore. The visuals are a fun mix of stop motion with incredible textures and abstract hand-drawn animation (because of course they are high and see the world in a completely different way). The musical numbers are quite fun, and deliver some simple yet effective themes about engaging in the world around us. This is the most imaginative and fun film on this list, and also the most artistically impressive as well. Open that third eye like our protagonist and explore this wonderful fantasy musical — it will only take 10 minutes of your time!
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