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… 

Strange Way of Life (Theaters)

What did Pet Almodóvar have up his sleeve for his latest short film to arrive in cinemas? He took audiences to the America West for his first dabbling into the western genre. But how does it still capture the essence and boundary pushing of his work? It just might be one of the richest and most colorful westerns you will see. Those greens and reds… beautiful. Oh… it is also a gay love affair. This short film puts its two middle-aged men, Silva (a charming and alluring Pedro Pascal) and Jake (a rugged and weathered Ethan Hawke), into a situation to re-spark their connection, but also in the middle of a morally challenging situation that sees familial bonds and justice clash together. This gorgeous film certainly challenges its audiences, along with its talented duo, to deliver an effective and only a bit frustrating short film (only because it makes you want so much more). It captures a Strange Way of Life full of regrets and longing.

The Human Voice (Theaters)

Can Tilda Swinton carry a whole short film on her shoulders for 30 minutes? That is a silly question… of course she can. The Human Voice was a wonderful shining light in the dark times of 2020. It is a strikingly beautiful film which grabs your attention from the opening sequence in the most colorful hardware store ever created. Most of this film is captured in a minimalist approach, as Swinton’s Woman inhabits her apartment, which certainly looks like it would be a setting of an Almodóvar film, and is set inside a warehouse. We do not need a big budget and realistic storytelling approach when Swinton and Almodóvar can channel SO much emotion into every frame. This story of love lost, grief, emotional breakdowns, and suicidal ideation does not pull punches, while offering Swinton one of the juiciest roles of her career. But having an adorable dog doesn’t hurt either.

Lego Jurassic Park: The Unofficial Retelling (Peacock)

Do you love Jurassic Park? Do you love LEGOs? Do you love Jeff Goldblum? Well… here is the perfect animated short for you! LEGO Jurassic Park: The Unofficial Retelling does not offer a new story, as it is literally a condensed version of the classic and beloved film. What it does offer is a fun time that balances Goldblum’s charm, that LEGO production sense of humor, and a clever navigation of turning Jurassic Park into an actual kid-friendly affair. Some of the best gags are Ian Malcolm (who offers up this fun retelling) trying to navigate the more violent and unfortunate deaths of some of the characters. They are just having some tea… and were never heard from again. Sounds convincing, right? Goldblum makes this 20-minute abridged retelling a delight. He might be the only performer returning for this romp, but he is certainly enough to carry it for that short of a runtime.

Mickey and Friends Trick or Treats (Disney+)

Are you ready for a whole new spooky adventure for Mickey Mouse and his best pals? Trick or Treats is the latest animated short film from Disney+ that puts Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy into a crazy situation. What is most surprising is just how many catchy new musical numbers they can throw into this little flick — the songs are funny and charming, while setting up this spooky atmosphere. The gang gets turned into their Halloween costumes by the powerful and cranky witch, Witch Hazel. We get to meet a few more classic movie monsters (Disney style) as they try to turn back to normal (even though Daisy gets turned into a Queen… which sounds like a great deal). The animation is done at an interesting speed to give it a stop motion feel, which is just a fun little topper on this already joyful romp.

Once Within a Time (Theaters)

Are you ready for a short new film that not only has almost zero dialogue and features Mike Tyson? Yes… THAT Mike Tyson. Writer and co-director Godfrey Reggio delivers just that with his new arthouse surrealist experience, Once Within a Time. This film is impressive in the way it literally says nothing, but can say so much about the crazy world we live in, and how humanity must experience the great elements of existence. One of those elements is money… so you know what kind of film this is. These might be the most creative and visually abstract renditions of the Biblical tale of Adam and Eve, as we start from the dawn of humanity to the violent and destructive world of today. This is not easy to view, nor is it for anyone looking for just a fun watch. It feels like work in the way you must engage with it, but if you do, you can experience one of the most idiosyncratic and impressively realized films in recent memory. 

You can read more from Shane Conto, and follow him on Instagram, and Letterboxd